9-Day Morocco Itinerary

ITINERARY: 9 DAYS IN MOROCCO

DAY 1: CASABLANCA – ARRIVAL AND CITY TOUR

Your 9-day Moroccan adventure begins with your arrival in Casablanca, where our team will give you a warm welcome. We will start with a city tour, admiring the iconic Hassan II Mosque, an architectural masterpiece and one of the largest mosques in the world. Explore the lively streets of Casablanca, soak up the atmosphere and taste the local cuisine. In the evening, settle into your comfortable accommodation.

Driving distance: about 36 km

Driving time: about 1 hour

DAY 2: CASABLANCA – RABAT – CHEFCHAOUEN

On the second day we will head to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Explore its historic sites and architectural wonders, including the magnificent Hassan Tower and the charming Kasbah of the Udayas. We will then continue to Chefchaouen, known as the “Blue City” for its picturesque lanes and blue-washed buildings. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this enchanting town and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals.

Driving distance: about 342 km

Driving time: about 5 hours 21 min

DAY 3: FULL DAY EXPLORING CHEFCHAOUEN

Today you will have a full day to explore Chefchaouen freely, a town famous for its blue-painted streets. You can stroll through the narrow lanes of the old town, visit the lively markets or simply relax in one of the many cafés and restaurants serving delicious Moroccan cuisine. Do not forget your camera to capture the beautiful views that await you!

DAY 4: CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES

After breakfast at your riad, the day begins with a pleasant drive through the fascinating villages of the Rif and the Moroccan countryside, before reaching Volubilis, an ancient Roman city. In Volubilis you will explore the remains of this historic city and its fascinating history, admiring the well-preserved mosaics and the imposing public buildings dating back to the 3rd century.

We will then continue to Meknes, the city that was the capital of Morocco in the 17th century. After a satisfying lunch, we will head into the medina, the ancient fortified centre that is home to the famous Bab el Mansour gate, with its intricate designs and carvings. We will also visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, a sacred site dedicated to the famous Sultan Moulay Ismail. At the end of the day, we will head to Fes, where you will spend the night in a lovely riad.

Driving distance: about 260 km

Driving time: about 4 hours 30 min

DAY 5: GUIDED TOUR OF FES

Today you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing with a friendly local guide, discovering the lively city of Fes, renowned for its fascinating history and culture and an important cultural and religious centre of Morocco.

Begin the tour at the magnificent golden gate of the Royal Palace. Then head into the narrow streets of the old town, the Medina, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. As you explore, you will visit monuments such as the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Nejjarine Fountain and the Chouara Tanneries, with their splendid architecture and intricate details.

Then continue to the Jewish quarter, known as “the Mellah”, to discover the fascinating history of the Jewish community of Fes. Finally, climb up to an ancient fortress to enjoy a panoramic view of the Medina and the whole city of Fes, before returning to your riad.

DAY 6: FES – IFRANE – MIDDLE ATLAS – ZIZ VALLEY – MERZOUGA DESERT

After a tasty breakfast at your riad in Fes, get ready for an extraordinary desert adventure. We will travel south towards the magical Merzouga desert. Along the way we will make a short stop in the lovely town of Ifrane, where you can relax and admire the scenery.

Continuing, we will cross the Middle Atlas mountains with a stop in a cedar forest, where you can watch the Barbary macaques in their natural habitat. We will then stop for a good lunch, before heading to the Ziz Valley, famous for its lush palm groves.

In the afternoon we will reach the desert and the authentic camel ride across the enchanting Erg Chebbi dunes will begin. Along the way we will stop to admire a splendid sunset from the top of a high dune. We will then reach our luxury desert camp. On arrival, you will be shown to your private tent with en-suite bathroom. In the evening a delicious traditional dinner will be served. You will gather around a cosy campfire under the starry sky while the camp staff entertain you with drums and traditional Berber music. You can even learn to play the drums.

Driving distance: about 500 km

Driving time: about 7 hours 30 min

DAY 7: FULL DAY EXPLORING THE MERZOUGA DESERT

Today we recommend an early wake-up to admire the splendid sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After a tasty breakfast, you will decide whether to return to Merzouga by camel or in a 4×4 vehicle.

Your day of adventure in the Merzouga desert begins. The first stop is the town of Khamlia, where you can listen to a unique musical style called Gnawa, played by local inhabitants whose origins are in southern Africa. We will then continue off-road to M’Fis, an abandoned village with mines of galena, a mineral once used to make mascara.

We will then visit a nomadic family living near the Erg Chebbi dunes, far from modern civilisation. You can enjoy a cup of tea in their traditional Berber tents and learn about their unique way of life.

After a tasty lunch, we will head to your lovely riad, where you can relax and take a swim in the pool. In the late afternoon you can choose a quad or buggy adventure to admire the sunset, or a walk to the dunes. Then, a delicious dinner and overnight at your riad.

Driving distance: about 57 km

Driving time: about 1 hour 15 min

DAY 8: MERZOUGA DESERT – RISSANI – TODRA GORGE – DADES GORGE

After a tasty breakfast at your riad, we will head to the splendid Dades Gorge. On the way you will have the chance to explore interesting places such as the traditional market of Rissani (on souk days: Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday). You will enjoy a pleasant walk in the fascinating Todra Gorge, admiring the beautiful views of the Todra river.

Continuing to the Dades Gorge, get ready to be amazed by the extraordinary rock formations that look like monkey fingers. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Dades Valley before reaching your hotel for the night.

Driving distance: about 310 km

Driving time: about 5 hours

DAY 9: DADES GORGE – OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – HIGH ATLAS – MARRAKECH

On the last day of your 9-day itinerary, we will start by heading to Ouarzazate, famous as the “Hollywood of Africa” and known as the “gateway to the desert”. Here you can choose to visit the Atlas Studios, the largest film studio in Morocco, to explore famous sets and discover how films are made.

After visiting the studios, we will continue to Ait Ben Haddou, where you will explore the famous Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in many films such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. Take time to explore this historic site, appreciating its architecture and beautiful decorations.

After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we will cross the High Atlas mountains, stopping to admire the magnificent views. In the late afternoon we will arrive in Marrakech, at the end of your 9-day itinerary in Morocco from Casablanca to Marrakech.

Driving distance: about 353 km

Driving time: about 6 hours 30 min