Moroccan Cities: Tangier to Marrakech (6 Days)

Welcome to Tangier—the gateway between Europe and Africa. Located close to the south of Spain, visit the medina (old quarter) and take a paseo to enjoy a stroll along the promenade. Or, travel straight on to the blue-hued city of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains. Enjoy the scenic route, stopping along the way to hike (two to three hours) to the Cascades d'Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour). Chefchaouen offers endless winding, narrow streets, and picturesque buildings. Find Plaza Uta el-Hammam for a restaurant or café and enjoy a meal as you people-watch.

Though non-Muslims are not permitted to enter, the Grand Mosque is still worth a visit. From there, explore the nearby kasbah (old fortification) and tour the garden, museum, and some of the old prison cells. Follow a path outside of the city walls to Hotel Atlas and climb to the rooftop to enjoy a panoramic view of the Blue City.

For the slightly more athletic, follow the street east to pass over the Ras el Ma Spring and ascend the path (20-30 minutes) until you reach the abandoned white Spanish Mosque. Enjoy one last view over Chefchaouen as the sun sets behind the mountains.

Rise early to snap photos of the people-less streets before leaving for Fes. Stop along the way at the Unesco-protected Volubilis ruins—the Roman's farthest reach in Africa. Wander the complex, exploring merchant homes with still-intact heating systems, temples, and many mosaics in situ.

Continue on to the smaller, less busy version of Fes, Meknes, for an introduction to a historic imperial city. The two main points of interest are the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the medina. Be sure to visit the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables.

Continue on to Fes. With its impressively large (and somewhat confusing) old medina, Fes is a city worth getting lost in. Before venturing into the medina, take the time to visit the Merenid Tombs located just north of the city and enjoy the all-encompassing view of historic Fes and the surrounding area. Descend the hill and return to your riad (a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden) for the evening.

Fes is the oldest of the imperial cities in Morocco (Meknes, Marrakech, and Rabat are the others) and perhaps the most interesting to explore. A Unesco-protected site, the city hasn't undergone much colonial development, leaving you to experience its medieval charm.

Fes consists of two old medina quarters, Fes el Bali (where you will spend most of your time) and Fes el Jdid (a slightly newer part of the city), and the early 20th-century French designed Ville Nouvelle. Meet your guide to help you navigate the narrow and maze-like ancient streets of the medinas, starting in Fes el Bali (789 CE).

Note the Spanish and Tunisian influenced architecture as you pass the variety of souks (markets) offering spices, leather goods, and pewter. Known for its tanneries and the acrid smell associated with them, visit the popular Chouara Tannery and climb to the roof of a nearby shop for a better view of the goings-on.

Visit the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa and admire the zellij tilework before checking out one of the oldest, still operating universities in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin University (859 CE). Find the mellah (old Jewish quarter) in Fes el Jdid for another encompassing view of the city.

Continue your journey south, over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 m) and through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. You will see families of Barbary macaque monkeys in the trees and by the side of the road as you head to Midelt (the apple city) for lunch.

Appreciate the scenery: the Moulouya River and the apple orchards. Next, travel over the Tizi n'Talremt pass and into the Ziz Valley dotted with oases and palm tree clusters. Notice the many ksars, fortified houses merchants built to protect their wares (gold, salt, and spices).

Nearing Erfoud, you will start to see the early signs of the Sahara sand dunes. Never stationary, the dunes travel as the winds shift. If you're lucky, you may come across a nomadic Berber family and have the chance to drink tea together.

Visit Erfoud and discover how the fossil-rich rock of its mines is transformed into decorative and practical objects. Continue on to the extensive sea of sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Covering 13.5 square miles (35 square km), some dunes rise to over 656.2 feet (200 m), their color changing with the moving sun.

Outside of Merzouga, change the pace and prepare for a camel ride through the dunes, arriving at camp just before sunset. Climb up the nearest sand dune to watch the colorful display as the sun sets behind the colossal dunes. Return to camp for dinner in the open air and an evening by the campfire enjoying traditional Berber music from the locals under a blanket of stars. Spend the night in a Bedouin-style tent.

Wake early to catch a desert sunrise, before trying your skill at sandboarding. You will also have the option of joining either an Erg Chebbi (sand dune) tour or an ATV tour. Visit nearby Khemliya, a traditional Saharan village, and experience traditional drumming music and dancing before taking a short walk around the village.

Leave the dunes behind and stop in the market town of Rissani, entering through its impressive gate. Known for its livestock auction it's worth your time finding the 'donkey parking lot' to delight your senses.

Continue on to Tinerhir. This desert town offers awesome views of neighboring towns hugging the length of the extensive river oasis (30 miles or 48 km of palm trees). Stop at today's final destination, the Todra Gorge. 984 feet (300 m) high and carved by the Todra River through red limestone, here you can enjoy a leisurely walk in and around the gorge and relax in the cool waters of the shallow river below.

Begin your day traversing the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing through the picturesque Dades Valley and Boumalne Dades. Along the way, pause at Kelâat M'Gouna, where vibrant rose bushes adorn farmlands. Take a moment to visit a rose collective, witnessing the intricate process of transforming rose petals into fragrant rose water and oil.

Continue westward to Ouarzazate, renowned for its movie-making history showcased in acclaimed films like Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. Engage in a fascinating movie studio tour and explore the Musée du Cinema, gaining insight into the region's cinematic legacy and the art of filmmaking.

The journey then leads to the Unesco World Heritage Site, Aït Benhaddou. Dating back to the 11th century, this ancient ksar held a significant role along the trans-Saharan trade route. Settle into your accommodation within the old town, and as the late afternoon sets in, wander through the quiet alleys and passages.

Climb to the old Granary, offering a panoramic view of the kasbah and its surroundings. For enthusiasts of Game of Thrones, trek down to the river to spot the iconic gates featured in the popular HBO series. Experience the tranquility of a quiet dinner overlooking the valley, long after the day crowds have departed.

Departing from Aït Benhaddou, commence the ascent over the High Atlas mountains, catching sight of Mount Toubkal, the range's highest peak. Pause near the summit to revel in a breathtaking panoramic vista of the mountains. Pause at Taddert to visit an Argan Oil Cooperative, learning about olive processing methods and sampling various uses of olives.

As you descend from the High Atlas, witness a striking transformation in both climate and landscape. Your journey eventually leads you into the vibrant city of Marrakech, bustling with energy and activity