8-Day Fes, Chefchaouen and Sahara Tour

Highlights

• Two nights in blue Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains
• The Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes
• A guided day in the medina of Fes
• Camel ride to a high dune for sunset and a night in a luxury desert camp
• The Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Benhaddou
• A guided day in Marrakech

Photo gallery

1. Day 1

   Fes – Chefchaouen

   We pick you up from your accommodation or the airport in Fes and drive north through the Rif foothills to Chefchaouen. Founded in the 15th century, the town remained largely closed to Europeans until the early 20th century. Arrive in the afternoon to get a first feel for its blue and white lanes.

   Overnight:

   Riad in Chefchaouen

2. Day 2

   Chefchaouen

   A free day in Chefchaouen, a town of blue and white lanes set on the mountainside and surrounded by a natural biosphere reserve, with local crafts, friendly people and a calm atmosphere.

   Overnight:

   Riad in Chefchaouen

3. Day 3

   Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

   Wander the alleys of Chefchaouen after breakfast, then drive to Volubilis, a well-preserved Roman site listed by UNESCO, with mosaics, columns and archways. Thirty kilometres on, Meknes — the city of Moulay Ismail — offers Bab Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the royal stables and granaries and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Continue to Fes.

   Overnight:

   Riad in Fes

4. Day 4

   Guided tour of Fes

   Explore Fes with a local guide (a short drive and a 2–3 hour walking tour). See the Royal Palace gate, the Mellah (Jewish quarter) and a viewpoint over the medina, then enter the UNESCO-listed old city through Bab Boujloud to visit the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Nejjarine fountain, the tanneries and Al Quaraouiyine. Free afternoon.

   Overnight:

   Riad in Fes

5. Day 5

   Fes – Ifrane – cedar forest – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

   Drive south through Imouzzer to Ifrane, the cedar forest of the Barbary macaques and Midelt for lunch, then over the Tizi n'Talghemt pass and along the Ziz Valley. In the afternoon, switch to camels at Merzouga and cross the dunes to watch the sunset, then continue to your camp for Berber drums around the fire, dinner and the night.

   Overnight:

   Luxury desert camp, Erg Chebbi

6. Day 6

   Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

   Wake early for sunrise, have breakfast and ride back by camel to meet your driver. We visit Rissani, the historic capital of the Tafilalet, and a fossil workshop in Erfoud. Through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinejdad we reach the Todra Gorge for a walk and lunch, then continue via Boumalne Dades to the "Monkey Fingers" rock formations and a viewpoint over the valley.

   Overnight:

   Hotel in the Dades Valley

7. Day 7

   Dades Valley – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech

   Visit the Valley of Roses at Kelaat M'Gouna, drive through the palm groves of Skoura and stop at the film studios in Ouarzazate. At Ait Benhaddou, a short walk leads up through the ksar. Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.

   Overnight:

   Riad in Marrakech

8. Day 8

   Guided tour of Marrakech

   Explore the "Red City" with a local guide (a short drive and a 3-hour walking tour) — the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the souks — with lunch near Jemaa el-Fna. Later visit the Koutoubia Mosque and the Majorelle Garden, then return to Jemaa el-Fna in the evening on your own.

Practical information

Tour type

Private one-way tour from Fes to Marrakech

Pick-up

Your accommodation or Fes–Saïss Airport (FEZ)

Drop-off

Your accommodation or the airport in Marrakech, after the guided tour on day 8

Frequently asked questions