This 12-day Morocco tour from Casablanca is for travelers who want to see a wide cross‑section of Morocco without joining a fixed group or rushing through a checklist.
The route takes you from Casablanca and Rabat north to Asilah, Tangier and Chefchaouen, then south through Volubilis, Meknes and Fes before crossing the Middle Atlas to the Sahara Desert at Merzouga.
From the dunes, you continue through Rissani, Erfoud, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, then follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Aït Ben Haddou and over the High Atlas to Marrakech. The final leg takes you to Essaouira on the Atlantic coast before returning to Casablanca.
You begin in Casablanca with the Hassan II Mosque, then continue to Rabat to see the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. From there, the Atlantic coast leads north to Asilah and Tangier, before turning inland toward Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains.
Leaving the north, you visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes before spending two nights in Fes. A full day with a local guide gives you time to explore the medina, souks, tanneries and historic madrasas.
The scenery changes as you cross the Middle Atlas, passing through Ifrane, the cedar forests near Azrou and Midelt, then continuing through the Ziz Valley to Merzouga.
In the Sahara, you ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and spend the night at a luxury desert camp. You can try sandboarding, have dinner at camp and spend the evening around the fire before continuing west the next morning.
From Merzouga, the route runs through Rissani and Erfoud, then into the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley. You continue through the Rose Valley and Skoura Oasis before reaching Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou.
The road then crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass before arriving in Marrakech. After a guided visit to the medina, the final stage takes you to Essaouira and then back to Casablanca.
Honest note: Twelve days gives you more time than a typical short Morocco tour, but this is still a large itinerary covering roughly 2,350 km. Day 6, from Fes to Merzouga, involves about 7–8 hours of driving. Day 12, from Essaouira back to Casablanca, is another 6 hours of driving, plus stops. Because this is a private tour, we can stop when you need to—for photos, coffee, lunch or a viewpoint. If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, it is worth bringing appropriate medication. You will also change hotels most nights. If you prefer fewer hotel changes, ask us about adding an extra night in Fes, Marrakech or Merzouga.
Flying into Errachidia instead? You can start much closer to the Sahara. Book our Errachidia airport transfer or view our Errachidia desert tours →
This private 12-day Morocco grand tour works particularly well for:
Your driver picks you up from Casablanca Airport or your hotel. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, built beside the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Rabat and explore the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
Drive: Approx. 90 km, around 1.5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Rabat
Meals: Breakfast included
Drive north along the Atlantic coast to Asilah. Walk through the small walled town, known for its whitewashed buildings, murals and coastal setting. Continue to Tangier. Depending on your arrival time, visit Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules.
Drive: Approx. 250 km, around 3 hours with stops
Accommodation: Hotel in Tangier
Meals: Breakfast included
Spend the morning in Tangier exploring the medina and Grand Socco before heading south into the Rif Mountains. Arrive in Chefchaouen in the afternoon and walk through the blue‑painted streets as the evening light changes across the town.
Drive: Approx. 115 km, around 2–2.5 hours
Accommodation: Riad in Chefchaouen
Meals: Breakfast included
Enjoy a free morning in Chefchaouen. Walk up toward the Spanish Mosque for views over the rooftops or visit Ras El Ma at the edge of the old town. Continue south to Volubilis, where you can see the Roman ruins and well‑preserved mosaics. Then continue to Meknes to see Bab Mansour before arriving in Fes in the evening.
Drive: Approx. 280 km, around 4–5 hours with stops
Accommodation: Riad in Fes medina
Meals: Breakfast included
Spend the day with a licensed local guide exploring Fes el Bali, the historic medina. Visit the Royal Palace gates, Mellah, pottery cooperative, Al‑Qarawiyyin University, Bou Inania Madrasa and Chouara Tanneries. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace or return to your riad to rest.
Accommodation: Riad in Fes medina
Meals: Breakfast included
This is the longest driving day of the tour. Leave Fes and cross the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane and the cedar forests near Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques can often be seen. Continue to Midelt for lunch before the landscape changes again as you enter the Ziz Valley. Continue toward Merzouga, arriving later in the afternoon.
Drive: Approx. 470 km, around 7–8 hours with stops
Accommodation: Hotel near the dunes in Merzouga
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Merzouga or add an optional 4×4 desert excursion. The excursion can include visits to Khamlia, known for Gnawa music, nomadic areas and fossil sites around the desert. In the late afternoon, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and watch the sunset from the sand. Try sandboarding before continuing to your luxury desert camp. Dinner, traditional music and time around the fire follow before spending the night at camp.
Accommodation: Luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
Watch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4 and continue through Rissani, the historic market town near the ruins of Sijilmassa. Continue to Erfoud, known for its fossil workshops, before heading toward the Todra Gorges. Walk through the gorge and continue into the Dades Valley.
Drive: Approx. 300 km, around 5 hours with stops
Accommodation: Hotel in Dades Valley
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
Drive west through the Dades Valley and the Rose Valley, passing through Kelaat M'Gouna. Continue through Skoura Oasis and toward Ouarzazate. The main stop of the day is Aït Ben Haddou, the UNESCO‑listed fortified ksar. Walk through the old settlement and climb up for views across the surrounding valley.
Drive: Approx. 180 km, around 4 hours with stops
Accommodation: Hotel near Aït Ben Haddou
Meals: Breakfast included
Start the morning at Aït Ben Haddou before continuing toward the High Atlas. Cross the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, at around 2,260 meters, before descending toward Marrakech. Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon with the evening free.
Drive: Approx. 200 km, around 4 hours with stops
Accommodation: Riad in Marrakech medina
Meals: Breakfast included
Spend the day with a licensed local guide exploring Marrakech. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace and Ben Youssef Madrasa. Continue through Jemaa el‑Fnaa and the surrounding souks before visiting the Majorelle Garden. The evening is free for dinner or further exploration.
Accommodation: Riad in Marrakech medina
Meals: Breakfast included
After breakfast, drive west to Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. Walk along the historic sea walls, visit the working fishing harbor and explore the medina and artisan workshops. Have lunch by the harbor if you wish, then continue to Casablanca in the afternoon. Drop‑off is available at Casablanca Airport or your hotel.
Drive: Approx. 370 km total, around 6 hours with stops
Meals: Breakfast included
Route: Casablanca → Rabat → Asilah → Tangier → Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) → Rissani → Erfoud → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley → Rose Valley → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Tizi n'Tichka → Marrakech → Essaouira → Casablanca
Total distance: approximately 2,350 km
Got questions before you book? Here are honest answers to help you plan your 12-day Morocco grand tour with confidence.
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Casablanca → Chefchaouen → Fes → Merzouga → Marrakech → Essaouira
Casablanca → Chefchaouen → Fes → Merzouga → Marrakech
