12-Day Morocco Itinerary From Marrakech
This 12-day Morocco itinerary takes you from the lively streets of Marrakech to the Atlantic coast, northern Morocco, the ancient city of Fes and the Sahara Desert before returning to Marrakech. Along the way, enjoy local food, historic medinas, mountain landscapes, coastal towns, desert villages and traditional Moroccan hospitality.
Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Type
Private Tour
Start point
Marrakech
End Point
Marrakech
Availability
Daily Departure
Reviews
5/5 Excellent
Gallery of the 12-Day Morocco itinerary from Marrakech
Overview
Starting and ending in Marrakech, this 12-day Morocco itinerary gives you a chance to see several different sides of Morocco without staying in one region for the whole trip. First, discover Marrakech and the Atlantic coast before heading north to Casablanca, Rabat and Chefchaouen.
The journey then continues to Fes, where you will explore the old Medina with a local guide. From there, the scenery changes as you cross the Middle Atlas and travel south towards the Sahara. After experiencing the dunes and desert communities around Merzouga, the route continues through Todra Gorge, Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas back to Marrakech.
Route: Marrakech → Essaouira → Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen → Fes → Merzouga → Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Marrakech.
Highlights of the 12-day Morocco itinerary
- Explore the historic Medina and souks of Marrakech
- Discover the coastal charm of Essaouira
- Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
- Explore Rabat, Morocco's capital
- Walk through the blue streets of Chefchaouen
- Discover the historic Medina of Fes with a local guide
- See Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou
- Enjoy a camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Explore Merzouga areas by a 4x4 Vehicule
- Walk through the Todra Gorge
- Visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou
Day-by-Day Itinerary : 12-day Morocco Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech – Welcome to Morocco
Welcome to Morocco! Once you arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport, your private driver will meet you and take you to your riad or hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing after your flight or take a first walk around the nearby Medina.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Marrakech
Day 2: Marrakech Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast, spend the day discovering Marrakech with a local guide.
Begin in the historic Medina and explore landmarks such as Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and Ben Youssef Madrasa. Continue through the souks and the old Mellah, where you can see traditional workshops and everyday life in the old city.
Later, visit Majorelle Garden and, depending on your interests, explore the modern side of Marrakech around Gueliz. In the evening, you can return to Jemaa el-Fna to experience the square when it becomes especially lively.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: Local sightseeing
Overnight: Marrakech
Day 3: Marrakech to Essaouira
Today, leave Marrakech behind and head west towards the Atlantic coast.
Arrive in Essaouira, a relaxed seaside town known for its whitewashed buildings, blue doors and historic harbor. Take a walk through the Medina, explore the old ramparts and visit the fishing port where you can see the daily catch arriving.
You will also have free time to enjoy the beach, browse local craft shops or stop at a small café overlooking the ocean. If you enjoy seafood, Essaouira is a good place to try freshly prepared local dishes.
Distance: Approximately 180 km
Driving time: Around 3 hours
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Essaouira
Day 4: Essaouira to Casablanca
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Essaouira before continuing north along the Atlantic coast towards Casablanca.
After arriving in the city, visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque, located beside the ocean. You can then take a walk along the Corniche and enjoy some time by the coast before checking into your hotel.
Casablanca has a more modern atmosphere than the smaller Moroccan cities you will visit during this trip, making it an interesting contrast to the traditional medinas.
Distance: Approximately 370 km
Driving time: Around 5 hours
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Casablanca
Day 5: Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen
After breakfast, travel to Rabat, Morocco’s capital.
Visit the Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum and Kasbah of the Udayas. Take some time to walk through the Oudayas and enjoy views towards the Bouregreg River and the Atlantic.
Afterward, continue north through the countryside and into the Rif Mountains. By late afternoon, arrive in Chefchaouen, known for its distinctive blue-painted streets.
You can spend the evening walking through the Medina, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and watching the sunset from one of the town’s viewpoints.
Distance: Approximately 340 km
Driving time: Around 5 hours, excluding sightseeing
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Chefchaouen
Day 6: Chefchaouen to Fes
Start the morning with more time to explore Chefchaouen.
Walk around Outa el-Hammam Square, visit the Kasbah and continue towards Ras El Ma, where the mountain water flows through the edge of the old town. You can also use the morning to shop for local handicrafts or simply enjoy a coffee in one of the small cafés.
Later, leave the Rif Mountains and continue towards Fes. Arrive in the afternoon or evening and settle into your accommodation.
Distance: Approximately 200 km
Driving time: Around 3.5–4 hours
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Fes
Day 7: Fes Guided Tour
Today is dedicated to exploring Fes, one of Morocco’s most fascinating historic cities.
With a local guide, visit the Royal Palace area before entering the old Medina through one of its historic gates. Walk through the narrow streets and discover traditional artisan workshops, old madrasas, markets and historic monuments.
Depending on opening times, the tour can include the Al Attarine Madrasa, Nejjarine area, Al Quaraouiyine surroundings and Chouara Tannery. Your guide will also explain how traditional crafts and daily life continue inside the Medina.
Take the evening at your own pace, perhaps enjoying a Moroccan dinner on a rooftop overlooking the old city.
Distance: Local sightseeing
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Fes
Day 8: Fes to Merzouga via Ifrane and the Ziz Valley
Today marks the transition from northern Morocco to the Sahara.
Leave Fes in the morning and drive towards Ifrane, a mountain town surrounded by forests. Continue through the Middle Atlas towards Azrou, where you may have the opportunity to see Barbary macaques in the cedar forest.
The road then takes you through Midelt and towards the dramatic landscapes of the Ziz Valley. Stop at a viewpoint to admire the long palm-filled oasis before continuing towards Merzouga.
As you approach the Sahara, the landscape becomes increasingly dry and the Erg Chebbi dunes begin to appear. In the late afternoon, enjoy a camel ride into the dunes and watch the sunset before reaching your desert camp.
After dinner, spend the evening around the campfire and enjoy traditional music under the desert sky.
Distance: Approximately 470 km
Driving time: Around 8–9 hours, including stops
Meal: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Sahara desert camp
Day 9: Merzouga Desert Discovery Tour
If you wish, wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes before breakfast.
Afterward, return to Merzouga and begin a 4×4 desert discovery tour. Today is about discovering the life and landscapes around Erg Chebbi, rather than simply staying among the dunes.
Visit the Mfis Mine, where you can learn about the area’s mining history, and continue to meet a nomadic family living in a traditional tent. Share a glass of Moroccan tea and learn about their lifestyle in this remote environment.
Later, head to Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music. Spend some time listening to local musicians and learning about this important part of the region’s cultural heritage.
The rest of the afternoon is free to relax at your hotel or enjoy the atmosphere of Merzouga.
Distance: ~40 KM
Meal: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Merzouga
Day 10: Merzouga to Dades Valley via Todra Gorge
After breakfast, leave Merzouga and continue towards the Dades Valley.
Along the way, stop in Rissani, a historic market town where you can experience a more traditional side of southeastern Morocco. Continue through the oasis landscapes towards Tinghir.
Your main stop today is Todra Gorge, where enormous limestone cliffs rise on both sides of the narrow valley. Take a short walk through the gorge and enjoy the cooler air before continuing through the palm-filled oasis.
Later, reach the Dades Valley and check into your accommodation.
Distance: Approximately 270 km
Driving time: Around 4–5 hours, excluding stops
Meal: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Dades Valley
Day 11: Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
After breakfast, continue along the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
The route passes through dramatic valleys and traditional villages before reaching Ouarzazate. Here, you can visit Atlas Film Studios, depending on your interests and opening times.
Continue to Ait Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s best-known fortified villages. Walk through its narrow paths and climb to a higher point for views over the surrounding landscape.
From there, begin the climb through the High Atlas Mountains and cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. There will be opportunities to stop for photographs and enjoy the changing scenery.
Arrive in Marrakech in the evening and settle into your accommodation.
Distance: Approximately 310 km
Driving time: Around 5 hours, excluding visits
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Marrakech
Day 12: Transfer to Marrakech Airport
Your 12-day Morocco itinerary comes to an end today.
Depending on your flight time, enjoy your last breakfast in Marrakech before your private driver transfers you to Marrakech Menara Airport.
We recommend leaving the city with enough time for the airport transfer, check-in and security procedures.
Accommodation & Pricing
Where You'll Stay
We offer several accommodation options to suit different travel styles, from 3-star and 4-star hotels to 5-star properties and luxury desert camps. Your accommodation can be selected based on your preferred comfort level, group size, and budget.
3-Star comfort
Day 1, 2 & 11 : Riad Jolie
Day 3: Riad Mimouna
Day 4 : Kenzi Basma
Day 5 :Riad Tassili
Day 6,7 : Riad Dari Fes
Day 8: ideal Desert Camp
Day 9 : Riad Azawad
Day 10 :Riad Gabsi Dades
4-Star superior
Day 1,2 & 11 : Riad Nesma
Day 3: Riad Mimouna
Day 4 :Hotel Club Val d’anfa
Day 5 : Dar Echchaouen
Day 6,7 : Palais Houyam
Day 8: caravanserai luxury desert camp
Day 9 : Riad Serai
Day 10 : Ksar Sultan dades
5-Star luxury
Day 1,2 & 11 : Hivernage
Day 3 : Le medina Essaouira
Day 4 : Barceló Anfa Casablanca
Day 5 :Lina Ryad & spa
Day 6,7 : Dar Lys Luxury riad & spa
Day 8,9 : Itran Royal Camp
Day 10 : Eden boutique hotel
- Accommodation options may vary depending on availability.
Pricing for the 12-day Morocco itinerary
The cost of this 12-day Morocco tour from Marrakech varies according to the number of travelers, your chosen accommodation category, and the season of travel. Whether you prefer a comfortable stay or a more luxurious experience, we can tailor the arrangements to your needs.
Contact us to receive a personalized quote and start planning your Morocco adventure.
Inclusions
The Cost Includes
- Pick-up and drop-off services at your hotel, riad, or airport.
- Private, comfortable transport with air conditioning and fuel
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- accommodations with breakfast and some dinner included
- Local guide in Marrakech & Fes
- 1 night in a luxury desert camp with a private bathroom.
- Camel ride or optional 4×4 transfer
- Merzouga discovery tour By 4×4
- Sunset & sunrise experience in the Sahara Desert
- Enjoy music & dancing around the campfire
- Sandboards available at the camp
- Imperial cities discovery Tour
The Cost Excludes
- Lunches & Drinks
- flight tickets
- Monument entrance fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Insurance
Map : 12-day Morocco itinerary from Marrakech
FAQs
Yes. The tour can be arranged as a private journey with your own vehicle and driver. This gives you more flexibility with stops, meals and the pace of the trip.
Yes. A camel ride can be arranged in Merzouga around sunset, taking you across the Erg Chebbi dunes to your desert camp.
The desert stay generally includes your overnight accommodation, dinner, breakfast and the camel ride.
Yes. Please inform us about any allergies, dietary restrictions or preferences before the trip so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Morocco can be visited throughout the year. Spring and autumn are generally comfortable for combining cities, mountains and the desert, while summer and winter can also work depending on your preferred destinations and activities.
Reviews
Vacation in Morocco
We spent 7 days traveling around Morocco with Excursion Planners and had a great experience. The itinerary was really well planned and we got to see Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, the desert, and some beautiful Moroccan towns along the way. Special thanks to SAID, our trip manager, for being so helpful and always answering our questions quickly. Our driver was also very kind and made the long drives much easier and comfortable. Everything went smoothly and we really enjoyed our time in Morocco. Thank you Excursion Planners for a memorable week!
Amazing Trip
Our trip to Morocco was absolutely spectacular, all thanks to the incredible team at Excursion planners . From our very first inquiry to the final airport drop-off, the service was seamless, professional, and deeply personalized.The itinerary was perfectly balanced. We loved exploring the vibrant, bustling souks of Marrakech, walking through the historic blue streets of Chefchaouen, and watching the breathtaking sunset over the dunes in the Sahara Desert. Every accommodation they selected was stunning, ranging from authentic, charming riads to a luxury desert camp that felt straight out of a dream.A special shoutout to our amazing driver and local guides. They were incredibly knowledgeable, punctual, and passionate about sharing Morocco’s rich history, culture, and delicious cuisine. We always felt safe, comfortable, and completely well taken care of. If you are planning a trip to Morocco, do not hesitate to book with Excursion Planners. They took all the stress out of planning and delivered a flawless, magical vacation that we will cherish forever. We will definitely use them again for our next adventure!
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Booking Information & Policies
Planning a trip to Morocco? Our simple and secure booking process makes organizing your journey easy and stress-free.
Booking Process
Fill out the contact form with your details, and we’ll get in touch to discuss your inquiry.
Payment Options
We accept both online payments and cash upon arrival for your convenience.
Booking Deposit
To secure your trip, a €250 deposit is required through bank transfer or another available payment method. The remaining balance can be paid directly to your guide upon pick-up.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancellations must be made at least 15 days before the tour start date. Cancellations made after this period will not be eligible for a refund, but the deposit can be used as credit for a future trip.