This complete guide to Morocco 10 day itinerary covers everything you need to know: The complete Morocco 10-day route — every major highlight without rushing. The itinerary that shows the full country.
Ten days is the sweet spot for Morocco — enough time to cover the four imperial cities, the Marrakech to Sahara desert tour, the Atlantic coast, and the blue mountain town of Chefchaouen without feeling rushed. This is the route our guides consider the optimal Morocco experience for most travellers.
The 10-Day Route at a Glance
Marrakech (2N) → Ait Ben Haddou → Dadès (1N) → Todra → Merzouga Sahara (2N) → Fes (2N) → Chefchaouen (1N) → Essaouira travel guide (1N) → Marrakech depart
Days 1–2: Marrakech
Arrive and spend two full days in the Red City. Day 1: medina exploration — Jemaa el-Fna, souks, Medersa Ben Youssef, hammam. Day 2: Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, Majorelle Garden, and dinner at a rooftop restaurant in Gueliz. For a detailed breakdown, see our Marrakech 3-day itinerary.
Day 3: Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Dadès Gorge
Early departure over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260m). Stop at the Atlas viewpoints — the descent into the south is one of Morocco’s great drives. Ait Ben Haddou for 90 minutes — walk the kasbah, cross the riverbed on foot. Continue through the Valley of Roses to the Dadès Gorge for the night.
Day 4: Dadès → Todra Gorge guide → Merzouga
Walk the Dadès Gorge floor at dawn (30 min, exceptional canyon scenery). Drive to Todra Gorge — the 300m rock walls at their most dramatic in morning light. Continue through the pre-Saharan steppe to Merzouga. Afternoon free time before the camel trekking guide.
Days 5–6: Merzouga — Two Nights in the Sahara
Two desert nights is the correct amount — one sunset, one full dune day, one sunrise. Day 5 evening: camel trek to best desert camps in Merzouga, dinner under the stars. Day 6: sunrise walk, morning at the dunes (quad bike or 4×4 option), afternoon rest at the camp or visit the Merzouga village and the Khamlia gnawa musicians. Second sunset from the dunes, second night in the camp. Morning of Day 6: early departure north.
Day 7: Merzouga → Midelt → Fes
The Fes road via Midelt passes the Ziz Valley — a 200km palm-canyon of extraordinary beauty. Stop at the valley viewpoint (before the Tunnel du Légionnaire) for the most dramatic panorama in Morocco. Drive through the Middle Atlas cedar forest with wild Barbary macaques at Azrou. Arrive Fes by evening.
Days 8–9: Fes — Two Days in the Medieval Capital
Fes deserves two days. Day 8: Fes el-Bali with a licensed guide — tanneries, madersa, Andalusian Quarter, Nejjarine Fountain. Lunch in a medina riad. Day 9: deeper Fes — the Mellah (Jewish quarter), the Borj Nord fortress with panoramic views, and the Kairaouine Mosque exterior. Evening: dinner at Restaurant Nur (the best fine dining in Fes). Full guide: Fes medina tour guide.
Day 10: Fes → Chefchaouen (Optional Extension)
Three hours from Fes, Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains is unmissable if time allows. The blue-painted medina, the Spanish mosque viewpoint at sunrise, and the hiking trails above the town are all exceptional. Spend the night, return to Marrakech or fly from Fes. Full guide: Chefchaouen travel guide.
Optional: Add Essaouira (Days 11–12)
For 12 days: fly or drive Fes to Marrakech, then continue to Essaouira on the Atlantic — Morocco’s wind-swept white medina, fresh seafood grilled on the port, and the best sunsets in the country. Two nights here before returning to Marrakech to depart.
14-Day Morocco Itinerary
Add all of the above plus:
- A third night in Marrakech with an Atlas Mountains day trip
- Two nights in Essaouira
- An extra Sahara night with sunrise quad biking
- A night in Rabat (the underrated imperial capital)
14 days covers Morocco comprehensively at a relaxed pace — the ideal first-time itinerary if budget allows.
Frequently Asked Questions: Morocco 10 Day Itinerary
Can I do Morocco in 10 days without a tour?
Yes — trains connect Marrakech, Fes, and Rabat efficiently. But for the Sahara section (Days 3–7), a private 4×4 is the only practical option. The road scenery, flexibility, and access to desert camps make the self-drive impractical. Most travellers combine: train/flight for city sections, private tour for the south.
How do I get from Fes to Essaouira?
Fly (1 hour, Ryanair from Fes to Agadir, then 2.5 hours drive to Essaouira) or drive/bus via Casablanca (7–8 hours). Most private tours loop Marrakech→Sahara→Fes, then either fly back to Marrakech or include Essaouira as a coastal finale. Contact Desert Tripper for a custom routing quote.
Further Reading & Official Resources
Further Reading & Official Resources
Plan Your Morocco Trip with Desert Tripper
Desert Tripper is a Marrakech-based tour operator specialising in private Sahara desert tours, city breaks, and custom Morocco itineraries. Our team of licensed local guides has been leading travellers through Morocco’s most extraordinary landscapes for over a decade.
We offer:
- Private 3-day Sahara tours from Marrakech or Fes — fully customised for your group
- Luxury desert camps in Merzouga — private tents, en-suite bathrooms, candlelit dinners in the dunes
- Custom Morocco itineraries — 7, 10, or 14 days, built around your interests and budget
Get a free custom quote — we respond within 12 hours with a tailored itinerary for your dates and group size.
