12-Day Morocco Itinerary Desert And Coast

After a delicious breakfast at your riad, we depart Rabat and journey north through the lush valleys of the Rif Mountains. Our destination is the magical blue-washed mountain town of Chefchaouen, nestled beneath the raw peaks of the Rif.

Arrive in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring the famous blue medina. Wander through its narrow, cobblestone alleys, take photos of the vibrant blue-painted walls and doorways, and relax with a fresh mint tea at a café in the lively Outa el-Hammam square.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad in Chefchaouen.

Enjoy a full free day to immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere of Chefchaouen. Visit the historic Kasbah museum in the center of the medina, explore the traditional artisan shops filled with unique woven blankets, wool garments, and leather goods, or simply enjoy a quiet rooftop mint tea with the sweeping view of the Rif Mountains in front of you.

In the late afternoon, take a scenic walk up to the historic Spanish Mosque situated on a hill overlooking the town. It’s the absolute best viewpoint to watch the sunset paint the blue city in soft pastel colors.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad in Chefchaouen.

We bid farewell to the Blue City and head south toward Fes. Our first stop is the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided walk through these remarkably preserved ruins, marveling at the beautiful floor mosaics, the basilica, and the triumphal arch of Caracalla.

Next, we stop in the imperial city of Meknes, the former capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail. We view the monumental gate of Bab Mansour, the Royal Stables, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail before continuing our drive to Fes, the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad in Fes medina.

Embark on a full-day guided walking tour of Fes el-Bali, the ancient medieval medina and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. Accompanied by a local city guide, you’ll step back in time as you navigate the labyrinth of thousands of alleys.

Key highlights include the famous 11th-century Chouara Tanneries (where leather is dyed using ancient techniques), the beautiful Bou Inania Madrasa, the historic Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University (the world’s oldest operating university), and the bustling souks filled with spices, copper, and textiles. In the late afternoon, we drive up to the Merenid Tombs viewpoint for a spectacular sunset panorama over the entire medina.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad in Fes.

An early departure takes us south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Our first stop is Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” because of its alpine architecture and clean streets. From there, we drive through the ancient cedar forests of Azrou, where we can stop to see and feed the wild Barbary Macaque monkeys.

We continue over the scenic Middle Atlas passes, stopping for lunch in Midelt. We then descend into the dramatic Ziz Valley, stopping at a panoramic viewpoint to look down at the massive palm grove oasis surrounded by red cliffs. Continuing south, we reach the desert town of Merzouga by late afternoon.

Here, we mount our camels for a memorable sunset camel trek across the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Arrive at our luxury desert camp in the middle of the dunes, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Berber dinner, live drumming around a campfire under a sky full of stars, and sleep in a comfortable private tent.

Accommodation: Luxury Desert Camp Erg Chebbi (Half Board).

Wake up early to witness a breathtaking Sahara sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After a hot breakfast at the camp, you can camel-trek or ride a 4×4 back to Merzouga.

Our journey continues to Rissani, the ancient capital of the Tafilalet region, where we visit its authentic traditional souk (if it’s a market day: Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday). From there, we drive to the dramatic Todra Gorge, a massive limestone canyon with sheer rock walls rising 300 meters on either side. Take a walk along the river bottom.

In the afternoon, we drive through the spectacular scenery of the Dades Valley (known for its unique rock formations called “monkey fingers”) and head up into the Dades Gorge.

Accommodation: Hotel or Riad in Dades Valley (Half Board).

Today, we travel along the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. We pass through the beautiful Rose Valley (Kelaat M’gouna), famous for its organic rose water and cosmetics.

We continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Morocco” due to its film studios (where movies like Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Mummy were shot) and the historic Kasbah Taourirt.

Our final stop of the day is the spectacular fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stunning mud-brick kasbah is one of the most famous locations in Morocco and has served as the backdrop for numerous movies and TV series (including Game of Thrones). We take a guided walk to explore its winding paths and climb to the top for views over the river valley.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel or Riad near Ait Ben Haddou.

Departing Ait Ben Haddou, we begin our climb over the majestic High Atlas Mountains. We drive along the winding roads of the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest major mountain pass in North Africa at 2,260 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and traditional clay-built Berber villages.

We stop at a local Argan oil cooperative to see how the women process the nuts into culinary and cosmetic oils. Descending the mountains, we arrive in the vibrant red city of Marrakech by the afternoon.

Spend your evening relaxing or take your first walk into the legendary Jemaa el-Fna square, watching it come alive with food stalls, musicians, and street performers.

Accommodation: Riad or Hotel in Marrakech.

We depart Marrakech and head west toward the Atlantic coast to the charming seaside town of Essaouira (formerly known as Mogador). Along the way, we pass through Argan forests, where you might see goats climbing high into the branches of the Argan trees.

Essaouira is a beautiful white-and-blue walled city with a relaxed bohemian vibe. Spend your afternoon exploring the UNESCO-listed medina, walking along the historic Portuguese ramparts (Scala de la Ville) overlooking the Atlantic, visiting the busy fishing port with its famous blue wooden boats, and browsing the local workshops famous for hand-carved thuya wood.

For lunch, enjoy fresh seafood grilled right by the port before relaxing on the sandy beach.

Accommodation: Riad or Boutique Hotel in Essaouira.

Enjoy a peaceful free morning in Essaouira to stroll along the beach, listen to the Atlantic waves, or explore the medina’s quiet alleys at your own pace.

In the late morning, we drive back to Marrakech. In the afternoon, embark on a guided tour of Marrakech’s most historic sights: the elegant Bahia Palace with its beautiful tiled courtyards, the historic Saadian Tombs, the iconic Koutoubia Mosque tower, and the stunning Majorelle Garden (once owned by Yves Saint Laurent) with its exotic plants and cobalt-blue villa. Finish the day in the bustling energy of Jemaa el-Fna.

Accommodation: Riad or Hotel in Marrakech.

Spend your last morning in Marrakech doing some last-minute shopping in the souks, relaxing in the tranquil Koutoubia gardens, or enjoying a slow breakfast on your riad’s rooftop.

Depending on your flight schedule, your private driver will transfer you to the Marrakech Airport (RAK) or Casablanca Airport (CMN) for your departure flight, carrying unforgettable memories of your grand Moroccan adventure.

When you are ready, send us a message — we will plan it around you.