9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
Embark on a legendary 9-day Morocco tour from Fes to Marrakech, an epic voyage through imperial cities, rugged mountains, and the golden sands of the Sahara. Begin in the ancient cultural heart of Fes before journeying through the Middle Atlas to see Meknes and the “Switzerland of Morocco,” Ifran. The adventure culminates in the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, where a camel trek leads to a magical night in a Berber desert camp under a blanket of stars. The route continues through the dramatic canyon of Todra Gorge, the lush Dades Valley, and the iconic UNESCO kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a legendary Hollywood filming location. Your journey concludes in the vibrant, pulsating energy of Marrakech. This meticulously crafted 9-day itinerary is the ultimate introduction to Morocco’s soul, blending profound history, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable cultural encounters.
9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
Our 9-day Morocco tour from Fes to Marrakech packs a lifetime of adventure into one unforgettable trip. Discover the ancient medina of Fes, ride camels into the Sahara Desert at Merzouga, and spend a night in a traditional Berber camp. You'll stand in the shadows of the towering Todra Gorge, wind through the scenic Dades Valley, and explore the famous film-set kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. With imperial cities like Meknes, surprising landscapes in Ifran, and the thrilling finale in Marrakech, this tour is the perfect way to experience the very best of Morocco in just over a week.
Accommodation: Riad/Hotel in Fes
Upon your arrival at Fes Airport or train station, you will be greeted by your driver/guide and transferred to your accommodation. The evening is yours to relax and settle into the mystical atmosphere of one of the world's largest and oldest medieval cities. Enjoy a quiet dinner at your riad or explore a local restaurant nearby.
Accommodation: Riad/Hotel in Fes
After breakfast, meet your licensed local guide for a full-day immersion into the UNESCO-listed Fes el-Bali. This is a day of sensory overload in the best way possible. You will explore the intricate alleyways and discover:
- The Royal Palace with its magnificent golden gates.
- The Jewish Quarter (Mellah) with its distinct architecture.
- Medersa Bou Inania, a stunning example of Marinid architecture.
- The Chouara Tannery, for a iconic view of the ancient dyeing pits.
- The Al-Attarine Madrasa and the Kairaouine Mosque & University (exterior viewing).
- Funduq al-Najjarin, a beautifully restored 18th-century caravanserai.
The afternoon allows for free time to get lost in the medina's vibrant souks dedicated to spices, leather, lamps, and crafts. - Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Riad/Hotel in Chefchaouen
Bid farewell to Fes as we drive northwest into the Rif Mountains. Your destination is the mesmerizing Blue City of Chefchaouen. Nestled in the mountains, this city is a photographer's dream, with its buildings washed in every shade of blue. After checking into your riad, the afternoon and evening are free for you to explore at your own pace. Wander the blue-washed alleyways, shop for unique woolen garments, and enjoy the relaxed, bohemian atmosphere from a café in the main Plaza Uta el-Hammam.
- Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ifrane
Enjoy a final morning in Chefchaouen, perhaps hiking to the Spanish Mosque for a panoramic view of the blue city. We then travel south, first stopping at the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Explore the sprawling archaeological site with its well-preserved mosaics, arches, and capitols. Next, a short drive takes you to the imperial city of Meknes. Discover its monumental gates, including the famous Bab Mansour, and visit the massive Heri es-Souani granaries. Our final leg takes us higher into the Middle Atlas Mountains to Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland" for its unique chalet-style architecture and crisp alpine air.
- Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Luxury Berber Tent Camp in Merzouga
After breakfast, we depart from Ifrane, driving through stunning cedar forests where you might spot troops of Barbary macaques. The landscape transforms as we cross the Middle Atlas Mountains and descend towards the Sahara. The route offers breathtaking views of the Ziz Valley, a massive palmery with thousands of date palms. We stop for a panoramic photo of the gorge before continuing to the gateway of the desert, Merzouga.
Here, you will leave your luggage and mount your camel for a serene camel trek into the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Watch the spectacular sunset from the dune crests before arriving at your luxury desert camp. Enjoy a traditional Berber dinner, and gather around a campfire for music under a canopy of stars.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Berber Tent Camp or Hotel at Dunes
Wake up early to witness a sunrise you will never forget. After breakfast at the camp, you'll return to your 4x4 vehicle for a day exploring the desert surroundings of Merzouga. This includes:
- Visiting the fossil mines and learning about the region's geological history.
- A visit to a Berber nomad family for a glass of tea and insight into their way of life.
- A drive to the panoramic views near the Algerian border.
- Experiencing the unique music of the Gnawa people in the village of Khamlia.
In the afternoon, you have the option to relax or take a second magical camel trek to your desert camp for another night in the dunes. - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel/Kasbah in Dades Valley
After a final Sahara sunrise, we depart for the Todra Gorge. This is one of Morocco's most dramatic natural sights, where limestone canyon walls rise 300 meters vertically, with a clear river running through its base. You'll have time to walk through the gorge and feel its immense scale. We then continue our journey along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley. Known for its stunning rock formations and winding roads, we'll stop at the famous "Monkey Fingers" rock formation and a scenic viewpoint overlooking the serpentine road below before checking into our hotel for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Riad/Hotel in Marrakech
Today's journey is spectacular. We drive through the Dades and Rose Valleys (famous for its rosewater production in spring) towards Ouarzazate, the "Hollywood of Africa." Our main stop is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, the most famous and well-preserved kasbah in Morocco, featured in films like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. Explore its ancient earthen buildings before we cross the mighty High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m). The winding road offers ever-changing views, from barren mountains to Berber villages. We descend to the vibrant red city of Marrakech in the evening.
- Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will have a half-day guided tour to discover the highlights of Marrakech. Your tour will include:
- The iconic Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret.
- The beautiful Bahia Palace and the mysterious Saadian Tombs.
- The bustling souks, where artisans work in their tiny workshops.
- The legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, a UNESCO masterpiece of intangible heritage. By day it's a market, but by evening it transforms into a huge open-air theatre with storytellers, musicians, and food stalls.
After the tour, you will be transferred to Marrakech Menara Airport or your chosen location, marking the end of your incredible 9-day Moroccan adventure. - Meals: Breakfast
9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
- Transportation:
- Private, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle or minivan (depending on group size) for the entire tour.
- Fuel, tolls, and all associated transportation costs.
- Pick-up and drop-off at your arrival/departure points in Fes & Marrakech.
- Camel Trek in the Sahara Desert (one camel per person) to and from the desert camp.
- Accommodation:
- 8 Nights of accommodation in carefully selected hotels, Riads, and desert camps as per the itinerary:
- Day 1 & 2: 2 Nights in a Fes Riad/Hotel
- Day 3: 1 Night in a Chefchaouen Riad/Hotel
- Day 4: 1 Night in an Ifrane Hotel
- Day 5 & 6: 2 Nights in a Luxury Berber Desert Camp (with private tents)
- Day 7: 1 Night in a Dades Valley Hotel/Kasbah
- Day 8: 1 Night in a Marrakech Riad/Hotel
- Guiding & Experiences:
- Services of an experienced English/French-speaking driver throughout the tour.
- Licensed local guides for the city tours in Fes and Marrakech.
- Desert Discovery Tour on Day 6 (including visit to nomad family, Gnawa music, fossil sites).
- Meals:
- Daily breakfast at all accommodations.
- 3 Dinners (as specified in the itinerary on Day 5, 6, and 7 in the desert and Dades Valley).
9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
- International Flights & Visa Fees.
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended).
- Lunches, Drinks, and Snacks throughout the tour.
- Dinners not specified (in Fes, Chefchaouen, Ifrane, Marrakech).
- Entrance Fees to monuments, museums, and attractions (e.g., Medersas, Bahia Palace, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, etc.).
- Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
- Any Personal Expenses and items not mentioned above.
9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
1. What is the best time of year to take this 9-day Morocco tour from Fes?
The best times are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these months, the weather is pleasantly warm, making it ideal for exploring cities and the desert. Summers can be extremely hot in the Sahara, while winters can be very cold, especially at night in the desert and the Atlas Mountains./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
2. What type of clothing should I pack for this tour?
Modest, lightweight clothing is recommended for cultural respect and comfort. Essentials include:
- For Cities: Loose-fitting trousers, long skirts, and tops that cover the shoulders.
- For the Sahara Desert: A scarf or shesh for sun and sand protection. Warm layers are a must as desert nights can be cold, even in summer.
- General: Comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
3. Is this 9-day Morocco tour from Fes suitable for children and elderly travelers?
Yes, the tour can be adapted for all ages. However, please note that it involves a fair amount of walking in the medinas, getting on/off a camel, and long driving days. We recommend discussing any mobility concerns with us in advance so we can make suitable arrangements (e.g., a 4×4 vehicle for the desert instead of camels)./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
4. What are the accommodations like?
We use a mix of authentic, high-quality accommodations to enhance your experience:
- Riads: Traditional Moroccan houses with interior gardens or courtyards, located in the old medinas.
- Desert Camp: Luxury Berber tents equipped with proper beds and private bathrooms.
- Hotels/Kasbahs: Comfortable and well-located hotels, including unique castle-like kasbahs in the valleys./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
5. How are the long travel days broken up?
The itinerary is designed to make the journeys part of the experience. We make frequent stops at scenic viewpoints, interesting villages, and cafes. The drive from the Dades Valley to Marrakech, for example, is broken up with a major stop at the UNESCO site of Ait Benhaddou./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
6. Are all meals included in the 9-day Morocco tour from Fes?
No. The tour includes daily breakfast at all hotels and dinners during your stay in the Sahara Desert and the Dades Valley. Lunches and other dinners are not included, allowing you the freedom to choose from local restaurants and cafes according to your personal taste and budget. This is often a highlight for our guests, as it encourages exploration./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
7. Is the camel trek mandatory? What if I have physical limitations?
The camel trek is a iconic part of the experience, but it is not mandatory. For those with physical limitations or who prefer not to ride, we can arrange a 4×4 vehicle to transport you directly to the desert camp. Please inform us of your preference in advance./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
8. What is the payment and cancellation policy?
A deposit (typically 25%) is required to confirm your booking. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the tour start date. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
- More than 30 days before departure: Full refund of the deposit.
- 15-29 days before departure: 50% refund.
- Less than 14 days before departure: No refund.
We highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
9. Do I need a visa for Morocco?
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU countries do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry. Always check with the Moroccan consulate in your country for the most up-to-date requirements./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES
10. Is the water safe to drink?
It is generally recommended to drink bottled or filtered water, which is widely available everywhere. We provide complimentary bottled water in the vehicle throughout your tour./9 DAYS MOROCCO TOUR FROM FES