Two tested 12-day routes with a map, driving hours for every day, where to sleep and what it costs, from the Marrakech team that drives them.
The best 12 day Morocco itinerary sleeps two nights in the places that deserve it: Casablanca to Marrakech with two nights each in Chefchaouen, Fes and the Erg Chebbi dunes, a night in Midelt to split the Atlas crossing, and no day longer than 5 hours on the road. Arriving from Spain, drive Tangier to Casablanca via the Sahara with extra days in Marrakech and Essaouira.
Each route below has a map, the driving hours for every day, the hotels our tours use and what it costs. We are a tour operator based in Marrakech and these are our own tour routes. Compare with the 10 day and 14 day itineraries.
Route 1Our pickOur pick: two nights where it matters
Route 2North to south, ending on the coast
Twelve days lets you sleep two nights in most places. Pick by where you land and whether you want the desert for one night or two.
Switch between the routes, then tap a stop to see where it is.
Morocco 12-day routes
Route 1 splits the Atlas crossing with a night in Midelt, so no day is longer than 5 hours. Route 2 keeps the classic Fes to Merzouga day of 7.5 hours but adds two days in Marrakech with little or no driving.
Hours on the road, day by day
Route 1 · Our pick: two nights where it matters
This is the route of our photography tour, timed for the light, and it works just as well without a camera: two nights each in Chefchaouen, Fes and the desert, a night in Midelt to split the Atlas crossing, and the last night under the walls of Ait Benhaddou before Marrakech. No day is longer than 5 hours on the road.
Airport transfer, then the city
From Mohammed V Airport to the Hassan II Mosque in the late afternoon, when the low sun lights its zellige against the Atlantic.
Hyatt Regency or Sofitel Tour Blanche, Casablanca
About 340 km · 5 h
A stop at the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, then into the Rif to Chefchaouen and a 20-minute walk up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset.
Lina Ryad & Spa or Dar Echchaouen
On foot in the medina
The blue lanes at dawn before the crowds, a quiet midday, and the golden hour back in the medina.
Same as night 2
About 260 km · 4.5 h
The Triumphal Arch and the Basilica of Volubilis against the Zerhoun hills, then the Merenid Tombs above Fes at sunset.
Riad Fes or Palais Amani
On foot in the medina
The Chouara tanneries from a private terrace in the morning, then the coppersmiths of Seffarine Square and the souks.
Same as night 4
About 200 km · 3.5 h
An hour with the Barbary macaques in the Azrou cedar forest, and a night in Midelt that splits the long Atlas crossing in two.
Taddart Hotel or similar, Midelt
About 270 km · 4.5 h
The date palms of the Ziz Valley from the canyon rim, then the dunes of Merzouga for golden hour on a high dune.
Luxury desert camp, private tent
In the desert
A camel caravan at sunrise, Gnawa music in the afternoon and, on clear nights, the Milky Way from deeper in the desert.
Same camp
About 250 km · 4.5 h
The 300 m walls of the Todra Gorge in the morning, and the zig-zag road of the Dades at dusk.
Xaluca Dades or Chez Pierre
About 140 km · 2.5 h
The Kasbah Amridil in the Skoura oasis, then a night facing Ait Benhaddou for the ksar at sunset.
Ksar Ighnda or similar
About 180 km · 3.5 h
The winding road over the High Atlas, then Jemaa el-Fna from a balcony café as the food stalls fire up.
La Villa des Orangers or Les Jardins de la Koutoubia
Airport transfer: 15 min to RAK or about 2.5 h to CMN
A last morning at the Majorelle Garden, then Marrakech or Casablanca airport.
Do this as a private tour
12 Days Morocco Photography Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech
from $2,150 per person for two travellers sharing: private 4x4 with 220V plugs, driver-guide for 12 days and eleven nights.
Route 2 · North to south, ending on the coast
Our 10-day north-to-south route with two more days in Marrakech: one in the High Atlas villages around Imlil and one free day for the gardens or a hammam, before Essaouira and the Atlantic coast to Casablanca.
About 323 km · 5.5 h
South through the Rif with lunch in Chefchaouen, arriving in Fes in the evening.
Riad in the Fes medina
On foot in the medina
Al Quaraouiyine, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Chouara tanneries and the Mellah, ending at the Merenid Tombs.
Riad in the Fes medina
About 459 km · 7.5 h (longest day)
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley, then a sunset camel ride to a camp in Erg Chebbi.
Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
About 250 km · 4.5 h
Sunrise on the dunes, a river walk in the Todra Gorge and a night in the Dades Valley.
Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley
About 330 km · 6.5 h
The Rose Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou and the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.
Riad in the Marrakech medina
On foot in the city
The Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Majorelle Garden and the souks, ending at Jemaa el-Fna.
Riad in the Marrakech medina
About 65 km · 1.5 h each way
A 2 to 3 hour walk from Imlil to the village of Aroumd beneath Toubkal, with mint tea in a village house.
Riad in the Marrakech medina
No driving
A hammam, a cooking class or a slow afternoon in the gardens. Ideas in our Marrakech itinerary.
Riad in the Marrakech medina
About 190 km · 2.5 h
West across the argan forest to Essaouira by lunchtime.
Riad in the Essaouira medina
On foot in the town
The Skala ramparts, the fishing port and the beach.
Riad in the Essaouira medina
About 278 km · 4 h
Past Safi and the Oualidia lagoon to the Portuguese cistern of El Jadida.
Hotel near the old city, El Jadida
About 90 km · 1.5 h, then the airport
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, then Mohammed V Airport.
Do this as a private tour
10 Days Tour from Tangier to Casablanca via the Sahara
from $1,550 per person for two travellers sharing for the 10-day version; ask us to add the two Marrakech days.
March to May and September to November give soft light and comfortable temperatures on both routes. In winter the High Atlas can be snow-capped, which is beautiful, but desert nights drop close to freezing; in summer the desert passes 40°C. More in the best time to visit Morocco.
When to go, region by region
Tap a month to see its temperatures.
Marrakech in OctoberIdeal
Warm days and mild evenings: the best weather for the medina and souks.
Average high 28 °C, low 15 °C (Marrakech).
Route 1 is our 12-day tour from $2,150 per person for two travellers sharing, with eleven nights in boutique hotels and riads. Route 2 starts from the 10-day tour at $1,550 with two Marrakech days added. Here is Route 1 with lunches and tips. More in Morocco tour prices.
Example: two travellers on Route 1
| Private tour, Route 1 (2 × $2,150) | $4,300 |
|---|---|
| 11 lunches each (100–120 MAD a meal) | $220–$265 |
| Driver-guide tip, 12 days (150–200 MAD a day) | $180–$240 |
| Entrance fees, drinks, souvenirs | Your choice |
About $4,700–$4,805 for the two of you, before entrance fees and shopping.
What is not in a tour price
Both routes cross the Middle and High Atlas and reach the desert, where no train goes. The train helps only between the big cities. For self-drive, read driving in Morocco first.
| How you travel | Route 1Casablanca to Marrakech, slowly | Route 2Tangier to Casablanca, plus Marrakech |
|---|---|---|
| Private driver-guideDoor to door, guides in each city | Works well | Works well |
| Self-drive rentalPossible; mountain and desert days | Possible, with trade-offs | Possible, with trade-offs |
| TrainOnly between the big cities | Does not work | Does not work |
| Bus and shared toursCheapest, slow, fixed group schedules | Possible, with trade-offs | Possible, with trade-offs |
Drop the free Marrakech days from Route 2 and keep the rest.
10 day Morocco itineraryAdd Tangier and the Atlantic coast road on the grand tour from Casablanca.
14 day Morocco itineraryRoute 1 is timed for blue hour, golden hour and the night sky, with 220V plugs in the car.
12 days photography tourSwap Erg Chebbi for the remote dunes of Erg Chigaga, reached by 4x4 from M'Hamid.
5 days Erg Chigaga tourPalace riads and a luxury desert camp on a 10-day route you can extend.
Luxury honeymoon tourThe point of 12 days is a second night in Chefchaouen, Fes and the desert, not more places on the map.
Fes to Merzouga is about 7.5 hours. A night in Midelt, as on Route 1, cuts it into two easy days.
With 12 days you can afford two: one evening to arrive, one full day to see the dunes, the oases and the nomad camps.
Keep one day with nothing booked, usually in Marrakech, for the gardens, a hammam or simply resting.
The same format for every length of trip, from a few days in Marrakech to two weeks across the country.
Yes. Twelve days lets you sleep two nights in most places, which is what makes a Morocco trip relaxed, while still covering the north, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech.
Casablanca to Marrakech with two nights each in Chefchaouen, Fes and the desert, a night in Midelt and a night facing Ait Benhaddou. It is the route of our 12-day tour, and no day is longer than about 5 hours of driving.
Two is ideal: one evening to arrive and see the sunset, then a full day for the dunes and the night sky. Route 1 has two nights at a luxury camp in Erg Chebbi.
Our 12-day tour costs from $2,150 per person for two travellers sharing, with eleven nights included. The Tangier to Casablanca route starts from the 10-day tour at $1,550 with two Marrakech days added. Lunches and tips are extra.
Yes. Route 2 spends two nights in Essaouira and follows the Atlantic coast to El Jadida and Casablanca.
March to May and September to November. In winter the High Atlas can be snow-capped and desert nights drop close to freezing; in summer the desert passes 40°C.
Want your 12 days planned for you?
Build a day-by-day plan with real drive times in the trip planner, or book one of the routes above as a private tour.