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13 days Morocco itinerary: 13 Days Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech to Tangier via the Sahara
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13 Days Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech to Tangier via the Sahara

A 13 days Morocco itinerary from Marrakech to Tangier: kasbahs, a night in the Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen and the Akchour hike, all one way.

See the day-by-day route
13 days / 12 nightsStarts in MarrakechEnds in TangierPrivate tour
Marrakech→Aït Benhaddou→Skoura→Dades Valley→Todra Gorge→Merzouga→Midelt→Ifrane→Fes→Volubilis→Chefchaouen→Akchour→Tetouan→Tangier

About this 13 days Morocco itinerary

This 13 days Morocco itinerary crosses the country in one direction, from Marrakech to Tangier. You never drive the same road twice.

First, you explore Marrakech and cross the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou. Then you cycle in Skoura and walk in the Dades and Todra gorges. After that, you ride camels at sunset to a camp in the dunes. Next, a night in Midelt breaks the road to Fes. Fes, Volubilis and Chefchaouen follow, with a hike to the Akchour waterfalls. Finally, Tetouan and Tangier end the trip by the sea. In short, our 13 days Morocco itinerary is private and runs on your dates.

Highlights of this 13 days Morocco itinerary

  • Guided Marrakech
  • Aït Benhaddou at sunset
  • Cycling in Skoura
  • Dades & Todra walks
  • Camel ride & desert camp
  • Guided Fes medina
  • Akchour waterfalls hike
  • Tangier & Cap Spartel

13 days Morocco itinerary: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Arrival in Marrakech

    We meet you at the airport and take you to your riad; evening on Jemaa el-Fna.

    On the road: about 30 minStay: Riad in Marrakech
  2. 2day
    Day 2

    Guided Marrakech

    The Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, the souks and the Majorelle Garden with a local guide.

    Stay: Riad in Marrakech
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Over the Atlas to Aït Benhaddou

    Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass and climb through the ksar of Aït Benhaddou at sunset.

    On the road: about 4–5 h with stopsStay: Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Skoura oasis & the Dades

    Bikes in the palm grove of Skoura, then the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.

    On the road: about 3–4 h with stopsStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  5. 5day
    Day 5

    Dades canyon & Todra Gorge to Merzouga

    A morning walk in the Dades canyon, then the Todra Gorge and the road east to the dunes.

    On the road: about 5–6 h with stopsStay: Riad in Merzouga
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    Into the Sahara

    A 4x4 tour to a nomad family and the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, then camels at sunset to the desert camp.

    Stay: Desert camp
  7. 7day
    Day 7

    Sunrise, sandboarding & Midelt

    Sunrise from the dunes and sandboarding, then north through the Ziz Valley to Midelt.

    On the road: about 4–5 h with stopsStay: Guesthouse in Midelt
  8. 8day
    Day 8

    Cedar forest to Fes

    A walk among the cedars near Ifrane, where Barbary macaques live, and arrival in Fes.

    On the road: about 3–4 h with stopsStay: Riad in Fes
  9. 9day
    Day 9

    The Fes medina

    A full guided day among the madrasas, tanneries and workshops of the oldest medina in Morocco.

    Stay: Riad in Fes
  10. 10day
    Day 10

    Volubilis to Chefchaouen

    The mosaics of Roman Volubilis, then up into the Rif mountains to the blue city.

    On the road: about 4–5 h with the visitStay: Riad in Chefchaouen
  11. 11day
    Day 11

    Akchour waterfalls hike

    A day on foot along the river in the Talassemtane park to the waterfalls and God’s Bridge.

    On the road: about 45 min each wayStay: Riad in Chefchaouen
  12. 12day
    Day 12

    Tetouan & Tangier

    The white medina of Tetouan, then Tangier, Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules above the ocean.

    On the road: about 2.5–3 h with stopsStay: Riad in Tangier
  13. 13day
    Day 13

    Tangier medina & departure

    A morning walk in the kasbah and the medina of Tangier before your flight or ferry.

    On the road: about 30 min

What’s included in this 13 days Morocco itinerary

Included

  • 12 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 Tangier (hotel, riad, airport or port)
  • 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

  1. Night 1Riad in Marrakech
  2. Night 2Riad in Marrakech
  3. Night 3Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
  4. Night 4Riad in Dades Valley
  5. Night 5Riad in Merzouga
  6. Night 6Desert camp
  7. Night 7Guesthouse in Midelt
  8. Night 8Riad in Fes
  9. Night 9Riad in Fes
  10. Night 10Riad in Chefchaouen
  11. Night 11Riad in Chefchaouen
  12. Night 12Riad in Tangier

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 a route from the Sahara to the Rif. Summer is very hot in the desert, and winter brings cold camp nights and rain in the north.

  • 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
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees
  • Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
  • Warm layer for the desert night and the Middle Atlas
  • Light rain jacket for the Rif
  • Headtorch for the camp
  • Small overnight bag for the camp
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • 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.

13 Days Morocco Itinerary: your questions

Why does this 13 days Morocco itinerary end in Tangier?

Going one way from south to north means you never drive the same road twice. Tangier has an airport and ferries to Spain, so it is an easy place to leave from.

How many nights in the desert on the 13 days Morocco itinerary?

One night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi, plus a night in a riad at the edge of the dunes. We can add a second camp night if you skip Midelt.

Can the 13 days Morocco itinerary run from Tangier to Marrakech?

Yes – the route works just as well the other way round, for example if you arrive from Spain by ferry.

Is the Akchour hike hard?

It is an easy to moderate walk along the river. You can stop at the first waterfalls or continue to God’s Bridge.

How long are the drives?

Most days have 3 to 5 hours on the road with stops. The longest is Dades to Merzouga via the Todra Gorge.

Local team in MoroccoYour trip is planned and run by our own team on the ground.
Private, on your datesOnly you and your travel companions, starting when you want.
Every day can changeAdd a night, an activity or a slower pace – the plan adapts to you.
Answers on WhatsAppAsk us anything before you book: +212 600 643 098.

What our travellers say

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Moroccan Active Adventures on Tripadvisor
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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…
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Activities on this trip

Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.

Camel & horseback treksCamel & horseback treksDay 6 – Into the SaharaDetails →Desert camping & stargazingDesert camping & stargazingDay 6 – Into the SaharaDetails →Cycling & mountain bikingCycling & mountain bikingDay 4 – Skoura oasis & the DadesDetails →Hiking & trekking adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresDay 5 – Dades canyon & Todra Gorge to MerzougaDetails →4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 & off-road safarisDay 6 – Into the SaharaDetails →A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in FesCultural explorationDay 2 – Guided MarrakechDetails →

Optional activities

Add one or more of these to your 13-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.

Quad & buggy ridesOptional · extraQuad & buggy ridesQuad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunesSee the activity →Authentic culinary experiencesOptional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesFood tour or cooking classSee the activity →Faith & spiritual journeysOptional · extraFaith & spiritual journeysSpiritual and heritage visitSee the activity →Hot air balloon rideOptional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →Wellness and relaxationOptional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Atlas zipline adventureOptional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →
Quick request

Request this 13-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 13 days in morocco

13 days in Morocco: From Spain and Back: The Tangier LoopMorocco Itinerary 13 Days from Spain: A Loop from TangierPrivate tour · Round trip from Tangier · North, cities & desertTake the ferry from Spain and come back the same way: Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs, Marrakech and a day in the Atlas, then Rabat and Asilah on the way back to the port. 13 days in Morocco: Bab Bou Jeloud gate and the old medina of Fes13 Days from Casablanca: Imperial Cities, Sahara & OualidiaPrivate tour · Round trip from Casablanca · Cities, desert & coastA complete loop that starts and ends in Casablanca: Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes and Fes, the Sahara and the gorges, Marrakech, and a final night by the lagoon of Oualidia with a kayak on calm water. 13 days in Morocco: Active Morocco: Toubkal, Gorges & Dunes13 Day Morocco Tour: Toubkal Summit, Gorges & SaharaPrivate tour · Round trip from Marrakech · Very activeFor fit travellers: climb Jebel Toubkal (4,167 m), cycle in Skoura, climb rock in the Todra Gorge, ride quads and camels in Erg Chebbi with two nights in the dunes, and end with a balloon and mountain bikes in Agafay.

See all 8 ideas for 13 days

A similar trip, shorter or longer

All Morocco itineraries, 4 to 30 days · Luxury tours · Small group tours · Women only tours · Activities · Travel tips · About our team

Camel & horseback treks
Land adventure

Camel & horseback treks

On this trip: Day 6 – Into the Sahara

Camel trekking Morocco’s Sahara is the slow, quiet way into the desert: a line of camels led by a guide on foot, swaying over the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga as the light turns soft. Most of our guests ride at sunset to a camp in the dunes and come back at sunrise. It is calm, not sporty – anyone who can sit on a saddle for an hour can do it.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), Agafay desert, Marrakech palm grove
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Easy, no experience needed for camels
Minimum age
Children ride with an adult; ask us for small kids
  • The classic Sahara moment
  • Local camel men
  • Slow travel
See the full activity page
 Desert camping & stargazing
Land adventure

Desert camping & stargazing

On this trip: Day 6 – Into the Sahara

Sahara desert camping in Morocco is about one evening you will not forget: arriving at a camp hidden between the dunes of Erg Chebbi, climbing a ridge for sunset, eating tagine by the fire while drums play, then lying on a rug under more stars than you thought possible. Our camps near Merzouga range from simple nomad-style tents to comfortable tents with real beds and private bathrooms.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes), Agafay desert near Marrakech
Duration
1 to 3 nights
Level
Easy, for all ages
Camp types
Nomad-style, standard and luxury tents
  • Real dunes
  • A sky full of stars
  • Choose your comfort
See the full activity page
 Cycling & mountain biking
Land adventure

Cycling & mountain biking

On this trip: Day 4 – Skoura oasis & the Dades

Mountain biking Morocco’s High Atlas means riding mule paths between Berber villages, rolling down terraced valleys and stopping for tea where the trail meets a walnut grove. Our guides know the tracks around Marrakech, the Ourika and Imlil valleys and the Agafay hills, and pick routes that fit your level – from easy dirt roads to longer climbs and technical descents.

Where
Agafay desert, Ourika and Imlil valleys (High Atlas), Dades and Todra gorges
Duration
Half day to multi-day tours
Level
Easy to challenging – routes chosen for you
Bikes
Mountain bikes and e-bikes, helmet included
  • Mountains near the city
  • Village trails, not empty parks
  • Huge variety
See the full activity page
 Hiking & trekking adventures
Land adventure

Hiking & trekking adventures

On this trip: Day 5 – Dades canyon & Todra Gorge to Merzouga

Hiking Morocco’s High Atlas is a walk through a lived-in landscape: terraced fields, walnut trees, flat-roofed Berber villages built from the same red earth as the mountains, and mule paths that people still use every day. Our local mountain guides grew up around these valleys. They choose the route, set a steady pace and arrange lunch or a night in a village house.

Where
High Atlas (Imlil, Ourika, Toubkal), Dades & Todra gorges, Merzouga dunes
Duration
Day hikes to 5-day treks
Level
Easy valley walks to challenging summit treks
Minimum age
Valley walks for families; Toubkal for fit teens and adults
  • Real mountains near Marrakech
  • Toubkal, the big one
  • Village life on the trail
See the full activity page
 4x4 & off-road safaris
Land adventure

4x4 & off-road safaris

On this trip: Day 6 – Into the Sahara

A 4x4 tour Morocco style takes you where normal cars cannot go: around the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, across the black stone plains near Merzouga, up rough mountain tracks in the Atlas and down into dry riverbeds where nomads still water their flocks. You sit back with an experienced local driver who knows the pistes, the weather and the best places to stop.

Where
Merzouga & Erg Chebbi, High Atlas tracks, Dades & Todra gorges, Agafay
Duration
Half day to multi-day private tours
Level
Easy – you are a passenger, no driving needed
Group
Private vehicle for your family or group
  • Reach the hidden places
  • Drivers who know the pistes
  • Private and flexible
See the full activity page
 A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes
Moroccan experience

Cultural exploration

On this trip: Day 2 – Guided Marrakech

Our Morocco cultural tours are built around people, not just monuments. You walk the medinas of Fes and Marrakech with a guide who grew up there, drink mint tea in a Berber village in the Atlas, watch craftsmen cut zellige tiles or dye leather, and share a meal with a family. The aim is simple: to understand how Moroccans live today, and where those traditions come from.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day city walk to 10+ day tours
Level
Easy – mostly walking
Group
Private or small group
  • Living medinas
  • Amazigh heritage
  • Crafts you can watch being made
See the full activity page
 Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

Optional extra: Quad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes

Quad biking Marrakech style means leaving the city noise behind in minutes: dusty palm grove tracks, Berber villages and the rocky hills of the Agafay desert, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. Our guides ride in front, set the pace to the slowest rider and stop for photos and mint tea. You do not need any experience – we show you the controls and do a short practice loop before we leave.

Where
Marrakech palm grove (Palmeraie), Agafay desert, Merzouga dunes
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Beginner friendly, no experience needed
Minimum age
Drivers usually 16+; younger children ride as buggy passengers
  • Desert right next to the city
  • Quad or buggy, your choice
  • Real landscapes, not a track
See the full activity page
 Authentic culinary experiences
Moroccan experience

Authentic culinary experiences

Optional extra: Food tour or cooking class

A Morocco food tour is the quickest way into the country’s heart. With one of our local guides you taste fresh msemen pancakes at breakfast, follow the smell of cumin through the spice souk, try harira and grilled meat at the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna, and learn why a tagine needs time. We take you where locals actually eat, not where the menus are in five languages.

Where
Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
3-hour food walk to full-day class
Level
Easy – come hungry
Diets
Vegetarian options on request
  • Street food you would not find alone
  • Markets as a lesson
  • Cooking with real cooks
See the full activity page
 Faith & spiritual journeys
Moroccan experience

Faith & spiritual journeys

Optional extra: Spiritual and heritage visit

A Morocco spiritual tour follows the faiths that shaped this country over centuries. Muslim scholars studied in the medersas of Fes, Sufi brotherhoods still gather in their zawiyas to chant and pray, and Jewish families lived in the mellahs of Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira for generations. Our local guides tell these stories with knowledge and respect, whatever your own beliefs.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira, Meknes, Merzouga
Duration
1 day to 10+ days
Level
Easy – walking and visits
Group
Private, family or faith groups
  • Islamic heritage you can enter
  • Sufi music and zawiyas
  • Jewish heritage of Morocco
See the full activity page
 Hot air balloon ride
Air adventure

Hot air balloon ride

Optional extra: Sunrise flight before or after your trip

A hot air balloon Marrakech flight is the quietest way to see Morocco wake up. You leave the city in the dark, watch the burners light up the envelope, and lift off just as the sun climbs over the Atlas Mountains. Below you, red-earth villages, olive groves and dry riverbeds turn gold, and on clear winter mornings the snow on the High Atlas shines on the horizon.

Where
Countryside outside Marrakech (launch site set by the pilot each morning)
Duration
About 1 hour in the air, 4-5 hours door to door
Start time
Very early pick-up, before sunrise
Level
No experience needed
  • Sunrise over the Atlas
  • Silent, slow flying
  • Rural Morocco from above
See the full activity page
 Wellness and relaxation
Moroccan experience

Wellness and relaxation

Optional extra: Traditional hammam and spa time

A Morocco wellness retreat with us is built around your rhythm, not a fixed timetable. Start with a traditional hammam in Marrakech, rest in a riad courtyard with only the fountain for company, stretch on a yoga mat facing the Atlantic, and end with a night in the Merzouga desert where the silence is almost total. We plan the logistics so you can simply let go.

Where
Marrakech, Agafay, Atlas valleys, Essaouira, Taghazout, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day hammam to 7+ day retreat
Level
Easy – all fitness levels
Group
Solo, couples, friends or private groups
  • The hammam ritual
  • Riads made for rest
  • Yoga with a view
See the full activity page
 Atlas zipline adventure
Air adventure

Atlas zipline adventure

Optional extra: Zipline in the Atlas foothills

A zipline Marrakech day takes you out of the hot, busy city and into the cool air of the Atlas foothills, where adventure parks stretch long cables across valleys and over trees. You clip in, step off the platform and fly above the red earth, olive terraces and small Berber villages, with the High Atlas peaks behind you. It is one of the easiest ways to feel the mountains without a long trek.

Where
Adventure parks in the Atlas foothills, about an hour from Marrakech
Duration
Half day or full day with transfers
Level
Beginner friendly – no climbing skills needed
Minimum age
Set by each park, often with a minimum height for children
  • Escape the city heat
  • Atlas views from the air
  • More than one ride
See the full activity page
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