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Morocco itinerary 15 days: Morocco Itinerary 15 Days: Hidden Valleys & Two Desert Days
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15 days · Off the beaten track

Morocco Itinerary 15 Days: Hidden Valleys & Two Desert Days

Most tours go straight from Marrakech to the desert. This one heads north first, through the Central and Middle Atlas, before reaching Fes, the dunes and the gorges.

See the day-by-day route
15 days / 14 nightsStarts in MarrakechEnds in MarrakechPrivate tour
Marrakech→Ouzoud→Aït Bouguemez→Beni Mellal→Khenifra→Azrou→Fes→Ifrane→Midelt→Merzouga→Todra Gorge→Dades Valley→Aït Benhaddou→Marrakech

About this Morocco itinerary 15 days

This Morocco itinerary 15 days long takes the quiet roads first. It heads north through the Atlas valleys before reaching Fes and the Sahara.

First, you explore Marrakech and walk down to the Ouzoud waterfalls. Then you spend two nights in the green valley of Aït Bouguemez. After that, you cross the Middle Atlas to the cedar forests of Azrou, where macaques live. Next, a guided day in Fes shows you the medina and its workshops. In the Sahara, you spend two days, with a buggy ride, a camel trek and a nomad family. Finally, the Todra and Dades gorges and Aït Benhaddou lead back to Marrakech. As a result, this Morocco itinerary 15 days long shows a side of the country few visitors see.

Highlights of this Morocco itinerary 15 days

  • Guided Marrakech
  • Ouzoud waterfalls
  • Aït Bouguemez walks
  • Sidi Moussa granary
  • Cedar forest of Azrou
  • Guided Fes medina
  • Two days in the Sahara
  • Todra & Dades walks

Morocco itinerary 15 days: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Arrival in Marrakech

    Transfer to your riad and a first evening in Jemaa el-Fna.

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

    Guided Marrakech

    The palaces and souks with a local guide, and a free afternoon.

    Stay: Riad in Marrakech
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Ouzoud waterfalls

    Drive to the highest waterfalls in Morocco and walk down to the pools.

    On the road: about 2.5–3 hStay: Guesthouse in Ouzoud
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Into Aït Bouguemez

    Climb into the Central Atlas to the green valley of Aït Bouguemez.

    On the road: about 3–3.5 hStay: Guesthouse in Aït Bouguemez
  5. 5day
    Day 5

    Walking in the Happy Valley

    A day on foot between earthen villages and fields, up to the granary of Sidi Moussa.

    Stay: Guesthouse in Aït Bouguemez
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    Across to Azrou

    Drive by Beni Mellal and Khenifra to the cedar forests of Azrou.

    On the road: about 6 h with stopsStay: Guesthouse in Azrou
  7. 7day
    Day 7

    Cedars & Fes

    A morning walk among the cedars and the Barbary macaques, then Fes.

    On the road: about 1.5 hStay: Riad in Fes
  8. 8day
    Day 8

    The Fes medina

    A guided day in the medina, its madrasas and tanneries.

    Stay: Riad in Fes
  9. 9day
    Day 9

    To the Sahara

    Ifrane, Midelt and the Ziz Valley to the dunes of Merzouga.

    On the road: about 7–8 h with stopsStay: Riad in Merzouga
  10. 10day
    Day 10

    Camels to the camp

    A buggy ride in the dunes, then camels at sunset to the desert camp.

    Stay: Desert camp
  11. 11day
    Day 11

    A second desert day

    Sunrise on the dunes, a walk to a nomad family and Gnawa music in Khamlia.

    Stay: Riad in Merzouga
  12. 12day
    Day 12

    Todra Gorge & the Dades

    A walk in the Todra Gorge, then on to the Dades Valley.

    On the road: about 5–6 h with stopsStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  13. 13day
    Day 13

    Dades hike & Aït Benhaddou

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

    On the road: about 3–3.5 h with stopsStay: Riad in Aït Benhaddou
  14. 14day
    Day 14

    Over the Atlas

    Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech and end the day with a hammam.

    On the road: about 4 hStay: Riad in Marrakech
  15. 15day
    Day 15

    Departure

    A cooking class in the morning if your flight allows, then the airport.

    On the road: about 30 min

What’s included in this Morocco itinerary 15 days

Included

  • 14 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 Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
  • 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

  1. Night 1Riad in Marrakech
  2. Night 2Riad in Marrakech
  3. Night 3Guesthouse in Ouzoud
  4. Night 4Guesthouse in Aït Bouguemez
  5. Night 5Guesthouse in Aït Bouguemez
  6. Night 6Guesthouse in Azrou
  7. Night 7Riad in Fes
  8. Night 8Riad in Fes
  9. Night 9Riad in Merzouga
  10. Night 10Desert camp
  11. Night 11Riad in Merzouga
  12. Night 12Riad in Dades Valley
  13. Night 13Riad in Aït Benhaddou
  14. Night 14Riad in Marrakech

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 and October are best: the Atlas valleys are green and the desert is mild. In summer the Sahara is very hot, and in winter the Central and Middle Atlas can see snow.

  • JanPossible
  • FebPossible
  • MarGood
  • AprBest
  • MayBest
  • JunGood
  • JulAvoid
  • AugAvoid
  • SepGood
  • OctBest
  • NovGood
  • DecPossible

What to bring for this trip

  • Walking shoes for the valley walks
  • Swimsuit for the Ouzoud pools
  • Warm fleece for the mountains and the desert night
  • Light rain jacket
  • Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the villages
  • 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.

Morocco Itinerary 15 Days: your questions

Why does this Morocco itinerary 15 days go north first?

Because the road through the Central and Middle Atlas shows a green, quiet Morocco that most tours miss, and it reaches Fes before the desert.

Is Aït Bouguemez good for walking?

Yes – the valley has easy paths between earthen villages and fields, and longer treks if you want more. It is calm and rarely busy.

How long is the drive from Aït Bouguemez to Azrou?

About six hours with stops, by Beni Mellal and Khenifra. It is the longest day on this Morocco itinerary 15 days, and it crosses beautiful mountain country.

How many desert days are in this Morocco itinerary 15 days?

Two full days in Merzouga, with one night in a desert camp in the dunes and one in a riad at their edge.

Is it a private trip?

Yes – private, with your own driver, on the dates you choose.

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.

Quad & buggy ridesQuad & buggy ridesDay 10 – Camels to the campDetails →Camel & horseback treksCamel & horseback treksDay 10 – Camels to the campDetails →Desert camping & stargazingDesert camping & stargazingDay 10 – Camels to the campDetails →Hiking & trekking adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresDay 3 – Ouzoud waterfallsDetails →Authentic culinary experiencesAuthentic culinary experiencesDay 15 – DepartureDetails →Wellness and relaxationWellness and relaxationDay 14 – Over the AtlasDetails →

Optional activities

Add one or more of these to your 15-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.

4x4 & off-road safarisOptional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →Cycling & mountain bikingOptional · extraCycling & mountain bikingCycling in the oasisSee the activity →A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in FesOptional · extraCultural explorationExtra guided visit with a local guideSee the activity →Faith & spiritual journeysOptional · extraFaith & spiritual journeysSpiritual and heritage visitSee the activity →Kayaking through the riversOptional · extraKayaking through the riversKayak on the lake of Bin el OuidaneSee the activity →Responsible eco travelOptional · extraResponsible eco travelStay with a local familySee the activity →
Quick request

Request this 15-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 15 days in morocco

15 days in Morocco: Ferry Loop from TangierPrivate Tour 15 Days in Morocco: Tangier Loop from SpainPrivate tour · Round trip from Tangier · From Spain, full loopCome by ferry and go home by ferry: Chefchaouen, Fes, two days in the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs, Marrakech, the Atlantic capitals and the white town of Asilah, back to the port of Tangier. 15 days in Morocco: Mountains, Desert Camp & BeachesMorocco 15 Days for Families: Atlas, Agafay & the AtlanticPrivate tour · Marrakech to Agadir · Family, short drivesA family holiday with no long drives: mules in the Atlas, camels, quads and a camp in the Agafay desert, a balloon at sunrise, then a week by the ocean in Essaouira and Taghazout with surf lessons and sandboarding. 15 days in Morocco: North to South, Ending by the Ocean15 Days Morocco Itinerary: Casablanca to Marrakech & EssaouiraPrivate tour · Casablanca to Marrakech · Classic, all regionsThe complete picture of Morocco in one direction: Casablanca and Rabat, two nights in Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs, Marrakech with a day in the Atlas, and two nights by the sea in Essaouira.

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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

Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

On this trip: Day 10 – Camels to the camp

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
 Camel & horseback treks
Land adventure

Camel & horseback treks

On this trip: Day 10 – Camels to the camp

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 10 – Camels to the camp

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
 Hiking & trekking adventures
Land adventure

Hiking & trekking adventures

On this trip: Day 3 – Ouzoud waterfalls

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
 Authentic culinary experiences
Moroccan experience

Authentic culinary experiences

On this trip: Day 15 – Departure

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
 Wellness and relaxation
Moroccan experience

Wellness and relaxation

On this trip: Day 14 – Over the Atlas

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
 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
See the full activity page
 Cycling & mountain biking
Land adventure

Cycling & mountain biking

Optional extra: Cycling in the oasis

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
 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
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
 Kayaking through the rivers
Water adventure

Kayaking through the rivers

Optional extra: Kayak on the lake of Bin el Ouidane

Kayaking Morocco is not what most visitors expect from a country famous for its desert, yet the High Atlas feeds clear mountain rivers and big blue reservoirs. In spring, snowmelt turns the Ahansal river into a whitewater run through red canyons; the rest of the year, lakes such as Bin El Ouidane give long, calm paddles between bare mountains. We organise each outing with licensed local operators and experienced river guides.

Where
Ahansal river (High Atlas), Bin El Ouidane lake, Atlantic coast
Duration
2 hours to a multi-day river trip
Level
Calm lake: beginners; whitewater: some experience
Minimum age
Depends on the water; lake paddles suit children with an adult
  • Rivers few people know
  • Huge mountain lakes
  • Easy to add a waterfall
See the full activity page
 Responsible eco travel
Moroccan experience

Responsible eco travel

Optional extra: Stay with a local family

Good eco tourism Morocco trips are about how you travel as much as where you go. We are a local team, so the money you spend stays with Moroccan guides, drivers, cooks, muleteers and family guesthouses. We favour walking, cycling and small groups, sleep in locally owned places, and plan routes that respect villages, water and wildlife. Responsible travel should feel like a richer trip, not a list of rules.

Where
High Atlas valleys, Merzouga oasis, Essaouira coast
Duration
1 day to 2 weeks
Level
Easy to moderate – walking days
Group
Private or small group
  • Local team, local income
  • Slow, low-impact travel
  • Village guesthouses
See the full activity page
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