12 Days Morocco Tour from Marrakech: Sahara, Imperial Cities and Essaouira
12 days Morocco tour from Marrakech through the Sahara, the imperial cities and Essaouira
12 Days Morocco Tour from Marrakech – Private 12 days Morocco tour from Marrakech: Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra gorges, Merzouga desert, Fes, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.
Overview:This private 12 days Morocco tour from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Gorges, then follows the Todra Gorge to the Merzouga desert for two nights under the stars. From the Sahara you cross the Middle Atlas to Fes for two nights, spend two nights in the blue city of Chefchaouen, visit Volubilis and Meknes on the way to Rabat, and return to Marrakech via Casablanca, with a night by the ocean in Essaouira and a last guided day in the red city.
The Tizi n'Tichka pass and the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.
The Rose Valley, the Dades Gorges and the Todra Gorge.
Two nights in an Erg Chebbi desert camp with a private bathroom, with a camel ride at sunset.
Two nights in Fes with a guided day in the oldest medina in Morocco.
Two nights in Chefchaouen, the Akchour waterfalls, Volubilis, Meknes and Rabat.
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, a night in Essaouira and a guided day in Marrakech.
Pick-up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech. We cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) and visit Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified village listed by UNESCO, then pass Ouarzazate, home of the Atlas film studios.
We continue through the Skoura oasis and the Rose Valley around Kelaat M'Gouna to the Dades Gorges, with their red cliffs and winding road. Night in a hotel in the gorges, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: hotel in the Dades Gorges
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast we drive to Tinghir and walk between the high limestone walls of the Todra Gorge, then continue via Tinejdad and Rissani to Merzouga.
In the late afternoon we reach the Erg Chebbi dunes and ride camels to the camp for the sunset. Dinner, Berber music and a night in a private tent with its own bathroom.
Overnight: desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes (private tent with bathroom)
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After the sunrise and breakfast, we explore the area around Erg Chebbi by 4×4: a visit to a nomad family for tea, the black stone desert, old mines and the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music.
In the afternoon you have free time in the dunes, for sandboarding or simply enjoying the views. Second night in the desert camp with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: second night at the desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast we leave the desert via Erfoud and the palm groves of the Ziz Valley, then cross the Middle Atlas via Midelt, the cedar forest of Azrou, where Barbary macaques live in the wild, and Ifrane, the "Switzerland of Morocco".
We arrive in Fes in the late afternoon. Night in a hotel or riad in Fes, with breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Fes
Meals: breakfast.
A guided day in Fes el-Bali, the oldest medina in Morocco and a UNESCO site: the Bou Inania madrasa, the Al-Qarawiyyin area, the Chouara tannery and the craft souks. A licensed local guide can be arranged.
In the afternoon, the gates of the Royal Palace, the Mellah and the view from the Merenid tombs. Second night in Fes, with breakfast.
Overnight: second night at your hotel or riad in Fes
Meals: breakfast.
After breakfast we drive north through the Rif foothills to Chefchaouen, the blue city in the Rif Mountains.
In the afternoon you explore its blue lanes, Outa el Hammam square and the kasbah. Night in a hotel or riad in Chefchaouen, with breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Chefchaouen
Meals: breakfast.
After breakfast we drive to the Talassemtane National Park for a half-day walk to the Akchour waterfalls and the natural rock bridge, with clear pools and shaded paths in the Rif Mountains.
Back in Chefchaouen, free afternoon in the blue medina and the walk up to the Spanish Mosque for the sunset. Second night in Chefchaouen, with breakfast.
Overnight: second night at your hotel or riad in Chefchaouen
Meals: breakfast.
We leave the Rif for the Roman ruins of Volubilis, with their mosaics and triumphal arch, then visit the imperial city of Meknes with the Bab Mansour gate and El Hedim square.
We continue to Rabat, the capital, and arrive in the evening. Night in a hotel or riad in Rabat, with breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Rabat
Meals: breakfast.
Morning visit of Rabat: the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas above the ocean. We then drive to Casablanca to see the Hassan II Mosque, built over the Atlantic.
In the afternoon we continue south to Marrakech. Night in a hotel or riad in Marrakech, with breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Marrakech
Meals: breakfast.
After breakfast we drive west through the argan tree country, with a stop at a women's argan oil cooperative, to the Atlantic port of Essaouira.
Afternoon in the white and blue medina, a UNESCO site, along the ramparts of the Skala and at the fishing harbour with its blue boats. Night in a hotel or riad in Essaouira, with breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Essaouira
Meals: breakfast.
A free morning in Essaouira: the fish market at the port, the woodworkers' workshops and the long beach.
After lunch we drive back to Marrakech. Free evening at the Jemaa el-Fna square. Night in a hotel or riad in Marrakech, with breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Marrakech
Meals: breakfast.
A guided day in Marrakech: the souks of the medina, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia mosque, the Saadian Tombs and the Majorelle Garden. A licensed local guide can be arranged for the medina.
At the end of the day we drop you at your hotel or riad in Marrakech, or at Marrakech-Menara airport.
End of the tour: drop-off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech, or at Marrakech-Menara airport.
12 Days Morocco Tour from Marrakech: useful information
With Merzouga Packages, “12 Days Morocco Tour from Marrakech” is a private experience run by a local Berber team that lives in Merzouga, at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The program adapts to your pace, with pick-up from your hotel or riad, an experienced driver-guide and hand-picked accommodation.
For more ideas, see also these pages: Morocco Tours and FAQ. To learn more about the places you will visit, read the article on Erg Chebbi on Wikipedia.
Included:
- Private transport in an air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus
- Driver / guide / fuel
- Pick-up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech and drop-off back in Marrakech
- 9 hotel nights: Dades Gorges (dinner and breakfast included); two in Fes, two in Chefchaouen, Rabat, two in Marrakech and Essaouira (breakfast included)
- Two nights in a desert camp with a private bathroom (dinner and breakfast included)
- Camel ride, 4×4 excursion around Erg Chebbi, sandboarding, sunset and sunrise
Not included:
- Lunches
- Dinners in Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Rabat and Chefchaouen
- Drinks
- Entrance fees
- Tips
Route, distances and driving times
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades Gorges | 331 km | about 6 h 30 |
| Day 2 | Dades Gorges – Todra Gorge – Merzouga | 291 km | about 5 h 30 |
| Day 3 | Day in Merzouga (no long drive) | – | – |
| Day 4 | Merzouga – Erfoud – Errachidia – Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes | 467 km | about 8 h 30 |
| Day 5 | Day in Fes (no long drive) | – | – |
| Day 6 | Fes – Chefchaouen | 195 km | about 4 h |
| Day 7 | Day in Chefchaouen (no long drive) | – | – |
| Day 8 | Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Rabat | 345 km | about 5 h 45 |
| Day 9 | Rabat – Casablanca – Marrakech | 328 km | about 4 h |
| Day 10 | Marrakech – Essaouira | 190 km | about 3 h |
| Day 11 | Essaouira – Marrakech | 190 km | about 3 h |
| Day 12 | Day in Marrakech (no long drive) | – | – |
Total distance: about 2,337 km. Driving times are approximate and do not include stops for visits, photos and meals.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive on this 12-day tour?
The whole route is about 2,300 km. The longest stages are day 4, from Merzouga to Fes (about 470 km), and day 9, from Rabat to Marrakech via Casablanca (about 330 km). Days 3, 5, 7 and 12 have little or no long driving.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at your hotel or riad in Marrakech and ends back in Marrakech, at your hotel, riad or Marrakech-Menara airport.
Where do I sleep?
Night 1 in the Dades Gorges, nights 2 and 3 in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes with a private bathroom, nights 4 and 5 in Fes, nights 6 and 7 in Chefchaouen, night 8 in Rabat, nights 9 and 11 in Marrakech and night 10 in Essaouira. Breakfast is included every night; dinner is included in the Dades Gorges and the desert camp.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. You travel only with your own family or friends, in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a local Berber driver. Every itinerary can be adapted: contact us.
Is there a discount for groups?
Yes. The price depends on how many people share the trip, so families, friends and student groups pay less per person. See our Morocco special offer for details.