Day 1 — Marrakech arrival
Land at RAK, transfer to a riad in the medina. Late afternoon walk through Jemaa el-Fnaa, dinner on the food stalls. Don't try to do anything else — the city takes a day to digest.
Day 2 — Marrakech in depth
Morning: Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Madrasa Ben Youssef. Lunch at Nomad. Afternoon: Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent museum. Sunset cocktails at El Fenn.
Day 3 — Atlas crossing to Ait Benhaddou
Early start over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Lunch in Telouet at the Glaoui kasbah. Arrive Ait Benhaddou by 4pm — explore the ksar at golden hour. Overnight in a kasbah hotel opposite.
Day 4 — Dades to Tinghir
Drive the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs' via the Skoura palm grove. Stop at the Dades Gorges for the rock formations. Overnight in Tinghir at the Todra Gorge entrance.
Day 5 — Merzouga & desert camp
Cross the Tinghir-Erfoud corridor, reaching Merzouga by mid-afternoon. Camel trek into the dunes at sunset. Overnight in a luxury Berber camp.
Day 6 — Sunrise dunes, drive to Fes
Climb a dune for sunrise, breakfast at camp, then the long drive north over the Middle Atlas via Midelt and Ifrane. Arrive Fes by 7pm. Dinner at your riad.
Day 7 — Fes medina + departure
Half-day guided walk through Fes el-Bali — tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin, the Bou Inania Madrasa. Lunch on a rooftop. Transfer to FEZ for evening flight, or extend with two more nights.