Morocco: Imperial Cities, Sahara & the Atlantic Coast

Arrive at any time into Casablanca. This route departs the city first thing on Day 2, so anyone wanting to see the city's sights should plan to arrive a day or two early. Key landmarks include the spectacular Hassan II Mosque—accessible only by guided tour—and the city's distinct Art Deco architecture.

The day begins with an overland drive north to Tangier, the port city guarding the Strait of Gibraltar. A few hours here are enough for a guided walk through its core sites: the kasbah, the medina, and the bustling squares of Grand Socco and Petit Socco. From there, the road continues inland to Chefchaouen, the 'Blue City,' arriving in the evening.

A full free day in Chefchaouen. The main activity is simply wandering the medina, a maze of buildings washed in countless shades of blue, set against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains. For the best views, a short hike up to the Spanish Mosque on a nearby hill provides a panoramic lookout over the city, especially at sunset.

An overland journey south from Chefchaouen leads towards the imperial city of Fès. The route breaks for a traditional lunch at a community-run association near Meknès that supports rural women and children.

After lunch, the main stop is Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in this part of North Africa. A guided walk covers the old bathhouses, mosaic floors, and marble columns of the UNESCO World Heritage site before the final leg of the drive to Fès.

Fès contains the world’s largest living medieval medina, a UNESCO site with over 9,000 streets. The best way to approach it is with a certified local guide, who can navigate the chaos of the artisan quarters, bakeries, and butcher stalls. A highlight is the view from a leather shop balcony overlooking the famous Chouara Tannery, where workers treat and dye hides in a landscape of colorful stone vats.

This is a long travel day, running 6-7 hours south from Fès to the edge of the Sahara. The landscape shifts dramatically throughout the drive. The route first crosses the cedar and pine forests of the Middle Atlas mountains, where Barbary apes can sometimes be spotted, before descending into the pre-desert plains and deep gorges of the Ziz Valley. The day ends upon arrival at a simple desert auberge on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes.

A full day at the Sahara's edge. The morning is free to explore the golden dunes on foot or by an optional 4x4 excursion into the surrounding desert communities. In the late afternoon, the main event is a camel ride into the dunes to watch the sun set over the sand sea. The evening is spent back at the desert hotel with a traditional dinner and campfire.

An early start is required to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, the route turns west, traveling through a stark stone desert to the Todra Gorge. This massive canyon, wedged between towering cliff walls, shelters a green oasis of palm trees along a riverbed. The afternoon is free for hiking through the gorge or relaxing by the river.

The drive today follows the 'Route of 1000 Kasbahs,' a road littered with fortified earthen citadels. A stop in the town of Ouarzazate, a hub for film productions like Gladiator, breaks the journey. The destination is Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar and one of the most impressive examples of southern Moroccan earthen clay architecture. The afternoon is spent exploring the historic fortified village.

From the pre-desert, the route climbs into the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260m. The drive along winding mountain roads ends in Imlil, the trailhead for Toubkal National Park. From here, it's a one-hour uphill hike to the small village of Aroumd.

The night is spent in a simple mountain gîte with shared facilities and views of the surrounding peaks. A light overnight bag is recommended. Dinner is a home-cooked meal made with local produce.

The day begins with a hike back down from the gîte to Imlil to meet the vehicle for the long drive to the coast. En route to the Atlantic, the trip stops at a women's cooperative for a demonstration of traditional carpet weaving. Arrival in the coastal town of Essaouira is mid-afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free to explore the port, medina, and windswept beach.

A full free day to explore the laid-back port town of Essaouira. You can wander the fortified medina, browse artisan shops for local thuya wood crafts, or walk the long, sandy beach. The harbor is a chaotic scene of blue fishing boats, and the town is known for its fresh seafood. A visit to a traditional hammam is a good way to unwind.

An overland drive inland from the coast leads to the imperial 'Red City' of Marrakech. After arrival, a local guide leads a tour through the medina's maze of alleyways and souks, which are filled with spices, leather goods, and lanterns. The day ends best at the Djemaa el Fna square, which transforms at dusk into a sprawling open-air theater of food stalls, musicians, and performers.

A final free day for exploring Marrakech. Options range from an early morning hot air balloon ride at sunrise to a deeper dive into the souks for last-minute shopping. Revisiting Djemaa el Fna square during the day reveals a different character, with snake charmers and fresh juice stalls replacing the evening's performers. It's also a chance to explore the modern Gueliz district for a different view of the city.

The journey concludes today in Marrakech. There are no planned activities, so you can depart at any time. The day is free for final packing and making your way to the airport for your onward flight.