13-Day Colors of Morocco: Imperial Cities, Sahara & Coast

Day 1: Marrakech Arrival & Welcome

Morning: Arrive at Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK), where our representative will meet you with traditional Moroccan hospitality. Afternoon: Transfer to your authentic riad in the medina. Settle in and enjoy welcome mint tea with Moroccan pastries. Evening: Gentle orientation walk around Djemaa el-Fna square. Dinner at your riad featuring traditional Moroccan cuisine. Overnight: Marrakech

Day 2: Marrakech Complete City Tour

Morning (9:00 AM): Begin with the iconic Koutoubia Mosque exterior, then explore the serene Jardin Majorelle and Berber Museum. Mid-Morning: Visit the magnificent Bahia Palace with its stunning courtyards and intricate tilework. Afternoon: Navigate the bustling souks of the medina with your guide - spice markets, leather tanneries, and artisan workshops. Late Afternoon: Discover the historic Saadian Tombs and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Djemaa el-Fna square. Evening: Optional dinner with traditional entertainment at Djemaa el-Fna. Overnight: Marrakech

Day 3: Marrakech → Casablanca → Rabat

Morning (8:00 AM): Depart Marrakech for Casablanca (3.5 hours drive). Mid-Morning: Visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Afternoon: Explore the Corniche and see the Art Deco architecture of Casablanca's city center. Late Afternoon: Drive to Rabat (1 hour), Morocco's capital city. Evening: Arrive in Rabat and check into your hotel. Sunset walk along the Atlantic coast. Overnight: Rabat

Day 4: Rabat → Chefchaouen

Morning (9:00 AM): Explore Rabat's main attractions: Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum, and the Kasbah of the Udayas. Mid-Morning: Visit the Royal Palace exterior and the modern city center. Afternoon: Begin the scenic drive north to Chefchaouen (4 hours) through the Rif Mountains. Late Afternoon: Arrive in the famous blue city. First exploration of the blue-washed medina. Evening: Dinner with views of the Rif Mountains. Overnight: Chefchaouen

Day 5: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes

Morning (8:30 AM): Guided walking tour of Chefchaouen's medina, learning about the city's unique history and blue significance. Mid-Morning: Depart Chefchaouen, stopping at the Roman ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO site) for a guided tour. Afternoon: Visit the holy city of Moulay Idriss, then continue to Meknes for a brief tour of this imperial city. Late Afternoon: Arrive in Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. Evening: Check into your riad and enjoy dinner in the medina. Overnight: Fes

Day 6: Fes Complete Medina Guided Tour

Morning (9:00 AM): Enter the 9,000-year-old medina through Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate). Begin at the famous Chouara Tannery. Mid-Morning: Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University (oldest continuously operating university in the world) and adjacent mosques. Afternoon: Explore the Bou Inania Madrasa, see traditional pottery workshops, and visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts. Late Afternoon: Walk through the Andalusian Quarter and view the exterior of the Royal Palace. Evening: Panoramic sunset views from Merinid Tombs. Dinner in a traditional medina restaurant. Overnight: Fes

Day 7: Fes → Ifrane → Midelt

Morning (8:30 AM): Depart Fes, driving south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Mid-Morning: Stop in Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland" for its Alpine-style architecture and clean streets. Afternoon: Drive through the cedar forests of Azrou, home to the endangered Barbary macaque monkeys. Late Afternoon: Arrive in Midelt, known as the "Apple Capital" of Morocco. Evening: Dinner at your hotel with views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight: Midelt

Day 8: Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga Desert

Morning: Drive through the dramatic Ziz Valley with its vast palm groves and stunning canyon views. Mid-Morning: Stop at Ziz Gorges for panoramic photos and visit the historic town of Erfoud. Afternoon: Continue through the desert landscape to Merzouga, gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Late Afternoon: Meet your camel caravan for a magical sunset trek into the Sahara dunes. Evening: Arrive at luxury desert camp. Enjoy traditional dinner under the stars with Berber music around the campfire. Overnight: Sahara Luxury Desert Camp (Erg Chebbi)

Day 9: Merzouga → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley

Early Morning: Optional sunrise camel ride to witness the spectacular desert dawn over the golden dunes. Morning: Breakfast and departure from the desert. Travel to the dramatic Todra Gorges. Mid-Morning: Walk through the impressive Todra Gorges with its towering canyon walls. Afternoon: Continue to the stunning Dades Valley with its dramatic rock formations. Late Afternoon: Arrive at Dades Gorges for a short walk and sunset views. Evening: Dinner at your hotel with valley views. Overnight: Dades Valley

Day 10: Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou

Morning: Drive through the Dades Valley with stops at panoramic viewpoints and traditional Berber villages. Mid-Morning: Travel the famous Road of 1000 Kasbahs to Ouarzazate. Afternoon: Visit the Atlas Film Studios and Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate. Late Afternoon: Arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, the UNESCO World Heritage site and filming location. Evening: Sunset views of the ksar. Dinner and overnight in a local kasbah hotel. Overnight: Ait Ben Haddou

Day 11: Ait Ben Haddou → Essaouira

Morning (8:00 AM): Depart Ait Ben Haddou, crossing the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m) through the High Atlas Mountains. Mid-Morning: Scenic stops for photos and to visit Berber villages perched on mountainsides. Afternoon: Continue to the Atlantic coast and arrive in Essaouira, the charming coastal city. Late Afternoon: Explore the Portuguese ramparts and enjoy the fresh Atlantic breeze. Evening: Stroll through the art-filled medina. Fresh seafood dinner by the coast. Overnight: Essaouira

Day 12: Essaouira → Marrakech

Morning: Enjoy Essaouira's pristine beach and explore the medina's art galleries and workshops. Mid-Morning: Visit the 15th-century Portuguese fortifications and the bustling fishing port. Afternoon: Drive back to Marrakech (3 hours) through the changing landscapes. Late Afternoon: Arrive in Marrakech. Free time for last-minute shopping or relaxation. Evening: Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant with entertainment. Overnight: Marrakech

Day 13: Marrakech Departure

Morning: Enjoy a final Moroccan breakfast. Last-minute souvenir shopping in the medina. Afternoon: Transfer to Marrakech-Menara Airport for your departure flight, filled with unforgettable memories of Morocco's diverse landscapes and cultures.