20 Day Morocco Itinerary: The North, the Sahara, the Atlas & the Coast
A complete 20 day Morocco itinerary for travellers who want to see it all without racing: the imperial cities and the Rif, the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs, the High Atlas and the ocean, with rest days on the way.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 20 day Morocco itinerary
Our 20 day Morocco itinerary shows you every region at an easy pace. You travel from Casablanca to the Rif, the Sahara, the High Atlas and the Atlantic.
First, you see Rabat and spend two nights in blue Chefchaouen, with a hike to Akchour. Then you have three nights in Fes, including a free day. After that, camels take you into the dunes of Merzouga, followed by a rest day. Next, you walk in the Todra and Dades gorges and cycle in Skoura. Finally, two nights in Imlil, Marrakech and Essaouira close the trip. In short, this 20 day Morocco itinerary is a private trip on your dates.
Highlights of this 20 day Morocco itinerary
- Hassan II Mosque & Rabat
- Akchour waterfalls hike
- Three nights in Fes
- Cedar forest & Barbary macaques
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Rest day at the dunes
- Todra & Dades gorge hikes
- Two nights in the High Atlas
- Surf or kitesurf in Essaouira
20 day Morocco itinerary: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Casablanca & Rabat
We meet you in Casablanca for the Hassan II Mosque above the ocean, then drive to Rabat and the Kasbah of the Udayas.
- 2dayDay 2
Into the Rif mountains
Drive north to Chefchaouen and walk up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset over the blue city.
- 3dayDay 3
Akchour waterfalls hike
A day on the river paths of the Talassemtane park, to the waterfalls and the rock arch called God’s Bridge.
- 4dayDay 4
Volubilis, Meknes & Fes
The Roman ruins of Volubilis, the Bab Mansour gate in Meknes, and Fes by late afternoon.
- 5dayDay 5
The Fes medina
A guided day in the medina: the Bou Inania madrasa, the Chouara tanneries and the craftsmen’s lanes.
- 6dayDay 6
A slow day in Fes
A free morning, then a cooking class or a hammam – the first real rest day of the trip.
- 7dayDay 7
Cedar forest to Midelt
Cross the Middle Atlas by Ifrane, walk in the cedar forest of Azrou where Barbary macaques live, and stop in Midelt.
- 8dayDay 8
Ziz Valley & camels into the dunes
Follow the Ziz palm groves south to Merzouga and ride camels at sunset to the desert camp.
- 9dayDay 9
A day in the Sahara
Sunrise on the dunes, then a buggy or quad ride, sandboarding and Gnawa music in Khamlia.
- 10dayDay 10
Rest day at the dunes
Nothing planned: the pool, a nap, a walk on the dunes at sunset or the Rissani market if you feel like it.
- 11dayDay 11
Todra Gorge
Drive west to Tinghir and walk between the high walls of the Todra Gorge; beginners can try rock climbing.
- 12dayDay 12
Dades canyon hike
A short drive to the Dades Valley and a half-day hike through its red canyons and Berber villages.
- 13dayDay 13
Skoura oasis & Aït Benhaddou
Cycle in the palm grove of Skoura, pass Ouarzazate and reach the old ksar of Aït Benhaddou.
- 14dayDay 14
Telouet & the High Atlas
Take the old road through the Ounila valley to the Telouet kasbah, cross the Tizi n’Tichka and continue to Imlil.
- 15dayDay 15
High Atlas trek
A full day walking between Berber villages and terraced fields, with lunch in a village home.
- 16dayDay 16
Down to Marrakech
An easy morning in the mountains, then Marrakech and a hammam in the afternoon.
- 17dayDay 17
Marrakech
A guided visit of the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia and the souks, and Jemaa el-Fna at night.
- 18dayDay 18
To Essaouira
Drive to the coast with a stop at an argan cooperative, and walk the ramparts at sunset.
- 19dayDay 19
Active day on the ocean
A surf or kitesurf lesson, or a horse ride along the beach.
- 20dayDay 20
Back to Marrakech
A last morning in the port, then the drive back to Marrakech for your flight.
What’s included in this 20 day Morocco itinerary
Included
- 19 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 Casablanca 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
- Night 1Riad in Rabat
- Night 2Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 3Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 4Riad in Fes
- Night 5Riad in Fes
- Night 6Riad in Fes
- Night 7Guesthouse in Midelt
- Night 8Desert camp
- Night 9Riad in Merzouga
- Night 10Riad in Merzouga
- Night 11Guesthouse in Todra Gorge
- Night 12Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 13Riad in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 14Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 15Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 16Riad in Marrakech
- Night 17Riad in Marrakech
- Night 18Riad in Essaouira
- Night 19Riad 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
April, May, September and October are ideal for a trip that covers the Rif, the Sahara and the High Atlas. Summer is very hot in the desert, and in winter the Atlas passes can have snow.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecPossible
What to bring for this trip
- Walking shoes for the hikes and medinas
- Light rain jacket for the Rif
- Warm layer for the desert night and the Atlas
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- Swimsuit for Akchour and the ocean
- Headtorch for the camp
- Small daypack
- 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.
20 Day Morocco Itinerary: your questions
Is this 20 day Morocco itinerary good for a first visit?
Yes. It covers the north, the imperial cities, the Sahara, the gorges, the High Atlas and the coast, and the rest days in Fes and Merzouga keep the pace comfortable.
Why does this 20 day Morocco itinerary start in Casablanca?
Casablanca has the most international flights, and starting there lets you travel north first and finish in Marrakech without driving back. We can also start in Fes or Tangier.
Where are the rest days?
Day 6 in Fes and day 10 at the dunes of Merzouga are free days, and several other days have only a short drive.
Can we change the 20 day Morocco itinerary?
Yes. It is a private trip, so you can add a night where you like, skip an activity or swap Essaouira for another place on the coast.
How long are the drives?
Most days have three to five hours on the road with stops. The longest are Chefchaouen to Fes with Volubilis and Meknes, and Aït Benhaddou to Imlil over the Atlas.
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 day in the SaharaDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 8 – Ziz Valley & camels into the dunesDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 8 – Ziz Valley & camels into the dunesDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 13 – Skoura oasis & Aït BenhaddouDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 2 – Into the Rif mountainsDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 19 – Active day on the oceanDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 20-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →
Optional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →Optional · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee the activity →Optional · extraWindsurfing adventureWindsurfing sessionSee the activity →
Optional · extraCultural explorationExtra guided visit with a local guideSee the activity →Request this 20-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 20 days in morocco
20 Day Morocco Tour: Toubkal, a Sahara Trek & Atlantic SurfPrivate tour · Round trip from Marrakech · Very activeFor fit travellers: the summit of Jebel Toubkal, a three-day camel trek across Erg Chebbi, climbing in the Todra Gorge, cycling in Skoura and surf on the Atlantic – with rest days between the big efforts.
20 Days Morocco Tours from Casablanca: Coast, Atlas, Sahara & the NorthPrivate tour · Round trip from Casablanca · Round trip, all regionsA round trip that starts and ends at Casablanca airport: south along the Atlantic to Oualidia and Essaouira, a two-day trek in the High Atlas, the Sahara, the gorges, Fes and Chefchaouen, and back by Rabat.
Morocco Itinerary 20 Days: Fes, the Sahara & the Hidden AtlasPrivate tour · Fes to Marrakech · Slow travel, quiet placesA slower route with fewer hotel changes: three nights in Fes, two nights in the dunes, the gorges and kasbahs, then the green, little-visited central Atlas – Ouzoud, the Aït Bouguemez valley and the lake of Bin el Ouidane.