A truly epic 16-day adventure – four exotic imperial cities, the soaring mountains of the High Atlas, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, the golden desert of the “Moroccan Sahara”, and the wild Atlantic coast
Join us for an unforgettable 16-day adventure across Morocco which offers you the best of everything that the country has to offer. From the heights of the High Atlas and the forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, to a camel trek across the epic dunes of “the Moroccan Sahara”, and from the romance of all four of its imperial cities, with their oriental palaces, mosques and mausoleums within, to the wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing on Morocco’s west coast. All this and an overnight stay in Toubkal National Park in the small Berber village of Tamatert with views of Mount Toubkal, north Africa’s highest mountain.
Morocco
Erg Chebbi (Merzouga)
Duration
16 days
Culture Tour, Desert Trek
& Mountain Tour
Leisurely
Intro to Great Tour of Morocco
Join us for an unforgettable 16-day adventure across Morocco which offers you the best of everything that the country has to offer.
From the heights of the High Atlas and the forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, to a camel trek across the epic dunes of “the Moroccan Sahara”, and from the romance of all four of its imperial cities, with their oriental palaces, mosques and mausoleums within, to the wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing on Morocco’s west coast. All this and an overnight stay in Toubkal National Park in the small Berber village of Tamatert with views of Mount Toubkal, north Africa’s highest mountain.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore all four of Morocco’s beautiful Imperial Cities – Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Rabat
- Wander through the medina of the “Blue City” of Chefchaouen, tucked away in the Rif Mountains of the north
- Stroll through the ancient ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Take a walk through the Todra Gorge
- Experience a camel ride and an overnight bivouac on the dunes of Erg Chebbi
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou
- Spend a night in the traditional Berber village of Tamatert in the Toubkal National Park
- Enjoy two relaxing nights in Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Marrakech – Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen – Meknes – Fes – Merzouga & Erg Chebbi – Todra Gorge – Aït Benhaddou – Imlil & Tamatert – Essaouira – Marrakech
KEY INFORMATION
- Pick-up & drop-off at Marrakech-Menara Airport at times to suit your flight arrival & departure.
- It would alternatively be possible to start and finish this tour in Casablanca. Please ask for details.
- You can start your tour on any date you wish
- This tour is available throughout the year
- If this itinerary is not exactly what you had in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Full escort: our tours are fully escorted by an English-speaking driver and by local guides for your city tours as specified in the itinerary
- Meals: breakfast on Days 2 to 6 and Days 12 to 16, breakfast and dinner on Days 7 to 10, plus breakfast, lunch and dinner on Day 11
- Accommodation: 14 nights in riads or hotels and 1 night at a desert camp
- Transport: a modern, air-conditioned minibus or 4×4 vehicle with a professional driver
- Activity: guided camel ride
- Provided documents include a personalised itinerary for your tour and facts about the country
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Entry charges
- Tips
- Soft drinks and items of a personal nature
Best Season
January to December
DATES
- Mon 20th July – Tue 4th August 2026
- Sat 7th November – Sun 22nd November 2026
PRICES
PER PERSON
£1950pp
Maximum group size – 12
Bespoke, private tours: Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
DAY 1
Arrive in Marrakech
Arrive at Marrakech-Menara Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your riad in the medina where you will spend the night. The rest of the day is free for you to begin to explore this fabulous city independently.
DAY 2
Drive from Marrakech to Casablanca
After breakfast we drive to Casablanca. Casablanca is the beating heart of modern Morocco, more Europeanized than other parts of the country, and also the country’s business capital, with all the hustle and bustle that you would expect this to entail.
In the afternoon we will visit Hassan II Mosque a true feat of modern architecture that features some of the best traditional Moroccan, craftsmanship. It is the largest mosque in Morocco and the only functioning mosque which non-Muslims are permitted to enter.
DAY 3
Drive from Casablanca to Chefchaouen
After breakfast, we drive to Rabat to explore the Oudaya kasbah and Chellah necropolis and see the roman-era city alongside the more recent ruins of the Almohad and Merenid dynasties of the 12th and 14th centuries.
We will then drive onwards to Meknes and, after a few hours more, arrive at Chefchaouen, “the Pearl of the North”, often referred to as the “blue city” or simply “Chaouen”, tucked into the folds of the Rif Mountains, where you will spend the night in a guesthouse.
DAY 4
A full day in Chefchaouen
Enjoy a free day in Chefchaouen. The city, renowned for its blue-painted buildings, is spectacular in its own right, and, against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains, it is truly a sight to behold. The reason for so many of its buildings being painted blue is a bit of a mystery but is sometimes said that its buildings were originally painted blue by the town’s former Jewish population.
At sunset, you might opt to visit the Spanish Mosque for a stunning panoramic view of the city. We spend a second night in Chefchaouen.
DAY 5
Drive from Chefchaouen to Fes via Meknes
In the morning we drive to Meknes for a guided walk. We will visit its major monuments, ornamental gates and winding souks, all the while soaking in the atmosphere of this charming city. Later, we continue through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and take a guided tour of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we continue our drive to the imperial city of Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial capitals and the most complete medieval city in the Arab world.
DAY 6
A full day in Fes
In the morning we enjoy a guided walking tour through the medina, with free time to explore more of the city independently in the afternoon. The medina of Fes is the world’s largest living medieval medina and a protected UNESCO site.
Just as soon as we pass through its medieval gates and enter its sprawling labyrinthine alleys, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Donkeys and mules are the only form of transport permitted to pass through its steep and narrow lanes. You will be greeted by the enticing scents of perfumes and spices which waft over the souk. However, the most appalling stink also arises from the leather tanneries, where workers stand up to their waists treating leather in noxious tanning pits, much in the same way as their forefathers have done for generations. However, this shouldn’t put you off your visit: Fes is rightly famous for its locally-made leather goods which also make great souvenirs. Explore the artisans’ quarters, sample treats from the carts, and look down on Fes’ famous leather tannery from the gallery above.
In the evening, opt for dinner in a converted riad complete with local specialties, live music and belly dancing, or visit a local hammam to chat with the locals.
DAY 7
Drive from Fes to Merzouga
Today we drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains and the magnificent cedar forest around Azrou. Keep your eyes open for the possibility of spotting Barbary apes.
We then pass through a pre-desert landscape of deep gorges filled with oases of splendid green palm groves before arriving at Merzouga, where we spend the night in a simple desert hotel, located right on the edge of the sand dunes, often referred to as “the Moroccan Sahara”. We take a local-style dinner before retiring for the night.
DAY 8
Camel ride from Merzouga to Bedouin camp
Enjoy a free day until heading out on a camel safari in the late afternoon. You might choose to spend the cool of the morning exploring the gently undulating sand dunes on foot or perhaps simply relaxing by the pool. Alternatively, if you are feeling more adventurous, you might opt to take a 4×4 excursion to explore some of the surrounding settlements.
In the afternoon we take an overnight bag and set off on a one-hour camel ride across the dunes to our camp, right on the edge of the dunes themselves. Local guides will teach you how to mount and dismount your camel and how to tie a turban to keep the desert sun off your face.
Once arrived, enjoy a warm welcome at your desert camp and watch a glorious sunset followed by a traditional dinner under the stars. There will be time to hear stories about life in this region and perhaps, if we are lucky, be treated to some traditional music on the drums.
Please note: there will be a chance to repack your belongings during the morning as we should each only take an overnight bag to the camp. The accommodation on the dunes is basic, with four people per tent, while some prefer to sleep outside under the stars. Bathroom facilities are also basic and shared. Mattresses with sheet and blanket are provided. For winter months (November to April), we recommend bringing a sleeping bag for additional warmth. There will be the chance to shower at an auberge upon your return to Merzouga the following morning.
DAY 9
Camel ride from Bedouin Camp to Merzouga and drive from Merzouga to Todra Gorge
We wake up early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise over the dunes, then once more ride our camels across the dunes and finally back to the auberge where we take breakfast and a shower.
We then continue our drive through a stone desert to the stunning Todra Gorge. Wedged between massive cliff walls, the gorge is filled with a green oasis of palm trees. This serene spot is great for hiking, relaxing on the edge of the river, or sampling some local Berber delicacies.
DAY 10
Todra Gorge to Aït Benhaddou
After breakfast, we continue our journey along the Dades Valley, “the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs”, to the thriving town of Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Desert” for a lunch stop. Traditionally a resting point used by African traders on their journeys across the Sahara, today it is used as the set of many great films such as Alexander the Great and The Last Temptation of Christ.
From here, we turn away from the pre-desert landscape of the south for the magnificent High Atlas Mountains and reach the beautiful, fascinating Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. This ksar, a small fortified settlement, is one of the very best-preserved and most sought-after in all of Morocco.
DAY 11
Aït Benhaddou to Imlil
We head still higher into the Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which, at 2260m, it is the highest motorable road in Morocco. We head onwards, into the splendid Toubkal National Park, passing through small villages on winding mountain roads along the way.
We finally arrive at the Berber village of Imlil. While our main luggage is then transported by mule, we embark on the short walk to our accommodation in the small village of Tamatert. Here we enjoy a homemade dinner of local produce in its cosy salon and settle in for the night, appreciating the fantastic views, the clean mountain air and the tranquillity of this magical region.
Please note: while the walk from Imlil to Tamatert to our accommodation is uphill, only average fitness is required to reach it and we will proceed at a gentle pace.
DAY 12
Imlil to Essaouira
After breakfast, we take a scenic hike back down the mountain from Tamatert to meet our vehicle in Imlil and then drive to the coastal town of Essaouira, arriving by mid-afternoon.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore as you wish.
Essaouira is a peaceful seaside town with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina. Previously known as Mogador, the city is a beautiful example of an 18th century fortified maritime citadel. The town is popular with artists, partly on account of its fusion of Arab, Berber, Jewish, African and European cultural influences.
DAY 13
A full day in Essaouira
Enjoy a free day exploring this coastal port town independently.
The mild climate invites you to rest and relax. However, with its narrow streets lined by workshops and art galleries, this pretty white-painted town has plenty to keep you busy during your stay. Browse the many shops for leather, jewellery, lamps or trinkets, or watch the brightly painted fishing boats bringing their catch into the busy harbour.
Beyond its walls, the town also has a long, wild beach, a great place to watch windsurfers, kite surfers and sand-yachters showing off their talents in the brisk sea breeze. In the evening you can enjoy a fresh fish dinner at the harbour or join locals taking their customary sunset stroll along the city ramparts.
DAY 14
Drive from Essaouira to Marrakech
After breakfast, we drive to Marrakech, the “Red City”, set against the wonderful backdrop of the High Atlas Mountains. First, you will join a city guide for a half-day tour of the medina, visiting the historical Koutoubia minaret and gardens, Bahia Palace, the Mellah, and the Saadian Tombs.
Afterwards, you might choose to relax at one of the many cafes and small restaurants found around the main square, Djemaa el-Fna, while watching the hustle and bustle from a shady spot. You could end the day like a local with an optional dinner in the famous food stalls of Djemaa el-Fna.
DAY 15
A full day in Marrakech
Here is a great chance for you to continue your exploration of the city independently. Take a step back in time and lose yourself in the maze of souks and spice markets in its ancient medina. Wander through the labyrinth of stalls, pick your way through alleys lined with elaborately decorated brass lamps, watch artisans producing their own wares in small workshops, and dodge the donkey carts going about their daily business. Enjoy bartering and bantering with friendly sellers, then indulge in a traditional mint tea or thick Moroccan coffee while you recuperate afterwards.
There is non-stop action in Djemaa el-Fna, the huge, open-aired UNESCO-listed public square at the edge of the souks. See jugglers, henna tattoo-artists, potion-sellers, musicians, snake-charmers and acrobats by day and keep yourself cool with a freshly-squeezed orange juice from any one of the line of vendors.
At night, witness Gnaoua musicians, storytellers, belly dancers and more as you take your seat at the massive alfresco restaurant at the centre of the square while the call to prayer from the iconic Koutoubia minaret adds even more to the exotic atmosphere. Spend the night in a riad in the medina.
DAY 16
Departure
After breakfast, at a time to suit you, we transfer back to the airport in good time for your departure flight home.
Great Tour of Morocco
With add-ons
- It would alternatively be possible to start and finish this tour in Casablanca. Please ask for details.
- Additional nights and/or accommodation upgrades can be organised in Marrakech & Casablanca. Please ask at the time of making your booking.
