Tangier is the starting point of this 11-day Morocco Tour, making it a unique opportunity to meet some of the many contrasting cultures present in the land. Starting from the north, this 12-day tour is an ideal way to explore Morocco’s northern region first. From Tangier, you will feel the magic of Chefchaouen, painted in blue and white-Great colors to the eye, mind, and soul. Next, you shall visit the enticing and marvelously ancient city of Fes to appreciate the very definition of antiqueness within an ancient city. Then the adventure starts into the Sahara with a few mesmerizing views of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Truly a place of never-ending memory for one life. Camel Trekking in the Sahara, followed by sleeping in a tent under the stars amidst endless hamada.

Around the campfire, you will also be serenaded by the sound of Berber drums. Next, the beautiful Atlas Mountains await to offer you more breathtaking views and expose you to the wonderful Berber traditions. You will explore Marrakech as a local guide understands and experiences the true essence of travel. For two days you will spend in Esseouira, basking in the sun while treating yourself to ocean-fresh fish from the Atlantic. Finally, we will take you to Casablanca international airport at the end of your 11-day trip to Morocco.

Today we leave the natural vales of Chefchaouen for Fes and will stop on the way to visit two of Morocco’s historical sites on their own. First port of call will be Volubilis, an ancient Roman city over 2,300 years old. Originally founded by Carthaginians, it was later occupied by the Romans who built spectacular edifices. Among them are temples, courts, public spaces, baths, and houses elaborately adorned by fine tiles and mosaics. For a time, Volubilis was the furthest capital of Mauritania.

The destination would then be Meknes, an environmental capital, the Ismailian city where a peaceful atmosphere prevails with its beautiful parks and village areas that form an ideal place to relax, as well as its architectural treasures of the old city that take you back through time over eleven centuries. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1996, the city had been ornamented with grand monuments during King Ismail’s reign, including religious schools, mosques, wheat warehouses, stables, and a fabulous 40-kilometer-long wall around the city.

Meknes has a lot of things to offer, such as the Museum of King Ismaili, Hri Swani, Sahrij Swani, Qara Prison, and Bab Mansour. At the end of a long day traveling through places, we would progress toward Fes and eventually drop you off at a wonderful Riad found in the heart of the Jewish Medina to spend the night with your driver-guide.

Your historical explorations start after indulging in a typical breakfast at your Riad. By 09:00 Hrs, your driver-guide will have come to pick you up and taken you to the Golden Royal Gates, where you will meet a local guide. This knowledgeable guide will take you through the ancient city of Fes, built more than 1,200 years ago-from the gates of the Momin Palace, which is also impressive with high gates richly decorated with tiles, woodwork, and mosaics. The gates peek inside all this grandeur.

You will then discover a pottery factory, the buzzing heart of creativity and craft. It is renowned for producing such beautiful handcrafted pottery, embracing the country culture of Morocco, where artisans of clay make, from decorative plates and bowls to very fine vases and tiles. Each piece, made by a talented craftsman, tells its own unique story.

Medina and it’s Secrets:

You will continue your journey by browsing through the labyrinth of narrow, medieval streets of Medina. You will be able to see overcoming beauty from ancient architecture. Visit the famous al-Qaraouine Mosque and Madrasa built by a fierce woman called Fatima el Fihria. Next stop will be the Bounania Madrasa, a religious school from the 14^th century famous for its lovely tiles and serene courtyard. The day cannot end without visiting the renowned tanneries where the ancient techniques of leather-making are still alive.

Last but not least, you will take a stroll through the Old Jewish Quarter also known as the Mallah in Arabic. The Jews in Fes have a very long history of craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, the area reflecting these skills and traditions. Your local guide will delve into the history of this interesting place, sharing some of its hidden stories and answering questions you may have. Your driver-guide will be back at the end of the day and your local guide will bid farewell. Of course, this is not the end of an unforgettable journey because Fes really makes one feel the history and atmosphere of its ancient streets: a sightseeing lover’s dream.

⇒ Day 5: Fes » Ifrane » Cedar Forest » Midelt » Ziz Valley » Sahara Desert

Today’s trip is one of the most different and memorable in the various landscapes and regions it passes through. First, there is Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco,” with its typical European architecture. It is a place where tourists flock in winter, and even a lot of Moroccans coming to a weekend treatment of its beauty. We then head on to the grand Cedar Forest, which is a place for endangered Barbary macaques. The monkeys from Gibralter had settled down in the forest and can be very friendly; therefore, you can feed them, but take caution.

Then we move on to Midelt, a town high on the hills of Middle Atlas. The town has been so much synonymous with apple production such that it has been exporting its apples to countries of Europe. This is followed by a drive through the beautiful Ziz Valley, which has great palm groves and winding river. It is here that local people earn a living by selling dates and date juice, which are major products for the local economy.

Thus, we finally arrive at the endless golden dunes of the Sahara Desert before sunset. Here, your camels are waiting for you, ready to take you across minor and major dunes, traveling about 6 kilometers in an hour and a half. Along the way to the desert camp, you will also have some time to spend in awe of the fabulous sunset that has to be captured on film, so carry your camera. Tonight, you will have dinner under the skies of the starlit desert. Later on, the crowd will enjoy lively Berber songs around the campfire

⇒ Day 6: Desert Excursion » Khamlia Village » Nomads » Meffis Mountain

You can wake up very early today and experience that which could easily be the most gorgeous sunrise incarnate that you have ever met. Take a nice desert breakfast, and after that walk back to the village on a camel or in 4×4. Well, we can safely say that exploring this wonderfully exciting area is an experience, one of the most remarkable local hospitality. This is one of those many beautiful ways the Berber people, who have inhabited the ground for centuries, will give you a taste of their traditional culture in life.

The first stop is Khamlia Village, its inhabitants are black-skinned people who’ve migrated from Sudans, Mali and South Africa and settled in Morocco. In the village, we will visit one of their old music associations well-known for their rhythms of Gnawa. On arrival, he’ll receive you with a glass of tea, which is a custom in the village and the entire country. Thereafter, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the mood and enthusiasm of the Gnawa music that will take you into a sort of spiritual voyage that makes one forget everything around him and undergoes a deep connection to the rhythms.

Next to Meffis:

Next, we proceed, first at the majestic Meffis, an independent mountain, once colonized by the French. The French extracted valuable metals and liner from this mountain, along with Galina for the making of mascara. After touring Meffis, the next stop is to visit the Nomad families behind the Erg Chebbi dunes, where we will spend a while with them in their hand-stitched tents of camel skin. After having some tea, we are off to one of the region’s oases, where desert agriculture and water availability will be explained.  Lunch will be at a local restaurant famous for its delectable Berber pizza. Afterward, we’ll drop you back at your hotel for relaxation by the swimming pool. An amazing hotel will house you for the night after this memorable day of explorations.

⇒ Day 7: Sahara Desert » Rissani » Todgha Gorge » Dades Gorge

The 11 Days Morocco Tour from Tanger continues with more amazing sites waiting to be discovered. Bittersweet at moments, for leaving behind the spiritual and magnificent Sahara Desert: one of Morocco’s most famous sites. Our first stop is Rissani, a small town with historical value. Rissani is known for its traditional market and as the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty from which King Mohamed VI and his royal family originated.

We will explore the market with its legendary centuries-old history, and meander through the town to discover its offerings. After the visit, we continue our journey to the Todgha Gorge, one of the most breathtaking natural sites of Morocco. The magnificent gorge framed with intimidating mountains represents nature’s mightiness; while the narrow river running through it tells us the legendary of its action over a time span of countless centuries into carving out such a gorge, which has been supporting so many orchards, forests, and oases.

The day allows you to travel from the Sahara of Merzouga to the Dades Gorge and witness the beauty of different landscapes of Morocco which, from the sandy dunes, pass to the dramatic beauty of the gorges before a soft Riad overnight stay that will be arranged for you by the end of this wonderful day.

⇒ Day 8: Dades Gorge » Kalaat M’Gouna » Ouarzazte » Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah » Marrakech

After breakfast, the adventure trails in the magnificent Dades Gorge, where the gigantic mountain ranges with luxuriant green valleys would leave anyone enamored. From there, we move to Kalaat M’Gouna, a.k.a. the Valley of Roses, famous for its perfumed rose gardens and the traditional rose distilleries. Locals produce myriad products out of roses, for instance: body creams, soaps, oils, etc. After that, we will drive toward Ouarzazate, marked as “Hollywood of Morocco” to click some good photographs.

We are driving to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, known for the excellent state of repair of its kasbahs. Since then, the place gained worldwide fame through appearance in many films and television series. After lunch in a local restaurant, we continue our drive towards Marrakesh, with a stop at Tizi N’Tichka Pass at an elevation of 2,260 meters. Late afternoon and we hit Marrakech- the red city where history, culture, and a network of alleyways within the Medina awaits your discovery. Overnight, you will be welcomed at a beautifully decorated Riad that promises to be a dazzling experience.

⇒ Day 9: Sightseeing tour in Marrakech with an expert local Guide

Today in this visit, you will dedicate to the city of rich culture and history: the Red City of Marrakech. After meeting your local guide, the journey continues with some of the attractions of the city. The first halt is at the jampacked Djemaa el-Fna square; this is designed to be a must-see stop. It is always active, in that you would find street entertainers as well as food stalls, and in regard to atmosphere, it is just not slowed down by the time of day or night. This square is something of a heart for Marrakech and will really give a good view of the city’s energy. A sightseeing trip would also include the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Quranic Mosque, and además in recognition of their beauty in architecture and gardens: the Bahia Palace.

Thus, you will have the opportunity to cross the Medina, discovering its quaint streets and vibrant souks. Finally we will finish our tour with a visit to the Koutoubia Mosque, another major landmark located immediately in front of Djemaa el-Fna Square. Although built in the 12^th century under the Almohad dynasty, it not only constitutes a mosque worship but has also a symbolic meaning in terms of cultural heritage for Morocco. The tour ends in free time so you can still enjoy more of your own exploration in either the Medina or the bustling square. Here, you will return to the same Riad for your overnight accommodation.

⇒ Day 10: Marrakech » Essaouira

The day gives an insight of nature, architecture and a coastline. From Marrakech, after a three-hour drive, arrive at Essaouira. A medieval town that greets you upon entry with the 18^th-century medina walls. The medina is a certified World Heritage Site of UNESCO, complete with narrow streets, whitewashed shacks, and colorful blue doors. Pass through many art galleries, artisans, and local markets where you could procure some distinctive souvenirs. Spend the night in a very wonderful Riad while marveling at the soothing ambiance of the town.

⇒ Day 11: Essaouira » Casablanca

With sorrow in our heart, we say goodbye after 11 Days Tour in Morocco from Tanger with the agency. Thank you ever so much for your company, and may this tour remain forever inscribed in your memory as one that was educational and entertaining. As you depart today, you are sure to be filled with mixed feelings and memories, and as you depart from Morocco, you surely hold so much love for this wonderful country, and the moments created during the tour will remain forever in your heart. You are leaving with appreciation for the beauty and diversity of Morocco and perhaps praying to come back one day.