12 Days in Morocco Itinerary: The Grand Loop from Marrakech
A complete 12 days in Morocco itinerary: Marrakech, the kasbahs, a night in the Sahara, Fes and Volubilis, with the long drives split by stops.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 12 days in Morocco itinerary
This 12 days in Morocco itinerary is a full loop from Marrakech with no rushed days. You see the kasbahs, sleep in the Sahara and spend time in Fes.
First, you explore Marrakech and cross the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou. Then you cycle in Skoura and hike in the Dades canyon. After that, you ride camels at sunset to a camp in the dunes. Next, a night in Midelt breaks the road north to Fes. Fes and Volubilis fill two full days. Finally, you drive back to Marrakech, with a balloon on the last morning. In short, our 12 days in Morocco itinerary is private and runs on your dates.
Highlights of this 12 days in Morocco itinerary
- Two days in Marrakech
- Aït Benhaddou at sunset
- Cycling in the Skoura oasis
- Dades canyon hike
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Quad or sandboarding
- Cedar forest & macaques
- Fes medina & Volubilis
12 days in Morocco itinerary: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at the airport and take you to your riad. In the evening, a first walk to the square of Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
Guided Marrakech
The Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, the souks and the craftsmen’s quarters with a local guide, and a free afternoon.
- 3dayDay 3
Over the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass through Berber villages and walk up through the ksar of Aït Benhaddou to the old granary at sunset.
- 4dayDay 4
Skoura oasis & the Dades Valley
Cycle on the paths of the Skoura palm grove, then follow the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
- 5dayDay 5
Dades canyon & Todra Gorge
A morning hike in the Dades canyon, a walk between the walls of the Todra Gorge, then on to Merzouga at the edge of the dunes.
- 6dayDay 6
A day in the Sahara
By 4x4 to a nomad family and the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, then a camel ride at sunset to the desert camp.
- 7dayDay 7
Sunrise, sandboarding & the Ziz Valley
Sunrise from the dunes, a quad ride or sandboarding, then north through the palm groves of the Ziz Valley to Midelt.
- 8dayDay 8
Cedar forest to Fes
A short walk in the cedar forest near Ifrane, home of the Barbary macaques, and arrival in Fes in the afternoon.
- 9dayDay 9
The Fes medina
A full guided day in the oldest medina of Morocco: the Bou Inania madrasa, the tanneries and the workshops of the craftsmen.
- 10dayDay 10
Volubilis & Meknes
Walk among the mosaics of Roman Volubilis and see the great gate of Bab Mansour in Meknes, back to Fes for the night.
- 11dayDay 11
Fes to Marrakech
A long road day south through the Middle Atlas and the plains, with stops for lunch and coffee, arriving in Marrakech in the evening.
- 12dayDay 12
Hot air balloon & departure
For the early risers, a hot air balloon at sunrise over the palm grove; then a last stroll in the souks before your flight.
What’s included in this 12 days in Morocco itinerary
Included
- 11 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 Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- 4x4 excursion in the desert
- 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 3Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 4Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 5Riad in Merzouga
- Night 6Desert camp
- Night 7Guesthouse in Midelt
- Night 8Riad in Fes
- Night 9Riad in Fes
- Night 10Riad in Fes
- Night 11Riad in Marrakech
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
March to May and September to November are best for the desert, the Middle Atlas and Fes. Summer is very hot in the Sahara, and in winter the Middle Atlas can see snow.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Walking shoes for the canyon and the medinas
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- 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
- Snacks for the long drives
- 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.
12 Days in Morocco Itinerary: your questions
Is this 12 days in Morocco itinerary good for a first visit?
Yes. It covers the three things most first-time visitors want – Marrakech, the Sahara and Fes – and splits the long drives with stops and short walks.
How many nights in the desert on this 12 days in Morocco itinerary?
One night in a desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, and one in a riad at the edge of the dunes the night before. A second camp night can replace the stop in Midelt.
Why sleep in Midelt between the Sahara and Fes?
Merzouga to Fes is 7 to 8 hours by road. Stopping in Midelt gives you a calm morning in the desert and a short day through the cedar forest to Fes.
Can the 12 days in Morocco itinerary end in Fes instead?
Yes – if you fly home from Fes, we drop the long drive back to Marrakech and add a day in Chefchaouen or a second day in Fes.
Is the balloon included on the last day?
The balloon is an option for the last morning if your flight is in the afternoon. Tell us your flight time and we plan the day around it.
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 7 – Sunrise, sandboarding & the Ziz ValleyDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 6 – A day in the SaharaDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 6 – A day in the SaharaDetails →
Hot air balloon rideDay 12 – Hot air balloon & departureDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 4 – Skoura oasis & the Dades ValleyDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in MarrakechDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 12-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 · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesFood tour or cooking classSee the activity →
Optional · extraCultural explorationExtra guided visit with a local guideSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Optional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →
Optional · extraFaith & spiritual journeysSpiritual and heritage visitSee the activity →Request this 12-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
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