12-Day Ultimate Morocco Tour: Imperial Cities, Sahara Desert & Blue City Experience

Your Morocco tour adventure begins in the enchanting Red City of Marrakech. Upon arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport, your dedicated Morocco tour guide will transport you to your traditional riad accommodations in the heart of the ancient medina. After settling in, explore the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the beating heart of any Morocco tour, where storytellers, food vendors, and performers create an unforgettable atmosphere. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring classic Moroccan cuisine at your riad.

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Marrakech's most significant historical sites. Discover the towering Koutoubia Mosque, the ornate Bahia Palace showcasing the finest Moroccan craftsmanship, and the ancient Saadian Tombs. Your Morocco tour continues through the labyrinthine souks where artisans practice centuries-old crafts. After savoring lunch at a local restaurant, visit the stunning Majorelle Garden, a peaceful oasis designed by Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. The evening is yours to further explore Marrakech's medina or enjoy dinner at one of the city's renowned restaurants.

Today your Morocco tour journeys across the High Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m). Marvel at breathtaking mountain vistas and traditional Berber villages clinging to rocky hillsides. En route, explore Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Morocco's most famous kasbah. Continue to Ouarzazate, known as 'Morocco's Hollywood,' where countless films have been shot. After lunch, your Morocco tour proceeds through the Valley of Roses and into the dramatic Dades Valley with its unique rock formations. Arrive in Boumalne Dades for dinner and overnight accommodation in an authentic kasbah hotel.

After breakfast, your Morocco tour continues toward the Sahara Desert. First, explore the magnificent Todra Gorges, where massive canyon walls tower 300 meters overhead, creating one of Morocco's most spectacular natural wonders. After a scenic walk through the gorge, continue to Erfoud for lunch and a visit to a fossil workshop. By late afternoon, arrive at the edge of the Sahara's golden Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. Here, experience a classic Morocco tour highlight – a sunset camel trek across the dunes to a luxury desert camp. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner under the stars, followed by Berber music around the campfire and unparalleled stargazing in the desert sky.

Wake early to witness the magical Sahara sunrise – a breathtaking Morocco tour moment as golden light transforms the desert landscape. After breakfast, return by camel to meet your driver. Today's Morocco tour features a 4x4 desert exploration, visiting the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia village whose ancestors came from sub-Saharan Africa, meeting nomadic families to learn about desert life, and discovering desert oases. In the afternoon, return to your comfortable hotel in Merzouga where you can relax by the pool or revisit the dunes for sunset views. Dinner and overnight at your desert-edge accommodation.

After breakfast, your Morocco tour leaves the desert behind as you journey toward Fes. Travel through the lush Ziz Valley with its endless palm groves and ancient kasbahs. Stop in Midelt, situated between the Middle and High Atlas mountains, for lunch featuring the region's famous apple dishes. Your Morocco tour continues through cedar forests inhabited by Barbary macaques and past the Swiss-inspired town of Ifrane with its alpine architecture. Arrive in Fes by evening, Morocco's cultural and spiritual capital, where you'll check into your traditional riad within the ancient medina. Dinner at your accommodation.

Dedicate a full day of your Morocco tour to exploring Fes, the world's largest car-free urban area and living medieval city. After breakfast, meet your expert local guide who will lead you through the UNESCO-protected medina of Fes el-Bali. Visit the historic Al Quaraouiyine University (the world's oldest), the exquisite Bou Inania Madrasa with its intricate zellij tilework, and the famous leather tanneries where hides are processed using techniques unchanged since medieval times. Your Morocco tour includes lunch at a traditional restaurant before continuing to the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), the Royal Palace gate, and panoramic viewpoints of this incredible city. Return to your riad for dinner and relaxation.

After breakfast, your Morocco tour heads northwest to Chefchaouen. En route, explore the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring remarkably preserved mosaics, triumphal arches, and bathhouses. Continue to the imperial city of Meknes for lunch and visits to Bab Mansour (North Africa's largest gate), the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the impressive royal granaries. By late afternoon, your Morocco tour arrives in Chefchaouen, the famous 'Blue City' nestled in the Rif Mountains. After check-in at your riad, take an evening stroll through the enchanting blue-washed streets. Dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the picturesque main square.

Today your Morocco tour focuses entirely on Chefchaouen, one of the country's most photogenic destinations. After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour through the blue-hued medina, learning about the town's unique history and Andalusian influence. Visit the Kasbah Museum, the Grande Mosque, and Plaza Uta el-Hammam. Your Morocco tour guide will explain the theories behind why the buildings are painted various shades of blue. The afternoon is yours to wander through charming alleyways, shop for local handicrafts including distinctive wool garments, or relax in a café. For spectacular views, hike to the Spanish Mosque on a nearby hilltop. Dinner featuring local Rif Mountain cuisine and overnight in your Chefchaouen riad.

After breakfast, your Morocco tour continues to Tangier, the cosmopolitan port city where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Journey through the scenic Rif Mountains and arrive in Tangier by midday. After checking into your seafront hotel and enjoying lunch, embark on a guided tour of this fascinating multicultural city that has inspired countless artists and writers. Your Morocco tour explores the historic Kasbah with its museum, the American Legation, the vibrant Grand and Petit Socco squares, and the Mendoubia Gardens. Stroll along the corniche with views across the Strait of Gibraltar toward Spain. Dinner at a restaurant in the medina and overnight in Tangier.

After breakfast, your Morocco tour proceeds to Rabat, the country's elegant capital. Drive along the Atlantic coast, arriving in Rabat for a guided tour of the city's highlights including the Royal Palace exterior, the 12th-century Hassan Tower, the magnificent Mohammed V Mausoleum, and the picturesque Kasbah of the Udayas with its Andalusian garden. Following lunch, your Morocco tour continues to Casablanca, the kingdom's commercial hub and largest city. Explore the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque with its 210-meter minaret (one of the world's tallest), tour the historic Mohammed V Square, and stroll along the fashionable Corniche. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a premier oceanfront restaurant reflecting on your Morocco tour experiences. Overnight in your Casablanca hotel.

Your comprehensive 12-day Morocco tour concludes after breakfast. Depending on your departure time, enjoy some final shopping or sightseeing in Casablanca before your driver transfers you to Mohammed V International Airport for your onward journey, taking with you unforgettable memories of your Morocco adventure.