2 weeks in Morocco: A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes
14 days · Desert, mountains & coast

2 Weeks in Morocco: Fes, the Sahara, the Atlas & Essaouira

A route for travellers who want every landscape: the medieval medina of Fes, the dunes of Merzouga, the canyons of the south, a mountain village in the Atlas and the windy port of Essaouira.

See the day-by-day route
14 days / 13 nightsStarts in FesEnds in MarrakechPrivate tour
Fes→Ifrane→Azrou→Midelt→Merzouga→Todra Gorge→Dades Valley→Skoura→Aït Benhaddou→Telouet→Marrakech→Imlil→Essaouira→Marrakech

About this 2 weeks in Morocco

2 weeks in Morocco give you time for every landscape, without rushing. This route starts in Fes and ends by the ocean, with Marrakech close by for your flight.

First, a guided day in the Fes medina shows you madrasas and tanneries. Then you walk in the cedar forest and follow the Ziz Valley to the dunes of Merzouga. After that, a quad ride and a camel trek take you to a desert camp. Next, you hike in the Todra and Dades gorges and visit the kasbah of Telouet. Finally, you trek for a full day in the High Atlas and surf or ride in Essaouira. As a result, these 2 weeks in Morocco feel full but never hurried. It is a private trip, on your dates.

Highlights of this 2 weeks in Morocco

  • Guided Fes medina
  • Cedar forest & Barbary macaques
  • Quad or buggy in Erg Chebbi
  • Camel ride & desert camp
  • Todra & Dades walks
  • Kasbah of Telouet
  • Full-day Atlas trek
  • Surf, kitesurf or beach ride in Essaouira

2 weeks in Morocco: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Arrival in Fes

    We meet you at the airport or the station, and you take an evening walk to the gate of Bab Bou Jeloud.

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

    The Fes medina

    A guided day: the Bou Inania madrasa, the Chouara tanneries and the copper and leather workshops.

    Stay: Riad in Fes
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Cedar forest to Midelt

    Stop in Ifrane, then walk in the cedar forest near Azrou where Barbary macaques live, and continue to Midelt.

    On the road: about 3.5–4 h with stopsStay: Guesthouse in Midelt
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Ziz Valley & the dunes

    Follow the gorges and palm groves of the Ziz Valley to Merzouga, then ride a quad or buggy in the dunes in the afternoon.

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

    Sahara day & camel ride

    Visit a nomad family, hear Gnawa music in Khamlia and ride camels at sunset to the camp in Erg Chebbi.

    Stay: Desert camp
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    Sunrise & the Todra Gorge

    Watch the sunrise from the dunes, walk between the high walls of the Todra Gorge and continue to the Dades Valley.

    On the road: about 5–6 h with stopsStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  7. 7day
    Day 7

    Dades canyon & Skoura

    A morning hike in the Dades canyon, the kasbahs of Skoura and the road to Aït Benhaddou.

    On the road: about 3–3.5 h with stopsStay: Riad in Aït Benhaddou
  8. 8day
    Day 8

    Telouet & over the Atlas

    Visit the kasbah of Telouet on the old caravan road, then cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech.

    On the road: about 4 h with TelouetStay: Riad in Marrakech
  9. 9day
    Day 9

    Marrakech

    A guided visit of the palaces and souks, and the night show of Jemaa el-Fna.

    Stay: Riad in Marrakech
  10. 10day
    Day 10

    Up to Imlil

    Drive to the foot of the High Atlas and take an afternoon walk between walnut trees and terraces.

    On the road: about 1.5 hStay: Guesthouse in Imlil
  11. 11day
    Day 11

    Full-day Atlas trek

    A full day on foot over a mountain pass and through Berber villages, with lunch on the trail.

    Stay: Guesthouse in Imlil
  12. 12day
    Day 12

    To Essaouira

    Drive to the coast with a stop at an argan cooperative, and walk the ramparts at sunset.

    On the road: about 4 h with the argan stopStay: Riad in Essaouira
  13. 13day
    Day 13

    Active day on the Atlantic

    A surf or kitesurf lesson, or a horse or camel ride along the beach.

    Stay: Riad in Essaouira
  14. 14day
    Day 14

    Back to Marrakech

    A last morning in the port, then the drive to Marrakech for your flight.

    On the road: about 2.5–3 h

What’s included in this 2 weeks in Morocco

Included

  • 13 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 Fes and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
  • Camel ride as described in the programme
  • Mountain guide and mule for the luggage
  • Local guide for the guided visits
  • Surf lessons with board and wetsuit

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 Fes
  2. Night 2Riad in Fes
  3. Night 3Guesthouse in Midelt
  4. Night 4Riad in Merzouga
  5. Night 5Desert camp
  6. Night 6Riad in Dades Valley
  7. Night 7Riad in Aït Benhaddou
  8. Night 8Riad in Marrakech
  9. Night 9Riad in Marrakech
  10. Night 10Guesthouse in Imlil
  11. Night 11Guesthouse in Imlil
  12. Night 12Riad in Essaouira
  13. Night 13Riad in Essaouira

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: mild days in the desert, clear paths in the Atlas and good wind for the ocean. In summer the Sahara is very hot, and from December to February the mountains can be snowy.

  • JanPossible
  • FebGood
  • MarBest
  • AprBest
  • MayGood
  • JunPossible
  • JulAvoid
  • AugAvoid
  • SepGood
  • OctBest
  • NovBest
  • DecGood

What to bring for this trip

  • Broken-in walking shoes for the Atlas trek
  • Light daypack
  • Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Warm fleece for the Atlas and the desert night
  • Windproof jacket for Essaouira
  • Swimsuit for the ocean day
  • Small overnight bag for the camp
  • Headtorch
  • 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.

2 Weeks in Morocco: your questions

Is 2 weeks in Morocco enough to see the whole country?

It is enough to see the main regions without rushing: Fes, the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs, the High Atlas and the coast. The far north and the deep south need a few more days.

Why start 2 weeks in Morocco in Fes?

Starting in Fes and ending in Marrakech lets you cross the country in one direction. You avoid driving the same road twice and have more time for the Atlas and the ocean at the end.

How hard is the full-day Atlas trek?

It is a moderate day of about five to six hours of walking, with a guide and a picnic on the way. If you prefer, we replace it with a shorter valley walk.

Can we add Chefchaouen to these 2 weeks in Morocco?

Yes – two nights in Chefchaouen fit before Fes if you take one day from the coast or the mountains. Tell us what matters most to you and we rebalance the route.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. You travel with your own driver on the dates you choose, and the riads and activities are adapted to you.

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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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…
A
Quick request

Request this 14-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
Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

On this trip: Day 4 – Ziz Valley & the 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
Camel & horseback treks
Land adventure

Camel & horseback treks

On this trip: Day 5 – Sahara day & camel ride

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
Desert camping & stargazing
Land adventure

Desert camping & stargazing

On this trip: Day 5 – Sahara day & camel ride

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
Hiking & trekking adventures
Land adventure

Hiking & trekking adventures

On this trip: Day 1 – Arrival in Fes

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
Surf & kitesurf experience
Water adventure

Surf & kitesurf experience

On this trip: Day 13 – Active day on the Atlantic

Surfing Morocco means long right-hand point breaks, sandy beach breaks for learning and warm sun when Europe is cold. The coast north of Agadir – Taghazout, Tamraght and the fishing village of Imsouane – is the heart of it, with Essaouira and its windy beaches further north. We organise lessons and surf guiding with licensed local surf schools and instructors, from your first wave to your first point break.

Where
Taghazout, Tamraght, Imsouane, Essaouira
Duration
Half-day lesson to a week-long surf camp
Level
Complete beginners to experienced surfers
Minimum age
Children who swim well, in lessons suited to them
  • World-class point breaks
  • A great place to learn
  • Surf in winter sun
Kite surfing lift-off
Air adventure

Kite surfing lift-off

On this trip: Day 13 – Active day on the Atlantic

Kitesurfing Morocco means steady Atlantic wind, long beaches and two very different playgrounds. In the far south, the Dakhla lagoon offers wide, flat, shallow water that is ideal for learning and for freestyle. Further north, Essaouira is known for its strong trade winds in spring and summer, with choppy water in the bay and powerful waves on nearby beaches for experienced riders.

Where
Dakhla lagoon, Essaouira and other Atlantic spots
Duration
Single lessons to a full kite week
Level
Beginner courses to independent riders
Minimum age
Set by the school – children need enough weight to control a kite
  • Reliable wind
  • Flat water for learning
  • Waves for advanced riders
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
Authentic culinary experiences
Moroccan experience

Authentic culinary experiences

Optional extra: Cooking class or food walk in the medina

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
4x4 & off-road safaris
Land adventure

4x4 & off-road safaris

Optional extra: 4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad families

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
Cycling & mountain biking
Land adventure

Cycling & mountain biking

Optional extra: Mountain biking on Atlas trails

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
Windsurfing adventure
Water adventure

Windsurfing adventure

Optional extra: Windsurfing session

Windsurfing Morocco starts with one word: wind. Essaouira is nicknamed the Wind City of Africa, because the trade winds blow along this coast for much of the year, strongest in spring and summer. The wide bay is a good classroom, Moulay Bouzerktoun to the north is a famous wave spot, and far to the south the Dakhla lagoon offers flat water on the edge of the Sahara. We organise lessons and rentals with licensed local windsurf centres and instructors.

Where
Essaouira bay, Moulay Bouzerktoun, Sidi Kaouki, Dakhla lagoon
Duration
2-hour lesson to a week-long windsurf camp
Level
Beginners (lessons) to advanced wave sailors
Minimum age
Children who swim well, with kids’ rigs where available
  • Reliable wind
  • Spots for every level
  • Wave sailing at Moulay
A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes
Moroccan experience

Cultural exploration

Optional extra: Extra guided visit with a local guide

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
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