18 Days in Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech to Tangier, Slowly
A slow journey from Marrakech to Tangier: two nights in the dunes, long stays in Fes and Chefchaouen, and short drives cut by nights in Midelt and the Dades.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 18 days in Morocco itinerary
This 18 days in Morocco itinerary is a slow journey from Marrakech to Tangier. It travels in one direction, with long stays and many free days.
First, you enjoy Marrakech, a balloon flight and a sunset in the Agafay desert. Then you cross the High Atlas to Telouet, Aït Benhaddou and the Dades Valley. After that, you sleep two nights in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi. Next, you stop in Midelt and walk in the cedar forest on the way to Fes. Finally, you hike to the Akchour waterfalls from Chefchaouen and end in Tangier. In short, our 18 days in Morocco itinerary is private and runs on your dates.
Highlights of this 18 days in Morocco itinerary
- Guided Marrakech
- Hot air balloon & Agafay
- Kasbah of Telouet
- Bike ride in Skoura
- Todra Gorge walk
- Two nights in a desert camp
- Cedar forest walk
- Three nights in Fes
- Akchour waterfalls hike
- Cap Spartel
18 days in Morocco itinerary: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Settle into your riad and enjoy the evening at Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
Marrakech
A guided day: the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, the souks and the Majorelle Garden.
- 3dayDay 3
Balloon & Agafay
A hot air balloon at sunrise, a rest at the riad, then camels and sunset in the Agafay desert.
- 4dayDay 4
Telouet & Aït Benhaddou
Cross the High Atlas, visit the Glaoui kasbah of Telouet and reach Aït Benhaddou.
- 5dayDay 5
Skoura & the Dades
Cycle in the Skoura palm grove, then the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
- 6dayDay 6
Rest day in the Dades
A short canyon walk, then a free afternoon in the valley.
- 7dayDay 7
Todra Gorge to Merzouga
A walk in the Todra Gorge, then the drive to the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
- 8dayDay 8
Camels at sunset
A free morning at the riad, then a camel ride to the desert camp.
- 9dayDay 9
A full day in the Sahara
Sunrise, a buggy ride and sandboarding, a nomad family and a second night under the stars.
- 10dayDay 10
North to Midelt
Follow the Ziz Valley palm groves north to Midelt, at the foot of the Middle Atlas.
- 11dayDay 11
Cedar forest to Fes
Walk in the cedar forest near Azrou, where macaques live, then Ifrane and Fes.
- 12dayDay 12
The Fes medina
A guided day in the medina: madrasas, tanneries and craftsmen.
- 13dayDay 13
Rest day in Fes
A free day, with a cooking class or a hammam if you like.
- 14dayDay 14
Volubilis & Chefchaouen
The Roman ruins of Volubilis, then north into the Rif to Chefchaouen.
- 15dayDay 15
Akchour waterfalls hike
A day on the river paths of Talassemtane park, with the waterfalls and God’s Bridge.
- 16dayDay 16
Free day in Chefchaouen
Wander the blue lanes and climb to the Spanish Mosque for sunset.
- 17dayDay 17
To Tangier
Drive to Tangier, walk the kasbah and watch the sunset at Cap Spartel.
- 18dayDay 18
Departure from Tangier
A free morning, then the airport, the train or the ferry to Spain.
What’s included in this 18 days in Morocco itinerary
Included
- 17 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
- 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 in Marrakech
- Night 4Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 5Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 6Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 7Riad in Merzouga
- Night 8Desert camp
- Night 9Desert camp
- Night 10Guesthouse in Midelt
- Night 11Riad in Fes
- Night 12Riad in Fes
- Night 13Riad in Fes
- Night 14Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 15Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 16Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 17Riad 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: warm days in Marrakech and Fes, pleasant nights in the desert camp and full rivers in the Rif. Summer is very hot in the Sahara, and winter can bring snow to the Middle Atlas.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Warm layer for the balloon and the desert nights
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Headtorch for the camp
- Overnight bag for two nights in the camp
- Walking shoes with grip for Akchour
- Light rain jacket for the Rif
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the medinas
- Swimsuit for the riad pools
- Sun hat 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.
18 Days in Morocco Itinerary: your questions
Why does this 18 days in Morocco itinerary end in Tangier?
Travelling in one direction means no road is driven twice. Tangier has an airport, fast trains to Rabat and Casablanca, and ferries to Spain.
Is this 18 days in Morocco itinerary good for a first visit?
Yes. It covers Marrakech, the Sahara, Fes and Chefchaouen, with many free days, so it is a gentle introduction to the country.
How many nights in the desert?
Two nights in a desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, with a full day in the Sahara between them, and a night in a riad in Merzouga before.
Can this 18 days in Morocco itinerary run from Tangier to Marrakech?
Yes, the route works in both directions. Choose the one that matches your flights or your ferry.
What makes this route slower than others?
The longest days are cut in two, with nights in the Dades Valley and Midelt, and there are free days in the Dades, Fes and Chefchaouen.
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 9 – A full day in the SaharaDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 3 – Balloon & AgafayDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 8 – Camels at sunsetDetails →
Hot air balloon rideDay 3 – Balloon & AgafayDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 5 – Skoura & the DadesDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 6 – Rest day in the DadesDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 18-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 18-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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