Tangier is well connected by several European airlines with many daily ferry sailings from Southern Spain. This 13-day In-depth Moroccan Journey starts as we are warmly received at Morocco’s northern city of Tangier. Tangier is a historic and a multicultural city with bustling Medina, scenic Kasbahs and hospitable people. Get immersed with Moroccan culture right from the start as we overnight at a local Riad - a traditional Moroccan house or palace, designed around a central open-air courtyard garden. Synonymous with luxury boutique family run guest houses, they serve as quiet, inward-facing featuring fountains, lush greenery, Zellige tilework and rooftop terraces.

Overnight: Riad Sultana, Tangier (1 night) (D)

Enjoy a rooftop breakfast prepared by our host family. Marvel at the picturesque views of the famed Strait of Gibraltar, a perfect photo opportunity. Do some research in advance to know the interesting story how Gibraltar got its name. Our private guided exploration of the port before mingling through the Kasbah district and eventually to the old Medina. Wander through narrow streets lined with colorful doors, ancient and modern. Pass Grand and the Petit Sacco with its multitudes of boutique hotels and Riads. Passing through green valleys of the Rif Mountains we have a scenic 3hours drive to the enchanting blue town of Chefchaouen which is famous for its vivid blue rinsed houses and winding streets. We have two nights stay here.

Overnight: Dar Echchaouen, Chefchaouen (2 nights) (B, D)

Rightly called as Chaouen, "The Blue City", we explore this authentic town with a special vibe as we admire the white and blue-rinsed houses making the whole city seem to be bathing in azure. Guided walk through Chefchaouen appreciating the many attractions including the inescapable Medina and its narrow winding alleys giving us an opportunity to mingle with the local people, smell and taste delights from freshly baked bread to skillfully prepared tagines. We visit the Kasbah, which stands in the middle of the old quarter: its lush gardens, located in the center of the city, are a haven of freshness. We also see traditional textiles. The paths of the surrounding mountains offer pleasant hiking activities. Balance of the day is free. (B)

Drive on a scenic rural Morocco. The 3-hours drive will get us to the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the best-preserved & impressive Roman ruins in North Africa. We walk around the 2000-year-old sites including Capitoline Temple, Basilica, Roman Baths, Triumphal Arch, Houses & Palaces with beautiful mosaics. Meknes, the 17th Century capital of Morocco is known for its long walls that protected the city from invaders. The architecture reminds of the nobility that once lived here. The Middle Atlas Mountains rise in the distance swooping downward into the fertile plains that surround the city. Dashes of olives, grapes, and lemons provide aromatics to the city streets. Just before evening falls, we get to what is the highlight of any tour of Morocco, Fez where we have two nights stay.

Overnight: Riad Myra, Fez (2 nights) (B)

Founded in 789AD, Fez is Morocco's oldest imperial city and its spiritual heart, renowned for many structures including the UNESCO site Fes el-Bali. As a vibrant hub of medieval culture, it boasts ancient tanneries, traditional crafts, top-tier gastronomy, and the world's oldest university, offering an intense, immersive experience of Moroccan history. After breakfast, we go on a guided exploration of Fez with our local guide. Begin with the Royal Palace Gate, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), Borj Sud fortress for panoramic views, and a visit to the Ceramic School. Enjoy the UNESCO-listed Medina, with highlights such as Al Attarine Madrasa, Al Quaraouiyine University and Mosque and the Chouara Tanneries. Fez offers is famous for its tasty street food and you are free to enjoy this at your leisure and pace. (B)

After breakfast, we visit Imouzzer a charming, alpine-style town in Morocco’s Middle Atlas region. Established in the early 1900s with French-influenced architecture, it is a popular summer retreat known for its cool climate, apple orchards, and proximity to scenic spots like Dayet Aoua Lake. Continue to Ifrane, also famous for its alpine-style houses and snowy winters. Here we visit the beautiful Cedar Forest and meet the Barbary macaques. Lunch at Midelt a high-altitude Berber market town in central Morocco, located between the Middle and High Atlas Mountains. We drive through the Tizi-n-Tilghmt Pass and along the Ziz Valley before reaching Merzouga where we switch to camels to cross the dunes, pause on a ridge for a sunset experience before continuing to our luxury desert camp.

Overnight: Nomad Palace Luxury Camp, Merzouga (1 night) (B, D)

Merzouga is a small village serving as the primary gateway to Erg Chebbi, with its 150m high Sahara sand dunes. Located in southeastern Morocco near the Algerian border, it is the premier destination in North Africa for camel treks, overnight desert camping, sandboarding, and experiencing Berber culture. We have an early morning desert sunrise experience. After breakfast, we depart for Rissani to explore its traditional souk before continuing to Erfoud to visit a fossil workshop. Drive through Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves before reaching the Todra Gorge, a picturesque canyon with towering cliffs. After some free time at leisure, we continue to Boumalne Dades and the Dades Valley, stopping at the “Monkey Fingers” rock formations with a scenic overlook.

Overnight: Dar Rihana, Dades Gorges (1 night) (B, D)

From the desert to Kalaat M’Gouna where we explore the Rose Valley famous for its May Rose Festival. Passing through Skoura’s palm groves we reach Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Desert” and which has been a popular film destination. We take the opportunity to visit some of the film studios before continuing to the UNESCO listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village featured in movies like The Gladiator and the Game of Thrones. Crossing the incredible Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and the High Atlas Mountains, we reach Marrakech one of the four imperial capitals for a two-night stay. Balance of the day is free.

Overnight: Riad Anya, Marrakech (2 nights) (B, D)

Marrakech, known as the "Red City," is a vibrant Moroccan city founded around 1070, blending ancient history with modern culture. Located at the base of the Atlas Mountains, it is famous for its bustling Medina (UNESCO), lively Jemaa el-Fna square, and expansive souks. Key attractions include the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace. After breakfast, we explore Marrakech with a local guide visiting the Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, and wandering in the colorful souks of the Medina. Admire the Koutoubia Mosque (from outside) and the vibrant Jamaa El Fna Square. After lunch, we visit the Majorelle Garden and Gueliz, the modern district. Evening, enjoy an optional Marrakech Food Tour. (B)

After breakfast we head to the coastal city of Essaouira. En route see Argan tree cooperatives, and if luck has it, we will also see goat climbing trees. A three hours comfortable drive gets us to Essaoira - a charming, relaxed windy port town on Morocco's Atlantic coast. It is famed for its UNESCO-listed whitewashed medina, blue shutters and delicious fresh seafood. Known as the "Bride of the Atlantic" or "Mogador," it offers a laid-back alternative to Marrakech, featuring historic seaside ramparts, thriving Gnawa music and top-tier wind and kite surfing. We explore the fishing port ramparts with cannons, and of course, the Medina. Free time to enjoy the beach and the popular seafood before overnighting at the beach and tranquil city of Essaouira.

Overnight: Riad Mimouna, Essaouira (1 night) (B, D)

Morning free time to enjoy Essaouira before proceeding on a 4hours drive to Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca. Casablanca is famous for far more than just the classic 1942 movie that adopted its name. This bustling city stands as Morocco's economic heart and a major port on the Atlantic coast. It blends modern infrastructure with Art Deco French colonial architecture with Arab-Muslim heritage. We visit the beautiful Hassan Tower (1933) with its striking 210m minaret topped by lasers painting towards Mecca. See Old Medina, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Royal Palace and Habbous Square before checking into our hotel. Balance of the day is free.

 Overnight: Hotel Idou Anfa, Casablana (1 night) (B)

Casablanca is Casablanca, as the saying goes. We have time to stroll through the city. Later in the morning we take a one-hour drive to Rabat. Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, serving as its administrative, political and also as a cultural center. Located on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River, it blends rich historic heritage (UNESCO) with modern, green urban planning. We explore Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of Oudayas. Balance of the day is free.

Overnight: Dar El Miraj, Rabat (1 night) (B, D)

After an unforgettable in-depth journey through Morocco, we are transferred to Tangier through a 3 hours coastal drive. Time your final departure from Tangier to be no earlier than 12-noon. Tangier is well connected with several European cities and multiple daily ferry sailings to/from Southern Spain allow you to do extend this trip with Andalusia. Ask your Bestway agent. (B)