Overview of This 8 Day Morocco Tour
Our 8-day Morocco itinerary starts in Marrakech, crosses the Atlas to a desert camp at Merzouga, then heads north for three nights in Fes, one in Chefchaouen and a last stop in Rabat before Casablanca, with a private driver and riads throughout.
It is our classic loop run the other way round, which suits the many flights that land in Marrakech and leave from Casablanca. The extra day goes to Fes: one day for the medina with a guide, and one to slow down, see Meknes and Volubilis, or simply sit on a riad roof terrace. Eight days also leaves room for a real evening in Chefchaouen rather than a quick stop.
- Marrakech: the Koutoubia, the souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley kasbahs
- A night in the Erg Chebbi dunes after a camel ride
- Three nights in Fes, with a guided day in the medina
- Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis
- An evening in the blue lanes of Chefchaouen
Your 8 Days in Morocco, Day by Day
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Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Airport transfer about 20 minYour driver is waiting at Marrakech Menara Airport and takes you to a riad in the medina. The first afternoon is gentle: the gardens around the Koutoubia Mosque, then the square at Jemaa el-Fnaa when the storytellers and food stalls arrive. If your flight lands late, we simply start with dinner.
- Stops
- Koutoubia Mosque, Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Overnight
- Riad in Marrakech
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2: Marrakech over the Atlas to the Dades Valley
About 6 h 30 min driving · 320 kmLeave the city behind for the High Atlas and the hairpins of the Tizi n’Tichka. Ait Ben Haddou comes next, a ksar of earth houses where you climb to the old granary for the view over the valley. From Ouarzazate the road follows the oasis of Skoura, with its palm groves and crumbling family kasbahs, to the Dades Valley for the night.
- Stops
- Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Skoura
- Overnight
- Kasbah-style hotel in the Dades Valley
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 3: Todra Gorge to the Merzouga Dunes
About 5 h driving · 290 kmA short hop brings you to Todra Gorge, where you walk between rock walls about 300 m tall while climbers work the cliffs above. East of Tinghir the land flattens into desert, and by late afternoon you reach Merzouga. Camels take you out into Erg Chebbi for sunset; the night is at a desert camp with dinner under the stars.
- Stops
- Todra Gorge, Tinghir, Erfoud
- Overnight
- Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 4: Merzouga to Fes
About 8 h driving · 470 kmAfter sunrise on the dunes and breakfast in Merzouga, the long drive north begins. It goes up the Ziz Valley, a ribbon of palms in a canyon, then over the Middle Atlas past Midelt and the cedar forests near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often sit by the road. Ifrane, with its alpine-style houses, is the last stop before Fes.
- Stops
- Ziz Valley, Midelt, Azrou cedar forest, Ifrane
- Overnight
- Riad in Fes
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 5: A Guided Day in the Fes Medina
No long drive todayFes el-Bali is a car-free medina of around 9,000 lanes, and it is easier with a licensed local guide, which we can arrange. The day covers the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the courtyard of Al-Qarawiyyin and the Chouara Tannery seen from a terrace above the dye pits. End at the Merinid Tombs for the view over the old city at sunset.
- Stops
- Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Qarawiyyin, Chouara Tannery, Merinid Tombs
- Overnight
- Riad in Fes
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 6: Meknes and Volubilis, or a Slow Day in Fes
Optional day out about 2 h driving · 140 km round tripThis is the extra day that sets the 8-day route apart. The usual choice is the short trip to Meknes, the imperial city of Moulay Ismail, for the Bab Mansour gate and the royal granaries, then the Roman mosaics of Volubilis. Others stay in Fes for a hammam, a cooking class or the Jewish quarter of the Mellah. Tell us which suits you.
- Stops
- Bab Mansour in Meknes, Volubilis Roman ruins
- Overnight
- Riad in Fes
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 7: Fes to Chefchaouen
About 4 h driving · 200 kmThe road north winds through wheat fields and olive groves into the Rif Mountains. You arrive in Chefchaouen after lunch with the whole afternoon for its blue-washed lanes, the Outa el-Hammam square and the kasbah garden. Walk up to the Spanish Mosque on the hillside for sunset over the town.
- Stops
- Outa el-Hammam square, the kasbah, Spanish Mosque viewpoint
- Overnight
- Riad in Chefchaouen
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 8: Chefchaouen to Rabat and Casablanca
About 5 h driving · 340 kmOn the way south you stop in Rabat, the capital, for the Kasbah of the Udayas above the river mouth and the Hassan Tower. In Casablanca there is time for the Hassan II Mosque on the ocean before your driver takes you to Mohammed V Airport or your hotel.
- Stops
- Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, Hassan II Mosque
- Overnight
- Departure, or add nights in Casablanca
- Meals
- Breakfast
Route Map: 8 Days from Marrakech
About 1,700 km from Marrakech to Casablanca. The longest day is Merzouga to Fes; days 5 and 6 are in and around Fes with little driving.
What’s Included in This 8 Day Morocco Tour
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for 8 days
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- 7 nights: riads, kasbah hotel and desert camp
- 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
- Marrakech · 1 night Riad or hotel Options sent with your quote
- Dades Valley · 1 night Kasbah-style hotel Options sent with your quote
- Merzouga · 1 night Desert camp Options sent with your quote
- Fes · 3 nights Riad or hotel Options sent with your quote
- Chefchaouen · 1 night Riad or hotel Options sent with your quote
8 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 more of Marrakech? Move the extra night from Fes to the start. You can also end in Tangier for the ferry to Spain instead of Casablanca, or upgrade to a luxury desert camp.
Customize This 8-Day Tour
Your driver/guide
One professional, English-speaking driver/guide for all eight days, in an air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan depending on your group size. Other languages are available on request.
Meet our drivers and guides8-Day Morocco Tour FAQ
How is the 8 day tour different from the 7 day Morocco itinerary?
It runs the loop in reverse, from Marrakech to Casablanca, and adds a third night in Fes. That day is for Meknes and Volubilis or for slowing down in the medina.
Can this 8 day Morocco tour end in Marrakech instead?
Yes. We can run it as a full loop back to Marrakech, which replaces Rabat and Casablanca with a drive south from Chefchaouen. It adds a long day, so we usually suggest 9 days for that version.
Which is the longest drive?
Day 4, Merzouga to Fes, is about 8 hours of driving. We break it at the Ziz Valley, Midelt and Ifrane.
Is Fes worth three nights?
For most travelers, yes. The medina is too big for one day, and the third night gives you Meknes and Volubilis without rushing, or a free day after the desert.
What is the best month for an 8 day Morocco tour?
March to May and September to November. The Rif is green in spring, and the desert is comfortable in both seasons.
