Morocco 12 Day Itinerary
Duration: 12 Days/11 Nights Distance: 2228 km
Start: Casablanca End: Casablanca
Type: Private Tour
Highlights at a Glance of Morocco 12 Day Itinerary
- Start your journey in Casablanca, home to the impressive Hassan II Mosque
- Stroll the enchanting blue streets of Chefchaouen, the “Blue Pearl”
- UNESCO world heritage site of Volubilis
- Explore the medieval medina of Fes (UNESCO World Heritage & world’s first university)
- Admire the landscapes of the Ziz Valley, the Cedar Forest with Barbary macaques & alpine Ifrane
- Sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes & overnight in a luxury desert camp
- Experience authentic Berber nomad life and live Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Walk through the stunning Todra Gorges and palm groves
- Explore Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa” & Atlas Film Studios
- Visit UNESCO site Aït Ben Haddou, famous film location (Gladiator, Game of Thrones)
- Visit Taroudant and its impressive ramparts and bustling medina
- Explore the coast city of Essaouira
- Discover the vibrant medina of Marrakech: Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs & Bahia Palace
- Scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains
Tour Program of Morocco 12 Day Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Casablanca – Transfer to your hotel
Distance: 32km Time on the road: 40 min
Morocco 12 Day Itinerary, starts upon your arrival at Casablanca Airport (CMN), our professional driver/guide will be waiting for you with a sign displaying your name. You will receive a warm welcome to Morocco before being transferred to your hotel in Casablanca. Take the rest of the day to relax and recover from your flight in preparation for the journey ahead.
Overnight stay in Casablanca
Day 2 : Casablanca City Tour – Transfer to Rabat
Distance: 87km Time on the road: 1h 30min
After breakfast at your hotel, today your Morocco 12 Day Itinerary, begins with a guided exploration of Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city and economic hub. Known for its unique blend of European Art Deco and Moorish architecture, Casablanca offers several iconic landmarks.
Your first stop will be the world-famous Hassan II Mosque, the fifth-largest mosque in the world and home to the tallest minaret on earth. You will also take a short tour of the modern New Town of Casablanca, part of which is built overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Afterwards, you will continue to Rabat, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities and the nation’s capital. Here, you will visit the historic Kasbah of the Udayas (Oudayas), a 12th-century fortress overlooking the Atlantic, once home to Andalusian immigrants and beautifully preserved through centuries. You will also see the Hassan Tower, the unfinished minaret of what was intended to be the world’s largest mosque in the 12th century.
Following your sightseeing in Rabat, you will be transferred to your traditional Riad.
Day 3 : Rabat – Chefchaouen (The Blue Pearl of Morocco)
Distance: 249km Time on the road: 4h
After breakfast, your Morocco 12 Day Itinerary, tour continues north towards Chefchaouen, one of the highlights of your Morocco tour. Known as the “Blue Pearl of Morocco”, Chefchaouen is a charming mountain town nestled beneath the rugged peaks of the Rif Mountains.
This picturesque town is famous for its blue-washed medina, a unique blend of Moroccan and Andalusian architecture. Stroll through the narrow alleyways lined with bright blue houses, red-tiled rooftops, and colorful shops. Visit the lively Uta El Hammam Square, the heart of the medina, where you can also see the restored Kasbah.
Chefchaouen offers a serene and magical atmosphere, making it one of the most photographed and beloved towns in Morocco. Overnight stay in Chefchaouen.
Day 4 : Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
Distance: 260km Time on the road: 4h 45min
After breakfast, you will leave Chefchaouen and travel towards Volubilis, Morocco’s most famous archaeological site. These impressive Roman ruins, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcase ancient mosaics, temples, and columns that tell the story of Morocco’s Roman heritage.
Then Morocco 12 Day Itinerary continues to Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities and the former capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Here, you will visit the magnificent Bab Mansour Gate, one of the finest examples of Moroccan architecture, and explore El Hedim Square, a lively plaza often compared to Marrakech’s Djemaa El-Fna. Following that you can have your lunch in Meknes before you continue your trip.
In the afternoon, you will head to Fes, also known as the “Athens of Africa”. This historic city is the oldest Islamic city in Morocco and has long been a center of spirituality, education, and culture. When you arrive Fez, you will check into your Riad. Overnight stay in Fes.
Day 5 : Fes Sightseeing with Local Guide
Distance: Today you drive just 10 minutes, and you walk in The Medina with local guide
After breakfast, your Morocco 12 Day Itinerary will take a place in Fes. Your day begins with a visit by car to the Royal Palace and the historic Jewish Quarter (Mellah). From there, you will head to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the entire Fes Medina, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Morocco’s oldest imperial city.
Next, your driver will drop you off at the entrance of the Fes Medina, where your walking tour with a professional local guide begins. You will explore the old ramparts and visit the Marinid Tombs, before discovering the Bou Inania Madrasa, a stunning 14th-century Islamic school that houses intricate architecture, ceramics, and ancient manuscripts.
After enjoying lunch in the medina, your exploration continues through the maze-like cobblestone alleys. Highlights include the beautifully decorated Attarin Madrasa, the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts (Funduq Nejjarine), the vibrant Chouara Tannery, and numerous artisan workshops producing pottery, copperware, leather goods, and traditional handicrafts.
At the end of this enriching day, you return to your Riad for an overnight stay in Fes.
Day 6 : Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Middle Atlas – Ziz Valley – Sahara Desert (Merzouga)
Distance: 463km Time on the road: 7 30min
Our Morocco 12 Day Itinerary today, starts after breakfast, we depart from Fes around 8:00 AM and begin our scenic journey towards the Sahara Desert. The drive takes us through some of Morocco’s most fascinating landscapes and towns.
Our first stop is Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its alpine-style architecture and clean mountain air. From there, we continue to the cedar forests of Azrou, home to the famous Barbary apes, where you can observe these playful monkeys in their natural habitat.
The road then winds through the breathtaking Middle Atlas Mountains, offering panoramic views of valleys, lakes, and villages along the way. We will stop in one of the villages on our way to enjoy a traditional lunch.
In the afternoon, the journey continues through the impressive Ziz Valley, with its endless palm groves and dramatic gorges carved by the Ziz River. In the evening, we get to Merzouga desert. You will be welcomed at your desert hotel with a refreshing mint tea, where you can relax, shower, and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Merzouga hotel.
Day 7 : Merzouga Desert Exploration & Camel Trek
Distance: 50 km off road around the desert
After breakfast at your hotel, your Morocco 12 Day Itinerary, begins with an exploration of the Merzouga region and the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes. You will visit the village of Khamlia, known for its vibrant culture and spiritual Gnawa music, where locals perform traditional dances and songs passed down through generations. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover the unique traditions and lifestyle of the desert communities.
After that, you will meet your driver to start your unforgettable desert adventure. After leaving your extra luggage behind, you will set out on a camel trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. As you ride through the Sahara, you will witness one of the most breathtaking sunsets in Morocco, surrounded by the silence and vastness of the desert.
By evening, you will arrive at your luxury desert camp, where you will be welcomed with mint tea and a traditional Moroccan dinner. The night will be filled with Berber music and drumming under the starry desert sky, creating a magical atmosphere you will never forget. Overnight stay in a desert camp in Merzouga.
Day 8 : Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorge
Distance: 270km Time on the road: 4h 30min
Our Morocco 12 Day Itinerary, will head towards Dades valley, but first you wake up early to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Sahara dunes, a magical moment not to be missed. After enjoying breakfast at the desert camp, you will ride your camels back to Merzouga, where you can refresh before continuing the journey.
Our first stop will be Rissani, home to one of the oldest and most traditional souks (markets) in Morocco, where locals trade spices, livestock, and handicrafts. From there, we travel through Tinjdad on the way to the spectacular Todra Gorges, famous for their towering cliffs reaching up to 300 meters high. Here, you will have time to walk along the gorge and enjoy the stunning natural scenery.
The journey continues through the Dades Valley, where we will spend the night.
Day 9 : Dades - Ouarzazate - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech
Distance: 323km Time on the road: 5h 30min
Our Morocco 12 Day Itinerary continues towards Marrakech, we will begin with a brief stop in the Dades gorges. We are going to travel by Mgouna, which is the location of the flowers festival that takes place annually. After that, we continue to Ouarzazate. This city is often referred to as the “Hollywood of Morocco” owing to the fact that a great number of historical films were shot in the city. We have a stop Atlas film studio.
Following that, we will take a short trip to Ait Ben Hadou, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kasbah is famous for making series and films such us Game of Thrones and Gladiator. After our visit to the Kasbah, we will continue to Marrakech passing by the high Atlas Mountains, Tizi n-Tishka, which is located at an elevation of 2260 meters.
Along the route, we will be stopping for photographs at several locations. There are vistas of the verdant river valleys with adobe settlements and the remnants of old kasbahs when traveling along this route, which is considered to be one of the most scenic ways in Morocco. Next, we will make our way in the direction of Marrakech. We will drop you off at your Riad to check in.
Day 10 : Marrakech sightseeing with local guide
Today, your Morocco 12 Day Itinerary, continues with a full-day exploration of Marrakech, one of Morocco’s most fascinating imperial cities. Accompanied by a professional local guide, you will discover the city’s most important landmarks and hidden gems.
Your sightseeing begins at the lively Rahba Kedima spice market, where the air is filled with the aromas of cumin, cinnamon, saffron, dried peppers, and many other exotic spices. From there, you will stroll through the old Jewish Quarter (Mellah) before visiting the elegant Bahia Palace, an architectural masterpiece of 19th-century Moroccan design.
The tour also includes the majestic Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech with its iconic 12th-century minaret, as well as the peaceful Menara Gardens, a symbol of Marrakech’s heritage. You will also visit the historic Saadian Tombs, beautifully decorated mausoleums dating back to the 16th century.
Overnight stay in a riad in Marrakech.
Day 11 : Free Day In Marrakech
Distance: free time in Marrakech
Today in Morocco 12 Day Itinerary, is yours to enjoy Marrakech at your own pace. You may begin the day with a relaxing traditional hammam experience, followed by a visit to the beautiful Jardin Majorelle, one of the city’s most famous gardens, known for its striking blue architecture, exotic plants, and peaceful atmosphere.
Afterwards, return to the medina and spend some time walking through the colorful souks, where narrow lanes are filled with spices, textiles, leather goods, lanterns, and traditional Moroccan handicrafts. The rest of the day is free for you to explore, stop for a coffee or lunch, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Marrakech at your leisure.
Day 12 : Marrakech - Casablanca
Distance: 260km Time on the road: 3h 30min
Depending on your departure schedule, our driver/guide will transport you to the international airport after breakfast and our Morocco 12 Day Itinerary, will come to an end, marking the regrettable conclusion of our unforgettable journey. Thanks for trusting MNT.
Accommodations of Morocco 12 Day Itinerary
| Category 1 | |
|---|---|
| Casablanca | Hotel Kenzi Basma |
| Rabat | Riad Dar Alia |
| Chefchaouen | Riad Hicham |
| Fez | Riad Tahra |
| Desert Night 1 | Sahara Desert Luxury Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Riad Dar Hassan |
| Ouarzazate | Hotel Riad Amlal |
| Taroudant | Riad Benyara |
| Essaouira | Riad Raoud Rayhane |
| Marrakech | Riad El Walida |
| Category 2 | |
|---|---|
| Casablanca | Hotel Odyssee Center |
| Rabat | Riad Al Bahi |
| Chefchaouen | Dar Echchaouen |
| Fez | Palais Houyam |
| Desert Night 1 | Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Riad Chebbi |
| Ouarzazate | Riad Dar Chamaa |
| Taroudant | Le Palais Oumensour |
| Essaouira | Hotel Riad Mimouna |
| Marrakech | Riad Nesma |
| Category 3 | |
|---|---|
| Casablanca | Casablanca Mariott Hotel |
| Rabat | Rabat Mariott Hotel |
| Chefchaouen | Lina Ryad & Spa |
| Fez | Palais Faraj |
| Desert Night 1 | Desert Luxury Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Desert Luxury Camp |
| Ouarzazate | Hotel OZ Palace Ouarzazate |
| Taroudant | Dar al Hossoun |
| Essaouira | Heure Bleu Palais |
| Marrakech | La Maison Arabe |
*In case the listed hotel is fully booked, we will provide a similar option of the same category and inform you accordingly.
What’s included in Morocco 12 Day Itinerary
- Included:
- Pick up and drop off from to the airport
- Transport in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide (or request other preferred language)
- Accommodation in carefully selected hotels and traditional riads
- Breakfasts throughout the tour
- Dinners in the desert and Ouarzazate
- Camel ride experience in the Sahara Desert
- Sandboarding
- Local guides in Marrakech and Fes
- Flexible stops whenever you want
- Berber Music at Night
- All Transportation related costs
- All Driver related costs
- Not Included:
- Lunches and beverages
- Not mentioned Dinners
- Personal expenses and optional activities
- Entrance Tickets and Fees
- Tips ( Optional )
- Map of 12 Day Private Morocco Tour
- Book this tour now