10-Day Morocco Itinerary: The Grand Tour
The 10-day Morocco itinerary is our grand tour — a full loop from Marrakech that takes in the Sahara at Merzouga, the imperial city of Fes, the blue mountain town of Chefchaouen, the capitals of Rabat and Casablanca, and the breezy Atlantic port of Essaouira before returning to Marrakech. Ten days is enough to travel at a comfortable pace and still see the whole range of Morocco — desert, mountains, medinas and coast. Shared or Private Premium.
Have less time? The 7-day itinerary covers the highlights. Want more depth? See the 12-day In-Depth tour.
Trip at a glance
- A full loop — start and finish in Marrakech
- Two guided city days (Marrakech & Fes)
- Sahara desert camp with camel trek
- Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Rabat & Casablanca
- Atlantic coast at Essaouira
- 9 nights' accommodation + daily breakfast
DurationShared / Private
FormatRound-trip
Route2–6
Ideal group
Day-by-day: 10-Day Grand Tour
A comfortable ten-day loop with two city days and a desert night. Driving times are approximate and fully tailorable.
Arrive Marrakech — the Red City
Meet-and-greet at the airport and transfer to your riad. Evening free to feel the buzz of Jemaa el-Fna and the souks.
- Airport pickup
- Riad check-in
- Jemaa el-Fna
Marrakech — full-day guided city tour
The Koutoubia, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs and the souks with a local guide.
- Koutoubia
- Bahia Palace
- Ben Youssef Madrasa
- Souks
Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, a guided stop at Aït Ben Haddou, then Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley.
- Tizi n'Tichka
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Ouarzazate
- Dades
Dades → Todra Gorge → Erg Chebbi (Merzouga)
The gorges, then Merzouga and a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, dinner and a night under the stars.
- Dades Gorge
- Todra Gorge
- Erg Chebbi
- Camel trek
Sahara sunrise → Ziz Valley → Fes
Sunrise over the dunes, then north via the Ziz Valley and Ifrane to Fes.
- Desert sunrise
- Ziz Valley
- Ifrane
- Fes
Fes — full-day guided medina tour
A full day in Fes el-Bali with a licensed guide — tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin, madrasas and artisan souks.
- Chouara tanneries
- Al-Qarawiyyin
- Madrasas
- Souks
Fes → Meknes → Volubilis → Chefchaouen
Imperial Meknes and Roman Volubilis, then into the Rif to the blue city of Chefchaouen.
- Meknes
- Volubilis
- Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen → Rabat → Casablanca
To the capital Rabat — Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower — then Casablanca.
- Kasbah of the Udayas
- Hassan Tower
- Casablanca
Casablanca → El Jadida → Essaouira
The Hassan II Mosque, the Portuguese cistern at El Jadida, then down the coast to the walled port of Essaouira.
- Hassan II Mosque
- El Jadida
- Essaouira ramparts
Essaouira → Marrakech (return / departure)
A morning by the Atlantic, argan cooperatives on the road, then back to Marrakech for your departure.
- Essaouira harbour
- Argan cooperative
- Marrakech
What's included — and what's not
Included
- Private/shared vehicle & fuel for 10 days
- English-speaking driver-host
- 9 nights (riads, kasbah hotel, desert camp, coast)
- Daily breakfast + desert dinner
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Licensed guides in Marrakech & Fes
- Airport pickup & drop-off
- Tolls & parking
Not included
- Flights
- Lunches & drinks
- Monument & museum entrance fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips (optional)
How much does a 10-day Morocco tour cost?
Prices are per person and depend on group size, dates and accommodation. As a guide:
Sharing a private vehicle brings the per-person price down significantly on a tour of this length. Message us with your dates and numbers
Shared departures
Shared departures run on set dates so we can guarantee a real small group rather than a half-empty vehicle. If none of these dates fit, a Private Premium tour can start on any day you choose.
Departs
The first Saturday of every month
Small group, maximum 12 travellers.
Guaranteed departure promise
We need a minimum of 4 travellers to run a shared departure. If a date doesn't reach the minimum we'll tell you at least 14 days ahead, and you can either move to another date, upgrade to a private tour at a reduced rate, or take a full refund of your deposit. Private tours have no fixed dates — you choose any start date you like.
Best time
Spring and autumn are ideal for this range of altitudes and climates.
What to pack
Layers, comfortable shoes, sun protection, a scarf, modest layers for mosques, swimwear for the coast.
Who it suits
Travellers who want the whole country without rushing — couples, families and small groups.
Flexibility
Reserve now, pay on arrival. Every stop is tailorable.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough to see Morocco properly?
Yes — ten days is a comfortable length to combine the Sahara, the imperial cities, the blue city and the Atlantic coast on one loop without long days every day.
Does it start and end in Marrakech?
Yes — a round-trip loop, ideal if you fly in and out of Marrakech. We can also finish in Casablanca or Fes on request.
Shared or private?
Shared runs on set departure dates at the best price; Private Premium is your own vehicle and driver with a flexible pace.
How many long driving days are there?
A few — the desert-to-Fes crossing is the longest — but city and coast days are relaxed, and stops break the drives.
Can we add the High Atlas or a cooking class?
Yes — this itinerary is a template we tailor. Add trekking, a class, or extra nights anywhere.
Book now, pay later?
Yes — reserve now, pay on arrival, confirmed in writing.
