The route at a glance
| Days | Place | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Marrakech | 3 |
| 4 | Aït Benhaddou / Ouarzazate | 1 |
| 5 | Dades valley | 1 |
| 6 | Merzouga (desert camp) | 1 |
| 7–8 | Fez | 2 |
| 9–10 | Chefchaouen, then Tangier or Fez for departure | 1 + travel |
Fly into Marrakech, fly out of Tangier or Fez — an open-jaw ticket saves a full day of travel.
Day by day
Days 1–3 — Marrakech
Three nights let you see the city without rushing and add one excursion.
- Day 1: arrival, sunset at Jemaa el-Fna.
- Day 2: Ben Youssef Madrasa, the souks, Le Jardin Secret, Bahia Palace, the Mellah.
- Day 3: choose between a day in the Ourika valley or Imlil in the High Atlas, or a slower day with Jardin Majorelle, the YSL Museum, a cooking class and a hammam.
See our Marrakech guide for opening tips and where to stay.
Day 4 — Over the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou
Cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, detour to the Glaoui kasbah at Telouet if you have a car, and reach Aït Benhaddou in the afternoon. Staying overnight here means you see the ksar at sunset and sunrise, without the day-trip crowds.
Day 5 — Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Dades valley
Visit the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate, continue through the Skoura palm grove and the rose valley of Kalaat M'Gouna to the Dades gorges. Overnight in a guesthouse with views of the canyon.
Day 6 — Todra gorges and the Sahara
Walk in the Todra gorges in the morning, then drive to Merzouga. Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset and a night in a desert camp. Read our Merzouga guide for camp advice.
Day 7 — From the desert to Fez
Watch the sunrise, then drive north (about 7–8 hours) through the Ziz valley, past Errachidia and over the Middle Atlas. Stop in the cedar forest near Azrou to see Barbary macaques and in Ifrane, the Alpine-style town, before reaching Fez in the evening.
Day 8 — Fez
Spend the day in Fes el-Bali with a licensed guide: Bab Bou Jeloud, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, the Qarawiyyin, the Nejjarine fondouk and the Chouara tannery. Sunset at the Marinid Tombs. Our Fez guide explains how to navigate the medina.
Day 9 — Chefchaouen
Travel to Chefchaouen by CTM bus or private transfer (about 4–5 hours). Explore the blue lanes of the medina in the late afternoon and walk up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset.
Day 10 — Chefchaouen and departure
Early-morning photos in the empty blue streets, then transfer to Tangier (about 2.5–3 hours) for your flight or the ferry to Spain. If your flight leaves from Fez, return there instead (about 4–5 hours).
Transport options
- Days 4–7: a private driver from Marrakech to Fez is the most comfortable choice and avoids returning to Marrakech. Self-drive works too; drop-off fees may apply for one-way rentals.
- Days 1–3 and 8: no transport needed beyond walking and taxis.
- Days 9–10: CTM buses connect Fez, Chefchaouen and Tangier; private transfers are faster.
Variations
Add the coast. Replace the Ourika day with two nights in Essaouira (11 days in total).
More time in the desert. Add a second night in Merzouga to explore Rissani, Khamlia and the dunes without rushing.
Swap Chefchaouen for Rabat. From Fez, take the train to Rabat (about 2.5–3 hours) and fly home from Rabat or Casablanca.
With children. Split the desert drive with a night in Ouarzazate on day 4 and a second night in Merzouga; choose a comfort camp with private bathrooms.
Practical tips
- Book riads in Marrakech and Fez close to a gate accessible by taxi.
- Book your desert camp and driver in advance in spring, autumn and over the Christmas holidays.
- Withdraw cash in Marrakech and Ouarzazate before heading into the desert.
- Bring warm layers for the desert night and the Middle Atlas, where temperatures can be cool even in spring.
Related: 7-day itinerary, 14-day itinerary, Chefchaouen guide and transport in Morocco.
This guide was last reviewed in October 2026. Entry rules, opening hours, transport timetables and prices change; check official sources shortly before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.