With two historically important stops along the way, we abandon the natural beauty of Chefchaouen for Fes on Day Two. First, we will visit Volubilis, an ancient site believed to have existed for 2,321 years. It was initially founded by the Carthaginians, with the Romans subsequently conquering the city and building many grand structures that still exist today. Visitors can explore various well-preserved temples, courts, public areas, alleys, baths, and houses decorated with intricate tiles and mosaics. Volubilis was once a thriving city and would, for a while, serve as the east capital of Mauritania. Following this visit, we shall make our way to Meknes and then Fes, where we would continue delving into Morocco’s historical indices.

The next on our list Is the beautiful city of Meknes, the Ismaili capital, a vibrant and conflict-free zone. With its expansive green parks and peaceful village setting, Meknes offers a perfect opportunity to relax amidst its marvelous monuments in the ancient medina that transport you to a thousand years into the country’s history. Meknes itself is a city of great culture and heritage, characterized by striking monuments that show much of its glorious past. Recognized for its historical significance, Meknes has been acknowledged and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, making it a must-visit for everybody who seeks to know about, learn from, and discover the country of Morocco through its rich historical architecture.

During King Ismail’s time, Meknes impressed its visitors with wonderfully decorated monuments, among them religious schools, mosques, wheat warehouses, stables, and a remarkable 40-kilometer-long city wall. The King Ismaili Museum and the Hri Swani and Sahrij Swani reservoirs are one of many features on this journey worthy of a visit. Don’t forget to visit the historic Qara Prison and the superb Bab Mansour gate. After a full day of sightseeing, you’ll drive to Fes, where your driver guide will drop you off at a beautiful riad in the heart of the Medina, offering a perfect retreat to end your day of exploration and discovery.

Day 3 begins with a delicious breakfast in your Riad, continuing with an informative historical visit to Fes. After breakfast at 9 AM, the driver-guide will pick you up and take you to the Golden Royal Gates. A knowledgeable local guide will guide you through the ancient city to be more than 12 centuries old. Your guide will take you to magnificent giant gates of the King’s Palace as a cue for the upcoming journey into Fes history and culture. As you roam through the upper features of the city with your guide, he will fill you in on some of the city history constructed around the many landmarks, revealing hidden treasures that now form the lifeblood of this animated, historic metropolis.

The gates are a sight to behold with their beautiful intricacies of tile engravings, wood, and mosaics beckoning you inside. Located on-site is a pottery factory, a hive of creativity and craft. A place famous for its exquisitely designed handmade pottery, showcasing Morocco’s rich cultural identity, skilled artisans work the clay exquisitely into many figures, including decorative plates, bowls, elaborate vases, and tiles. Each hand-created piece has its own story and bears testimony to the artistry and habitual labor of the potters. Here lies a testament to Morocco’s long tradition of artistry and fine craft.

Medina and it’s Secrets:

Perhaps most striking are the Medina’s hidden gems, which range from narrow winding streets to beautiful architecture. The imposing Al-Qaraouine Mosque and Madrasa, founded by the indomitable Fatima el-Fihria, arguably the first modern woman, are a major point of interest on this itinerary. The Bounania Madrasa, a 14^th-century school for religious instruction, is paramount for its tiling decorations and a lovely courtyard that is a real treat. The famed tanneries, where ancient leather-making techniques have lingered on for centuries, are worth enjoying. The last stop is a walking tour in the historic Jewish Quarter, or Mallah, to soak in the ambience. This charming journey through the medina will give you a taste of the richness of culture, history, and craftsmanship this ancient city has to offer.

Craftsmanship and entrepreneurship have played a significant role in molding the Jewish community in Fez, presenting a factory that perpetuates their ingenuity. For this excursion, you will get to explore it fully with a guide, who will unveil its hidden historical facets and attend to all your quest for knowledge. The insight gained will certainly enrich the cultural and historical understanding of the area. By the end of the day, your driver-guide will again take you up, and your local guide will bid you farewell. This unique sightseeing tour plunges you into the real Oture, the complete history and ambiance of Fez, enabling you to wander into its ancient narrow streets and feel the charm of the city.

⇒ Day 4: Fes » Ifrane » Cedar Forest » Midelt » Ziz Valley » Sahara Desert

Today, the itinerary varies more than that of other days that may, in one way, seem similar as we traverse through unique landscapes and alluring regions. Afterward, we’ll visit Ifrane, dubbed by some as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ due to its European-style architecture and incredible snowy winters, which draw tourists and locals alike for winter getaways. Zotz, Cedar Forest to see its giant trees and Barbary macaques, the endangered species of monkeys running around. Originally from Gibraltar, they have made the forests of Morocco their home. While feeding them is allowed, caution is advised. We have a scenic drive that combines nature with a little bit of culture on the way.

We are now headed towards Midelt town-the most charming one inside the Middle Atlas of Morocco-that is famous for its apple orchards that send fruit to the European markets. Further, through Ziz Valley and its oasis of palm trees and winding river. The local economy thrives on the sale of dates and date juice; thus, it forms a core income source for the locals. Beautiful valleys with agricultural all abound and are, therefore, a special attraction for other people to come and visit too.

As the day wins on into night, you’re being welcomed before sunset to immense stretches of the vast rolling golden sands, which are nothing less than a breathtaking sight to contemplate. Your camels are standing, waiting, to begin an exciting journey across many small and immense dunes. The total distance traveled on camels will be about 6 kilometers in one and a half hours before we arrive at the desert camp-at the camp, some time will be free for you to soak in the fabulous Kasbah glow of sunset: The experience is full of dreams, and don’t forget your camera. Spend the night under a starry sky, having delicious desert dinner. Then, as you are enjoying your time around a campfire, you can listen to Berber traditional music and feel the magic of this unforgettable desert experience.

⇒ Day 5: Desert Excursion » Khamlia Village » Nomads » Meffis Mountain

Witnessing what just might be one of the greatest sunrises of your life requires early rising on Day 5 of your desert adventure. After a hearty, traditional breakfast, you may either ride the camel back to the village or take a 4×4 vehicle. An unforgettable experience is assured; Khamlia Village welcomes its visitors with unparalleled hospitality and a warm embrace. These descendants of Berber people provide a fascinating look at their relentlessly rich culture and traditions. Most importantly, they welcome you so warmly into their gentle lives and history to make your visit more special.

Our first visit is Khamila, where black-skinned people originally from Sudan, Mali, and South Africa formed their own colony in Morocco. In the village, we end up visiting an old music association famous for its beautiful Gnawa rhythms. We arrive there with a traditional cup of tea, a warm welcome customarily extended all across the country. After tea, you will experience the vivacious energy of Gnawa music; the captivating rhythms transport you finally to a different age. The spiritual power of the music immerses us in an atmosphere that allows us to forget a little bit about whatever else is happening around you. Instead, one concentrates on the intoxicating dances and sounds that exemplify Khamila spirit and culture.

Next to Meffis:

Next, we drive toward Meffis, an independent mountain famed for its earlier colonization by the French, who mined the precious metals, liner from the mountain and Galina, from which mascara was made. As the journey goes on, we will visit with some nomadic families employed behind the Erg Chebbi dunes, spend time with them in their handwoven camel-skin tents, and drink a traditional glass of tea. Afterward, to the nearby oasis, to discover desert farming practices and how the oases receive water, we proceed to enjoy a good lunch in a local restaurant famous for its Berber pizza. Finally, we drive to a fantastic hotel to relax and enjoy swimming by the pool. Overnight here should be spent very comfortably.

⇒ Day 6: Sahara Desert » Rissani » Todgha Gorge » Dades Gorge

On the sixth day of our 8-day private tour in Morocco, we part ways with the magnificent Sahara Desert—an experience filled with emotion. The adventure continues as we drive towards Rissani, a small town far and wide celebrated for its historic weight, beside the traditional marketplace. Quite notably, the town really became known as the origin of the great Alaouite dynasty, which is the forefather of Morocco’s current monarch, King Mohammed VI. We will then investigate these beautiful natural anomalies; we stop at Todgha Gorge and Dades Gorge on the way. These breathtaking landscapes exemplify Morocco’s varied terrain and offer remarkable sights that promise unforgettable memories throughout our journey.

We start by visiting Rissani’s centuries-old market to uncover all that this intriguing town provides. Next on our itinerary is Todgha Gorge—a striking example of nature’s artistry. Towering mountains flank opposing sides of this awe-inspiring site, creating spectacular views that highlight nature’s beauty. The gorge itself has been carved over countless years by a meandering river whose flow sculpted a path through solid rock. This river now stands as one of the longest waterways in Morocco; it serves an essential role in irrigating local orchards, forests, and oases—making it crucial for regional agriculture. Here, steep cliffs meet lush vegetation to create an exquisite tapestry that reflects both nature’s strength and serene charm.

Your trip will take you from the beautiful Merzouga, through the vast Sahara desert, to the marvelous Dades gorge, displaying the different terrains Morocco presents. From golden dunes to daring gorges, if one is to pay attention, the beauty of nature unfolds all the way. Then it’s turn in for the night at a high-end Riad where you can ponder the incredible sights you’ve seen today.

⇒ Day 7: Dades Gorge » Kalaat M’Gouna » Ouarzazte » Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah » Marrakech

On our seventh morning of this quest, we begin with breakfast served with an accompaniment of birds chirping in the background, immediately followed by our heart-stirring trip through the Dades Gorge, surrounded by constricted mountains and lush valleys—the view alone is enough to capture any onlooker’s heart. Then, we pay a visit to Kalaat M’Gouna, id est, the Rose Valley, with acres of divine-smelling rose gardens and customary methods of a rose distillery to boast about. Local craftsmen demonstrate the process of making any sort of rose-scented products that our heart desires—body creams, soaps, oils, and much more. Thereafter, we march towards the city of Ouarzazate, commonly dubbed the “Hollywood of Morocco.” Actually, it has many film productions and desert scenes from throughout the world. To round off the day, we shall stop by the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou before heading on to the magical vortex of Marrakech.

The entourage carries us to the heart of a movie shield where one should capture those very unforgettable memories before we proceed on to a tour of Ait Ben Haddou, a massive Kasbah that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 and prides itself on the marvelously preserved kasbahs. This cinematographic panorama is greatly filmed in various movies from all over the world. We have lunch at one of the eateries, after which the road is on a downward trip, direction Marrakech, with a stopover at the Tizi N’Tichka Pass, a 2,260-m-altitude ice peak bordering us. Late in the afternoon, we stride into Marrakech, acknowledged as the “Red City,” always pleasing for its stunning history and traditional art. Here, people can walk through Medina’s lustful narrow lanes, reminiscent of Fes, and absorb every sliver of the local elegance. We end the day in a riad that allows us to regenerate as we knit up our perspectives with an enchantingly authentic Moroccan atmosphere.

⇒ Day 8: Marrakech Menara Airport transfer

Day 8 and the end of your private 8-day tour of Morocco from Tanger marks your last day with Morocco Tourism Agency. We truly hope this adventure has been unforgettable, filled with enlightening and enjoyable moments. One of our team members will coordinate your transfer from the hotel to Marrakesh Menara Airport. Thank you for choosing Morocco Tourism Agency, and we wish that this splendid adventure stays alive in your memory long after you leave. Safe travels!