17 Day Morocco Trip

This 17 day Morocco trip offers a rich and varied journey through the heart of Morocco, combining cultural exploration, natural beauty, and authentic local encounters. Beginning in Casablanca, the country’s vibrant commercial hub, the route takes you through Morocco’s four imperial cities, scenic mountain ranges, vast deserts, and the Atlantic coast, offering a perfect blend of Morocco’s diverse landscapes and heritage.

You’ll discover historic cities like Rabat, Fez, Meknes, and Marrakech, each with its own character from ancient medinas and bustling souks to majestic mosques and palaces. The trip also ventures into the peaceful blue town of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and the spiritual heart of Morocco in Fez. From there, the experience shifts to the Sahara Desert, where you’ll ride camels over golden dunes, meet nomadic families, listen to Gnawa music, and stargaze in a luxury desert camp in Erg Chigaga, one of the most remote and pristine parts of the Sahara.

What makes this 17 day Morocco trip truly unique is the inclusion of the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco, a region rarely visited by tourists. You’ll travel through dramatic landscapes filled with palm groves, natural rock formations, and hidden Berber villages. Highlights include the Messalite Caves, the lush Ait Mansour Valley, and a visit to the Inoumar granary, one of Morocco’s finest examples of traditional Berber communal storage, offering a rare glimpse into Amazigh mountain culture.

The final part of the trip winds along the Atlantic, stopping in Essaouira, a breezy coastal town known for its relaxed vibe and artistic soul, before concluding in Marrakech, where history and modern life blend in vibrant harmony. With a perfect balance of iconic sites and off-the-beaten-path discoveries, this 17 day Morocco itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to experience Morocco in depth from its ancient cities to its silent deserts and timeless mountain traditions.

Your Moroccan adventure begins in Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city and economic hub. After your arrival, take it easy and explore the city’s architectural wonders. Start with a visit to the majestic Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, offering stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean. You can also stroll along the Corniche, a lively waterfront area, perfect for a sunset walk. Enjoy your first Moroccan dinner at one of the seafood restaurants along the coast.

After breakfast, head north to Rabat, the capital city known for its elegant architecture and coastal serenity. You’ll visit Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the charming Kasbah of the Udayas, which offers stunning views of the Bouregreg River. Continue into the Rif Mountains, where the blue-hued town of Chefchaouen awaits. Nestled in the hills, Chefchaouen feels like a dream an artist’s palette of blues set against rugged peaks. Check in to a cozy riad and soak in the tranquil mountain atmosphere.

Today is devoted to the photogenic medina of Chefchaouen, a favorite among photographers and culture lovers. Wander through narrow lanes painted in every shade of blue, and visit Outa el Hammam Square, the Grand Mosque, and Ras El Ma Spring, where locals gather to wash clothes and socialize. For panoramic views, hike to the Spanish Mosque above town at sunset. The laid-back rhythm and mystical ambiance of Chefchaouen make it a memorable highlight of your 17 day Morocco trip.

Depart the Rif Mountains and head to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO site with well-preserved mosaics and columns that speak to Morocco’s ancient past. Next, stop in Meknes, once the imperial capital under Sultan Moulay Ismail. See the grand Bab Mansour, the Royal Stables, and Moulay Ismail’s Mausoleum. By afternoon, you’ll reach Fez, Morocco’s oldest and most spiritual city. Stay in a traditional riad within the walls of the medieval medina.

Explore Fez el-Bali, a labyrinthine medina brimming with history, craftsmanship, and energy. Your guide will lead you through Al-Qarawiyyin University, the world’s oldest university, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the vibrant tanneries, and the souks of leather, copper, and textiles. The spiritual atmosphere and intellectual legacy of Fez make it a cornerstone of any authentic 17 day Morocco itinerary.

Today, the journey heads south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, a Swiss-style town with European charm, and then visit the Cedar Forest of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques. Continue to Midelt, a town nestled in the mountains, and then descend through the breathtaking Ziz Valley, known for its date palms and kasbahs. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara Desert.

After a desert sunrise, explore the surroundings of Merzouga by 4×4. Visit Khamlia, a village of black Gnawa musicians, and experience their hypnotic rhythms. Meet nomadic families who still live in traditional tents, visit the Mifis Mines, and learn about desert fossils. Later, return to a desert hotel with a pool to relax and enjoy the magical stillness of the dunes.

Leave the Sahara behind and head west. Stop in Erfoud, famous for fossils and dates, and continue to the Todra Gorges, a dramatic canyon with towering cliffs that attract climbers worldwide. Enjoy a walk by the river or lunch beneath the canyon walls. Then travel into the Dades Valley, known as the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, and stay in a charming kasbah-style hotel surrounded by surreal rock formations.

Today’s route leads into remote, little-visited landscapes. Pass through Ikniouen, a hidden Berber village, and continue to Bab n’Ali, where towering twin rock formations dominate a surreal desert plateau. This route offers unique encounters with isolated Berber hamlets and panoramic mountain vistas. By evening, you’ll reach Zagora, a date-palm oasis on the old caravan route to Timbuktu.

Visit Tamegroute, an ancient village home to a green pottery cooperative, one of the oldest libraries in Morocco, and a historic Sufi zawiya. Then travel through the Draa Valley and the remote desert of Oum Laaleg, eventually reaching the wild and untouched Erg Chigaga dunes farther and more pristine than Erg Chebbi. Ride camels to a luxury desert camp, dine under the stars, and listen to traditional drumming by the fire.

Begin your desert crossing by 4×4 over the dried salt flats of Lake Iriki, then follow dusty trails through the desert wilderness to Foum Zguid, where the Sahara meets the mountains. Continue through a rarely traveled region to Tata, a palm-filled oasis town at the edge of the Anti-Atlas Mountains in Morocco, offering a taste of Saharan frontier life.

Today’s journey is one of the most scenic of your 17 day Morocco trip. Visit the Messalite Caves, natural formations hidden in the desert landscape. Ascend into the Anti-Atlas Mountains, driving through wild granite peaks and palm-filled valleys. Stop in the verdant Ait Mansour Valley, where date palms and almond trees line a hidden gorge. End the day in Tafraoute, a peaceful town surrounded by surreal boulder formations and pink granite mountains.

Explore the painted rocks near Tafraoute, then drive to Ait Baha, gateway to the remote Anti-Atlas. Here, visit the remarkable Inoumar Agadir (granary) a fortified communal structure once used by Berber tribes to store grain and treasure. These Berber granaries reflect ancient ingenuity and community spirit. Continue to Taroudant, often called “Little Marrakech,” and explore its red-mud ramparts, lively souks, and laid-back charm.

Depart Taroudant for the coast, stopping at Agadir Oufella, the ruins of an old Kasbah with panoramic views of the Atlantic. Continue along the wild coastal road through Timellaline, a scenic drive dotted with argan trees and ocean cliffs. By evening, arrive in the coastal gem of Essaouira, a charming medina town with whitewashed walls, sea breezes, and historic ramparts.

Spend the morning wandering Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina, visit the Skala de la Ville, browse artisan shops, or enjoy fresh seafood in the harbor. Then drive inland through the argan oil cooperatives run by local women, arriving in Marrakech by late afternoon. Check into your riad and enjoy a relaxing evening in the red city.

Your full-day guided tour of Marrakech begins with visits to the Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and Koutoubia Mosque. Stroll through the colorful souks, visit the tranquil Majorelle Garden, and learn about Berber history at the Dar el Bacha Museum. End your day at Jemaa el-Fna Square, where storytellers, musicians, and street food vendors bring the city to life.

Your unforgettable 17 day Morocco trip concludes with a transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport or a return drive to Casablanca for your flight home. You’ll leave with a deep connection to Morocco’s landscapes, people, and soul.