12 Days Morocco Itinerary to Imperial Cities & Desert
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This Morocco itinerary 12 days long is a private loop that takes in the north, the imperial cities and the Sahara without doubling back. You travel with your own driver in an air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan, from the coast up to the blue town of Chefchaouen, across to Fes, down to the Merzouga dunes and home through the Atlas to Marrakech. Twelve days is enough to see all of it without rushing.
Trip highlights
- Private trip with your own driver and an air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- Explore the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the mud-brick ksar from the films
- Walk into the Todra gorge, where the cliffs rise close to 300 metres
- Drive the twisting Dades valley past its old kasbahs
- Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep in a desert camp
- Sunrise over the big dunes at Merzouga
Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca
We meet you at the airport and drive into the city, with a stop at the Hassan II mosque out over the water.
Route: Casablanca airport, Hassan II mosque. Night in a Casablanca hotel.
Day 2: Casablanca to Rabat
A short run up the coast to the capital, with the Hassan Tower, the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Chellah.
Route: Casablanca, Rabat. Night in a Rabat hotel.
Day 3: Rabat to Chefchaouen
We head into the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen, the town painted in every shade of blue, with the afternoon free to wander the old medina on foot.
Route: Rabat, Chefchaouen. Night in a Chefchaouen guesthouse.
Day 4: Chefchaouen to Fes
On the way south we stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the old imperial town of Meknes, then reach Fes for the night.
Route: Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes. Night in a Fes riad.
Day 5: Fes medina
A full day on foot with a local guide through the walled medina, the tanneries and the Al Quaraouiyine mosque.
Route: Fes medina walking tour. Night in a Fes riad.
Day 6: Fes to Merzouga
We cross the Middle Atlas past Ifrane and the cedars at Azrou, drop through Midelt and follow the Ziz valley down to the dunes. A camel takes you out to camp for the sunset.
Route: Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Ziz valley, Merzouga. Sunset camel ride, night in a desert camp.
Day 7: A day in the dunes
After the sunrise you have the day around Erg Chebbi: a 4×4 loop past the nomad camps and the salt lake, and the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia in the afternoon.
Route: Merzouga, Khamlia, Erg Chebbi. Night in a desert lodge or camp.
Day 8: Merzouga to Todra
We drive west through Rissani and Tinghir to the Todra gorge, where the walls rise close to 300 metres over a narrow river.
Route: Merzouga, Rissani, Tinghir, Todra gorge. Night in a Todra guesthouse.
Day 9: Todra to the Dades valley
A short day into the Dades valley and its gorge, with the twisting road and the red rock formations known as the monkey fingers.
Route: Todra, Dades valley and gorges. Night in a Dades guesthouse.
Day 10: Dades to Ouarzazate
We follow the Valley of Roses and the Skoura palm oasis, with its old kasbahs among the palms, into Ouarzazate.
Route: Dades, Valley of Roses, Skoura palm oasis, Ouarzazate. Night in a kasbah hotel.
Day 11: Ouarzazate to Marrakech
We stop at Ait Ben Haddou to walk up through the old kasbah, then climb the Tizi n’Tichka over the Atlas into Marrakech.
Route: Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi n’Tichka, Marrakech. Night in a Marrakech riad.
Day 12: Marrakech and departure
A morning in the Marrakech medina and the Bahia palace, then we drop you at the airport for your flight.
Route: Marrakech medina, airport.
Included
- Private 4×4 or minivan with air-conditioning and an experienced driver
- Airport pick-up in Casablanca and drop-off in Marrakech
- Camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga
- Eleven nights in hotels, riads, guesthouses, a kasbah hotel and a desert camp
- Breakfasts and dinners as per the itinerary
Not included
- International flights and airport taxes
- Lunches and drinks
- Monument and site entrance fees
- Tips for the driver and guides
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Hotels, standing and route match our operated tour; the exact accommodation and the full list of what’s included are confirmed when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour?
Yes. You travel with just your own group, your own driver and vehicle. Nobody else joins, so the stops and the pace are yours to set.
Where do we sleep along the way?
You spend a night in a desert camp in the dunes, reached by camel, plus nights in kasbah hotels or guesthouses on the road. The standing is the same as our operated tour, and we confirm the exact places when you book.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable. Summer days get very hot and winter nights in the desert are cold, so bring layers whatever the season.
Can we change the itinerary or the pick-up point?
Yes. Because it is private, we can add nights, swap stops, or start from a different city or airport. Tell us what you have in mind and we will adjust the plan.
Book the trip
Price on request. Send us a message on WhatsApp for dates and a quote, or hold your spot online with a deposit.