3 Weeks in Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech to Tangier
A 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary for a first visit, travelling one way from Marrakech to Tangier: the coast, the mountains, the Sahara, the imperial cities and the blue city of the Rif.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary
This 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary is a calm first trip from Marrakech to Tangier. You travel one way, so you never drive the same road twice.
First, you explore Marrakech and sleep in a camp in the Agafay desert. Then you spend three nights in Essaouira, with surf and a horse ride on the beach. After that, you walk in the High Atlas and cross to the gorges of the south. Next, camels take you into the dunes of Merzouga, followed by a rest day. Finally, you visit Fes, Chefchaouen and Tangier. As a result, our 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary feels full but never rushed. It is a private trip on your dates.
Highlights of this 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary
- Camels & quad in Agafay
- Three nights in Essaouira
- Horse ride at Sidi Kaouki
- Two nights in the High Atlas
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Rest day at the dunes
- Three nights in Fes
- Akchour waterfalls hike
- Tetouan & Tangier
3 weeks in Morocco itinerary: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at the airport; an evening walk to Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
Marrakech
A guided visit of the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia and the souks.
- 3dayDay 3
Agafay desert
A camel ride and a quad in the stone desert of Agafay, then a night in a desert camp.
- 4dayDay 4
To Essaouira
Drive to the coast with a stop at an argan cooperative, and the ramparts at sunset.
- 5dayDay 5
Surf or kitesurf
A lesson with board and wetsuit, then the port and the fish grill.
- 6dayDay 6
Sidi Kaouki on horseback
A horse ride along the wild beach of Sidi Kaouki and a free afternoon.
- 7dayDay 7
To the High Atlas
Drive back inland, past Marrakech, to the mountain village of Imlil.
- 8dayDay 8
High Atlas hike
A full day on foot between Berber villages, with lunch in a village home.
- 9dayDay 9
Over the Tizi n’Tichka
Cross the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou and walk up to its granary at sunset.
- 10dayDay 10
Skoura & the Dades
Cycle in the Skoura oasis and drive the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
- 11dayDay 11
Dades hike & Todra Gorge
A morning hike in the Dades canyon, then the Todra Gorge in the evening light.
- 12dayDay 12
Camels into the dunes
Drive to Merzouga and ride camels at sunset to the desert camp.
- 13dayDay 13
A day in the Sahara
Sunrise, a buggy ride, sandboarding and a nomad family.
- 14dayDay 14
Rest day at the dunes
The pool, a long lunch and Gnawa music in Khamlia.
- 15dayDay 15
Ziz Valley to Midelt
Follow the Ziz palm groves north to the foot of the Middle Atlas.
- 16dayDay 16
Cedar forest & Fes
A walk in the cedar forest of Azrou, past Ifrane, to Fes.
- 17dayDay 17
The Fes medina
A guided day among the madrasas, tanneries and workshops.
- 18dayDay 18
Volubilis & Meknes
A day trip to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes.
- 19dayDay 19
To Chefchaouen
Drive into the Rif mountains to the blue city.
- 20dayDay 20
Akchour waterfalls hike
River paths and waterfalls in the Talassemtane park.
- 21dayDay 21
Tetouan & Tangier
The white medina of Tetouan, then Tangier and its Kasbah.
- 22dayDay 22
Cap Spartel & departure
Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, then the airport or the ferry port.
What’s included in this 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary
Included
- 21 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
- 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 Marrakech
- Night 2Riad in Marrakech
- Night 3Desert camp in Agafay
- Night 4Riad in Essaouira
- Night 5Riad in Essaouira
- Night 6Riad in Essaouira
- Night 7Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 8Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 9Riad in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 10Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 11Guesthouse in Todra Gorge
- Night 12Desert camp
- Night 13Riad in Merzouga
- Night 14Riad in Merzouga
- Night 15Guesthouse in Midelt
- Night 16Riad in Fes
- Night 17Riad in Fes
- Night 18Riad in Fes
- Night 19Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 20Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 21Riad 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 Atlantic to the Sahara and the Rif. In summer the desert is very hot, and winter brings rain to the north and cold nights in the camp.
- 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
- Swimsuit for the ocean and Akchour
- Windproof jacket for Essaouira
- Warm layer for the desert nights and the Atlas
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Long trousers for the horse ride
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Headtorch for the camps
- 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.
3 Weeks in Morocco Itinerary: your questions
Is this 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary good for a first visit?
Yes. It covers Marrakech, the coast, the High Atlas, the Sahara, Fes and the north, with two or three nights in most places.
Why does this 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary end in Tangier?
Travelling one way means you never drive back the same road. Tangier has an airport and ferries to Spain; we can also end in Fes.
Where are the rest days?
Day 6 in Essaouira is light, day 14 at the dunes is free, and the extra night in Fes gives you an easy day trip.
Can I change this 3 weeks in Morocco itinerary?
Yes. It is a private trip, so you can add a night, swap Essaouira for another beach town or skip an activity.
Is there a lot of driving?
The longest days are Merzouga to Midelt and Midelt to Fes, about four to five hours each with stops. Many days have one to three hours or no driving at all.
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 3 – Agafay desertDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 3 – Agafay desertDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 3 – Agafay desertDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 10 – Skoura & the DadesDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in MarrakechDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 5 – Surf or kitesurfDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 22-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 · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee the activity →Optional · extraWindsurfing adventureWindsurfing sessionSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesFood tour or cooking classSee the activity →
Optional · extraCultural explorationExtra guided visit with a local guideSee the activity →
Optional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →Request this 22-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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