7 days across Morocco: Fes, a Sahara camp, the gorges and Marrakech

Begin in the 9th-century walled medina. Enter at the blue Bab Bou Jeloud gate and explore with a local guide: the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine medersas, the Kairaouine mosque and university, the Nejjarine fountain and woodwork museum, and the Chouara tanneries seen from a leather-shop terrace. Lose the afternoon in the souks of Talaa Kebira, then climb to the Merinid Tombs for sunset over the rooftops.

On the way: Bab Bou Jeloud, Bou Inania Medersa, Chouara tanneries, Kairaouine University, Merinid Tombs sunset

A second, slower Fes day for the craft quarters: pottery and zellige cooperatives in the Aïn Nokbi quarter, the Andalusian quarter and its mosque across the Oued Fes, the Mellah and Ibn Danan synagogue, and the restored Jnan Sbil gardens. Alternatively, take a half-day west to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss before returning to Fes for the night.

On the way: Pottery & zellige cooperatives, Andalusian quarter, Jnan Sbil gardens, Optional Volubilis & Moulay Idriss

Leave Fes and climb into the Middle Atlas, through the alpine town of Ifrane and the cedar forests of Azrou (watch for Barbary macaques). Continue across the high plateau and down the Ziz Valley, with its long ribbon of palm groves and gorges, reaching the dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga by late afternoon. A camel trek into the dunes for sunset, then dinner and an overnight in a desert camp under the stars. About 8–9 hours of driving with stops.

On the way: Ifrane, Azrou cedar forest, Barbary macaques, Ziz Valley palm gorges, Erg Chebbi camel trek, Desert camp

Wake for sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes, then drive west along the old caravan route. Stop in Rissani, the gateway to the desert and the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty, before reaching Tinghir and the dramatic Todra Gorge, where cliffs rise some 300 metres above a narrow river canyon. A short walk in the gorge, then overnight in the Dadès or Todra area.

On the way: Sahara sunrise, Rissani, Tinghir oasis, Todra Gorge

Explore the Dadès Valley with its rose-coloured rock formations, the so-called "monkey fingers", and the winding switchbacks of the Dadès gorge road. Continue along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Skoura palm oasis and its Kasbah Amridil, arriving in Ouarzazate — Morocco's film capital — for the night.

On the way: Dadès Valley, Monkey-finger rock formations, Skoura oasis, Kasbah Amridil, Ouarzazate

See the Atlas Film Studios and the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate, then drive to the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou — a fortified earthen village of clustered kasbahs rising above the Ounila river, used as a backdrop in countless films. Climb to the granary at the top for views over the valley. Overnight near Aït Ben Haddou.

On the way: Atlas Film Studios, Taourirt Kasbah, Aït Ben Haddou ksar, Ounila valley views

Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass at roughly 2,260 metres, with sweeping mountain views and stops in Berber villages and at argan-oil cooperatives. Descend the southern slopes and arrive in Marrakech by afternoon — the end of the overland crossing, with time for a first walk to the Jemaa el-Fna square as the evening food stalls fire up. About 4 hours of driving.

On the way: Tizi n'Tichka pass, High Atlas views, Berber villages, Arrival in Marrakech, Jemaa el-Fna