..... there are many interesting 'long' walks I can think of. However, some of them have boring stretches best passed-by on a bus or grand taxi (public shared taxis http://reversehomesickness.com/africa/taxi-fares-morocco/).

One such very good walk would be from Tiznit (N1) to Aglou Plage or Mirhleft. From there on to Legzira Beach with Sidi Ifni just a few kilometre farther on. Tiznit is south of Agadir, for the most part the bit between Agadir/Inezgane and Tiznit isn't worth the walk, except the Sous Mass Estuary and National Park/bird sanctuary just south of Inezgane.

http://looklex.com/morocco/mirhleft.htm

There might be tour guides in Graskop to use for day trips but no bus tours. Best is self drive!

Al Ula area is best visited independently with a rented car, because the sites are scattered around. For info on budget accomodation see my post here:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/permalink/post/23231504

SAPTCO terminal in Madinah is on the inner side of 1st ring round. There are many sources saying that the 1st ring road is the limit of Haram area which is forbidden for non-muslim. There are as many saying that it is not, that only the mosque itself is Haram. Some Saudis will tell you the whole city is off limits but I also talked to others who told that I'm actually allowed to go inside the mosque! In reality there are no signs, guards or checkpoints that will stop you or show you that your are getting to a "restricted" area. I personally spent a great half-day in the area around the mosque watching the pilgrims from all over the world visiting the holy place and other travellers who I met did the same. None of us went inside the mosque. So, in my opinion, using the SAPTCO terminal is fine.

As for flying to Al Ula - it's possible to fly but prices are higher than on other domestic flights - I think around 200 USD one way. The best option is to rent a car in Madinah, drive there, explore the area and come back after you finish the trip. It's about 3 hours. Madinah is a busy city with a lot of traffic but once you leave you are on a perfect road with little traffic. The scenery is not that interesting at first but as you get closer to Al Ula it changes to yellow sand desert with strange rock formations... awesome! It's possible to visit the old train station of Hejaz Railway with an abandoned train - it's off the main highway about halfway between Madinah and Al-Ula, check google maps.

Be aware that most rental companies only allow you to drive 200km per day. Al Wefaq has the option to have unlimited kms for extra 15 SAR a day I think, that's the best deal. It's probably possible to rent the car in Al Ula as well for a higher rate. Gasoline is extremely cheap, 1,5 SAR per liter.

Another option is flying cheap to Tabuk and driving from there. It's about the same distance as from Madinah and I heard the drive is awesome (I didn't go to Tabuk - it's a feedback from another traveller I met).

While in Al-Ula, all of these great sites are accesible with a normal 2wd car:

• Al Ula viewpoint - located on a cliff high above the city, fantastic view the city and the landscape around
• Madain Saleh - 1/2 hour north of Al-Ula - currently closed, but will open for Winter Tantora
• Khuraibah/Dedan - just a few km north of Al-Ula, currently closed, but will open for Winter Tantora
• Al Ula Heritage Village - currently closed, but will open for Winter Tantora
• Elephant rock - few km to the east of Al-Ula, awesome rock formations in the middle of sand desert
• Madakhil desert camp - 20 minutes north of Madain Saleh, it's possible to park the car there and hike up on the cliff for a great view of wadis and deep canyons around

That said, it's not necessary to organize a tour and do everything independently.

Thanks for the decent amount of personal opinions on what’s the right amt of time/days to spend in these countries. I am getting a small stipend from work to do some “shopping” in Morocco (textile designer) so another great reason that we are combining the two countries.

Re:living.. I can certainly live somewhere for a day and by that I mean, wake up leisurely, grab a coffee, go to a park, shop to grab ingredients to make lunch, wander.. I just mean I don’t need to wake up at 7AM and go get in line for a museum tour, since this is the case a day or two in locations is perfect and that’s just my opinion. I don’t always travel like this, sometimes we do spend 3 weeks in one area and it’s a different experience.

Re: Marrakech, Times Square: visiting a friend here so it has to stay on the itinerary. As a native NYers, trust me there is nothing I hate more than Times Square anything.

Re: Barcelona, we are monitoring and will make changes accordingly.

Again, If there’s advice on that last part of my trip that’s what I came to everyone for. I can read train timetables, I have transportation booked and know that you can’t take a train from Morocco to spain(!!) and just wanted you all to see the places I was headed before the dates in questions so I don’t duplicate destinations.

Yes，10+ days xinjiang trip: Desert Grassland Glacier Mountain. really beautiful landscape, I have been to there 3 times, and also to go this end of July.

Technically, Sahara is not located in Morocco.
You need to have enough time to go there and be back.
I will focus the trip mainly on the Southern part.
I think you are too optimistic about the itinerary regarding your time frame.

Michel

The only "tour" that includes the sunrise climb to Masada is the one by Abraham Tours - which is not a traditional tour - it is transportation only. You may find similar tours advertised elsewhere but they are marketing the same tour.
Climbing the Snake Path takes about 45 minutes to an hour - the climb starts an hour beore sunrise - the path is a good one and you do not need headlamps.
If you want to spend more time at Masada then your options are booking a room at the hostel there for the night before, renting a car and driving yourself, hiring a private driving guide - or you may want to take the tour and tell them that you are not continuing with them - but stay at Masada and take a bus back to Jerusalem yourself.

Cape Verde has nothing to do with Morocco, I have been to both and Cape Verde is a lot more like a very unique special emersion into West Africa microclimate with Portuguese and African ( Angola related ) culture.

I have been to Santo Antão and Mindelo, and they are very different Islands, Mindelo is full of culture, Santo Antão is amazing nature island, I also recommend for you to stay in nice resort in Sto Antão and in city Center of Mindelo. It’s worth to pay to be in a good central accommodation.

There is no right or wrong decision between Morocco and Cape Verde, they are both unique and beautiful but definitely Cape Verde is a more exotic destination and a more special trip than one to Morocco.