Morocco has been a crossroads for Amazigh, Arab, Andalusian, and Saharan cultures for millennia. Caravans once threaded the Atlas to the dunes of Erg Chebbi; today, travelers trade stories in medina cafés, wander through jasmine-scented riads, and trace film history in kasbah country around Ouarzazate.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Foz do Iguaçu thunders with life. The Iguassu River unravels into 275 cascades straddling Brazil and Argentina, a UNESCO World Heritage wonder wrapped in lush Atlantic rainforest and teeming with toucans, coatis, and butterflies.

Practical notes: Morocco’s cuisine leans on spice-kissed tagines, grilled meats, and market-fresh salads—pace yourself and hydrate. In Brazil, carry your passport for any cross-border touring to the Argentine side of the falls. As of March 2025, Brazil’s e-visa policy for some nationalities is scheduled to change in April 2025—verify requirements before booking.

Marrakech

Days 1–4: Medina mosaics, gardens, and rooftop sunsets

Start in Marrakech, a city that moves to the rhythm of artisans’ hammers and the call of storytellers on Jemaa el-Fna. The red ramparts guard centuries of history—ornate palaces, hidden riads, and the Yves Saint Laurent–loved Majorelle Garden.

• Highlights: Bahia Palace tilework; the Saadian Tombs’ cedar ceilings; Koutoubia’s minaret at golden hour; Jardin Majorelle and the Berber Museum; sunset tea above Jemaa el-Fna where orange-juice carts and Gnawa rhythms take over.
• Insider stroll: Thread the souks by theme—metalworkers on Souk Haddadine, leather in Souk Semmarine, and spice piles at Rahba Kedima—then decompress in a hamam.

• Breakfast & coffee: Bacha Coffee (inside Dar el Bacha) for single-origin pours and almond ghriba; Pâtisserie Amandine (Gueliz) for pistachio mille-feuille and Moroccan pastries.
• Lunch: L’Mida (medina rooftop) for zingy chermoula sardines and cauliflower with tahini; Atay Café for grilled brochettes and mint lemonade with Atlas views.
• Dinner: Al Fassia Gueliz, a women-run institution best known for slow-braised lamb shoulder with almonds and prunes; Comptoir Darna for spice-rich tagines and live music-late-night vibe; Nomad for modern Moroccan plates (try the cumin-dusted carrots) overlooking the spice square.
• Evening tip: Catch Jemaa el-Fna as dusk falls—smoke from grill stalls, drummers, and storytellers bring the square to life.

• Where to stay:
  • Iconic: Royal Mansour Marrakech (handcrafted riad suites, outstanding spa).
  • Stylish riad: Riad Dar Attajmil (warm hospitality near the Koutoubia).
  • Resort hotel: Es Saadi Marrakech Resort - Hotel (pool scene, central location).
  • Browse more stays: VRBO Marrakech | Hotels.com Marrakech

• Getting there: Fly into Marrakech (RAK) or Casablanca (CMN) with Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. CMN–RAK is 3–3.5 hours by train + taxi or ~2.5–3 hours by car.

Ouarzazate & Skoura

Days 5–6: Over the High Atlas to kasbah country

Depart Marrakech in the morning over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass to Ouarzazate, the “door of the desert.” Movie buffs will recognize the landscapes from epics filmed here, while nearby Skoura offers a timeless palm grove dotted with mud-brick kasbahs.

• Travel (Marrakech → Ouarzazate): 4.5–5.5 hours by car via N9; shared bus 5–6.5 hours (~$10–20); private transfer ~$120–180. If you prefer to search local flights or alternatives, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for current options.
• Don’t miss: The UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou; Kasbah Taourirt’s rammed-earth geometry; a late-afternoon wander among Skoura’s palm fronds and pomegranate groves.

• Viator pick: Visit to the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou

  

  Explore adobe alleys and granaries with context on caravan routes and film lore. Best in the golden afternoon light.
• Active option: Private half-day mountain bike tour – Palmeraie Skoura

  

  Gentle trails past kasbahs and irrigated gardens; ideal for photographers.

• Where to eat: Restaurant Douyria (near Kasbah Taourirt) for saffron chicken tagine and terrace views; Le Jardin des Aromes for grilled brochettes and fresh salads; In Skoura, reserve dinner at a boutique lodge (many offer seasonal, garden-to-table menus; ask your host for availability).
• Stay: Base in Ouarzazate for easy touring—browse VRBO Ouarzazate or Hotels.com Ouarzazate; Skoura has atmospheric kasbah lodges inside the palm grove.

Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)

Days 7–9: Dunes, stars, and Saharan hospitality

Roll east to Merzouga, where apricot-colored dunes of Erg Chebbi rise like waves. Sunsets here feel otherworldly; nights hum with Berber drums around the fire as constellations blaze overhead.

• Travel (Ouarzazate → Merzouga): 7–8.5 hours by road via the Dades–Tinejdad corridor; bus ~$20–30; private 4x4 ~$200–260 (assume a morning departure so you catch the dunes at sunset).
• Signature experience: Camel trek to a desert camp, sandboarding at dusk, and dawn tea on the ridgeline.

• Viator picks:
  • Merzouga Camel Trekking & Overnight Desert Camp

    

    Ride to the high dunes for sunset, share a tagine feast, and wake to sunrise over Erg Chebbi.
  • Merzouga 4X4 – Day Trip with Private Local Guide

    

    Loop through fossil flats, visit Khamlia for live Gnawa music, and learn desert lore beyond the dunes.

• Eat like a local: Café Nora in Khamlia for medfouna (Berber “pizza”) and mint tea with music; Café-Restaurant Tenere in Merzouga town for harira soup and charcoal-grilled meats; Chez Fatima (Hassi Labied) for hearty couscous after a dune walk.
• Stay:
  • Kasbah Hotel Tombouctou (pool and dunes-at-your-doorstep convenience).
  • Auberge Les Roches (friendly base for treks and 4x4 outings).
  • Riad Nezha (rooftop views across palm groves).
  • Browse more: VRBO Merzouga | Hotels.com Merzouga
• Exit logistics: Morning drive back to Marrakech (8–9 hours; bus ~$25–35; private ~$260–340). Alternative: 1.5-hour drive to Errachidia airport and connect via Casablanca (ERH→CMN ~1h20) with Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Intercontinental Transit

Days 10–11: Morocco → Brazil

Plan a morning departure from Marrakech or Casablanca and connect through São Paulo (GRU) or Rio (GIG) to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU). Door-to-door travel typically runs 17–24 hours with one to two connections, ~$750–1,200 round-trip depending on season.

• Search and book: Compare routes and fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive in IGU by midday/afternoon to settle in before exploring the parks.

Foz do Iguaçu

Days 12–14: Brazil’s mighty falls, rainforest trails, and birdsong

Foz do Iguaçu pairs big-nature drama with easy logistics. Catwalks bring you eye-level with curtains of spray; a short hop across the border adds the panoramic Argentine viewpoints—two perspectives, one unforgettable roar.

• What to do: Start on the Brazilian side for broad panoramas and the walkway to the Devil’s Throat lookout; spend a full day on the Argentine side for immersive trails (Upper, Lower, and Garganta del Diablo); consider a birdwatching hour at Parque das Aves to spot toucans up close.
• Viator highlight: Panoramic Helicopter Flight over Iguassu Falls

  

  A 10-minute thrill that frames the entire horseshoe of the falls and surrounding forest—photographer’s dream.
• Essential full-day: Iguassu Falls Both Sides – Brazil and Argentina

  

  Logistics handled, viewpoints maximized—bring your passport and a light rain shell.

• Eat & drink:
  • Emporio com Arte: specialty coffee, carrot cake with chocolate glaze, and hearty sandwiches—great pre-park breakfast.
  • Cheiro Verde: vegetarian buffet loved by locals; rotating salads, stews, and farofa that’s big on flavor and easy on the wallet.
  • La Mafia Trattoria: cozy, speakeasy-style trattoria for handmade pastas after a long day on the trails.
  • Churrascaria Búfalo Branco: classic tableside barbecue—picanha, linguiça, and an expansive salad bar; go hungry.
  • Capitão Bar: cold Brazilian craft beers and bar snacks; lively at sunset.
• Where to stay: Look near Avenida das Cataratas for fast park access. Compare options on VRBO Foz do Iguaçu and Hotels.com Foz do Iguaçu.
• Getting in & around: IGU airport is ~20 minutes from most hotels. Use rideshare/taxis for Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (~R$35–60). For flights in/out, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Putting It All Together (Multi‑Day Blocks)

• Days 1–4 (Marrakech): Palaces, gardens, souk explorations, rooftop sunsets, and classic Moroccan dining.
• Days 5–6 (Ouarzazate & Skoura): High Atlas pass, film-set landscapes, Aït Ben Haddou, and palm-grove cycling; kasbah overnights.
• Days 7–9 (Merzouga/Erg Chebbi): Camel trek, desert camp, sandboarding, 4x4 cultural loop to Khamlia; return west positioning for flights.
• Days 10–11 (Transit): Morocco to Brazil via GRU/GIG; rest and reset.
• Days 12–14 (Foz do Iguaçu): Brazilian panoramas, Argentine trails, optional helicopter, birds park, and celebratory churrasco.

Summary: In two weeks you’ll weave from mosaic-tiled palaces and Atlas passes to the soft hush of the Sahara, then swap dunes for spray on the rim of Iguassu’s thundering amphitheater. It’s a journey of color, rhythm, and scale—memories that linger like mint tea and rainforest mist.