A practical 12-day Morocco itinerary, round trip from Casablanca, with the Sahara and Essaouira, distances, tips and how to adapt it.
Written by the Highlights Morocco Tours team in Marrakech
The short answer
A 12-day Morocco itinerary can start and end in Casablanca and cover Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, a night in the Sahara at Merzouga, the Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech and the Atlantic town of Essaouira. Twelve days gives enough time for free days and for a calm pace.
Twelve days lets you slow down. You get free days in Chefchaouen and in the desert, you add Essaouira on the Atlantic coast, and you finish where you started, in Casablanca.
It is a typical route, not a fixed script. We adapt it to your dates and pace, and we can reverse it or add a night in the places you like most.
The 12-day Morocco itinerary at a glance
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Casablanca to Chefchaouen | See the Hassan II Mosque, stop in Rabat and arrive in Chefchaouen. |
| Day 2 | Chefchaouen: free day | A free day in the blue town of the Rif. |
| Day 3 | Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes | Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and Meknes on the way to Fes. |
| Day 4 | Fes | A full guided day in Fes el-Bali. |
| Day 5 | Fes to Merzouga | Cross the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley to the Erg Chebbi dunes and a desert camp. |
| Day 6 | Merzouga: a day in the desert | Camel ride, quad and buggy or a 4x4 trip with the nomads, plus a second night in the dunes. |
| Day 7 | Merzouga to the Dades Valley | Sunrise, the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley. |
| Day 8 | Dades Valley to Marrakech | Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas pass to Marrakech. |
| Day 9 | Marrakech | A guided day in the medina, the Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fnaa. |
| Day 10 | Marrakech to Essaouira | Drive to the Atlantic coast and walk the medina and the fishing port. |
| Day 11 | Essaouira | A free day by the sea: the beach, the ramparts and fresh fish. |
| Day 12 | Essaouira to Casablanca | Drive along the coast to Casablanca for your departure. |
Want this 12-day itinerary as a private tour?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We build the route around you and send a free quote.
Day by day
Day 1: Casablanca to Chefchaouen
See the Hassan II Mosque, stop in Rabat and arrive in Chefchaouen. See more: Casablanca to Chefchaouen.
Day 2: Chefchaouen: free day
A free day in the blue town of the Rif. See more: Chefchaouen: free day.
Day 3: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes
Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and Meknes on the way to Fes. See more: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes.
Day 4: Fes
A full guided day in Fes el-Bali. See more: Fes.
Day 5: Fes to Merzouga
Cross the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley to the Erg Chebbi dunes and a desert camp. See more: Fes to Merzouga.
Day 6: Merzouga: a day in the desert
Camel ride, quad and buggy or a 4x4 trip with the nomads, plus a second night in the dunes. See more: Merzouga: a day in the desert.
Day 7: Merzouga to the Dades Valley
Sunrise, the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley. See more: Merzouga to the Dades Valley.
Day 8: Dades Valley to Marrakech
Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas pass to Marrakech. See more: Dades Valley to Marrakech.
Day 9: Marrakech
A guided day in the medina, the Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fnaa. See more: Marrakech.
Day 10: Marrakech to Essaouira
Drive to the Atlantic coast and walk the medina and the fishing port. See more: Marrakech to Essaouira.
Day 11: Essaouira
A free day by the sea: the beach, the ramparts and fresh fish. See more: Essaouira.
Day 12: Essaouira to Casablanca
Drive along the coast to Casablanca for your departure. See more: Essaouira to Casablanca.
Best time to follow this itinerary
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | Warm days and mild nights. One of the best seasons for the whole route. |
| Summer (June to August) | Very hot in Marrakech, the desert and Fes. The coast and the mountains are cooler. |
| Autumn (September to November) | Warm days, cooler nights, another very good season. |
| Winter (December to February) | Mild days, cold nights, especially in the desert. Quiet season with fewer crowds. |
Ramadan dates change every year and can affect opening hours and transport. Tell us when you plan to travel and we adapt the plan.
Tips for this itinerary
- Distances are long. Plan the longest days for the road and keep museum visits for the shorter ones.
- Bring light layers and a warm jacket for the desert night, and modest clothes for villages and religious sites.
- Carry some dirham in cash for markets, drinks and tips.
- Stay in riads in the medinas: they are part of the experience.
- Tell us if you want to slow down: we can add nights or remove a city.
Ready to plan your Morocco trip?
Send us your dates and we reply with a free, no-obligation quote.
12-day Morocco itinerary: frequently asked questions
Is 12 days enough for Morocco?
Yes. Twelve days is plenty to see Morocco at a relaxed pace, with free days and no rushing from one city to the next.
What is the best 12-day Morocco itinerary?
A popular 12-day itinerary goes Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Marrakech and Essaouira, then back to Casablanca. It avoids repeating the same road and includes a night in the Sahara.
Does the 12-day itinerary include the Sahara?
Yes. It includes a night in a desert camp at Merzouga, with a camel ride at sunset in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Can I change the cities in the itinerary?
Yes. We tailor the route to your dates and interests. We organise tours from Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Tangier and Errachidia.
How much driving is there on a 12-day Morocco tour?
Distances in Morocco are long. We plan stops for lunch and rest, and we can add nights to slow down.
Is a private tour better than a group tour?
A private tour with a driver and a local guide saves time on long distances and in the medinas, and you can change the route as you go. We only run private tours.
How much does a 12-day Morocco tour cost?
The price depends on your dates, the number of travellers, the accommodation and the cities. We quote on request, and quotes are free and come with no obligation.
How do I book a 12-day Morocco itinerary with Highlights Morocco Tours?
Send us your dates and number of travellers with the contact form, by WhatsApp or by email. We reply with a free, no-obligation quote and, when you are happy with it, we confirm the booking.
Plan your Morocco itinerary with us
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you would like to see. We reply with a free, no-obligation quote.
