From the spice-scented souks of Marrakesh to the whitewashed streets of Tangier, this 12 day cultural tour of Morocco is a journey that stirs the senses and feeds the soul. Deep dive into a land where centuries-old traditions meet sweeping desert landscapes, intricate architecture, and a cultural kaleidoscope unlike anywhere else on Earth.
You’ll wander through the labyrinthine medina of Fez, stand in awe before the earthen beauty of Ait Benhaddou and marvel at the archeological site of Volubilis – each a UNESCO World Heritage treasure. Along the way, you’ll be welcomed with Moroccan warmth, savour tagines and mint tea, and hear the rhythmic call to prayer echoing across timeless cities.
Whether you’re marvelling at mosaic-tiled palaces or watching the sun set over the dunes, this tour offers a rich blend of history, hospitality, and heart. So grab your scarf, pack your curiosity, and join us for an unforgettable Moroccan adventure – where every turn is a story, every meal a celebration, and every moment a memory in the making.
Let’s explore the wonders of Morocco … together.
Marrakech – Tangier
Welcome to the land of kasbahs, mint tea, and more tagines than you can poke a cinnamon stick at!
Touching down in Marrakesh we will be met at the airport and whisked off to our accommodation to settle in and shake off the travel cobwebs.
Tonight we gather with our new friends for a Welcome Dinner to learn about the magical journey ahead.
O/N 2 nts Riad Bahia Salem (or similar)
Feeling adventurous? Today we dive straight into the colour and chaos of Marrakesh with a guided city walk. The souks, lantern-lit laneways, spice-scented air, snake-charmers and charismatic shopkeepers creating a full sensory extravaganza you didn’t know you needed.
Later in the day, choose to take it down a gear and ease into Morocco at a gentler pace. Find a rooftop café, order a mint tea, and watch the city swirl around you like a desert mirage. From the ancient medina to the rhythm of Jemaa el-Fna square. Marrakesh is magic on every corner.
Today we swap the city’s buzz for the wild beauty of the High Atlas Mountains. As we wind our way up the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, expect jaw-dropping views of valleys, kasbahs, and craggy peaks that look like they’ve been plucked from a storybook.
By midday, we arrive at the stunning Aït Benhaddou, a red-earth fortress that’s starred in Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and just about every desert epic worth its salt. But beyond the fame, this UNESCO-listed ksar has centuries of stories tucked into its adobe walls.
We’ll wander through its ancient alleys before heading on to the dramatic Dades Valley, where rugged cliffs welcome us to Morocco’s spectacular south.
O/N 2 nts Palm Dades (or similar)
Wake to the dramatic landscapes of the Dadès Valley and start the day with an invigorating hike into one the the Valley’s most iconic landscapes – the Money Fingers, also know as the Cluffs of Tamlalt. These surreal sandstone formations, shaped over millennia into curves and pillars, truly live up to their name.
Following quiet shepherds’ paths through fertile gardens and traditional Berber villages, the trail leads into a narrow canyon before emerging beneath the extraordinary sandstone pinnacles.
Return to your Riad for a relaxed afternoon. Take in panoramic views from the terrace, enjoy the tranquil gardens, or simply unwind on the terrace. The peaceful setting offers the perfect counterpoint to the morning’s adventure, letting you soak up the essence of the Dadès region without rushing.
We head east today – the landscape flattens, the vegetation thins, and the Sahara Desert whispers ahead. We stop by a fossil workshop where ancient marine life like trilobites, ammonites, and starfish are embedded in stone and remind us that this desert was once an ocean floor.
By afternoon, we reach the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes where vast, golden waves of sand rise and fall like the sea. Leaving the road behind we mount camels, riding slowly through the dunes into our desert camp. On arrival we will relax into our luxury tents.
Before dinner there will be time to take a walk into the dunes. A traditional dinner in the silence and beauty of the desert closes a special day.
O/N 1 nt Madu Luxury Camp (or similar)
Rise and shine – it’s worth it! There’s nothing quite like watching the sun stretch across the Sahara, turning shadows into shimmering gold.
After breakfast at camp, we swap camel humps for 4x4s and roll across the dunes back to Merzouga, carrying a little desert magic in our boots.
Heading north, we pass through Erfoud, the ‘gateway to the Sahara’, and visit the khettaras – ancient underground irrigation channels that once brought water (and hope) to this arid land. From here, the world slowly greens.
By days’ end we reach Tinghir, there the palm grove welcomes us with rustling leaves, red-earth villages, and a splash of shade, and the Todra Gorge rises nearby like a stone Cathedral.
O/N 1 nt Riad Marzouk (or similar)
The Todra Gorge is one of Morocco’s great geological spectacles – a jaw-dropping corridor of rock where sheer canyon walls rise nearly 300 metres from a floor barely ten metres wide.
We begin in Tinghir, walking through the fertile palm-filled valley and Amazigh villages before the landscape gradually tightens and the magnificent gorge reveals itself. At its most dramatic, the rock walls tower above us, so close on either side that the sky becomes a slender ribbon of light. Following the river on foot, we experience the gorge at an easy pace.
Leaving the gorge behind, we then travel higher into the Atlas Mountains, where the landscape becomes wilder and the air crisper. Our destination is Imilchil, a small, remote Amazigh village far from Morocco’s tourist trail.
A gentle wander offers a glimpse of traditional mountain life before we settle into our modest guesthouse where the warmth comes from the fire, the food, and the stories passed around the table.
O/N 1 nt Hotel Izlane (or similar)
This morning, after breakfast, we bid our farewell to Imilchil and begin our journey to Fez. As we descend from the mountains, the rugged peaks give way to rolling countryside, where green fields dotted with red poppies stretch towards distant mountain ranges.
We pause for a walk through the cool cedar forests, where wild Barbary macaques often appear amongst the trees.
From here we cruise into Ifrane, often called the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ for its simple alpine architecture, manicured gardens and cool, crisp air.
By late afternoon, we arrive in Fez, a city of artisans, scholars, and ancient stories. This return to urban life is a stark contrast to the quiet of the mountains, but one deeply rooted in history and soul. The evening is yours to rest, explore, or simply absorb Morocco’s spiritual capital.
O/N 2 nts Riad Toyour (or similar)
Today, we dive headfirst into Fez el-Bali with a guided tour through the oldest part of the city and Morocco’s soulful heart. Founded in the 9th century, this medina isn’t just a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a living labyrinth, where every neighbourhood is home to a different craft passed down through generations.
There’s no set route today – Fez doesn’t do straight lines. Instead, follow the scent of cedar, the clang of copper, or the swirl of colour through Souk El Attarine. Watch master craftsmen dye wool, shape ceramics, and bind leather books the way their grandfathers did.
It’s a place to get deliciously lost, and maybe find something you didn’t know you were looking for. Fez is alive, and today, you get to witness a city that still moves to the rhythm of its ancestors.
Today we leave Fez behind and head toward the Rif Mountains, tracing Morocco’s history through centuries and empires.
Our first stop is Volubilis, one of North Africa’s best-preserved Roman sites, where mosaics still sparkle, ancient olive presses whisper of daily life of centuries past, and you half expect a toga-clad senator to wander past.
From here, we wind our way north into the Rif Mountains, where dramatic landscapes give way to the serene beauty of Chefchaouen, the famous blue city. With an afternoon to wander its enchanting lanes, soak up the tranquil atmosphere and discover its hidden corners, it’s the perfect place to slow the pace and simply enjoy the moment.
The evening is yours to explore at leisure as you settle into the gentle rhythm of this magical mountain town.
O/N 1 nt Dar Yakout (or similar)
Wake up in Chefchaouen, where the early light turns an already dreamy town into a watercolour painting. There is time for a last wander through winding lanes of indigo and sky blue, and a few 100 more photos, before we bid farewell to the mountains and descend into greener valleys.
By afternoon, we arrive in Tangier, where the Atlantic kisses the Med and the stories practically spill out of the sea air. Sailors, spies, poets, and eccentrics have all passed through this legendary port and you’ll feel it in the breeze.
With our local guide we will explore the medina’s quiet maze of whitewashed walls, blue doors, and winding alleyways, where everyday life moves to a rhythm that hasn’t changed in generations.
O/N 1 nt Palais Zahia (or similar)
Today your journey through Morocco comes to an end.
If you are departing today we’ll arrange your transfer to the airport for a smooth and easy departure.
If you’re looking to extend your adventure, we can help you with ideas and planning..
Whatever you choose, one thing is certain: your memories of Morocco will linger long beyond the flight home.
As a former police officer and part-time ICON tea lady (a job she took way too seriously as those who know her will know that tea is something of an obsession), Suzanne took over ICON Adventures in 2015, since then has been curating organised tours and bespoke travel arrangements to far-flung corners of the globe.
With a penchant for off-the-beaten-track destinations Suzanne also fearlessly leads her own unique hiking and cultural tours across the globe. She brings not only a can-do attitude but also a bloody-well-will-do attitude as she leads the ICON team and her tours. Her attention to detail and dedication to her clients means you want her planning your trip!
With Suzanne in charge of a tour or helping to organise independent travel for you, you can be rest-assured it will be like her tea, done to the highest and most meticulous standard.