10-Day Morocco Tour From Fes to Marrakech with Essaouira

Arrival in Fes: Meet at Fes-Saïs Airport for 30-min transfer to hotel or riad. Time to rest or take a short walk nearby. Guide meets you at accommodation to review the plan and answer questions.

If early arrival: Optional orientation walk and café visit for mint tea and pastries. Dinner options: riad or local restaurant (guide offers suggestions).

• Driving Time: 30 min
• Stay: Hotel/Riad in Fes
• Meals: None included (restaurant recommendations available)
• Highlights: First look at Fes
• Optional activities: Short city tour if time allows

Meet guide for full-day (or Half -day)tour of Fes el Bali (UNESCO site). Start at Bab Boujloud, then visit Al Quaraouiyine University (859 CE, viewed from outside), Nejjarine Fountain and Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts (former caravanserai), and the traditional tanneries from a terrace viewpoint.

Lunch in medina, followed by visits to artisan souks (coppersmiths, weavers, potters, woodcarvers). See Royal Palace (Dar el Makhzen) exterior and explore the Jewish Quarter (Mellah). Return to riad in evening.

• Walking Time: Full-day tour with breaks
• Stay: Hotel/Riad in Fes
• Meals: Breakfast
• Highlights: Medina, Al Quaraouiyine, Nejjarine, tanneries, souks, Royal Palace
• Optional activities: Artisan workshop visits

Depart Fes after early breakfast. Drive through Imouzzer to Ifrane for a short walk Alpine-style town with stone lion statue. Continue to cedar forests of Azrou to see Barbary macaques. Lunch stop in Midelt, known for apple production.

Afternoon: Cross Tizi-n-Tilghmt pass, follow Ziz Valley with panoramic stops. Arrive Merzouga late afternoon. Begin camel trek (~1 hour) across Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset. Arrive desert camp for dinner, Berber music by campfire, and overnight in tents with beds, toilets, and wash areas.

• Driving Time: ~7 hrs with stops (460 km)
• Stay: Desert camp, Merzouga
• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Highlights: Ifrane, Azrou monkeys, Ziz Valley, Sahara camel trek, desert sunset
• Optional activities: Camel trek, sunset view, Berber campfire music

Early morning: Watch sunrise over Sahara dunes. Return to camp for breakfast. Begin 4×4 desert tour from Merzouga.

Stops:

• Ancient eyeliner (kohl) mine with historical context
• Visit nomadic families; tea in traditional tent
• Khamlia village for Gnaoua music performance
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Walk through palm grove; learn about desert agriculture
• Visit Merzouga Lake (seasonal, birdwatching)

Return to Merzouga for dinner and overnight (hotel, riad, or camp as preferred).

• Driving Time: ~4 hrs (4×4 tour)
• Stay: Hotel/Riad/Camp in Merzouga
• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Highlights: Kohl mine, nomads, Khamlia, palm grove, Merzouga Lake
• Optional: Nomad visit, Gnaoua music, birdwatching

Depart Sahara for Rissani historic caravan hub and origin of the Alaouite dynasty. Visit local market (active Tues, Thurs, Sun) for spices, goods, livestock.

Continue to Erfoud, visit fossilized marble workshop. Pass through palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad to reach Todra Gorges 300 m limestone cliffs, 10 m narrowest point. Walk through gorge and have lunch.

Drive to Dades Valley. Stop at viewpoints for “monkey fingers” rock formations and the winding road. Arrive in Boumalne Dades late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

• Driving Time: ~6 hrs with stops (270 km)
• Stay: Hotel in Dades Valley
• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Highlights: Rissani market, Erfoud fossils, Todra Gorges, Dades rock formations
• Optional activities: Fossil workshop visit, Todra Gorge walk

Depart Dades after breakfast. First stop: Kelaat M’Gouna in the Valley of Roses known for May festival and rose products. Visit rose cooperatives if in season. Continue through Skoura palm groves; visit Kasbah Amridil (featured on banknotes).

Next: Ouarzazate, “Hollywood of Africa.” Optional visit to film studios (entry not included). Then explore Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO site) fortified ksar used in films. Walk through village and climb for panoramic views.

After lunch, cross High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m). Photo stops along the way. Arrive in Marrakech early evening. Optional first look at Jemaa el-Fnaa.

• Driving Time: ~7 hrs with stops (330 km)
• Stay: Hotel/Riad in Marrakech
• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Highlights: Rose Valley, Skoura kasbahs, Ouarzazate studios, Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi n’Tichka Pass
• Optional activities: Film studio tour, Ait Ben Haddou walk

After breakfast, meet guide for full-day (or half day) Marrakech tour. Visit Bahia Palace (19th-century vizier residence), Saadian Tombs (royal burial site, rediscovered 1917), and Ben Youssef Medersa (former Islamic college, noted for architecture).

Explore Marrakech souks Morocco’s largest traditional market. Free time for lunch near Jemaa el-Fnaa (UNESCO site). Visit exterior of Koutoubia Mosque (77 m minaret, 12th century).

Afternoon: Tour Majorelle Garden (Yves Saint Laurent-era oasis with Berber Museum). Return to accommodation. Evening option: revisit Jemaa el-Fnaa.

• Walking Time: Full-day tour with breaks
• Stay: Hotel/Riad in Marrakech
• Meals: Breakfast
• Highlights: Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef, souks, Jemaa el-Fnaa, Koutoubia, Majorelle
• Optional: Jemaa el-Fnaa evening, Majorelle Garden

After breakfast, depart Marrakech for Essaouira (~2.5–3 hrs, 190 km). Drive through countryside with argan trees possible stop at women’s argan oil cooperative to see traditional production and buy direct.

Arrive midday in Essaouira (formerly Mogador). Guided tour of UNESCO-listed medina: relaxed layout, ramparts, artisan shops, galleries. Visit fishing harbor and market.

Afternoon free: walk beach, browse souks, or relax at café. Dinner suggestion: seafood near port. Overnight in Essaouira hotel.

• Driving Time: ~3 hrs (190 km)
• Stay: Hotel in Essaouira
• Meals: Breakfast
• Highlights: Argan oil cooperative, Essaouira medina, fishing harbor, beach
• Optional activities: Harbor visit, beach walk, artisan shopping

Free morning in Essaouira. Options: visit artisan workshops (thuya wood, silver, textiles), explore Skala de la Ville sea bastion for ocean views, or walk along the beach. Windsurfing and kitesurfing also possible.

Lunch suggestion: local seafood. Early afternoon, depart for Marrakech (~2.5–3 hrs, 190 km) with photo stops en route. Upon arrival, check into hotel or riad. Evening at leisure shopping, Jemaa el-Fnaa, or relax. Final dinner: restaurant options based on preference.

• Driving Time: ~3 hrs (190 km)
• Stay: Hotel/Riad in Marrakech
• Meals: Breakfast
• Highlights: Free time in Essaouira, return to Marrakech
• Optional activities: Artisan visit, beach walk, last-minute shopping

After breakfast, enjoy free time in Marrakech options include last-minute shopping, revisiting sites, or relaxing at riad. At scheduled time, transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport (15–20 min drive).

Alternate departures to Fes or Tangier available on request (extra cost).

• Driving Time: 15–20 min (airport transfer)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Optional activities: Free time in Marrakech