17 Day Morocco Trip: Two Deserts & The Anti-Atlas

Arrival In Casablanca

Your journey begins in Casablanca. After arrival, visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, with stunning views over the Atlantic, then stroll the Corniche at sunset before your first Moroccan dinner by the coast.

Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen

We head north to Rabat, visiting the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Udayas above the Bouregreg River.

We continue into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, checking into a cozy riad in the blue-washed town.

Explore Chefchaouen

A full day in Chefchaouen's medina, a favorite among photographers. Lonely Planet calls it "one of the most photographed towns in Morocco". We visit Outa el Hammam Square, the Grand Mosque, and Ras El Ma Spring.

A sunset hike to the Spanish Mosque gives you a panoramic view over the town.

Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes

We visit Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose ruins "contains essentially Roman vestiges of a fortified municipium", then Meknes for the Bab Mansour gate and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.

By afternoon we reach Fes, checking into a traditional riad within the medina walls.

Guided Tour Of Fes

A full day in Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site National Geographic describes as "a living, earthy (yet car-free) town". We visit the Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Bou Inania Medersa, and the Chouara tanneries.

Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga

We cross the Middle Atlas through Ifrane and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques, then Midelt before descending the palm-lined Ziz Valley.

By late afternoon we reach Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara.

Sahara Discovery, Nomads & Khamlia

After a desert sunrise, we explore Merzouga's surroundings by 4x4, visiting Khamlia's Gnawa musicians and a nomadic family living in traditional tents.

We return to a desert hotel with a pool to relax in the stillness of the dunes.

Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley

We leave the Sahara for Erfoud, known for fossils and dates, then the Todra Gorge, a dramatic canyon popular with rock climbers.

We continue into the Dades Valley, the "Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs," staying at a kasbah-style hotel.

Dades Valley → Ikniouen → Bab n'Ali → Zagora

We pass through Ikniouen, a hidden Berber village, to Bab n'Ali, where twin rock formations rise from a surreal desert plateau.

By evening we reach Zagora, a date-palm oasis on the old caravan route to Timbuktu.

Zagora → Tamegroute → Oum Laaleg → Erg Chigaga

We visit Tamegroute for its green pottery cooperative and historic library, then cross the remote desert of Oum Laaleg to the Erg Chigaga dunes, wilder and more pristine than Erg Chebbi.

Camels carry you to a luxury camp for dinner under the stars and drumming by the fire.

Erg Chigaga → Lake Iriki → Foum Zguid → Tata

We cross the dried salt flats of Lake Iriki by 4x4, following dusty trails to Foum Zguid, then on to Tata, a palm-filled oasis at the edge of the Anti-Atlas Mountains.

Tata → Messalite Caves → Ait Mansour Valley → Tafraoute

We visit the Messalite Caves, then climb into the Anti-Atlas through wild granite peaks to the Ait Mansour Valley, a hidden gorge of date palms and almond trees.

We end in Tafraoute, surrounded by surreal boulder formations and pink granite mountains.

Tafraoute → Ait Baha → Inoumar Granary → Taroudant

We see Tafraoute's painted rocks, then drive to Ait Baha to visit the Inoumar Agadir, a fortified Berber granary once used to store grain and treasure.

We continue to Taroudant, often called "Little Marrakech," for its red-mud ramparts and quieter souks.

Taroudant → Agadir Oufella → Timellaline → Essaouira

We stop at Agadir Oufella, an old kasbah ruin with panoramic Atlantic views, then follow the wild coastal road through Timellaline's argan trees and cliffs.

By evening we reach Essaouira.

Morning In Essaouira → Marrakech

We spend the morning in Essaouira's UNESCO-listed medina, walking the Skala de la Ville ramparts and artisan shops.

We drive inland through women-run argan oil cooperatives, arriving in Marrakech by late afternoon.

Guided Tour Of Marrakech

A full day with the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the Koutoubia Mosque, then the souks and the Majorelle Garden.

We end at Jemaa el-Fna Square as storytellers and musicians bring the square to life.

Departure

A final breakfast, then transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport (or a return drive to Casablanca, if your flight departs from there) for your journey home.