Ancient City Walls, Fes, Morocco

Journey from Fez to Marrakech

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

11 Days

Prices Start from

£4,025pp(ex. flights)

This holiday to Morocco showcases inland Morocco from the Sahara Desert to the rocky landscape of the Atlas Mountains and offers the chance to compare the two main cities of Marrakech and Fez.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Volubilis, Morocco 1

Explore the Ruins of Volubilis

Wander around the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Roman city of Volubilis as the sun sets.

Terrace, Riad Fes, Fes, Morocco 2

Historical Fez Medina

Navigate the maze of streets that make up the well-conserved Medina of Fez.

Zagora, Sahara Desert, Morocco 3

Climb the Dunes

From Erfoud, the gateway to the Sahara take a 4×4 or camel safari to explore the mighty dunes.

Dades Valley, Morocco 4

Drive the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs'

Break the journey with a walk in the ochre coloured gorges of Dades and Todra.

Why we like it

With a private car and driver at your disposal, explore this vast and varied country at your own pace. Following a route from the Imperial city of Fez to the cosmopolitan city of Marrakech, the journey is punctuated by Morocco’s contrasting scenery. The Sahara Desert’s ochre-coloured mighty dunes and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains are explored whilst staying in locally run boutique hotels. The cities offer a huge range of riads and kasbahs to choose from. We have tried and tested quite a few so we can advise on which would suit your preferences and price range.

Explore our suggested itinerary

Morocco on your wishlist? Talk to our experts about tailoring this trip for you.

  • Day 1

    Casablanca

  • Day 2

    Casablanca - Fez

  • Day 3

    Fez

  • Day 4

    Fez - Erfoud

  • Day 5

    Erfoud

  • Day 6

    Erfoud - Skoura

  • Day 7

    Skoura

  • Day 8

    Skoura - Marrakech

  • Day 9-10

    Marrakech

  • Day 11

    Marrakech

Day 1

Casablanca

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Start your holiday in Casablanca to avoid retracing your steps and the chance to include some of the country’s less-visited cities.

Day 2

Casablanca - Fez

Day 3

Fez

Fez, Morocco

The imperial city of Fez has a different feel to Marrakech. With its whitewashed city walls and surrounding landscape of olive groves it feels more akin to Southern Spain than North Africa.

Day 4

Fez - Erfoud

Day 5

Erfoud

Zagora, Sahara Desert, Morocco

Built by the French in the 1920s Erfoud is known as the Gateway to the Sahara as there are direct off road tracks into the desert from this town.

Day 6

Erfoud - Skoura

Day 7

Skoura

Dades Valley, Morocco

Skoura itself comprises little more than a souk but it, together with its neighbouring oasis of Tinerhir, are beautiful oases in an otherwise barren area.

Day 8

Skoura - Marrakech

Day 9-10

Marrakech

Market Square at Dusk, Marrakesh, Morocco

Colourful, cosmopolitan Marrakech has an authentic Moroccan feel. This is a city steeped in rich history and where ancient culture is still very much in evidence today.

Day 11

Marrakech

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Theological School, Marrakesh, Morocco

The Imperial City of Fez

One of Islam’s greatest cities, Fez is also one of Morocco’s gems. Remaining almost totally unspoilt in the heart of Fez is its old city, a maze of alleyways so redolent with history as to feel like a trip back in time. Then there are the magnificent palaces of the Fez el-Bali where you see the Royal Palace, the Mellah and souqs.

One of the most rewarding ways to see the old medina is to explore with one of our English speaking guides. Just some of the highlights we recommend visiting are; the ramparts for an introduction to the history and the culture of the city; a visit to the food and spice markets, handicraft quarters, auction markets and colourful souks; the 14th century Madrasa Attarine (theological school) to see the most intricate architecture and around the Al Qarawiyyin Mosque which was once the oldest university in the world.

Volubilis, Morocco
Volubilis, Morocco

Volubilis and Meknes

Within an easy drive of Fez, you find the fascinating sites of Meknes and Volubilis. Meknes is one of the Imperial cities of Morocco. Set in a rich agricultural region the town is inhabited largely by Berbers. Perhaps the site most associated with Meknes is the Bab Mansour, the monumental gate that separates the central square of the Medina from the Imperial city. See the tomb of Moulay Ismail which was restored in 1959 by King Mohammed V. Although the mosques prayer hall is closed to non-Moslems it is possible to see the central fountain court and a wonderful example of a Moorish hall.

30kms north of Meknes is the Roman city of Volubilis. This site is the largest and best-preserved Roman ruin in Morocco, particularly noted for its superb mosaic floors. It sits on the edge of the Jbel Zerhoun and is the finest archaeological site in the country. Although a Roman site, its origins go back much further to the Neolithic period. It provides a unique insight into daily life at the time and villas, olive presses, the basilica and temples can all be seen.

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Camel Caravan, Sahara Desert, Morocco
Morocco

Erfoud and the Sahara Desert

The Sahara is the world’s largest desert and stretches across much of North Africa covering some 30% of the entire African continent. Built by the French in the 1920s Erfoud, an oasis town is known as the gateway to the Sahara. From here excursions into the Sahara Desert are arranged for those who wish to view the mighty dunes of Merzouga or Erg Chebbi. 4×4 excursions start from Erfoud and take you out across the sandy plains. Camel rides can also be arranged to reach further into the desert.

Dades Valley, Morocco
Dades Valley, Morocco

The Dades Valley and Todra Gorge

The Dades Valley is probably one of the harshest and most desolate of the southern valleys. Being fairly dry and desolate the oasis towns appear all the greener when they emerge.

The most spectacular section of the gorge runs for about 100 metres and is little over 20 metres wide, yet towers well over 300 metres above the riverbed. The dramatic landscape, shade from the sun, and the gentle babbling stream all combine to make this one of the most popular areas for picnics and locals can often be found relaxing, eating, and often washing their cars here.

Ait Ben Haddou, Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Morocco

Ait Benhaddou

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ait Benhaddou used to be a major stop along the caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara. This striking town and fortress (kasbah) is thought to be 17th-century and contains a mosque, two cemeteries (Jewish and Muslim), a public square and areas for threshing grain outside of the ramparts. The Kasbah has been used in many international films like the famous Game of Thrones, Laurence of Arabia and Gladiator, to name a few.

Exterior, Dar Ahlam, Skoura, Morocco
Dar Ahlam, Skoura, Morocco
View from Hotel, Dar Ahlam, Skoura, Morocco
Dar Ahlam, Skoura, Morocco

The House of Dreams and Luxury Camping

Private, secluded and peaceful, Dar Ahlam is a beautiful 19th Century Kasbah where time stands still and your every wish is catered for. Situated in the palm groves of Skoura, the Kasbah is reached by a dusty road from the Atlas mountains or by domestic flight to Ouarzazate airport (45 minutes away). The driving time from Marrakech is four hours.

This is a true escape. An enchanting retreat where you can slow down, switch off and be totally pampered.

Excursions can be arranged through the hotel ranging from walks in the local area, hikes in the gorges, horseback riding, cooking lessons and much more. Quad-bike or camel-ride your way to nearby gorges and fortified villages.

The hotel offers its own bespoke desert camping experience so if in an adventurous mood you can spend the night under the stars in the desert, in a tent for two.

 

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Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Riad Fes £££££

  • Morocco
  • Boutique

Riad Fes is an exquisite riad combining Moorish and oriental styles. Spread over three traditional houses and linked by two internal patios, one wing has a traditional style with the newer Andalous wing offering a more sleek, polished feel.

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Dar Ahlam £££££

  • Morocco
  • Boutique

Dar Ahlam is a beautiful 19th Century Kasbah. The land surrounding the Kasbah was once the private hunting grounds of a Sultan and has been landscaped to include a heated, T-shaped swimming pool, surrounded by date palms and olive trees. Dine on traditional Moroccan specialities with a modern twist and be prepared for a lovely surprise each day as you will never eat in the same place twice!

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Riad Kniza £££££

  • Morocco
  • Boutique

Riad Kniza dates from the 18th century and has been in the same family for over 200 years. Restored by a skilled team of craftsmen and furnished with family antiques and artwork, it retains a wonderfully Moorish feel, coupled with discreet yet impeccable service. The 11 rooms and suites surround three traditional courtyards and have been tastefully decorated in a Moroccan style.

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Les Jardins de Skoura £££££

  • Morocco
  • Boutique

Les Jardins de Skoura is a charming hotel located in the heart of the Skoura palm plantation. The French owner has created a comfortable hotel in a tranquil setting with heaps of rustic charm.

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £4,025 Per person

When to travel

Morocco in January

January is Morocco’s coldest month, yet you can still experience sunny days in certain regions of the country with milder temperatures, ideal for sightseeing and outside Morocco’s peak travel season. It should still be noted that temperatures can dramatically change from day to night.

Morocco in February

At the end of the extreme winter months, February will see temperatures slowly rising during the day but be prepared for a dramatic change in temperatures as once the sunsets, evenings are much colder.

Morocco in March

Travelling from March through to May is one of the best times to visit Morocco. As the country experiences an extreme of the weather chart, with blistering hot summers and chilly winters, visiting during Spring and Autumn as the best times to travel.

Morocco in April

April is an ideal time to travel to Morocco as temperatures will be cooler than the peak summer months and the entire country can be explored without extremes in climates in the Sahara Desert or the Atlas Mountains.

Morocco in May

During springtime, sandstorms can be likely in the Sahara yet in the Atlas Mountains, temperatures are comfortable with few rainy days. The climate will vary according to the region, yet it is still a popular time to travel.

Morocco in June

Travelling to Morocco during June is a good time to visit the country with temperatures in their high 20s, but temperatures may rise into the 30s if visiting some of the country’s major cities including Marrakech.

Morocco in July

Morocco experiences a blistering hot summer, particularly in the months of July and August, where temperatures can climb into the late 30s, meaning sightseeing can be exhausting.

Morocco in August

The month of August will continue to bring extremely high temperatures during the day, yet cool evenings, particularly in many central regions. Coastal regions will be marginally cooler; however, temperatures will still be high.

Morocco in September

Travel during Autumn, from September to October, for bearable daytime temperatures and cool, balmy evenings. As Morocco experiences extremes in climates during summer and winter, both spring and autumn are the best months to visit.

Morocco in October

As one of the best times to travel to Morocco, October will experience about 8 hours of daily sunshine with an average of 28°C. Morocco’s mountainous and desert regions can get cooler at night though and it is best to travel to the Atlas Mountains before winter begins.

Morocco in November

The beginning of winter begins in November and lasts until January, experiencing very cold temperatures and occasional rainfall. As November is the start of winter, the climate will be less extreme with more moderate temperatures during the day but cool evenings.

Morocco in December

Morocco will experience chilly winters with some mountainous regions even seeing snowfall on particularly cold nights.

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