2027 Morocco Eclipse & Tangier to Marrakech

On your own

On your own

Enjoy the eclipse experience today, and your driver will be at your disposal if you need to drive outside the city or to a different viewing point.

After breakfast, meet your private driver and set off toward the blue city of Chefchaouen, tucked into the Rif Mountains. Along the way, you have the option to make a scenic stop in Tetouan — a UNESCO-listed medina and one of Morocco's most authentic Andalusian-influenced cities — perfect for a short stroll and a coffee before continuing into the hills. August mornings in the Rif are warm but far more forgiving than the south, and the mountain air is fresh and invigorating. You'll arrive in Chefchaouen in the early afternoon — time to settle in, wander the famous blue-washed lanes at your own pace, and soak in the magical atmosphere of one of Morocco's most romantic destinations.

After breakfast, check out and head southeast toward Fes, where you have two nights at the Riad Fes — a stunning Relais & Châteaux property in the heart of the medina, with beautifully crafted interiors, a rooftop terrace, and a spa perfectly suited to a couple seeking an intimate and indulgent stay. En route, the first stop is Volubilis, Morocco's finest Roman ruins — an open-air site best visited in the morning before the sun peaks. Wandering the mosaic floors and marble columns together is genuinely moving. Continue on to Meknes for a stroll around Place el-Hedim and a glimpse of the monumental Bab Mansour gate before completing the drive into Fes for a relaxed evening in the medina.

Breakfast at the riad, then your licensed local guide meets you for a morning tour of the Fes el-Bali medina — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest living medieval cities. Starting before the heat builds, you will visit highlights including the Bou Inania Madrasa with its intricate carved stucco and cedar wood, the famous Chouara Tanneries viewed from a rooftop terrace, and the exquisite Al-Attarine Madrasa. Your guide will navigate the maze of lanes with ease, revealing hidden corners and stories that bring this extraordinary city to life. The afternoon is yours to explore independently — seek out a favourite spice stall, linger over a mint tea, or return to the tanneries at golden hour when the light is spectacular.

An early start today — we recommend departing by 7:30 AM to make the most of the cooler morning hours before the southern sun takes hold. The drive from Fes to Errachidia passes through the dramatic Middle Atlas mountains, cedar forests, and Berber highland villages — roughly 5.5 to 6 hours including stops. Your driver will plan a comfortable pace with rest breaks, a scenic viewpoint or two, and a lunch stop in a shaded local restaurant along the way. Arriving in Errachidia in the early afternoon, there is time to rest by the pool before an early dinner and a good night's sleep ahead of tomorrow's desert adventure.

Today is desert day — and we plan it wisely to avoid the worst of the midday Saharan heat. Spend the morning relaxed at the hotel pool, check out around 11:00 AM, and head toward Merzouga and the magnificent Erg Chebbi dunes. En route, stop in Erfoud or Rissani for a quick lunch at a cool, shaded spot before the final stretch into the dunes. On arrival in Merzouga in the early afternoon, there is time to rest at the camp before the day's highlight: a camel trek into the dunes at sunset — an intimate, unforgettable experience as the light turns golden across the sand. Dinner under the stars, with Berber music around the fire and a sky full of stars that you'll remember long after you return home.

Wake before sunrise if you wish — the early light over the dunes is unforgettable and the temperatures are briefly cool and perfect for a quiet moment together before the day begins. After breakfast at the camp, meet your driver and begin the journey west toward Dades Gorge — one of Morocco's most stunning valley landscapes and, at altitude, significantly cooler than the desert. En route, the route takes a scenic detour through the Todra Gorge, where sheer limestone cliffs rise dramatically on either side of a narrow river canyon. A short walk through the gorge is one of Morocco's great natural highlights — dramatic, serene, and utterly beautiful. Arrive at Dar Blues in the late afternoon, with the gorge views all to yourselves as the evening light settles over the valley.

After breakfast in the valley, set off toward Aït Benhaddou, the legendary fortified ksar that has served as a backdrop for films from Lawrence of Arabia to Game of Thrones. Arriving mid-morning before the full heat of the day, your guide will walk you through the earthen towers and panoramic terraces — a short but deeply rewarding visit with sweeping views across the valley. It's a wonderful spot to linger over a coffee and take in the scale of this extraordinary place before continuing on to Marrakech. You'll arrive in the city by late afternoon, with the evening free to settle in, stroll the souks at dusk, or find a rooftop restaurant and raise a glass to an incredible journey south.

Breakfast at the hotel, then your licensed local guide meets you for a morning tour of Marrakech's imperial highlights. Starting early to beat the heat, you will visit the Bahia Palace with its ornate Andalusian courtyards, the Ben Youssef Madrasa — a breathtaking example of Moroccan craftsmanship — the Koutoubia Mosque gardens, and a walk through the vibrant souks. The afternoon is entirely yours: consider a couples' hammam and spa treatment, a private cooking class, or simply getting lost in the lanes of the medina together. The Jardin Majorelle is a must — go late afternoon when the crowds thin and the cobalt-blue buildings glow in the warm light. In the evening, Jemaa el-Fna square comes alive with musicians, storytellers and food stalls — the perfect place to end your last full night in the interior.

After breakfast, your driver takes you west across the Haouz plain to the Atlantic coast — about 2.5 hours to the charming walled city of Essaouira. The difference in climate is immediate and welcome: the Atlantic trade winds that blow year-round keep Essaouira genuinely cool in August, typically 10 to 15°C cooler than Marrakech. Check in and take a breath — you have arrived at the most romantic stretch of the trip. The afternoon is perfect for a slow walk along the ramparts with the ocean crashing below, a glass of wine at a clifftop café, or simply wandering the blue-doored alleyways of the medina hand in hand. Dinner at one of Essaouira's celebrated seafood restaurants is a must on your first night by the sea.

A full day to settle into Essaouira's rhythm. Walk the Skala de la Ville at first light to watch the blue boats come in. Wander the medina — UNESCO-listed and one of the few in Morocco built on a grid by an 18th-century French architect, which makes it the easiest in the country to navigate. Visit the cedar woodworking cooperatives, the spice souks, the Chaim Pinto Synagogue and the Jewish quarter for those interested in heritage. The afternoon belongs to the beach: a long walk along the sand, fresh seafood at a harbour-side table, sunset from the ramparts as the wind dies and the boats settle.

After breakfast in Essaouira, we will provide a hassle-free transfer to Casablanca airport for your flight back home.