Upon arrival at Fes Saïs Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel or riad, ideally located in the heart of Fes el-Bali—the historic medina and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity for a gentle introduction to the medina, strolling through its ancient alleys. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Dedicate the day to exploring Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and scholarly heart. After breakfast, your guided tour begins with visits to the city’s most significant landmarks: the Al-Attarine, Bou Inania, and Cherratine Madrasas (Quranic schools), renowned for their intricate zellige tilework and carved cedar wood. You’ll wander through the bustling souks, visit Fes el-Jdid (the “New Fes,” built in the 13th century), and view the exterior of the Karaouiyine Mosque—home to the world’s oldest continuously operating university, founded in 859 AD. The labyrinthine medina, unchanged for centuries, offers a vivid journey into medieval Islamic civilization. Return to your riad for dinner and rest.

After breakfast, we depart Fes and head south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. We pass through Ifrane—“Morocco’s Little Switzerland”—before arriving at the cedar forests of Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques roam freely. Enjoy a photo stop and observe these curious primates in their natural habitat. Lunch is served in the Berber village of Zaida. Continuing through the dramatic landscapes of Midelt and the Ziz Valley—lined with thousands of palm trees—we pass through Rich and Erfoud, gateway to the Tafilalt oasis. Upon reaching Merzouga, we prepare for a magical desert experience: mount camels for a sunset ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Spend the night in a traditional Berber nomadic tent under a sky ablaze with stars.

Rise early to enjoy the cool morning air and the golden hues of the dunes. After breakfast, embark on a 4×4 adventure into the Sahara. Visit Dayet Srij, a seasonal lake often home to flamingos, and stop in Khamlia village to meet descendants of sub-Saharan communities who perform soulful Gnawa music—a spiritual tradition rooted in African heritage. We’ll also encounter nomadic families living in this vast sea of sand and stone, and trace part of the historic Paris-Dakar Rally route. Return to Merzouga in the afternoon, then mount camels once more for a serene ride to a desert camp deep in the Erg Chebbi. Watch the sun dip below the horizon before enjoying dinner and an unforgettable night in a nomadic tent beneath the stars.

Wake before dawn to witness a breathtaking desert sunrise, then return by camel to Merzouga for breakfast. We depart for Rissani, the ancestral home of Morocco’s royal Alaouite dynasty, and explore its vibrant souk (most active on market days: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday). Next, we visit Erfoud to tour a fossil and marble workshop, where ancient sea fossils are crafted into decorative items. Driving through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad, we arrive at the Todra Gorges—towering red cliffs rising over 300 meters above a narrow riverbed, a paradise for climbers and photographers. After lunch and a short walk through the gorge, we continue to the Dades Valley for dinner and overnight stay in a local hotel.

Begin the day with panoramic views of the Dades Valley and its many kasbahs. We then drive through the fragrant Valley of the Roses, arriving in Kalaat M’Gouna, the heart of Morocco’s rose industry. Continuing through the lush Skoura Palm Grove—one of the largest oases in the country—we reach Ouarzazate. Here, we visit the historic Taourirt Kasbah, once the residence of the powerful Glaoui family. We then proceed to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and a legendary filming location for *Gladiator*, *The Mummy*, *Obelix*, and *The Jewel of the Nile*. After free time for lunch, we cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m), with scenic photo stops along the way. Arrive in Marrakech around 6:00 PM, transfer to your hotel, and conclude the day.

After a morning visit to the Menara Gardens, we drive west to Essaouira—a charming coastal town once known as Mogador. This former Portuguese port retains its 18th-century ramparts, sea-facing cannons, and a well-preserved medina. Stroll through its breezy streets lined with artisan workshops, spice stalls, and art galleries. Essaouira is famed for its annual Gnawa Music Festival and fresh seafood grilled at harbor-side stalls. The consistent Atlantic winds make it a haven for surfers and kiteboarders. Return to Marrakech in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred at the agreed time to Marrakech Menara Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of our 8-day journey from Fes to Marrakech—a captivating tour through imperial cities, mountain forests, desert dunes, and the Atlantic coast.