A practical 9-day Morocco itinerary with two free days, in Chefchaouen and in the desert, with distances, tips and how to adapt it.
Written by the Highlights Morocco Tours team in Marrakech
The short answer
A 9-day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca can give you a free day in Chefchaouen, a guided day in Fes, a full day in the Sahara at Merzouga for a camel ride, a quad and a night in a desert camp, and finish in Marrakech after Ait Ben Haddou. The two free days make the trip much more relaxed.
This 9-day itinerary adds two free days to the classic route. One is in Chefchaouen, with no driving, and one is in Merzouga, with time for activities in the dunes.
It is a typical route, not a fixed script. We adapt it to your dates and pace, and we can add a night in a camp or reverse the direction.
The 9-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 | Walk the blue lanes, hike to the Spanish Mosque or simply relax. A day with no driving. |
| 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, the tanneries and the madrasas. |
| 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 | Choose your activities: a camel ride, a quad and buggy ride or a 4x4 excursion with the nomads, and a second night in the dunes. |
| Day 7 | Merzouga to the Dades Valley | Sunrise, then the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley. |
| Day 8 | Dades Valley to Marrakech | Visit Ait Ben Haddou, cross the High Atlas and arrive in Marrakech. |
| Day 9 | Marrakech | A guided morning in the medina, then free time and departure. |
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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
Walk the blue lanes, hike to the Spanish Mosque or simply relax. A day with no driving. 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, the tanneries and the madrasas. 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
Choose your activities: a camel ride, a quad and buggy ride or a 4x4 excursion with the nomads, and a second night in the dunes. See more: Merzouga: a day in the desert.
Day 7: Merzouga to the Dades Valley
Sunrise, then the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley. See more: Merzouga to the Dades Valley.
Day 8: Dades Valley to Marrakech
Visit Ait Ben Haddou, cross the High Atlas and arrive in Marrakech. See more: Dades Valley to Marrakech.
Day 9: Marrakech
A guided morning in the medina, then free time and departure. See more: Marrakech.
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.
9-day Morocco itinerary: frequently asked questions
Is 9 days enough for Morocco?
Yes. Nine days is a comfortable length. With free days in Chefchaouen and in the desert, you see the highlights and still have time to rest.
What is the best 9-day Morocco itinerary?
A popular 9-day itinerary goes Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga, the Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech. It avoids repeating the same road and includes a night in the Sahara.
Does the 9-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 9-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 9-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 9-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.
