If you have ten days, this 10 day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca balances cities, mountains and desert, with two rest days built in. Ten days lets you stop rushing. This private 10 day Morocco itinerary starts in Casablanca and ends in Marrakech, and it gives time to the places that people usually say they wanted more of: a full free day in Chefchaouen and two nights in the Sahara, with a whole day in the dunes between them. You also get a guided day in Fes, Roman Volubilis, the imperial city of Meknes, Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Aït Ben Haddou.
On Day 4 you walk through the Roman town of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its mosaics.
The trip is run by a team from Merzouga, so the desert part is planned by people who grew up there.
10 day Morocco itinerary summary
| Duration | 10 days / 9 nights |
| Start | Casablanca — airport (CMN) or hotel |
| Finish | Marrakech — hotel or airport (RAK) |
| Style | Private: your own vehicle and English-speaking driver |
| Transport | Air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus |
| Overnights | Rabat 1 · Chefchaouen 2 · Fes 2 · Erg Chebbi 2 · Dades 1 · Marrakech 1 |
| Meals | Breakfast daily; dinners on tour nights [CONFIRM which city dinners are included]; lunches not included |
| Guided | Fes medina with a licensed local guide [CONFIRM included] |
| Rest days | Day 3 (Chefchaouen) and Day 7 (Sahara) — no long drives |
| Price | €1,360 per person for 2 travellers (€2,720 in total) — less per person in larger groups |
What ten days gives you that a week does not
On a 7-day trip, the desert is a single evening and morning. You arrive tired after the drive from Fes, ride to camp, sleep and leave after sunrise. On this itinerary you wake up in the dunes with nothing to do but be there. You can walk the ridges at sunrise, rest in the heat of the day, and choose an activity in the afternoon.
The same applies in the north. Instead of passing through Chefchaouen, you sleep there two nights. You have a day to wander, hike or simply sit on a terrace.
You also spend the first night in Rabat instead of driving straight to the mountains. That makes Day 1 short — useful after a long-haul flight.
The route in three parts
Part 1 — The north and the imperial cities (Days 1–5)
Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes. Mostly short to medium drives, lots of walking.
Part 2 — The Sahara (Days 6–7)
The long crossing from Fes, then a full day at Erg Chebbi.
Part 3 — The south and Marrakech (Days 8–10)
Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, the kasbah road, Aït Ben Haddou and the High Atlas.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca → Rabat
Approx. driving: about 1 hour.
Your driver meets you at Casablanca airport or your hotel. With a short drive ahead, there is time for the Hassan II Mosque if guided visits are running at a suitable time [CONFIRM visit times, days and ticket]. Then drive up the coast to Rabat.
In Rabat, take an easy first afternoon: the Kasbah of the Udayas and its Andalusian garden, the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum [CONFIRM — with driver or optional guide]. Rabat is calm compared with other Moroccan cities, which makes it a gentle start.
- Overnight: Riad or hotel in Rabat [CONFIRM name(s)]
- Meals: [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 2: Rabat → Chefchaouen
Approx. driving: 3.5–4 hours.
Leave Rabat after breakfast and drive north through farmland into the Rif mountains. Arrive in Chefchaouen around midday or early afternoon. Settle in and take your first walk through the blue medina, ending at Outa el-Hammam square.
- Lunch: on the way or on arrival (not included)
- Overnight: Riad or guesthouse in Chefchaouen [CONFIRM]
- Meals: Breakfast [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 3: Chefchaouen free day (optional Akchour)
Driving: none, unless you choose Akchour.
This day is yours. Some ideas:
- Walk up to the Spanish Mosque for the view over town — about 30 minutes uphill from the medina.
- Visit the kasbah museum and garden in the main square [CONFIRM opening].
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Optional: a trip to Akchour in Talassemtane National Park, about an hour’s drive away, for a river walk to waterfalls and the natural rock arch known as God’s Bridge. The walk is on uneven paths and can take most of the day [CONFIRM whether driver transfer is included or extra, and price]. Wear proper shoes; the river can be high after rain.
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Overnight: Same accommodation in Chefchaouen
- Meals: Breakfast [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 4: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes
Approx. driving: about 4–5 hours in total.
Drive south out of the Rif to Volubilis — visit. Walk the Roman town with its triumphal arch and floor mosaics (UNESCO, 1997). Entry and guide: [CONFIRM included or extra].
Continue to Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, for a short visit: the Bab Mansour gate, El Hedim square and, if open, the granaries or the tomb of Moulay Ismail [CONFIRM what is open and included]. It is a stop of an hour or two, not a full city tour. Then drive about an hour to Fes.
- Lunch: Meknes or near Volubilis (not included)
- Overnight: Riad in Fes [CONFIRM]
- Meals: Breakfast [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 5: Fes guided day
A licensed local guide [CONFIRM included] leads you into Fes el-Bali, the old medina listed by UNESCO in 1981. Expect narrow lanes, the Chouara tannery from a terrace, the outside of Al-Qarawiyyin, a madrasa or two, and artisans’ workshops. Your guide chooses a route that suits your interests — food, crafts, architecture or history. You may be shown into shops; buying is always your choice.
In the afternoon you can rest at your riad or ask your driver for a viewpoint over the city [CONFIRM].
- Overnight: Same riad in Fes
- Meals: Breakfast [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 6: Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Merzouga (camel ride, first desert night)
Approx. driving: around 460 km, 7.5–8.5 hours before stops.
The trip’s one very long driving day. Climb through Ifrane and the Middle Atlas cedar forest (Barbary macaques often appear — an endangered species, so please don’t feed them), lunch in Midelt, then follow the Ziz Valley south.
In Merzouga, your main bags stay in the vehicle or are taken to camp for you [CONFIRM luggage arrangement for 2-night stays]. Ride a camel into Erg Chebbi, about [CONFIRM camel ride duration], or go by 4×4 if you prefer. Dinner and campfire with drums at Mouhou Luxury Camp, where each party has a private tent with its own shower and toilet.
- Overnight: Mouhou Luxury Camp
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7: A full day in the Sahara (second desert night)
Driving: only for optional excursions.
Watch the sunrise without needing to pack up. After breakfast, choose how to spend the day. Options often include [CONFIRM which are operated and which are included vs extra]:
- A 4×4 loop around Erg Chebbi: Khamlia village and its Gnawa musicians, the seasonal lake (when there is water), a nomad family visit and old mining sites
- The market town of Rissani (busiest on souk days — traditionally Sun/Tue/Thu, verify)
- Sandboarding on the dunes near camp
- Quad biking or buggy rides (extra cost)
- Rest in the shade through the hot middle of the day
See our desert activities in Merzouga for details. Return to camp for sunset and a second dinner under the stars. If you prefer, you can spend this night at a hotel in Merzouga instead — such as Kasbah Le Berger or Riad Madu, or similar [CONFIRM].
- Overnight: Mouhou Luxury Camp (or Merzouga hotel on request)
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 8: Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Approx. driving: around 280 km, about 5 hours before stops.
Leave the dunes after breakfast and drive west through oasis villages to Tinghir. Visit Todra Gorge, where the river runs between walls about 300 m high. After lunch, continue to the Dades Valley. If there is light, drive up to the Tissadrine hairpins and the “Monkey Fingers” rock formations [CONFIRM — optional].
- Overnight: Dades Valley — such as Riad Gabsi or Ksar Sultan, or similar [CONFIRM]
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 9: Dades → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech
Approx. driving: around 320–350 km, 6–7 hours before stops.
Pass through Kalaat M’Gouna, known for its May rose festival, and stop to photograph the Skoura oasis and Kasbah Amridil. Pass through Ouarzazate (Atlas Studios and Taourirt Kasbah are seen from the road unless you ask for a stop [CONFIRM]). Visit Aït Ben Haddou, then cross the High Atlas over Tizi n’Tichka (approx. 2,260 m) into Marrakech.
- Lunch: near Aït Ben Haddou (not included)
- Overnight: Marrakech riad or hotel [CONFIRM]
- Meals: Breakfast [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 10: Marrakech and departure
Free morning to explore — the souks, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia gardens. An optional guided walk with a licensed Marrakech guide can be arranged [CONFIRM price]. Transfer to Marrakech airport, or back to Casablanca if you are flying from there [CONFIRM price; roughly 3 hours’ drive — estimate].
- Meals: Breakfast
Visited, passed and optional — at a glance
| Type | Places |
|---|---|
| Overnight + time to explore | Rabat, Chefchaouen (2 nights), Fes (2), Erg Chebbi (2), Dades, Marrakech |
| Visit on the way | Hassan II Mosque (if timing allows), Volubilis, Meknes (short), Todra Gorge, Aït Ben Haddou |
| Photo stop | Ifrane, cedar forest, Ziz Valley, Skoura, Tizi n’Tichka |
| Pass through | Midelt (lunch), Rissani, Tinghir, Kalaat M’Gouna, Ouarzazate |
| Optional / extra | Akchour, desert excursions, quad biking, Marrakech guide |
[INSERT ROUTE MAP — Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen → Meknes → Fes → Merzouga → Dades → Marrakech]
Your accommodation
| Nights | Where | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rabat | Riad/hotel [CONFIRM] |
| 2–3 | Chefchaouen | Riad/guesthouse [CONFIRM] |
| 4–5 | Fes | Riad [CONFIRM] |
| 6–7 | Erg Chebbi | Mouhou Luxury Camp, private en-suite tent (or one night at a Merzouga hotel on request) |
| 8 | Dades Valley | Such as Riad Gabsi or Ksar Sultan, or similar [CONFIRM] |
| 9 | Marrakech | Riad/hotel [CONFIRM] |
Three two-night stays mean less packing. Curious about the tents? See what your night at our desert camp looks like.
Price and how it is calculated
Your quote depends on:
- How many travel together — you pay for one private vehicle and driver for ten days; sharing it between more people lowers the per-person price.
- Accommodation standard — standard riads or upgraded rooms; camp both nights or one camp night plus a Merzouga hotel [CONFIRM].
- Which extras you want — Akchour transfer, desert excursions, Marrakech guide.
- Travel dates — peak months and holidays cost more [CONFIRM].
| Travellers | Per person — standard | Per person — upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | €1,360 | On request |
| 3–4 | €860–€1,027 | On request |
| 5–6 | €694–€760 | On request |
| 7+ | On request | On request |
| Solo | €2,360 | On request |
Children: [CONFIRM]. Deposit and payment: [CONFIRM]. Cancellation: CONFIRM — see booking terms.
Included
- Pick-up in Casablanca; drop-off in Marrakech (hotel or airport)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, fuel, road taxes and English-speaking driver throughout
- 9 nights’ accommodation, including 2 nights at our desert camp in a private tent with shower and toilet
- Breakfast daily; dinners on desert and Dades nights [CONFIRM other dinners]
- Licensed local guide in Fes [CONFIRM]
- Camel ride in and out of Erg Chebbi (or 4×4), campfire with Berber drums
- [CONFIRM whether a Day 7 desert excursion is included]
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees and optional guides [CONFIRM]
- Akchour transfer, quad biking and other optional activities [CONFIRM]
- Tips, flights, travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Who this 10 day Morocco itinerary suits
Good fit: – First-time visitors who want to see the main regions without feeling rushed – Couples and families who like to unpack for two nights at a time – Anyone for whom the Sahara is the main reason for the trip
Think again if: – You only have a week — the 7-day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca covers the same regions with one desert night – You want the Atlantic coast as well — the 2-week Morocco itinerary from Casablanca adds Essaouira and a night in Ouarzazate – You dislike any long drive — Day 6 cannot be shortened on this route
Practical tips
- Two-night desert bag: pack for two nights — a change of clothes, warm layer, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a scarf for wind and sand.
- Hiking at Akchour: bring shoes you can get wet, and water.
- Weather: Chefchaouen and the Middle Atlas are cool and can be wet in winter; the desert is very hot in summer, and nights from December to February can be near freezing. Spring and autumn are ideal.
- Money: carry dirhams. You will find ATMs in Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Meknes, Tinghir and Marrakech, but fewer in between.
- Diet: vegetarian and vegan meals on request.
- Insurance: we recommend travel insurance for the whole trip.
Frequently asked questions
What do we actually do on the extra day in the desert?
As much or as little as you like. Most guests do a morning or afternoon excursion — a 4×4 loop with Khamlia’s musicians and a nomad family, or Rissani market — and rest at camp during the hottest hours. Sandboarding near camp is easy to arrange. We will tell you which options are included in your quote [CONFIRM].
Is the Akchour waterfall hike included?
It is optional [CONFIRM price and whether the driver transfer is included]. The trail follows a river on uneven paths, so it suits travellers who are comfortable walking for several hours. If you prefer a quiet day, stay in Chefchaouen.
Why spend the first night in Rabat instead of driving straight to Chefchaouen?
Because most guests arrive after a long flight. A one-hour drive on Day 1 lets you rest and still see something. It also leaves time for the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which is hard to fit in when the first day is five hours on the road.
Can we sleep one desert night in a hotel instead of the camp?
Yes. Some guests like the camp for the first night and a hotel near the dunes, such as Kasbah Le Berger or Riad Madu, for the second [CONFIRM availability and price difference]. Both camp nights are in private tents with en-suite bathrooms, so there is no need to switch for comfort reasons.
How much time do we get in Meknes?
About one to two hours [CONFIRM]. It is a short visit to the main gate and square, not a full guided tour. If Meknes is important to you, we can add a night there.
Is the desert camp cold in winter?
It can be. From December to February desert nights can drop close to freezing. Tents have thick blankets [CONFIRM heating/electricity details], and we recommend a warm layer and hat for the evening campfire.
Can we start this tour in Marrakech and finish in Casablanca?
Yes, the route works in reverse. Ask for a quote with your flight details.
Related itineraries
- Morocco tours from Casablanca — compare all lengths
- 7-day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca — the compact version
- 2-week Morocco itinerary from Casablanca — adds Essaouira and Ouarzazate
- Private Morocco tours — all multi-day routes and custom trips
Quick answers about this 10 day Morocco itinerary
Is a 10 day Morocco itinerary enough for a first visit?
Yes. It covers the north, the imperial cities, the Sahara and Marrakech.
When is the best time for a 10 day Morocco itinerary?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable.
Can we add Essaouira to the 10 day Morocco itinerary?
Yes, with an extra night [CONFIRM], or see the 2-week version.
Does the 10 day Morocco itinerary suit children?
Yes. The two rest days help; tell us their ages for car seats [CONFIRM].
Can older travellers enjoy this 10 day Morocco itinerary?
Usually. A 4×4 can replace the camel ride.
Can a solo traveller book the 10 day Morocco itinerary?
Yes, at a private solo price of €2,360.
How far ahead should we book a 10 day Morocco itinerary?
For spring and autumn, a few months ahead is wise [CONFIRM].
Does the 10 day Morocco itinerary run during Ramadan?
Yes; some cafés change their hours.
Can we shorten a stop on the 10 day Morocco itinerary?
Yes. Tell us which places matter most.
What luggage works best for a 10 day Morocco itinerary?
One suitcase each, plus a small desert bag.
Do we need cash on the 10 day Morocco itinerary?
Yes, dirhams for lunches, tips and small shops.
Is the 10 day Morocco itinerary good for a honeymoon?
Many couples choose it for the unhurried pace.
Can we add a cooking class to the 10 day Morocco itinerary?
Ask us; we can suggest options [CONFIRM].
Is there Wi-Fi along the 10 day Morocco itinerary?
In most riads, yes; less at camp [CONFIRM].
Ask for your 10-day quote
Tell us your dates, flights and group size. We will send a written plan and a fixed quote before you commit.
- WhatsApp / phone: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time)
- Contact form: our online enquiry form — Check availability & get a quote [CONFIRM button links to the /contact/ form]
- Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
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