3 Days
Grand Tour★★★★★ 5.0 TripAdvisor
12-Day Grand Morocco Circuit from Marrakech
⏱ 12 Days · 11 Nights🚗 Private Tour📍 Marrakech → Marrakech📅 Available Year-round
Tour Overview
This twelve-day loop leaves Marrakech heading south and east through the High Atlas and Sahara, then swings north through Fez, Meknes, and Chefchaouen before returning down the coast through Essaouira, a full circuit of the country rather than an out-and-back. It works well for travelers who have already decided Marrakech is their arrival and departure city but don't want to limit the trip to just the south.
Tour Highlights
- ✓Ait Benhaddou and the High Atlas via Tizi n'Tichka
- ✓A night in a luxury Sahara desert camp at Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
- ✓Todra Gorge and the Dades and Rose Valleys
- ✓Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis
- ✓Two full days in Fez el-Bali, the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities
- ✓An overnight in the blue city of Chefchaouen
- ✓A coastal finish in Essaouira before returning to Marrakech
- ✓Private vehicle and driver-guide for the entire 12 days
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day1
Day 1
Marrakech Medina
Arrive and settle into your riad, with an afternoon orientation walk through the medina to Jemaa el-Fna.
🏨 Riad in Marrakech
ArrivalJemaa el-Fna
Day2
Day 2
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Ait Benhaddou
Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stopping at Berber villages and viewpoints, and arrive at Ait Benhaddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar seen in Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
🏨 Kasbah hotel, Ait Benhaddou
Tizi n'TichkaHigh AtlasAit BenhaddouUNESCO
Day3
Day 3
Ait Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
Visit Ouarzazate before driving into the Dades Valley, stopping in the Rose Valley at Kelaat M'Gouna en route.
🏨 Guesthouse, Dades Valley
OuarzazateRose ValleyDades Valley
Day4
Day 4
Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga
Walk the Todra Gorge near Tinghir before continuing to Merzouga and transferring by camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
🏨 Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
Todra GorgeErg ChebbiDesert Camp
Day5
Day 5
Sahara Sunrise → Ziz Valley → Fez
Sunrise over the dunes, then a long drive north through the Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas to Fez, arriving by evening.
🏨 Riad in Fez
Sahara SunriseZiz ValleyMiddle AtlasFez Arrival
Day6
Day 6
Fez el-Bali
A full day in the medina: Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Qarawiyyin, and the Chouara tanneries viewpoint.
🏨 Riad in Fez
Fez el-BaliAl-QarawiyyinChouara Tanneries
Day7
Day 7
Fez → Meknes → Volubilis → Chefchaouen
Visit Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis before continuing north through the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen.
🏨 Riad in Chefchaouen
MeknesVolubilisRif MountainsChefchaouen
Day8
Day 8
Chefchaouen
A full day in the blue medina: the Kasbah, Ras el-Maa waterfall, and a sunset climb to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint.
🏨 Riad in Chefchaouen
KasbahRas el-MaaSpanish Mosque Viewpoint
Day9
Day 9
Chefchaouen → Rabat
Drive south to Rabat, Morocco's capital, visiting the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Udayas.
🏨 Riad in Rabat
RabatHassan TowerKasbah of the Udayas
Day10
Day 10
Rabat → Essaouira
A long coastal drive south to Essaouira, with the afternoon free to explore the Skala ramparts and fishing port.
🏨 Riad in Essaouira
EssaouiraSkalaFishing Port
Day11
Day12
Day 12
Departure
A final stroll through the medina lanes near your riad before your airport transfer or onward journey from Marrakech.
🏨 Tour ends in Marrakech
Departure
What's Included
✅ Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full route
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- 11 nights' accommodation (riads, kasbah hotels, and 1 desert camp)
- Breakfast daily; dinner at the desert camp
- Camel trek into the dunes at Merzouga
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech
❌ Not Included
- Lunch daily and most dinners
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Personal shopping and tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a private tour?+
Yes, all Fez Cultural Tours are 100% private. You will never share your vehicle or guide with strangers. Every tour is exclusively for you and your group, allowing us to tailor the pace and stops to your preferences.
What is included in the 12-day tour?+
This tour includes: Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full route; Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout; 11 nights' accommodation (riads, kasbah hotels, and 1 desert camp); Breakfast daily; dinner at the desert camp; Camel trek into the dunes at Merzouga; Hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech.
What is not included?+
Not included in the tour price: Lunch daily and most dinners; Entrance fees to monuments and museums; Personal shopping and tips.
What is the best time of year for this tour?+
The best times are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) when temperatures are comfortable. Summer is very hot in the Sahara (40°C+), while winter nights can be cold but days remain beautiful.
Can we customize the itinerary?+
Absolutely. Every itinerary can be tailored to your interests, pace, and travel goals. Contact us via WhatsApp (+212 697 540 383) and we will craft a personalized route for you.
How do I book and what is the payment process?+
Contact us via WhatsApp or our inquiry form. No commitment needed. Once you approve the itinerary, a 20% deposit secures your dates. The balance is paid in cash (Euros or MAD) to your guide on the first day.
Is this tour suitable for families and seniors?+
Yes. We adapt the pace, accommodation, and activities for families with children and senior travelers. Please mention any special requirements when booking so we can plan accordingly.
From the Blog
Morocco 14-Day Itinerary: The Complete Grand Circuit
Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fez, Volubilis, Sahara, Todra, Dades, Ait Benhaddou, Essaouira, Marrakech: the perfect 2-week Morocco itinerary, day by day.
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