11 Days in Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech to Fes & Chefchaouen
The best of Morocco in one direction: from Marrakech over the High Atlas to the Sahara, north to Fes and up into the Rif to the blue city of Chefchaouen, with a hike or a ride on most days.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 11 days in Morocco itinerary
This 11 days in Morocco itinerary is our classic first trip, with room to breathe. You travel one way from Marrakech to Fes and end in the blue city of Chefchaouen.
First, you cycle in the Marrakech palm grove and explore the medina with a guide. Then you cross the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou and the Dades Valley. After that, you ride camels at sunset to a desert camp in Merzouga. Next, a buggy ride and sandboarding come before the road north to Fes. Finally, you spend two nights in Chefchaouen and hike to the Akchour waterfalls. In short, our 11 days in Morocco itinerary is a private trip on your dates.
Highlights of this 11 days in Morocco itinerary
- Cycling in the Marrakech palm grove
- Aït Benhaddou
- Dades canyon walk
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Buggy & sandboarding
- Guided Fes medina
- Roman Volubilis
- Two nights in Chefchaouen
- Akchour waterfalls hike
11 days in Morocco itinerary: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at the airport, and in the evening you walk into Jemaa el-Fna as the food stalls open.
- 2dayDay 2
Palm grove by bike & the medina
A morning bike ride through the palm grove, then a guided afternoon in the souks, the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia.
- 3dayDay 3
High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass and its Berber villages to the ksar of Aït Benhaddou, best at sunset.
- 4dayDay 4
Skoura & the Dades Valley
The palm oasis of Skoura and the Valley of Roses, then a short walk in the Dades at the end of the day.
- 5dayDay 5
Dades canyon, Todra & camels
A morning walk in the Dades canyon, the Todra Gorge, then Merzouga and a camel ride at sunset to the camp.
- 6dayDay 6
A day in the dunes
Sunrise, a buggy ride and sandboarding, a nomad family and Gnawa music in Khamlia.
- 7dayDay 7
North to Fes
The Ziz palm groves, Midelt and the cedar forest of Ifrane, arriving in Fes in the evening.
- 8dayDay 8
The Fes medina
A guided day in the oldest medina of Morocco: madrasas, tanneries, souks and craftsmen.
- 9dayDay 9
Volubilis & up to Chefchaouen
The Roman ruins of Volubilis, then the drive into the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen.
- 10dayDay 10
Akchour waterfalls hike
A day in the Talassemtane park, walking along the river to the waterfalls and God’s Bridge.
- 11dayDay 11
Chefchaouen & departure
An early walk to the Spanish Mosque above the blue city, then the drive to Fes airport, or to Tangier if you prefer.
What’s included in this 11 days in Morocco itinerary
Included
- 10 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes (hotel, riad, airport or port)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- Local guide for the guided visits
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Riad in Marrakech
- Night 2Riad in Marrakech
- Night 3Riad near Aït Benhaddou
- Night 4Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 5Desert camp
- Night 6Riad in Merzouga
- Night 7Riad in Fes
- Night 8Riad in Fes
- Night 9Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 10Riad in Chefchaouen
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
Spring and autumn are best for the desert, Fes and the Rif. Summer is very hot in the Sahara, and winter brings cold camp nights and rain in Chefchaouen.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Walking shoes for the gorges and Akchour
- Comfortable clothes for cycling
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Warm layer for the desert night and the Middle Atlas
- Headtorch for the camp
- Small overnight bag for the camp
- Swimsuit for the river pools
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- Refillable water bottle
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
11 Days in Morocco Itinerary: your questions
Why does this 11 days in Morocco itinerary end in Fes?
Going one way from Marrakech to the north means you never drive the same road twice. Fes has an airport, and Tangier is only two to two and a half hours from Chefchaouen if your flight leaves from there.
How many nights in the desert on this 11 days in Morocco itinerary?
One night in a desert camp, reached by camel at sunset, and one night in a riad in Merzouga at the edge of the dunes.
Which day is the longest drive?
Merzouga to Fes (Day 7) takes about 8 to 9 hours with stops in the Ziz Valley, Midelt and Ifrane. The other days are shorter, with walks and visits on the way.
Is the Akchour hike difficult?
It is an easy to moderate walk along a river, with some rocky parts. You can stop at the first waterfalls or go on to God’s Bridge.
Can we run the route the other way?
Yes. Starting in Fes or Tangier and ending in Marrakech works just as well – it is a private tour, so we follow your flights.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Quad & buggy ridesDay 6 – A day in the dunesDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 5 – Dades canyon, Todra & camelsDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 6 – A day in the dunesDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 2 – Palm grove by bike & the medinaDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in MarrakechDetails →
Authentic culinary experiencesDay 1 – Arrival in MarrakechDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 11-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →
Optional · extraCultural explorationExtra guided visit with a local guideSee the activity →
Optional · extraFaith & spiritual journeysSpiritual and heritage visitSee the activity →
Optional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Optional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →Request this 11-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
More ideas for 11 days in morocco
11 Day Morocco Tour from Tangier to MarrakechPrivate tour · Tangier to Marrakech · North, desert & mountainsFrom the ferry to the High Atlas: Asilah by the sea, two nights in Chefchaouen, Volubilis and Fes, a night in a camp in the Sahara, the Todra and Dades gorges, and a night in a Berber village before Marrakech.
11 Day Morocco Itinerary from Casablanca: Round TripPrivate tour · Round trip from Casablanca · Cities, desert & hikingA full round trip from Casablanca airport: Rabat, two nights in Chefchaouen with a waterfall hike, Volubilis and Fes, camels and a camp in the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs, and Marrakech before the drive back.
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