10 Days Tour from Tangier to Marrakech

Day 1: Tangier – Tetouan – Chefchaouen

In this 10 days tour from Tangier, our services begin at the port or airport of Tangier: our English-speaking driver will be waiting for you there with a private vehicle for the entire tour. After the meeting, we will leave this city located in the Strait of Gibraltar to head south.

If the flight or ferry schedule allows it, the first visit of the day will be Tetouan: this surprising city has a medina declared a World Heritage Site for its beauty and was the capital of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco, so the influence of its northern neighbor in the city. Furthermore, those who have seen or read The Time Between Seams will know how to recognize the places where the protagonist Sira Quiroga moved during the plot.

Regardless of the eventual visit to Tetouan, the afternoon of this first day will be spent visiting Chaouen, also called Chefchaouen and known as the ‘blue city’ due to the original color of its houses. Nestled in the Rif Mountains, a walk through its winding and steep streets will be very pleasant. Its kasbah and its panoramic viewpoints will also be other attractions of the free visit before the time of night’s rest, in a charming riad.

Day 2: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

After breakfast at the Chefchaouen riad, we will return to the road. We will leave the Rif mountains and, among cultivated fields, we will arrive at Volubilis: in this archaeological complex, declared a World Heritage Site, the remains of that great Roman city are preserved, which attest to the importance of the Mauritania Tingitana province in Antiquity. Monumental arches, religious temples and mosaics of stately villas are some spectacular vestiges that are still preserved today, for the visitor’s enjoyment.

Very close to Volubilis is our next stop: Meknes. Many of its monuments date back to its time of splendor, during the reign of Sultan Mulay Ismail at the end of the 16th century and beginning of the 17th century, who named it capital. Its medina, also named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, maintains its charm thanks to its souk and imposing gates in the wall such as Bab Mansur.

In the final stretch of the day we will arrive in Fes, although we will leave the visit to this other Imperial City for the next day. Meanwhile, the night’s rest will be in a charming riad in the medina.

Day 3: Visit Fes with a Local Guide

In this 10 days tour from Tangier, one of the most monumental and interesting places is Fes. As it could not be otherwise, its medina is declared a World Heritage Site. Therefore, it is worth dedicating a full day to its visit, something you will do with our official guide after having breakfast at the riad.

Among the places that can be visited on foot during the tour are the Karaouine mosque, which also houses one of the oldest universities in the Islamic world. Its medersas are also of great prestige, such as that of Bou Inania, and the squares of the medina house elements of great history and beauty, such as the Nejjarine square and the fountain of the same name. Its neighborhoods maintain a special charm, largely because they preserve traditional activities, such as the famous Chouwara tannery. The Mellah or Jewish quarter also does not disappoint those who come to see it, and the same goes for the golden doors of the Royal Palace.

These visits can be extended in the afternoon, which is free. This time of day can also be used to shop at local craft stores, which are among the most valued in the country. And at night, the riad will welcome you again for a well-deserved rest.

Day 4: Fes – Ifrane – Monkey Forest – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert Dunes

Our 10 days tour from Tangier finally takes us, on this fourth day, to the Sahara Desert. But until that moment comes, the route will hold many other surprises for us. The first of them are in the Middle Atlas mountains. For example, Ifrane, a small city called ‘Moroccan Switzerland’ for its original gabled buildings that remind us of the abundant snow that falls here in winter.

Between Ifrane and Azrou extends the Cedars National Park, popularly known as the Monkey Forest: this nature reserve is the perfect habitat for the Barbary macaques, a species of threatened primate but which still maintains a very large population in this area. place.

Having overcome the natural barrier of the Middle Atlas, our route will travel through the Ziz Valley until entering desert terrain. We will pass through Erfoud, known worldwide for the importance of its fossils, some of them large dinosaurs, and also for its prestigious marble production. And shortly after we will arrive at Merzouga, a town that gives its name to one of the most beautiful and unique portions of the Sahara Desert.

In Merzouga we will make an original transfer: we will leave our modern vehicle to get on the traditional dromedaries (replaceable by 4×4), used by desert nomads since ancient times. In fact, they represent an unbeatable way to explore the golden dunes of fine sand of Erg Chebbi. In this way, we will arrive at the tent camp, where we will be welcomed with a Berber tea and where dinner will be served. As we will see, these tents are the ideal accommodation to rest in the middle of the desert and, above all, to enjoy a sky sparkling with stars.

Day 5: Merzouga Desert – Black nomad village – Merzouga desert dunes

One of the great advantages of this 10 days tour from Tangier is that we can dedicate two days to exploring the Merzouga desert. Therefore, after breakfast in the tents and a refreshing shower (in the camp or in a hotel in Merzouga, depending on the contracted package), we will travel to Khamila.

In this small town we will get to know first-hand its inhabitants, mostly black because they are descendants of former slaves from Sudan. Their way of life is based on art and music and we will have the opportunity to enjoy a ‘gnawa’ performance, the percussion genre that distinguishes them and which has a marked sub-Saharan rhythm. Its uniqueness and value have been recognized by UNESCO, with the declaration of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

After this cultural and ethnographic experience, it will be the turn of adventure and adrenaline, as we will travel in a 4×4 along a track that was widely used during the Paris-Dakar. On the itinerary we will pass through the Khol mines and the remains of a Berber and French village. And we will find the ideal place to enjoy impressive panoramic views of the sea of ​​sand formed by the Erg Chebbi dunes. In addition, we will establish contact with a group of desert nomads in the process of becoming sedentary, but who still preserve a good part of their ancestral customs.

After having tea with them, we will return to Merzouga, where the hotel is where dinner will be served and you will rest for the night.

Day 6: Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate

As on the previous day, on this sixth day you will have the chance to wake up in a unique environment, where the dawn lights take on colors unimaginable anywhere. In this environment you will enjoy breakfast and, shortly after, we will return to our camels to return to Merzouga. Again, there will be time for a good shower (at the camp or in a hotel, as agreed).

The road will return to our route and at this time it will lead us, first of all, to Rissani: this small desert town surprises with its historic medina, its traditional market and its donkey parking lot. After them, we will head to the Dades Valley and in its surroundings we will discover landscapes of enormous value, such as the Todra Gorges: this rocky canyon houses natural walls of about 200 meters, carved by the effect of erosion.

After that, we will fully enter the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs and the Valley of Roses, where the palm groves and the ancient Berber fortresses coexist in perfect harmony. Precisely, at the end of the day we will have time to visit one: the Taourirt kasbah, on the outskirts of the city of Ouarzazate: it is a kasbah that served as the residence for the ‘Pasha’ of Marrakech in the past and still preserves much of its original construction and decorative elements.

In addition, if the schedule allows, we can plan a visit to the film studios: Ouarzazate is known as the ‘Moroccan Hollywood’ because authentic blockbusters have been filmed in these facilities, such as Lawrence of Arabia or Gladiator . Accommodation for this day will be at a hotel in Ouarzazate, where dinner will also be served.

Day 7: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Telouet – Marrakech

At the hotel in Ouarzazate you will have breakfast and, immediately afterwards, we will go to the first visit of the day: the ksar of Ait Benhaddou. Located just over 20 km from this city, it is a fortified town built by the Berbers of the desert centuries ago. Its adobe architecture is impressive, as is its humble interior in which families still live. Due to its uniqueness, this ksar was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is regularly chosen for the filming of series and films, such as Game of Thrones .

After admiring this unique construction inside and out, we will resume our road route towards Marrakech. But on the way, we will stop to visit another interesting kasbah: Telouet. Located in the High Atlas Mountains, its exterior appearance reflects its long history, but inside there are spaces of extraordinary beauty and exoticism, with patios and rooms with refined decoration based on local tiles on floors and walls, and coffered ceilings. of wood on the roof. Like the Taourirt kasbah, it served as the residence for the El Glaoui family, that of the ‘Pacha’ of Marrakech and Lord of the Atlas. Therefore, similarities and affinities will be noted between both residential fortresses.

After visiting the kasbah, we will continue our ascent through the High Atlas until crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass: here and in the following kilometers of descent you will enjoy beautiful views of this mountain range in Morocco, the highest in the country. And we will pass by picturesque towns, which also deserve a photo en route.

In the afternoon we will arrive in Marrakech, known as the Red City, with two places protected under the designation of World Heritage by UNESCO: the historic medina and Jemaa el-Fna Square. Therefore, we will dedicate the time necessary for its discovery the next day, while at this time you will have freedom for a first contact with the city. And at the end of the day, you will spend the night in a charming riad.

Day 8: Visit Marrakech with a Local Guide

With breakfast at the riad you will begin this day and it will give you the strength to visit one of the most attractive places on this 10 days tour from Tangier: Marrakech. Considered an Imperial City due to its past as the capital of the kingdom, it has spectacular monuments and corners full of charm. Therefore, our official guide will be in charge of accompanying you and explaining every detail during a guided tour in the morning.

This route can include a wide variety of places, all of which are of great interest: the Kutubia mosque (exterior), the Saadian tombs, the Ben Youssef medersa, the Bahia Palace or the El Badi Palace. You will also stop in populous neighborhoods that exude traditionalism, with artisan souks.

The afternoon, which will be free, can be spent precisely shopping in these establishments, or visiting other places of interest that will provide you with a deeper knowledge of the city. The Majorelle Gardens or the Marrakech Museum are some interesting proposals. And after such an intense day, you will spend the night again in a historic riad.

Day 9: Marrakech – Essaouira

The 10 days tour from Tangier, will have brought us numerous surprises until then, but one more will still be added: the sea. Therefore, on this ninth day we will head to the coastal city of Essaouira, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. We will arrive there in the morning, after having breakfast at the Marrakech riad and taking a road route of about 190 km. On this route, by the way, we will cross immense argan forests and we will be able to stop at a local cooperative to learn how its precious, world-famous oil is produced.

Once in Essaouira, you will enjoy your visit freely, but with enough time to discover its monuments and main corners. This city, also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, leaving an important mark on its architecture. This can be seen in its citadel and its maritime walls, which were also chosen for the filming of episodes of Game of Thrones.

But its historic medina is also full of life and typical Moroccan buildings, such as its monumental gates, its souks and its mosques. Another option to spend the day is to take a swim at one of its beaches or do some aquatic or coastal activity. Some of the most popular are dromedary rides and practicing sports such as surfing and its variants (kitesurfing, windsurfing).

Furthermore, Essaouira is an unbeatable place to taste the maritime gastronomy of Morocco, since it is a country where fishing has an important importance. In fact, there are many fishermen who work off the coast of the city and supply fish to local restaurants. And at the end of the day, a well-deserved rest awaits you in a riad in the medina, which will also be the last night of this 10-day Morocco tour .

Day 10: Essaouira – Marrakech Airport

After breakfast at the riad in Essaouira, this day will be determined by the time of the flight back home. If the program allows it, you will enjoy a last free moment in Essaouira to make pending purchases or take a farewell walk. Afterwards, our driver will transfer you directly by road to the Marrakech airport. Our services will end there and we will say goodbye with gratitude and a desire for a future reunion to make a new tour of Morocco, of 10 days or any other duration.