10 Days Morocco Tour from Marrakech | Imperial Cities, Desert & Coast

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Marrakech – Guided City Exploration

Your Moroccan journey begins in the energetic city of Marrakech. After airport pickup, you’ll check in to your riad in the heart of the medina and meet your local guide for a cultural walking tour. Begin with the Koutoubia Mosque, the city’s iconic minaret visible from across the medina, then continue to the Bahia Palace, where Andalusian and Moroccan architecture blend in colorful courtyards and intricate carvings.

Stroll through the lively souks, where merchants sell everything from spices and pottery to leather goods and lanterns. Visit the Jemaa el-Fna Square, a stage of snake charmers, acrobats, and storytellers. If time allows, enjoy a calm walk in the peaceful Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. End your day with a welcome dinner in a traditional Moroccan riad, soaking in the ambiance of the red city.

Day 2: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

After breakfast, we begin our road trip into southern Morocco. The drive takes us over the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260m) in the High Atlas Mountains, offering jaw-dropping views of rugged peaks, valleys, and remote Berber villages nestled into the hills. Along the way, we stop for photos and visit an argan oil cooperative run by local women.

Midday, arrive at the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a striking clay-brick fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll explore the narrow alleyways, old granaries, and views over the Ounila Valley. Continue to Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Morocco, home to film studios where movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones were shot. By afternoon, we pass through the Valley of Roses and arrive in the Dades Valley, known for its dramatic rock formations like the “monkey fingers.” Overnight in a traditional kasbah with dinner and breathtaking views of the valley.

Day 3: Dades – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

After breakfast, we drive through the impressive Dades Valley, stopping to admire the panoramic viewpoints before heading toward the Todra Gorges. These massive cliffs are over 300 meters high and perfect for a walk along the river or short rock climbing for the adventurous. The cool canyon is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

Our journey continues through the desert towns of Tinjdad and Erfoud, famous for their date markets and fossil workshops. By afternoon, we reach Merzouga, where the dunes of Erg Chebbi rise from the black desert floor like waves. Here, your camel trekking adventure begins. Ride through the golden dunes as the sun sets behind the Sahara, painting the sky in fiery hues. Arrive at your luxury desert camp where you’ll be welcomed with mint tea, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and relax under a starlit sky to the rhythm of Berber drums.

Day 4: Full Day in Merzouga – Nomads, Desert Life & Khamlia Music

After an unforgettable sunrise over the dunes, enjoy breakfast at the camp and prepare for a desert exploration day. Today you’ll discover the unique lifestyle and culture of the Sahara. Travel by 4×4 across the black volcanic desert to the village of Khamlia, where you’ll be welcomed by the Gnawa community. Enjoy a performance of their spiritual music, rooted in African heritage.

Next, head deeper into the desert to visit nomadic families living in tents. You’ll share tea, learn about their simple but resourceful way of life, and see their handmade rugs, solar panels, and sheep pens. Visit fossil quarries near Taouz and explore the oasis of Hassi Labied before returning to Merzouga. The evening is free to relax in your desert hotel or riad, with optional activities like sandboarding or ATV rides available.

Day 5: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Azrou Cedar Forest – Fes

After breakfast, we leave the desert and head north along the scenic Ziz Valley, dotted with palm groves, rivers, and ksour (fortified villages). The road winds through the High and Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through Berber towns and spectacular rock canyons. Stop in Midelt for lunch, a town known for apple orchards and cool climate.

In the afternoon, we drive through the cedar forests of Azrou, home to Morocco’s only population of wild monkeys — the Barbary macaques. Enjoy a stop to stretch your legs and interact with the playful animals. Continue through Ifrane, an alpine resort town often called the “Switzerland of Morocco,” known for its modern cleanliness and French-style homes. Arrive in Fes in the early evening, where you’ll settle into a riad within the ancient medina.

Day 6: Fes Full Day City Tour – Drive to Chefchaouen

After breakfast, a certified Fes guide takes you on a walking tour of the old medina of Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the spiritual heart of Morocco. Visit the Al Quaraouiyine University, considered the oldest university in the world, and the stunning Bou Inania Madrasa with its ornate carvings. Wander through the Chouara Tannery, where leather is still dyed in centuries-old stone pits.

The tour includes a visit to the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), the Royal Palace gates, and a panoramic view of the city from the Merenid Tombs. After lunch, we drive into the Rif Mountains, following winding scenic roads to the blue town of Chefchaouen, where you’ll check into a riad and enjoy a peaceful evening in the medina.

Day 7: Chefchaouen Full Day Visit – Transfer to Rabat

Spend the morning getting lost in the peaceful blue alleys of Chefchaouen, a town famous for its calming colors and mountain backdrop. Visit the Kasbah Museum, Outa el Hammam Square, and Ras El Maa waterfalls. You’ll have free time for photos, shopping local crafts, and sipping mint tea on a rooftop café with stunning views.

After lunch, we drive west to Rabat, Morocco’s administrative capital located on the Atlantic coast. Upon arrival, you can explore Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the scenic Kasbah of the Udayas. Dinner and overnight at a comfortable riad or hotel by the ocean.

Day 8: Rabat – Casablanca – Guided Visit & Coastal Walk

After breakfast, depart Rabat and head to Casablanca, the economic capital and Morocco’s largest city. The highlight of the day is the visit to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world with a minaret standing 210 meters high. It’s the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors, and the interior is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Take a walk along the Corniche, Casablanca’s oceanfront boulevard lined with cafés and palm trees. See the Royal Palace (exterior) and explore Habous Quarter, a blend of Moroccan and French architecture. Spend the night in a modern hotel near the city center or by the sea.

Day 9: Casablanca – Essaouira (Atlantic Escape)

Today, we head south along the Atlantic coast to the charming town of Essaouira. The drive is scenic and peaceful, passing through argan tree groves, where goats famously climb the trees. Stop at a local argan oil cooperative to learn how the famous oil is made.

Arrive in Essaouira by midday and begin your exploration of the laid-back port city. Visit the Skala de la Ville, walk along the historic ramparts, explore the fishing harbor, and stroll through the UNESCO-listed medina filled with art galleries and craft shops. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch near the port and a relaxed evening with ocean views. Overnight in a cozy riad.

Day 10: Essaouira – Return to Marrakech (End of Tour)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some last-minute exploration in Essaouira before heading back to Marrakech. The 2.5–3 hour drive allows time to reflect on the diversity of your Moroccan journey — from bustling souks to quiet dunes, medieval medinas to coastal breezes.

Upon arrival in Marrakech, we drop you at the airport or your hotel, depending on your departure time. Your 10-day Morocco tour from Marrakech ends with a heart full of memories and photographs that will last a lifetime.