Overview
The 12 Days Grand Morocco Tour is designed for the traveller with nearly two weeks — enough time to experience Morocco at depth rather than just breadth, without the slight overcrowding of a 14-day itinerary. This north-to-south journey from Tangier to Marrakech hits every major destination — the blue medina of Chefchaouen, the medieval labyrinth of Fes, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the Sahara Desert at Merzouga, the great kasbahs of the south, and the Red City of Marrakech — while leaving enough time at each to feel genuinely settled rather than perpetually passing through.
The twelve-day format reflects the reality of how most European and international travellers plan Morocco: two weeks including travel days. Flying into Tangier and out of Marrakech (or vice versa) gives you twelve full days in the country, and this itinerary fills them perfectly — no wasted driving days, no rushed two-hour city stops, and two full days in both Fes and Marrakech, the cities that most reward extended exploration.
The journey follows Morocco’s great diagonal — from the northwest corner at Tangier, through the Rif Mountains and the imperial cities of the north, down through the Middle Atlas and the desert east, then westward through the southern kasbahs and over the High Atlas to Marrakech. Each day brings a different landscape: blue mountains, Roman plains, desert sand seas, canyon gorges, mountain passes. Morocco’s extraordinary geographic diversity — compressed into a country the size of California — means that twelve days feel like a month of travel.
The Sahara night at Erg Chebbi remains the emotional centrepiece — the camel ride at sunset, the silence of the desert after dinner, the night sky unpolluted by any artificial light. Everything before it builds toward the desert and everything after it carries the memory of it. Travellers consistently describe it as the most remarkable night of their lives.
Highlights
- Begin in Tangier — Kasbah Museum, Café Hafa, Strait of Gibraltar views
- Overnight in Chefchaouen — blue medina at sunrise and golden hour
- Two full days in Fes with licensed medina specialist guide
- Visit Volubilis — Morocco’s finest Roman ruins with in-situ mosaics
- Explore imperial Meknes — Bab Mansour and royal stables
- Cross the Middle Atlas cedar forests to the Sahara Desert
- Sunset camel ride and overnight in a Berber desert camp, Erg Chebbi
- Walk Todra Gorge — 300-metre canyon walls and cold river
- Explore Ait Benhaddou — UNESCO ksar and Hollywood film location
- Visit Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate
- Two full days in Marrakech — medina, palaces, souks, and Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Optional: Essaouira Atlantic coast day trip on Day 11
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Tangier — City Tour
Guided tour of Tangier: the Kasbah Museum, the Petit Socco and Grand Socco markets, the legendary Café Hafa on the cliffside above the Strait of Gibraltar. Evening stroll along the renovated Tangier corniche. Overnight in Tangier.
Day 2: Tangier to Chefchaouen
Drive south through the Rif Mountains (2.5 hours). Arrive early afternoon. First guided walk in the blue medina — best streets, viewpoints, Plaza Uta el-Hammam. Golden hour in the medina. Overnight in a medina riad.
Day 3: Chefchaouen — Full Day
Morning: Spanish Mosque hike for panoramic views. Ras el-Maa waterfall walk. Medina craft souk. Free afternoon for independent exploration. Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Day 4: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis & Meknes
Drive east through the Rif. Stop at Volubilis (90 minutes). Stop in Meknes — Bab Mansour, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, Heri es-Souani stables. Arrive in Fes late afternoon. Overnight in a Fes medina riad.
Day 5: Fes — Full Day Medina Tour
Licensed specialist guide all day: Bou Inania Medersa, Attarine Medersa, Chouara tanneries, potters’ quarter, dyers’ souk, Andalusian quarter. Lunch in a Fassi restaurant. Overnight in Fes.
Day 6: Fes — Second Day
Morning at leisure in the medina — revisit favourites or explore the Mellah Jewish quarter and Borj Nord fortress. Afternoon departure south through the cedar forests. Overnight in Midelt or Ifrane.
Day 7: Middle Atlas to Merzouga
Drive south through the Ziz Valley palm oasis corridor to Merzouga. Arrive at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in the late afternoon. Camel ride at sunset. Overnight in a luxury Berber desert camp — dinner, music, extraordinary night sky.
Day 8: Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Todra Gorge
Sunrise. Breakfast. Drive west through Rissani and into Todra Gorge — 30-minute canyon walk. Dades Valley drive. Arrive Ouarzazate. Overnight.
Day 9: Ouarzazate — Ait Benhaddou & Atlas Studios
Morning at Ait Benhaddou (90 minutes). Atlas Film Studios tour. Afternoon: Taourirt Kasbah. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 10: Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Tizi n’Tichka
Cross the High Atlas. Stops at viewpoints and Berber villages. Arrive Marrakech mid-afternoon. First evening at Jemaa el-Fnaa. Overnight in a Marrakech medina riad.
Day 11: Marrakech — Full Day
Guided tour: Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, El Badi ruins. Medina souks — spice market, dyers’ souk, carpenters’ souk. Majorelle Garden in the afternoon. Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 12: Marrakech — Final Day
Morning at leisure — explore the medina independently, hammam, or a cooking class. Afternoon transfer to Marrakech airport or onward to your next destination. Alternatively, an early start for the Essaouira Atlantic coast day trip (3 hours each way, returning to Marrakech by evening) can be added to this day.
What’s Included
- Private transport throughout
- Expert English-speaking licensed guide
- Licensed specialist guide for Fes medina (2 days)
- Camel ride at sunset in Erg Chebbi
- Luxury overnight in Berber desert camp (dinner and breakfast)
- 10 nights in riads or guesthouses (breakfast daily)
- Entrance fees: Volubilis, Bou Inania Medersa, Ait Benhaddou, Atlas Film Studios, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden
What’s Not Included
- International flights to and from Morocco
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal lunches and most dinners
- Tips for guides and driver
- Optional activities and excursions
- Visa fees where applicable
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Travel Tips
This tour works best starting on a Saturday or Sunday to ensure the Fes medina full-day tours fall on weekdays when the city’s craftsmen are at work. Day 6 (Fes to Merzouga overnight stop) involves the longest driving day — an early departure from Fes makes it comfortable. Book 3–4 weeks in advance for the best riad availability in Chefchaouen and Fes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the 12-day tour differ from the 14-day? A: The 12-day focuses on the main Morocco circuit without the Essaouira coastal detour included in the 14-day tour. It moves at a slightly faster pace but still includes two days each in Fes and Marrakech and a full desert day. For most travellers with two weeks, the 12-day is the better fit.
Q: Can we start in Marrakech and end in Tangier? A: Yes — the tour runs equally well in reverse. Many travellers fly into Marrakech and out of Tangier.
Q: What is the pace like? A: Relaxed but engaged. Every day has a clear destination or activity, but none feels rushed. The longest driving day is approximately 6 hours (Day 7, with stops). All other days are 3–5 hours of driving maximum.