(5.0)
10 Days
English
From Fes
Our 10 days Morocco tour from Fes is designed for travelers who want to begin their journey in Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital. First, you spend two nights in Fez to explore its medieval medina at a relaxed pace. Next, you head north to the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, then visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes. Of all our Morocco tours from Fes, this is the most complete itinerary that ends in Marrakech. In other words, it is a perfect 10 day Morocco itinerary for anyone flying into Fez.
After the north, the road climbs through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to the golden dunes of Merzouga, where you spend not one but two nights. Afterwards, you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Dades Gorge and the Rose Valley to Ait Ben Haddou. Finally, you cross the High Atlas to Marrakech. Because this is one of our private Morocco tours, your driver-guide adapts every day to you. As a result, you experience 10 days in Morocco at your own rhythm, with a local expert who knows every road, village and hidden viewpoint.
Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at Fes Airport or the train station, your driver-guide meets you and takes you to your riad in the medina. After a refreshing mint tea, you can rest and settle in.
In the evening, take a short walk to Bab Boujloud, the famous Blue Gate. Then, enjoy a traditional dinner on a rooftop terrace with views over the old city. Meanwhile, your guide explains the itinerary and answers any questions about the days ahead. Tomorrow, after all, you discover one of the most fascinating cities in the world.
Overnight: riad in Fes.
After breakfast, a licensed local guide leads you through the Medina of Fez, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. First, you admire the golden gates of the Royal Palace and the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter. Then, you enter the maze of narrow lanes through the Blue Gate.
Next, you visit the Bou Inania Madrasa and watch leather being dyed at the Chouara Tannery. Afterwards, you see the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, one of the oldest centers of learning in the world. For more details, read about our Fez medina guided tour.
Overnight: riad in Fes.
This morning, you leave Fez and drive north into the Rif Mountains. Along the way, the landscape turns green, with olive groves and small villages on the hillsides. Meanwhile, your guide shares stories about the Rif and its people.
Around midday, you arrive in Chefchaouen, the famous blue city founded in 1471. In the afternoon, you explore its blue lanes, the old Kasbah and the main square. Later, walk up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset. For more inspiration, see VisitMorocco’s Chefchaouen guide or our Fes to Chefchaouen day trip.
Driving time: about 4 hours. Overnight: riad in Chefchaouen.
After breakfast, you drive south to the Archaeological Site of Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Here, you walk among columns, a triumphal arch and colorful floor mosaics almost 2,000 years old. Moreover, the views over the surrounding olive groves are beautiful.
Then, you continue to the Historic City of Meknes, where you admire the grand Bab Mansour gate and the royal granaries. In the late afternoon, you climb into the Middle Atlas to Ifrane, nicknamed the Switzerland of Morocco. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel and the fresh mountain air.
Driving time: about 5 hours. Overnight: hotel in Ifrane.
This morning, you drive through the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often wait by the roadside. Next, you cross high plateaus to Midelt, known as the apple capital of Morocco, for lunch. Along the way, the scenery changes from green forests to wide, open plains.
In the afternoon, you follow the palm-filled Ziz Valley south. At sunset, your camels are waiting at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Then, you ride into the dunes and watch the sand glow orange. Once at camp, dinner is served under the stars. Learn more about the region on VisitMorocco’s Merzouga page.
Driving time: about 6 to 7 hours with stops. Overnight: desert camp in Erg Chebbi.
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, a 4×4 takes you to Khamlia, where Gnawa musicians play rhythms that trace back to West Africa. Next, you visit a nomad family and share a glass of tea. Over tea, they explain how they live with very little water.
Later, you explore Rissani, the historic cradle of the Alaouite dynasty, and its busy market. In the afternoon, you can try sandboarding, ride a quad bike or simply relax. In the evening, enjoy a second night at the edge of the dunes.
Overnight: desert camp or hotel in Merzouga.
After breakfast, you drive west through the oasis towns of Erfoud and Tinejdad. Along the way, you stop at a fossil workshop, since Erfoud is famous for its ancient fossils. There, artisans show you how they cut and polish the stones.
In the early afternoon, you reach the Todra Gorge, where rock walls rise almost 300 meters above a clear stream. Then, you continue to the Dades Gorge, where the road winds up in tight hairpin bends. Finally, enjoy dinner at your hotel with views over the valley. Meanwhile, the evening light turns the cliffs a deep red.
Driving time: about 5 hours. Overnight: hotel in the Dades Gorge.
This morning, you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Kelaat M’Gouna, the heart of the Rose Valley. Next, you pass the palm groves of Skoura, dotted with old mud-brick fortresses. Here, local cooperatives also sell rose water and natural cosmetics.
After lunch in Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, you continue to the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO site and famous film location. In the late afternoon, climb to the top for sunset. Afterwards, you spend the night here, once the day visitors have left. You can learn more on VisitMorocco’s Ouarzazate page.
Driving time: about 4 hours. Overnight: guesthouse in Ait Ben Haddou.
After breakfast, you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass at about 2,260 meters. Along the way, you stop for photos of terraced fields and Berber villages clinging to the slopes. Moreover, the winding mountain road offers some of the best views of the trip.
In the early afternoon, you arrive in Marrakech and check in to your riad. Then, in the evening, walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the lively heart of the Medina of Marrakesh. As night falls, food stalls, musicians and storytellers fill the square. Then, enjoy dinner on a rooftop terrace above the crowds.
Driving time: about 4 hours. Overnight: riad in Marrakech.
On your last day, a licensed local guide shows you the highlights of the Red City. First, you visit the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, then admire the Koutoubia Mosque from outside. Along the way, your guide shares stories about the dynasties that built the city.
Afterwards, you explore the souks and, depending on your flight time, relax in the Jardin Majorelle. Finally, your driver takes you to Marrakech Menara Airport, and your 10-day journey from Fes to Marrakech comes to an end. For extra days, see our day trips from Marrakech.
Yes. The tour is fully private, so only you and your travel companions share the vehicle and the driver-guide. Therefore, you can change the pace, choose your hotels and stop wherever you like.
Yes. Ten days is enough to see Fez, Chefchaouen, the Sahara, the kasbahs of the south and Marrakech without rushing. If you want to start in Marrakech instead, see our 10 days Morocco tour from Marrakech.
You can fly directly to Fes-Saïss Airport from many European cities. Alternatively, you can take the train from Casablanca, Rabat or Tangier, and we pick you up at the station.
You spend two nights in Merzouga. The first night is in a desert camp after the camel trek, and the second can be in the camp or in a hotel at the edge of the dunes.
Yes. We can turn it into a loop that returns to Fes. For a shorter Fes to Marrakech desert tour, see our 7 days tour from Fes to Marrakech.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal. Summer is very hot in the Sahara, while winter brings cold nights in the desert and snow around Ifrane.
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Mhamid, Marrakech, Morocco – 40000, Morocco
journeystomorocco@gmail.com
Journeys Morocco offers authentic travel experiences across the kingdom, from the lively souks of Marrakech to the golden dunes on our unforgettable Sahara Desert tours.
Every trip is part of our carefully designed Morocco tours, crafted to immerse you in culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes.
