DAY 1: CASABLANCA → RABAT

On arrival at Mohammed V International Airport, a local guide will meet you for the first stop: the Hassan II Mosque. The drive then continues to Rabat, where you’ll explore the Hassan Tower and the Oudayas Kasbah. Your evening is spent at your accommodation in Rabat. (Late-night arrivals are transferred directly to a Casablanca hotel to rest before the tour begins the next day.)

Approximate driving distance: 128 km
Approximate driving time: 2 hours 10 minutes

DAY 2: RABAT → CHEFCHAOUEN

After breakfast, the scenic drive north — about four hours of rolling hills and villages — brings you to Chefchaouen, tucked into the Rif Mountains. On arrival, you’ll check in to your riad and have time to wander the town’s famous blue-washed lanes, visit the souks, or settle at a café for a slow evening.

Approximate driving distance: 254 km
Approximate driving time: 5 hours

DAY 3: CHEFCHAOUEN → VOLUBILIS → MEKNES → FES

The drive heads south through the Rif countryside to Volubilis — a once-thriving Roman city with remarkable 3rd-century mosaics and public buildings. The route then continues to Meknes, a 17th-century imperial capital, where you’ll explore the medina, the famous Bab el Mansour gate, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail after lunch. The day ends in Fes at a riad in the old medina.

Approximate driving distance: 260 km
Approximate driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes

DAY 4: GUIDED TOUR OF FES

A full day exploring Fes with a local guide. You’ll begin at the Royal Palace gate before entering the UNESCO-listed medina. Along the way you’ll visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Nejjarine Fountain, and the Chouara Tanneries. You’ll also explore the Mellah (Jewish quarter) and end the day with a panoramic view of the medina from an old fortress.

DAY 5: FES → IFRANE → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA DESERT

After breakfast, the drive south to the Sahara begins with a short break in Ifrane. The route crosses the Middle Atlas with a stop in the cedar forest — look out for Barbary macaques — before lunch along the way and a drive through the Ziz Valley with its palm groves.

You’ll reach Erg Chebbi in the afternoon. A camel trek takes you across the dunes for a fiery sunset from a high ridge. On arrival at your luxury camp, a private tent is waiting. Dinner is followed by drumming, Berber music, and a long night under the stars.

Approximate driving distance: 500 km
Approximate driving time: 7 hours 30 minutes

DAY 6: FULL DAY EXPLORING THE MERZOUGA DESERT

An early sunrise from the dunes, then breakfast, then a day of desert exploration. You’ll start in the village of Khamlia to hear traditional Gnawa music, then head off-road to the abandoned village of M’Fis with its historic galena mines. A visit to a nomadic family near the dunes follows — sharing tea and learning about their way of life.

After lunch, you’ll check in to a riad with a pool. In the late afternoon you can try quad biking or buggy driving at sunset, or walk out to the dunes for a quieter experience. Dinner and an overnight stay at the riad follow.

Approximate driving distance: 57 km
Approximate driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes

DAY 7: MERZOUGA DESERT → RISSANI → TODRA GORGE → DADES GORGE

After breakfast, the drive heads to the Dades Gorge. On market days (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday) you can visit the traditional souk in Rissani. The route continues through the Todra Gorge for a walk beneath its towering cliffs, then past the “monkey fingers” rock formations at the entrance to the Dades Valley, with panoramic views along the way before you check in to your hotel.

Approximate driving distance: 310 km
Approximate driving time: 5 hours

DAY 8: DADES GORGE → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → MARRAKECH

The drive heads to Ouarzazate, with an optional visit to the Atlas Studios. From there, the route continues to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, the road climbs back over the High Atlas Mountains with photo stops, before descending into Marrakech in the late afternoon. Check in to a riad in the medina and enjoy dinner either at your riad or at Jemaa el-Fna square.

Approximate driving distance: 353 km
Approximate driving time: 6 hours 30 minutes

DAY 9: GUIDED TOUR OF MARRAKECH

After breakfast, a local guide will show you the city’s highlights: Jemaa el-Fna square, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the Koutoubia Mosque. After lunch, you can visit the modern side of Marrakech and the exquisite Majorelle Garden, or return to your riad to relax.

In the late afternoon, walk to Jemaa el-Fna and enjoy a drink at one of the rooftop restaurants for sunset over the city, with dinner at the square before heading back to your riad.

DAY 10: DEPARTURE

On the final day, you’ll be transferred from your riad to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) or Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), depending on your departure flight. This marks the end of your 10 day Morocco itinerary.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Optional extras include a cooking class, a traditional hammam, a massage, quad biking or buggy driving in the dunes, or a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 will take you to the camp at no extra cost.
– All our luxury camps feature private tents with en-suite bathrooms.