Overview of This 12 Day Morocco Tour
Our 12-day Morocco itinerary goes from Casablanca through Chefchaouen and Fes to two nights in the Sahara at Merzouga, then over the High Atlas to a mountain village, Marrakech and the coast at Essaouira, with a private driver and riads.
Twelve days lets the classic route breathe. You get two nights in Chefchaouen, two in Fes and two in the desert, so no stop feels like a checkpoint. On the way west we break the drive at Ait Ben Haddou and spend a night in the High Atlas, where the only sounds are the river and the call to prayer from the village mosque. Most days have less than five hours of driving.
- Two nights in Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains
- The medina of Fes with a local guide
- Two nights in the Sahara: camp in the dunes plus a day around Merzouga
- Sunset at Ait Ben Haddou once the day visitors leave
- A night in a High Atlas village near Imlil
- Marrakech, then the sea air of Essaouira
Your 12 Days in Morocco, Day by Day
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Day 1: Casablanca to Rabat and Chefchaouen
About 5 h driving · 340 kmYour driver collects you at Mohammed V Airport. After the Hassan II Mosque, we stop in Rabat to stretch your legs at the Kasbah of the Udayas, then continue north into the Rif. Chefchaouen appears on its hillside in the late afternoon, and you have the evening to wander.
- Stops
- Hassan II Mosque, Kasbah of the Udayas
- Overnight
- Riad in Chefchaouen
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2: A Slow Day in Chefchaouen
No driving todayChefchaouen is best early, before the day visitors arrive from Fes and Tangier. Photograph the blue stairways, visit the kasbah and its small museum, and walk up to the Ras el-Maa spring where locals still wash wool. If you would like a hike, your driver can take you to the Akchour waterfalls in the Rif National Park.
- Stops
- The kasbah, Ras el-Maa, optional Akchour waterfalls
- Overnight
- Riad in Chefchaouen
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 3: Chefchaouen to Volubilis, Meknes and Fes
About 4 h 30 min driving · 290 kmSouth through olive groves to Volubilis, where the Roman triumphal arch stands alone on the plain, and on to Meknes for the Bab Mansour gate and the Place el-Hedim. You arrive in Fes in time for a rooftop mint tea over the medina.
- Stops
- Volubilis, Bab Mansour, Place el-Hedim
- Overnight
- Riad in Fes
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 4: Fes el-Bali with a Local Guide
No long drive todayWe can arrange a licensed guide for the medina, which is the only sensible way to see it on the first visit. The lanes lead past the Nejjarine fountain and woodwork museum, the Al-Attarine Madrasa and the tanneries. In the afternoon, rest at your riad or visit the Royal Palace gates and the Mellah in Fes el-Jdid.
- Stops
- Nejjarine square, Al-Attarine Madrasa, Chouara Tannery, Royal Palace gates
- Overnight
- Riad in Fes
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 5: Fes to the Sahara at Merzouga
About 8 h driving · 470 kmThe one long day of the trip. We break it in Ifrane, in the cedar forest at Azrou, at Midelt for lunch and at a viewpoint over the Ziz Valley palms. At Merzouga your camels are waiting, and you ride into Erg Chebbi for sunset and your first night at camp.
- Stops
- Ifrane, Azrou cedar forest, Midelt, Ziz Valley
- Overnight
- Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 6: A Day Around Merzouga
Short 4×4 drives around the dunesA second desert day is the luxury of a 12-day tour. Circle Erg Chebbi by 4×4, visit Khamlia, a village whose Gnawa musicians descend from people brought across the Sahara, and meet a nomad family in the hamada. Late afternoon is for sandboarding or climbing the highest dune for sunset. We confirm with your quote whether the second night is at the camp or a hotel at the edge of the dunes.
- Stops
- Khamlia, nomad encampment, the high dunes of Erg Chebbi
- Overnight
- Desert camp or hotel in Merzouga
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 7: Merzouga to Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
About 5 h driving · 290 kmWest along the edge of the desert to Tinghir, where a huge palm grove fills the valley below the town, and into Todra Gorge for a walk. The evening is in the Dades Valley, with a kasbah hotel above the river.
- Stops
- Rissani, Tinghir palm grove, Todra Gorge
- Overnight
- Kasbah-style hotel in the Dades Valley
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 8: Dades Valley to Ait Ben Haddou
About 3 h driving · 150 kmAn easy day. Drive the Dades Gorge road in the morning, then head west through Kelaat M’Gouna, the valley of roses, and the Skoura oasis. You reach Ait Ben Haddou in the afternoon and stay nearby, so you can walk up through the ksar at sunset when it glows orange and the tour buses have left.
- Stops
- Dades Gorge, Kelaat M’Gouna, Skoura, Ait Ben Haddou
- Overnight
- Kasbah-style hotel at Ait Ben Haddou
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 9: Over the Tizi n’Tichka to the High Atlas
About 4 h 30 min driving · 230 kmCross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka, then turn south from the Marrakech plain up the valley to Imlil, the village below Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 m. Walk in the walnut orchards before dinner at a mountain guesthouse.
- Stops
- Tizi n’Tichka, Asni, Imlil
- Overnight
- Mountain guesthouse near Imlil
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 10: High Atlas Walk and Marrakech
About 1 h 30 min driving · 65 kmTake a morning walk with a local mountain guide, which we can arrange, to a nearby Berber village for tea with a family. After lunch, your driver brings you down to Marrakech, where the evening is for Jemaa el-Fnaa and the souks.
- Stops
- Berber villages around Imlil, Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Overnight
- Riad in Marrakech
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 11: Marrakech to Essaouira
About 3 h driving · 190 kmUse the morning for the Bahia Palace or the Majorelle Garden, then drive to the coast in the afternoon. By evening you are walking the ramparts of Essaouira as the fishing boats come in.
- Stops
- Bahia Palace or Majorelle Garden, argan cooperative, Essaouira ramparts
- Overnight
- Riad in the Essaouira medina
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 12: Essaouira and Departure
About 3 h to Marrakech Airport · 190 kmEnjoy a final morning at the fish market and on the beach. Your driver then takes you to Marrakech Menara Airport, or to Casablanca, about 4 hours away, depending on your flight.
- Stops
- Fish market, the beach
- Overnight
- Departure, or add a night by the sea
- Meals
- Breakfast
Route Map: 12 Days in Morocco
About 2,000 km from Casablanca to Essaouira. Only one day, Fes to Merzouga, has more than 5 hours of driving.
What’s Included in This 12 Day Morocco Tour
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for 12 days
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- 11 nights: riads, kasbah hotels, desert camp and a mountain guesthouse
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Monument entrance fees
- Tips for driver and guides
- Travel insurance
Where You’ll Stay
- Chefchaouen · 2 nights Riad or hotel Options sent with your quote
- Fes · 2 nights Riad or hotel Options sent with your quote
- Merzouga · 2 nights Desert camp, or camp and hotel Options sent with your quote
- Dades Valley · 1 night Kasbah-style hotel Options sent with your quote
- Ait Ben Haddou · 1 night Kasbah-style hotel Options sent with your quote
- High Atlas · 1 night Mountain guesthouse Options sent with your quote
- Marrakech · 1 night Riad or hotel Options sent with your quote
- Essaouira · 1 night Riad or hotel Options sent with your quote
12 Day Morocco Tour Prices
Every private tour is priced for your group, so we quote it rather than list one fixed price. Three things set it:
- Group sizeThe vehicle and driver cost the same whatever the size of your party, so the more of you travel, the less each person pays.
- Hotel levelComfortable riads and hotels, or a step up to superior riads and a luxury desert camp.
- SeasonSpring and fall are the busiest months for riads and desert camps.
Customize This Tour
Want two nights in Marrakech? Drop the second desert night or the mountain village. Traveling with grandparents or young children? We can shorten the drive days further and add rest stops.
Customize This 12-Day Tour
Your driver/guide
One professional, English-speaking driver/guide for all twelve days, in an air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan depending on your group size. Other languages are available on request.
Meet our drivers and guides12-Day Morocco Tour FAQ
What does a 12 day Morocco tour add over 10 days?
A second night in Chefchaouen, a second night in the Sahara, a night at Ait Ben Haddou and a night in the High Atlas. It covers the same country with shorter drive days.
Is this 12 day Morocco itinerary good for families?
Yes. Apart from Fes to Merzouga, no day has more than 5 hours of driving, and the desert day and mountain walk are highlights for children. We can add child seats in the vehicle.
Do we have to stay two nights in the desert camp?
No. You can spend the second night at a hotel at the edge of the dunes instead, with a pool and your own bathroom. We confirm the options with your quote.
How hard is the High Atlas walk?
It is an easy walk on village paths, about 2 to 3 hours with tea stops. For a real trek, such as a Toubkal climb, we add days and a mountain guide.
Can the tour start in Marrakech?
Yes. We can run the route in reverse from Marrakech, ending in Casablanca or Tangier.
