Marrakesh, Fes, Sahara & Toubkal

76

Morocco is an incredible place to journey. In case you have 10 days within the nation, one of the best ways to spend it’s by seeing the outdated cities and conventional markets, plus the Atlas mountains and desert surroundings.

This itinerary has every of these issues. You’ll begin at Marrakesh, experience camels within the Sahara Desert, after which see the cities of Fes and Chefchaouen, earlier than ending with an epic hike up Mount Toubkal, the very best mountain in North Africa.

It’s carefully based mostly by myself 10 day journey, though I streamlined it and made a couple of enhancements based mostly on my latest experiences within the nation.

On this journey information, I’ll present you a few of the high issues to see and do in Morocco!

About This Itinerary

Right here’s a fast abstract of this itinerary:

• Marrakesh — 1 day
• Sahara Desert journey — 4 days
• Fes — 2 days
• Chefchaouen — 1 day
• Mount Toubkal — 2 days

Within the following sections, I’ll cowl every of those locations intimately so you understand what to anticipate.

 

Morocco Itinerary Day 1: Marrakesh

Welcome to Morocco! Begin your journey by exploring the historic metropolis of Marrakesh, which is legendary for its markets and structure.

If you happen to’re staying at a resort within the medina (outdated metropolis), then you’ll be able to stroll out of your resort doorstep to the entire locations listed beneath, which is what I did.
 

• Medresa Ben Youssef

This Islamic madrasa (faculty) was based in Marrakesh within the sixteenth century, and at one time, it was the most important Islamic college in North Africa. At the moment, it’s a UNESCO-designated world heritage web site.

You possibly can tour the constructing for a small charge, and it’s full of lovely mosaics and different fascinating particulars. If you happen to’re searching for good picture spots in Marrakesh, a few of the doorways listed below are improbable.

This place could be very widespread with vacationers, although, so getting right here early within the day is a good suggestion.

 

• Marrakesh Medina

One factor it’s a must to do in Marrakesh is see the souks and markets of the medina. The most important of those is Souk Semmarine.

These markets are loaded with good crafts to take a look at, purchase, and {photograph}, and it’s enjoyable to wander the alleys and hunt for souvenirs.

You’ll see every kind of pottery, rugs, lamps, footwear, spices, leather-based, wooden carvings, and extra. There are additionally the same old journey souvenirs like fridge magnets and occasional mugs.

A variety of the market sellers might be pushy, and so they could not depart you alone, so you want to be able to maintain strolling in the event you aren’t . You may as well say ‘la shoukran’ (‘no thanks’) politely however forcefully.

On the similar time, you’ll additionally should dodge incoming donkeys, scooters, and different foot visitors within the slender alleys, so it’s a fairly hectic expertise.

I at all times requested the sellers earlier than taking photos of their wares, and so they often don’t thoughts so long as their face isn’t being photographed.
 

• Jemaa el-Fnaa

That is the principle sq. of Marrakesh, and it’s a loopy place with snake charmers, road performers, meals stalls, and fruit juice sellers.

It’s an assault in your senses, and scammers abound (so maintain your wits about you), but it surely’s nonetheless an fascinating place to see when you’re right here.

 

• Different Locations To See In Marrakesh

In case you have extra time in Marrakesh, listed below are another locations which are value seeing:

• Bahia Palace — nineteenth century palace with a photogenic courtyard and fountains.
• Saadian Tombs — Royal necropolis from the sixteenth century with marble columns and detailed mosaics.
• Badi Palace — Ruined palace from the sixteenth century.
• Koutoubia Mosque — Constructed within the twelfth century, it’s the most important mosque in Marrakesh.

 

• In a single day in Marrakesh

Spend your first night time in Marrakesh, which has a number of nice accommodations for each funds.

Listed here are a few of my high picks:

• Finances — Riad Malfa. A small resort in the course of the medina. That is the place I stayed, and the French girl who owns it was very pleasant and useful all through my journey.
• Midrange — Riad Spa Sindibad. Comfy rooms on the outskirts of the medina. Contains breakfast and a pool.
• Excessive Finish — Riad Aslal. Accessible resort on the sting of the medina, however nonetheless inside strolling distance of the principle websites. Contains breakfast and a pool.

 

Day 2: Sahara Desert Journey (Marrakesh To Tinghir)

Probably the greatest excursions you are able to do in Morocco is a visit to Merzouga, the place you’ll be able to experience camels and camp on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert. This was the spotlight of my time in Morocco!

That is usually accomplished as a 3 or 4 day journey since Merzouga is an extended drive from Marrakesh. You’ll spend one night time in a resort on the best way there, and see a number of fascinating sights alongside the best way.

I’d advocate doing a 4 day journey as a substitute of three days, since you need to make all of the driving worthwhile. You possibly can start the journey in Marrakesh and finish in Fes, which is what we’ll do for this itinerary.

I booked this journey with GetYourGuide and it included transportation, guides, meals, lodging, and camel rides on the sand dunes. It was an excellent journey!

Ebook Now: 4 Day Sahara Desert Tour

 

• Drive To The Atlas Mountains

The primary day of your Sahara tour will contain roughly 6 hours of driving, but it surely’s damaged up into segments to make it simpler. My group began at 7:30 AM.

After being picked up by your tour firm in Marrakesh, you’ll first drive roughly 2 hours to the mountain go of Tizi n’Tichka, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in panoramic views of the Excessive Atlas mountains.

The street winding up the mountain makes the view much more spectacular! That is the very best mountain go in North Africa, with an elevation of two,205 meters (7,234 toes).

From right here, we drove one other half-hour after which made a toilet cease at a restaurant overlooking the Berber village of Melladi, the place we got a free tour of an Argan oil store.

This oil comes from the argan tree, which is native to Morocco and Algeria, and it’s utilized in hair and pores and skin merchandise due to its well being advantages.

I didn’t purchase something, however they allow us to pattern a few of the Argan merchandise, and there have been good views of the Berber village.

 

• Ait Ben Haddou

From Melladi, it’s a 1 hour drive to your subsequent cease, which is the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou.

This photogenic Moroccan clay village is a UNESCO-designated world heritage web site, and it was used as a background set for lots of well-known motion pictures, together with Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Recreation of Thrones.

The view throughout the river is my favourite. It’s nice for images, and it’s simple to see why this place has been featured in so many Hollywood motion pictures.

We spent about 1.5 hours wandering the streets of Ben Haddou with our information and mountaineering to the highest of the hill, the place there’s a granary with views of the entire village.

After we have been accomplished touring the fort, we ate lunch at a close-by restaurant and I ordered my first tajine in Morocco. Yum.

 

• Drive To Dades / Tinghir

After you’re accomplished touring Ait Ben Haddou, it’s a 3 hour drive to Dades or Tinghir, the place you’ll spend the primary night time of your Sahara tour in a resort.

The resort and city the place you keep will rely in your tour firm, and this could change occasionally based mostly on availability, your preferences, and different components. Some excursions keep the primary night time within the city of Dades, and go to the Dades Gorge the subsequent morning.

I stayed at Lodge Saghro in Tinghir, which was clear and comfy, with non-public A/C rooms and a pool.

We ate our dinner on the resort’s in-house restaurant, which was superb. There was a wide range of nice meals in huge parts.

 

Day 3: Tinghir To Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

• Todgha Gorge

The second day of your Sahara journey will contain 4 or 5 hours of driving, with some extra sightseeing alongside the best way.

After breakfast, we drove half-hour from Tinghir to the Todgha Gorge, which is a big slot canyon with rock partitions as much as 400 meters excessive (1,312 toes).

This canyon is spectacular, and it jogged my memory a bit little bit of the Zion Narrows in Utah, USA. It’s a well-liked spot for mountain climbing, though we simply walked by means of the canyon on foot with a information.

 

• Exploring Tinghir

Subsequent, we spent a while exploring the city of Tinghir, the place we had stayed the night time earlier than.

Our native information took us on a stroll by means of the Todra river valley and confirmed us a few of the fruits they develop there, together with apples, figs, apricots, and pomegranates.

Our 30 minute stroll by means of the valley introduced us again to the city of Tinghir, the place we wandered the streets of the traditional Jewish quarter and visited a rug store.

 

• Drive To Merzouga

From Tinghir, it’s a 3 hour drive to your ultimate vacation spot, the Merzouga desert.

We broke this up by stopping for lunch after which visiting an clothing store store in Ksar Touroug the place we might purchase head scarfs, henna tattoos, and Berber garments to put on within the desert.

That makes the images extra enjoyable once you experience the camels, which is coming subsequent!
 

• Sundown Camel Trip

It’s time for a camel experience into the desert! It is a nice expertise and the tour firms time it to line up with the sundown, that approach you’ll be able to see the camels casting lengthy shadows throughout the sand dunes. It’s epic.

We transferred our primary luggage and backpacks to the tour firm so they might convey them to the desert camp of their automobile, after which I hopped on a camel with solely my digital camera bag and a water bottle.

If that is your first time using a camel, it may be a bit intimidating, but it surely will get simpler as you go. We have been even capable of take photos and movies whereas we rode.

We spent about 1 hour using the camels to our desert camp in Erg Chebbi, with brief picture stops alongside the best way.

 

• In a single day In Merzouga

After arriving at our desert camp, they gave us our bags and we have been assigned to our tents. A few of these tents are luxurious, however I selected to remain in a primary tent, which was cheaper and nonetheless fairly comfy. The loos have been in a separate tent.

We got some free time to discover the dunes or go sand boarding close to our camp, after which we had dinner, which was superb. After darkish, they made a bonfire and did some Berber singing and dancing, which was joined by most of our group.

Earlier than you fall asleep, don’t neglect to enterprise out of the camp and climb a dune to take a look at the celebrities!
 

Day 4: Exploring Merzouga

Today might be spent exploring the world and cultures round Merzouga.

You’ll take heed to Saharan music within the village of Khamlia, see the standard markets on the city of Rissani, and check out the native Berber pizza for lunch.

If you happen to love the desert, like me, then you definately’ll be blissful to know you get some extra time there as properly. You possibly can experience the camels once more, go quad biking on the sand dunes, or simply relaxation at your camp.

 

Day 5: Merzouga To Fes

On the final morning at Merzouga, you’ll get up early for one more camel experience at dawn. That is non-obligatory, and you’ll return in a automotive in the event you want, however I loved using the camels once more.

We began in the dead of night and rode the camels beneath the moonlight, which was a cool expertise, after which dismounted and waited for dawn on one of many sand dunes.

After dawn, it’s time to begin driving again to Marrakesh or Fes. On this case, we’ll be going to Fes because it’s the subsequent vacation spot on this itinerary anyway.

Alongside the best way, there will probably be some new sights just like the Ziz Valley, Midelt, and Azrou. You’ll see cedar forests, wild monkeys, and different issues because it’s a distinct route from the place you began on the primary day of the Sahara journey.
 

• In a single day in Fes

Spend the subsequent 3 nights within the metropolis of Fes, which has loads of good resort choices.

Listed here are a few of my suggestions:

• Finances — Dar Usham Fes. Small resort in the course of the Fes medina. That is the place I stayed, and the proprietor was very pleasant. The one draw back is navigating the darkish maze of tunnels to search out the resort, however the proprietor might help you out with this.
• Midrange — Riad Sidrat Fes. Lodge with breakfast on the north finish of the medina, close to the principle street however inside strolling distance of the tanneries.
• Excessive Finish — Riad Marjana. Stunning Moroccan-style resort on the outskirts of the medina. Contains breakfast and a pool.

 

Day 6: Fes

• Medina

If you happen to thought the medina in Marrakesh was loopy, the one in Fes is an absolute maze, with countless tunnels and faux guides consistently approaching you to attempt to rip-off you. Even my resort proprietor joked that it’s like one thing out of a horror film.

It’s nonetheless value seeing, however I’d extremely advocate hiring a information in Fes that will help you with navigation and avoiding scams. I did this with no information and it was nightmarish at instances.

You possibly can guide a tour information within the hyperlink beneath.

Ebook Now: Fes Guided Strolling Tour

 

• Tanneries

One of many primary issues Fes is thought for is its leather-based tanneries, which have been working in mainly the identical approach for hundreds of years.

There are a number of energetic tanneries, however the largest is the Chouara Tannery. You possibly can go to any of the tanneries for a small charge.

The scent is nauseating, but it surely’s fascinating to see the method at floor stage, and there are additionally rooftop platforms the place you’ll be able to watch it from above.

 

Day 7: Chefchaouen Day Journey

For my second day in Fes, I did a day journey to the well-known blue metropolis of Chefchaouen, which I booked on-line by means of GetYourGuide.

It is a lengthy day journey from Fes as a result of it entails a 4 hour drive in every route, plus 4 hours spent touring town. In my expertise, this was loads of time to see town, take tons of images, and even eat lunch at a restaurant there.

There are accommodations in Chefchaouen if you wish to keep longer, and a few folks could want to do this, however I used to be pleased with a day journey. There actually isn’t a complete lot to see or do in the event you keep longer.

My day tour to Chefchaouen was solely $26 USD and it included transportation in a minivan with a small group, and an area information to indicate us across the blue metropolis. I had an excellent expertise with them. You possibly can guide this present day tour within the hyperlink beneath!

Ebook Now: Chefchaouen Day Journey From Fes

 

Day 8: Fes To Marrakesh

It’s time to return to Marrakesh for the final leg of your journey in Morocco. You are able to do this by flying or taking the prepare.

If you happen to fly, it solely takes about 1 hour and costs are surprisingly low-cost for a a method ticket with RyanAir. You possibly can store for flights on Skyscanner.

The prepare is even cheaper, however takes about 6.5 hours for the journey. Nevertheless, prepare rides might be enjoyable, and also you get to see extra of the countryside of Morocco alongside the best way. The ONCF trains are clear, protected, and comfy.

The third possibility is a bus, though the journey from Fes to Marrakesh takes 9 or 10 hours. You possibly can guide a bus on this web site.
 

Day 9: Marrakesh To Imlil (Mount Toubkal Hike)

If you happen to’re a match hiker searching for a problem, the Mount Toubkal trek is an effective way to high off your journey to Morocco. This was the grand finale of my time within the nation, and in my view it was properly well worth the problem!

Toubkal is generally accomplished as a 2 day trek, and it’s very strenuous. On the summit, you’ll get superb views of the dawn because it’s the tallest peak in Morocco, North Africa, and the Arab world.

Be warned, this can be a very robust hike. There’s a ton of elevation acquire and the path is rocky and unrelenting, with mud, rain, donkeys on the trail. If you happen to aren’t a lot of a hiker, then chances are you’ll need to skip Toubkal and spend the time elsewhere like Casablanca or Ouzoud.

A information is required for this hike by Moroccan legislation, and it’s useful to have one anyway. I booked this by means of the tour firm within the hyperlink beneath.

Ebook Now: 2 Day Mount Toubkal Trek

 

• Imlil To Toubkal Refuge

The primary day of the Mount Toubkal trek is spent driving 1.5 hours from Marrakesh to the city of Imlil, after which strolling from Imlil to the Toubkal Refuge, the place you’ll keep the primary night time. My group began from Marrakesh at 8:30 AM.

You’ll spend 5 or 6 hours mountaineering on the primary day, though there’s a lunch cease and loads of different breaks alongside the best way. This primary day is difficult, partly due to the recent solar, but it surely’s not too horrible except you get drenched by rain like we did.

The guides will convey a mule for carrying your additional baggage, so it’s a good suggestion to pack an additional bag of garments in case this occurs. There’s some good surroundings on the primary day, but it surely will get a lot better on the summit!

 

• In a single day At Toubkal Refuge

For the primary night time of the two day Toubkal trek, you’ll keep on the Refuge, a constructing that sits within the valley on the foot of Mount Toubkal.

The Refuge has dormitory rooms with blankets and pillows, and personal rooms for an additional cost. There are additionally shared loos, showers, and eating areas.

It’s a comparatively comfy place to remain the night time, however in the event you’re a lightweight sleeper like me, then you definately most likely received’t get greater than an hour or two of actual sleep right here.

There was noise from different hikers till about 10 PM, after which the speaking modifications to loud night breathing. I additionally assume the altitude was affecting me, as a result of I hardly slept in any respect.

 

Day 10: End Mount Toubkal Hike

• Toubkal Summit

The second day of the Toubkal trek begins vivid and early at 3 or 4 AM, when it’s time to get up and hike to the summit for dawn.

This a part of the hike could be very robust. The principle problem for me was the altitude, as a result of it makes every step a battle to breathe. I’ve accomplished increased altitude hikes than this in locations like Colorado and Nepal, however by no means with such a brief acclimatization interval.

After about 3 hours of mountaineering in the dead of night, you’ll attain the summit of Mount Toubkal. It’s a steep and jagged mountain with superb views, particularly at dawn. We spent 30 or 45 minutes on the summit having fun with the surroundings, resting, and taking photos. It was epic!

 

• Return To Marrakesh

Descending from Mount Toubkal was a lot simpler than ascending. After about 2.5 hours of mountaineering at a really relaxed tempo, we reached the Refuge once more at 11 AM, giving us loads of time to relaxation and eat lunch on the Refuge.

Mountain climbing from the Refuge again to Imlil takes 4 or 5 hours, relying in your tempo and the climate situations. We bought caught in one other huge rainstorm at Chamharouch and needed to wait within the cafe, in order that delayed us.

After the 1.5 hour drive from Imlil, we lastly arrived again in Marrakesh at virtually 7 PM. The Toubkal hike was an exhausting however spectacular strategy to finish the journey.

Keep the night time in Marrakesh and catch a flight out the subsequent morning. Blissful travels!

 

Alternate Itineraries For Morocco

If you happen to aren’t a giant hiker, you possibly can modify this itinerary by skipping Mount Toubkal and spending the additional time doing a day journey to the Ouzoud waterfalls and/or the Volubilis Roman ruins. That’s what I’d do.

GetYourGuide has a day tour to Ouzoud from Marrakesh, and a day tour to Volubilis from Fes. Each of those are excessive rated choices.

Or, if you would like a shorter journey, right here’s what a 1 week itinerary for Morocco might appear like if you would like it filled with sightseeing:

• Day 1 — Marrakesh. Spend the day exploring the markets of the medina, and different sights just like the Medresa Ben Youssef and Jemaa el-Fnaa sq..
• Days 2-4 — Sahara Desert Journey. Do a 3 day journey to the Sahara Desert in Merzouga, ranging from Marrakesh and ending in Fes. Here’s a tour you should use.
• Day 5 — Fes. Discover the medina and tanneries in Fes.
• Day 6 — Chefchaouen. Do a day journey from Fes to Chefchaouen, the blue metropolis of Morocco, after which return to Fes within the night.
• Day 7 — Marrakesh. Fly or experience the prepare again to Marrakesh or Casablanca in your flight overseas.

 

When To Go to Morocco

Usually the most effective time to go to Morocco is within the spring (mid-March to Might) or fall (September and October).

I did my journey on the finish of September, and the climate was mainly good for the entire actions on my itinerary, together with the Sahara Desert and Mount Toubkal. Crowds have been by no means a giant challenge.

You may as well go to those locations in the summertime or winter, however the desert will probably be very popular in the summertime, and the mountains will probably be very chilly and snowy within the winter, so it’s not ideally suited and should require some additional planning.
 

Extra Journey Guides For Morocco

Thanks for trying! I hope this information gave you some concepts for how you can spend as much as 10 days in Morocco.

Don’t neglect to bookmark my weblog for extra Morocco journey guides coming quickly!