Morocco Itinerary 20 Days: Fes, the Sahara & the Hidden Atlas
A Morocco itinerary 20 days long that travels slowly from Fes to Marrakech: the medina, two nights in the Sahara, the gorges, and a week in the quiet valleys of the central High Atlas.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this Morocco itinerary 20 days
This Morocco itinerary 20 days long travels slowly from Fes to Marrakech. It has fewer hotel changes, two nights in the dunes and a week in quiet valleys.
First, you spend three nights in Fes, with a day trip to Volubilis and Meknes. Then you cross the cedar forest to Merzouga and walk with camels to two desert camps. After that, you hike the Todra and Dades gorges and rest at Aït Benhaddou. Next, the old road by Telouet leads to Marrakech. Finally, you visit Ouzoud, walk in Aït Bouguemez and kayak on Bin el Ouidane. As a result, our Morocco itinerary 20 days long feels calm, not rushed. It is private, on your dates.
Highlights of this Morocco itinerary 20 days
- Three nights in Fes
- Volubilis & Meknes
- Two nights in desert camps
- Todra & Dades hikes
- Ounila valley & Telouet
- Ouzoud waterfalls
- Walking in Aït Bouguemez
- Kayak on Bin el Ouidane
Morocco itinerary 20 days: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Fes
We meet you at Fes airport; an evening walk to the Bab Bou Jeloud gate.
- 2dayDay 2
The Fes medina
A guided day: the Bou Inania madrasa, the tanneries and the craftsmen’s lanes.
- 3dayDay 3
Volubilis & Meknes
A day trip to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes.
- 4dayDay 4
Cedar forest to Midelt
Ifrane, a walk in the cedar forest of Azrou with its Barbary macaques, and Midelt for the night.
- 5dayDay 5
South to Merzouga
The Ziz Valley and its palm groves, arriving at the edge of the dunes for sunset.
- 6dayDay 6
Camel trek into the dunes
Leave the bags behind and walk with camels deep into Erg Chebbi to a quiet camp.
- 7dayDay 7
A second night in the desert
Sandboarding, tea with a nomad family and a long evening under the stars.
- 8dayDay 8
Back to Merzouga
Sunrise, the walk back, a buggy ride and a free afternoon by the pool.
- 9dayDay 9
Todra Gorge
Drive west to the Todra Gorge and walk up the riverbed between its high walls.
- 10dayDay 10
Dades canyon
A half-day hike through the canyons of the Dades Valley.
- 11dayDay 11
Skoura & Aït Benhaddou
Cycle in the Skoura palm grove and reach Aït Benhaddou for sunset.
- 12dayDay 12
A slow day at Aït Benhaddou
A horse ride around the ksar in the morning and a free afternoon.
- 13dayDay 13
Telouet & Marrakech
The old road through the Ounila valley to the Telouet kasbah, then the Tizi n’Tichka to Marrakech.
- 14dayDay 14
Marrakech
A guided visit of the palaces and souks, and Jemaa el-Fna at night.
- 15dayDay 15
Ouzoud waterfalls
Drive to the highest waterfalls in Morocco and walk down to the pools.
- 16dayDay 16
Into the Happy Valley
Cross the mountains to the green Aït Bouguemez valley and its adobe villages.
- 17dayDay 17
Walking in Aït Bouguemez
A day on foot from village to village, with lunch in a local home.
- 18dayDay 18
Lake Bin el Ouidane
Drive to the turquoise lake and paddle a kayak in the afternoon.
- 19dayDay 19
Back to Marrakech
The drive back to Marrakech and a hammam to finish.
- 20dayDay 20
Departure
A last walk in the Majorelle Garden before your flight.
What’s included in this Morocco itinerary 20 days
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 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
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 Fes
- Night 4Guesthouse in Midelt
- Night 5Riad in Merzouga
- Night 6Desert camp
- Night 7Desert camp
- Night 8Riad in Merzouga
- Night 9Guesthouse in Todra Gorge
- Night 10Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 11Riad in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 12Riad in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 13Riad in Marrakech
- Night 14Riad in Marrakech
- Night 15Guesthouse in Ouzoud
- Night 16Guesthouse in Aït Bouguemez
- Night 17Guesthouse in Aït Bouguemez
- Night 18Guesthouse at Bin el Ouidane
- Night 19Riad 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
March to May and September to November are best: mild days for the camel trek and green valleys in the central Atlas. Summer is very hot in the desert, and winter nights in the mountains and the dunes are cold.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecPossible
What to bring for this trip
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Trail sandals for sand and rivers
- Warm jacket for two desert nights
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Swimsuit for Ouzoud and the lake
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Headtorch for the camp
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- 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.
Morocco Itinerary 20 Days: your questions
Why is this Morocco itinerary of 20 days slower than the others?
There are fewer hotel changes and more two-night stops, so you unpack more often and spend more time walking than driving.
What is special about the central Atlas?
Few travellers go there: the Ouzoud waterfalls, the Aït Bouguemez valley with its adobe villages and the turquoise lake of Bin el Ouidane.
How long is the camel trek in this Morocco itinerary 20 days?
Two nights in the dunes, walking a few hours each day with the camels. If you prefer to ride, you can ride the camels most of the way.
Can this Morocco itinerary 20 days start in Marrakech?
Yes. The route works from Marrakech to Fes too; we simply turn it around.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
Yes. The walks can be shortened, and the rest days and two-night stops keep the pace gentle.
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 8 – Back to MerzougaDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 6 – Camel trek into the dunesDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 7 – A second night in the desertDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 11 – Skoura & Aït BenhaddouDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in FesDetails →Wellness and relaxationDay 19 – Back to MarrakechDetails →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 · extraKayaking through the riversKayak on the lake of Bin el OuidaneSee the activity →Optional · extraResponsible eco travelStay with a local familySee 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
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