Morocco itinerary guide · Updated 2026-09-04
10-day Morocco itinerary from the cities to the Sahara
Ten days can connect the imperial cities and Sahara when the desert sits in the middle of a one-way route. The key is to enter from Fes, leave through the southern valleys and finish in Marrakech.
Route options at a glance
| Time | Best for | Route | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Imperial-city depth | Casablanca/Rabat → Meknes → Fes | Balanced |
| Days 4–6 | Sahara crossing | Middle Atlas → Ziz Valley → Merzouga | Active |
| Days 7–10 | Gorges and Marrakech | Todra → Dades → Ait Benhaddou → Marrakech | Balanced |
Days 1–3: Casablanca, Rabat and Fes
Land in Casablanca, continue to Rabat and use the next day for Meknes and Volubilis on the way to Fes. This order turns sightseeing into a continuous route. Keep the third day for Fes el Bali with a licensed guide and a second night in the same riad.
Travellers arriving directly in Fes can use the saved day for Chefchaouen, another night in the desert or a slower finish in Marrakech.
Day 4: cross the Middle Atlas
Leave Fes through Ifrane, Azrou and the cedar country, then continue onto the high plateau. Breaking the journey around Midelt avoids forcing the entire Fes-to-Merzouga distance into one exhausting day and creates a calmer desert arrival.
This is a transit day, but the landscape changes dramatically. Keep the stop list light and arrive before dark.
Days 5–6: Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
Follow the Ziz Valley toward Erfoud and Merzouga. Reach the dunes in time for the chosen camp transfer, whether by camel, 4×4 or a combination. A second day can include a quieter dune walk, nearby communities, fossil country or simply time at the camp.
One desert night is enough for a first view of Erg Chebbi; two nights reduce the sense that the Sahara was only a photo stop.
Days 7–8: Todra, Dades and kasbah country
Turn west through Rissani toward the Todra Gorge, then continue through the Dades Valley and Skoura. These stages connect palms, canyon walls and earthen kasbahs. An overnight near the gorges and another around Skoura or Ait Benhaddou keeps the driving manageable.
Avoid adding distant side trips simply because a vehicle is available. The strength of this route is the gradual transition from dunes to mountains.
Days 9–10: Ait Benhaddou and Marrakech
Visit Ait Benhaddou before crossing Tizi n’Tichka to Marrakech. The mountain road can be slow, so do not promise a tightly timed afternoon in the city. Use the final day for a guided medina walk, key palaces and gardens, or keep it unstructured after the long route.
Fly out of Marrakech if possible. Returning to Casablanca on day ten consumes time that is better spent in the city.