10 Days Morocco Discovery Tour

Head south over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m) — the gateway to the Sahara side of Morocco. Stop at Aït-Ben-Haddou, the UNESCO ksar used in dozens of films. Arrive in Ouarzazate — visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Film Studios, where Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed.

Drive east through the Dades Valley and the dramatic Todra Gorge — 300m canyon walls closing to a narrow slot. Continue across the hammada plain to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes — Morocco's finest Saharan erg. Arrive in time for the late afternoon light on the dunes before a sunset camel ride. Sleep in a traditional desert camp under the stars.

Wake before dawn to climb the dunes for sunrise — the light turns the Erg Chebbi from orange to gold to white in 20 minutes. Morning: explore the Khamlia village of the Gnawa musicians, visit a nomad family on the edge of the erg, and try a 4x4 ride across the sand. Afternoon: rest at the camp or take a second camel ride along the dune ridge as the light changes.

Long transfer north via Erfoud, Errachidia and the Ziz Valley gorge — spectacular date-palm oasis following the Ziz river through red rock canyon. Cross the Middle Atlas via Midelt, passing through cedar forest. Arrive in Fès in the late afternoon — check into a riad inside the medina and take an evening stroll through the lit-up lanes of Fès el-Bali.

Full day in Fès el-Bali — the world's largest intact medieval city. Visit the Chouara Tanneries from a rooftop overlooking the dye vats, explore the Bou Inania Madrasa with its cedar carvings and zellij tiles, the Attarine Souk spice market, the bronze-studded Bab Bou Jeloud gate. Optional guided walk (2h) to unlock the hidden layers of this labyrinthine city.

Drive northwest through the Rif mountain forests to Chefchaouen — the Blue City. Spend the afternoon and evening wandering the entirely blue-painted medina. The best light for photography is the hour before sunset when the blue walls glow. Climb to the Spanish mosque above the town for the panoramic view over the medina rooftops and the Rif valleys below.

Early morning in Chefchaouen (the best hours before the day-trippers arrive), then drive southwest to Rabat — Morocco's graceful royal capital. Visit Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Chellah Roman necropolis and the Kasbah des Oudaias above the Bou Regreg. Rabat's medina is compact and calm after the intensity of Fès — a pleasant contrast.

Stop in Casablanca for the Hassan II Mosque — then continue south along the Atlantic coast to Essaouira. Arrive in time for a late afternoon walk on the ramparts. Essaouira's medina, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, is famous for its blue boats, wind-whipped beach and Gnawa music scene.

Morning in Essaouira — visit the fish market and the argan wood workshops before the town wakes up. Drive back to Marrakech (2.5h) through the argan forest. Arrive in Marrakech by early afternoon — time for a final lunch in the medina or a last wander before departure. Drop-off at airport, riad or train station.