ITINERARY

Welcome to Fes, the oldest imperial city in Morocco, home to the most complete medina in the Arab world and one of the world's largest pedestrian zones (no cars!). Much of the city has remained untouched for hundreds of years, transporting visitors back to medieval times. Fes is divided into three major points of interest: the two medina quarters, Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, and the modern, French-influenced Ville Nouvelle. Spend a half-day with your guide exploring the maze-like alleyways. Start in Fes el Bali at the impressive Bab Boujeloud gate and make your way in.

Browse leather goods in a shop next to the Chouara Tannery before heading upstairs for a view of the 11th-century dye pots—a technique and process that has changed little over the centuries! Visit the oldest operating university in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin University (founded in 859 CE), and catch a glimpse of the decorated interior of the mosque (non-Muslims cannot enter). Explore the Al Attarine Madrasa and marvel at the intricate zellij (mosaic tilework). Head to Fes el Jdid to see the Mellah (Jewish quarter and cemetery), and if time allows, catch the sunset from the vantage point of the Merenid Tombs.

Start your day bright and early as you travel south toward Merzouga. Along the way, you will climb up and over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 m) through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. Enjoy sightings of local Barbary macaque monkeys before stopping for lunch in Midelt, known as the "apple city," near the Moulouya River. Continue over the Tizi n'Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley, famous for its hidden oases and clusters of palm trees. Along the road, you'll see many fortified houses known as ksars—built to protect precious goods, including gold, salt, and spices.

Proceed to Erfoud, renowned for its date festival and fossil mining. Here, you can visit a local collective to learn about the process and meet some artisans. Continue to Erg Chebbi, an expansive sea of sand dunes covering an area of 13.5 square miles (35 square km). These massive dunes are never stationary, shifting and moving with the changing winds! Upon reaching Merzouga, climb atop a camel to ride through the dunes to your pre-prepared camp. Climb a nearby sand dune to watch the sunset before returning to camp for a delicious dinner and relaxing by the campfire.

Catch the sunrise before renting a sandboard to test your skills on the dunes. Leave the dunes and head to Khemliya to experience a traditional Saharan village—its people are originally from Mali. Continue west and pass through a dramatic gate into Rissani, a market town known for its livestock auction and unique "donkey parking lot," a sight worth seeing and experiencing! Make your way to the desert town of Tinerhir before reaching the 984-foot (300 m) deep Todra Gorge. You will have time to explore the gorge and relax in the cool waters of the shallow Todra River.

Travel through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs (old fortresses or fortifications). Though many kasbahs are now in disrepair, local families still live in some of them. You may even come across nomads herding their animals. Head west to Kelâat M'Gouna, known for its Festival des Roses, where you can see extensively cultivated farmland bordered with fragrant rose bushes. Continue west to Ouarzazate, a gateway to the Sahara Desert popularized by the film industry. Join a studio tour and discover how the nearby desert landscapes have been featured in many films.

Rise early and continue to Morocco's most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Aït Benhaddou. It is estimated that this old ksar (walled town) dates back to the 11th century when it held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route. Stop to explore the narrow streets and passageways of this traditional mud-brick city. From there, travel along the winding road over the High Atlas mountains, noting the highest peak, Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet or 4,167 m). Stop near the top of the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (7,415 feet or 2,260 m) to admire the view over the mountain range.

Visit an Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert to learn how argan oil is produced, before making your descent down the High Atlas and into the changing scenery. Upon arriving in the Red City of Marrakech, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon as you like. Orient yourself around Marrakech's main square, Jemaa el-Fna, and visit the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque to its west. At 253 feet (77 m), the minaret is hard to miss. Wander through the attached gardens, dotted with fountains, pools, flowers, and palm trees—perfect for a late afternoon stroll when the setting sun casts a glow on the minaret.

Return to Jemaa el-Fna Square to experience the lively activity: musicians, performers, snake charmers, and bustling stalls. Grab something to eat or choose a nearby café and enjoy the show!