Morocco Itinerary 18 Days: Fes, Sahara, Anti-Atlas & the Atlantic
Start in the medina of Fes and travel south and west: the Sahara, the kasbah road, the Anti-Atlas around Tafraoute and the wild Atlantic coast from Legzira to Essaouira.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this Morocco itinerary 18 days
This Morocco itinerary 18 days long runs from Fes to the wild south-west coast. It joins the Sahara to places most tours never reach.
First, you explore the medina of Fes and cross the Middle Atlas to Merzouga. Then you ride camels to a desert camp and try buggies and sandboarding. After that, you hike in the Dades and visit Aït Benhaddou. Next, you cycle around Taroudant and hike in the Ameln Valley near Tafraoute. Finally, you walk below the cliffs of Legzira and surf from Mirleft to Taghazout before Essaouira. In short, our Morocco itinerary 18 days long is private and runs on your dates.
Highlights of this Morocco itinerary 18 days
- Guided Fes medina
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Buggy & sandboarding
- Dades canyon hike
- Aït Benhaddou
- Bike ride around the Taroudant ramparts
- Ameln Valley hike
- Legzira cliffs walk
- Surf in Mirleft & Taghazout
- Paradise Valley pools
Morocco itinerary 18 days: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Fes
Settle into your riad and take a first evening walk in the medina.
- 2dayDay 2
The Fes medina
A guided day: the tanneries, the madrasas and the craftsmen’s quarters.
- 3dayDay 3
Middle Atlas to the Sahara
Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley to the dunes of Merzouga.
- 4dayDay 4
Camels into the dunes
A nomad family, then a sunset camel ride to the desert camp.
- 5dayDay 5
Sunrise, buggy & sandboarding
Sunrise on the dunes, a buggy ride and sandboarding, and a free afternoon at the riad pool.
- 6dayDay 6
Todra Gorge & the Dades
A walk in the Todra Gorge, then the Dades Valley.
- 7dayDay 7
Dades canyon hike
A morning hike in the canyon and a quiet afternoon.
- 8dayDay 8
Skoura & Aït Benhaddou
A bike ride in the Skoura oasis, then the ksar of Aït Benhaddou at sunset.
- 9dayDay 9
Saffron country to Taroudant
Cross the high plateau of Taliouine, land of saffron, to the walled town of Taroudant.
- 10dayDay 10
Taroudant by bike
Cycle along the ochre ramparts and visit the two souks of the town.
- 11dayDay 11
Into the Anti-Atlas
A mountain road through argan trees and old granaries to Tafraoute.
- 12dayDay 12
Ameln Valley hike
Walk between almond trees and stone villages, then cycle to the painted rocks.
- 13dayDay 13
Down to Mirleft
Through Tiznit to the cliff-top surf village of Mirleft.
- 14dayDay 14
Legzira & a rest day
Walk Legzira beach at low tide below the red cliffs, then a lazy afternoon or a surf session.
- 15dayDay 15
North to Taghazout
Follow the coast to Taghazout and watch the sunset from the beach.
- 16dayDay 16
Surf & Paradise Valley
A surf lesson in the morning, then a swim in the palm canyon of Paradise Valley.
- 17dayDay 17
Imsouane & Essaouira
Coffee above the long wave of Imsouane, then on to Essaouira.
- 18dayDay 18
Essaouira & Marrakech
A last morning in the port, then the drive to Marrakech for your flight.
What’s included in this Morocco itinerary 18 days
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 Fes and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
- 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 Fes
- Night 2Riad in Fes
- Night 3Riad in Merzouga
- Night 4Desert camp
- Night 5Riad in Merzouga
- Night 6Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 7Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 8Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 9Riad in Taroudant
- Night 10Riad in Taroudant
- Night 11Guesthouse in Tafraoute
- Night 12Guesthouse in Tafraoute
- Night 13Guesthouse in Mirleft
- Night 14Guesthouse in Mirleft
- Night 15Surf house in Taghazout
- Night 16Surf house in Taghazout
- Night 17Riad 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
February to April is lovely, with almond blossom around Tafraoute and mild days in the desert; October and November are very good too. Avoid July and August, when the Sahara and the inland south-west are very hot.
- JanPossible
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Walking shoes for the medina, the canyon and the Ameln Valley
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Warm layer for the desert night
- Headtorch for the camp
- Swimsuit and quick-dry towel
- Shoes you can wet for Legzira and Paradise Valley
- Rash vest for the surf
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Fes
- Sunglasses and high-factor 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.
Morocco Itinerary 18 Days: your questions
Who is this Morocco itinerary 18 days long for?
For travellers who want the Sahara but also quiet places few tours reach: Taroudant, the Anti-Atlas and the coast between Legzira and Essaouira.
Does this Morocco itinerary 18 days include Marrakech?
It ends in Marrakech for your flight. Add one or two days at the end if you want to visit the city.
How do I get to Fes to start?
Fly into Fes airport, or take the train from Casablanca, Rabat or Tangier. We meet you at the airport or the station.
Is the surf good for beginners on this Morocco itinerary 18 days?
Yes. Mirleft and Taghazout both have beaches for beginners, and the instructors choose the spot for the day’s waves.
When do the almond trees bloom in Tafraoute?
Usually in February, sometimes into early March. It is a lovely time for this trip, as the desert is mild too.
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 5 – Sunrise, buggy & sandboardingDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 4 – Camels into the dunesDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 4 – Camels into the dunesDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 8 – Skoura & Aït BenhaddouDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in FesDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 13 – Down to MirleftDetails →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 · 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 · extraJet ski adventure on the coastJet ski on the bay of AgadirSee 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
More ideas for 18 days in morocco
18 Day Morocco Trip for Hikers: Toubkal, Happy Valley & the Sahara on FootPrivate tour · Round trip from Marrakech · Very activeFor walkers and outdoor people: the summit of Toubkal, the Ouzoud waterfalls, two days trekking in the Aït Bouguemez “Happy Valley”, kayak on Bin el Ouidane lake, climbing in Todra and three days on foot in the Sahara.
18 Days in Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech to Tangier, SlowlyPrivate tour · Marrakech to Tangier · Slow travel, many rest daysOne direction, south to north, with long stays: Marrakech and Agafay, the kasbah road, two nights in a desert camp, a night in Midelt, three nights in Fes and three in Chefchaouen, ending at the Strait of Gibraltar.
18 Days in Morocco with Kids: Mountains, Dunes & SurfPrivate tour · Marrakech to Agadir · Family, broken-up drivesA family trip that ends on the beach: a balloon flight and mule walks, the kasbahs and the Sahara reached in short stages, then walled Taroudant and a family surf week near Agadir.