Ultimate 10-Day Morocco Travel Itinerary: Explore Marrakesh, Fes, Sahara Desert & Toubkal

Morocco is an exceptional destination for travel. If you have a span of 10 days in the country, the most rewarding way to utilize that time is by exploring the ancient cities and traditional markets, alongside the stunning Atlas mountains and desert landscapes.

This itinerary encompasses each of these elements. You will commence in Marrakesh, experience camel rides in the Sahara Desert, then visit the cities of Fes and Chefchaouen, concluding with an exhilarating hike up Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.

This itinerary is closely aligned with my own 10-day journey, though it has been refined and enhanced based on my recent experiences in Morocco.

In this travel guide, I will detail some of the key attractions and activities in Morocco!

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About This Itinerary

Here is a brief overview of the locations included in this itinerary:

• Marrakesh — 1 day
• Sahara Desert trip — 4 days
• Fes — 2 days
• Chefchaouen — 1 day
• Mount Toubkal — 2 days

In the subsequent sections, I will delve into each of these destinations in detail, ensuring you are well-informed about what to expect!

Morocco Itinerary Day 1: Marrakesh

Welcome to Morocco! Initiate your journey by discovering the historical city of Marrakesh, renowned for its vibrant markets and remarkable architecture.

Should you be residing at a hotel within the medina (old city), you can conveniently walk from your hotel to all the points of interest listed below, a method I personally employed.

• Medresa Ben Youssef

This Islamic madrasa (college) was established in Marrakesh during the 16th century, and it once held the distinction of being the largest Islamic educational institution in North Africa. Today, it is a UNESCO-designated world heritage site.

You can explore the building for a nominal fee, which showcases beautiful mosaics and other captivating details. For photography enthusiasts seeking picturesque spots in Marrakesh, many doorways here offer a fantastic backdrop.

This site is exceedingly popular among visitors, thus it is advisable to arrive early in the day.

• Marrakesh Medina

A visit to Marrakesh would be incomplete without exploring the souks and markets located in the old city. The most significant of these is Souk Semmarine.

These markets brim with exquisite handicrafts available for viewing, purchasing, and photographing; it is an enjoyable experience to wander through the alleys in search of souvenirs.

You will encounter an array of pottery, rugs, lamps, shoes, spices, leather goods, wood carvings, and more. Typical tourist mementos like fridge magnets and coffee mugs are also readily available.

Many market vendors can be rather insistent, and they may not easily take no for an answer. Hence, it is prudent to remain resolute and keep moving if you are not interested. A polite yet firm ‘la shoukran’ (‘no thank you’) often suffices.

Additionally, you will encounter donkeys, motorbikes, and pedestrians navigating through the narrow alleys, contributing to an energetic atmosphere.

I typically requested permission from vendors before photographing their merchandise. Most are accommodating, provided that their faces are not included in the shots.

• Jemaa el-Fnaa

This is the central square of Marrakesh, a remarkable location bustling with snake charmers, street performers, food stands, and fruit juice vendors.

It is a sensory feast, rife with distractions and the potential for scams, so it is advisable to exercise caution; nevertheless, it remains an intriguing site to observe while in Marrakesh.

• Other Places To See In Marrakesh

If your schedule allows for more exploration in Marrakesh, the following locations merit a visit:

• Bahia Palace — 19th-century palace featuring a photogenic courtyard and fountains.
• Saadian Tombs — Royal necropolis from the 16th century adorned with marble columns and intricate mosaics.
• Badi Palace — A heritage site from the 16th century in ruins.
• Koutoubia Mosque — The largest mosque in Marrakesh, constructed in the 12th century.

• Overnight in Marrakesh

Conclude your first day in Marrakesh, where you will find an abundance of excellent hotel options for varying budgets.

Below are some of my recommendations:

• Budget — Riad Malfa. A quaint hotel situated in the heart of the medina. This is where I stayed, and I appreciated the friendliness and assistance provided by the French owner throughout my stay. Please convey my regards to Beatrice.
• Midrange — Riad Spa Sindibad. Offers comfortable accommodations on the outskirts of the medina, inclusive of breakfast and a swimming pool.
• High End — Riad Aslal. An accessible hotel located on the edge of the medina, yet still within walking distance to the main attractions, providing breakfast and a pool.

Day 2: Sahara Desert Trip (Marrakesh To Tinghir)

One of the premier excursions available in Morocco is a journey to Merzouga, where visitors can experience the thrill of riding camels amidst the sand dunes and camping on the fringes of the Sahara Desert. This experience marked the pinnacle of my stay in Morocco!

This adventure is typically organized as a 3 or 4-day trip due to the considerable distance between Merzouga and Marrakesh. Travelers will spend one night in a hotel during transit, availing themselves of numerous captivating sights along the way.

I would suggest opting for a 4-day excursion over a 3-day one to fully appreciate the driving experience. You can initiate your trip in Marrakesh and conclude in Fes, as outlined in this itinerary.

I secured this excursion through GetYourGuide, which provided transportation, guides, meals, lodging, and camel rides across the sand dunes. It was an exceptional experience!

• Drive To The Atlas Mountains

The initial day of your Sahara tour will involve roughly 6 hours of driving, although this will be segmented to ensure a comfortable journey. My group commenced our day at 7:30 AM.

Following pickup by your tour operator in Marrakesh, you will first travel about 2 hours to the Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, where panoramic views of the High Atlas mountains await.

The winding road up the mountains enhances the breathtaking scenery! This pass holds the record as the highest mountain pass in North Africa, reaching an elevation of 2,205 meters (7,234 feet).

Following this, we traveled another 30 minutes, stopping at a restaurant with views over the Berber village of Melladi, where we received a complimentary tour of an Argan oil production shop.

Argan oil derives from the argan tree, native to Morocco and Algeria, and is commonly used in hair and skin products due to its numerous health benefits.

Even though I chose not to purchase any products, we had the opportunity to sample some Argan products; it was worthwhile to stop solely for the stunning views of the Berber village.

• Ait Ben Haddou

From Melladi, it is a one-hour drive to the next destination, the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou.

This picturesque clay village holds the designation of a UNESCO world heritage site and has served as a backdrop for numerous famous films, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Game of Thrones.

The view from across the river is particularly appealing. It is fantastic for photography and clarifies why this place has been prominently featured in various Hollywood films.

We devoted approximately 1.5 hours to exploring the streets of Ben Haddou with our guide, ascending the hill to a granary that offers sweeping views of the entire village.

After concluding our tour of the fort, we enjoyed lunch at a nearby restaurant, where I savored my first tajine in Morocco. Delicious!

• Drive To Dades / Tinghir

Upon concluding your tour of Ait Ben Haddou, you will undergo a 3-hour drive to either Dades or Tinghir, where you will spend the first night of your Sahara journey in a hotel.

Your lodging location will depend on your tour company, which can fluctuate based on availability, preferences, and other factors.

Some tours lodge their guests in Dades for the first night and then visit the Dades Gorge the following morning.

I stayed at Hotel Saghro in Tinghir, which was clean and comfortable, featuring private A/C rooms and a swimming pool.

We dined at the hotel’s restaurant, which offered a delightful array of dishes served in generous portions.

Day 3: Tinghir To Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

• Todgha Gorge

The second day of your Sahara journey will entail 4 to 5 hours of driving interspersed with further sightseeing.

After breakfast, we took a 30-minute drive from Tinghir to the Todgha Gorge, a magnificent slot canyon with rock walls reaching heights of 400 meters (1,312 feet).

This canyon is awe-inspiring and somewhat reminiscent of the Zion Narrows in Utah, USA. It is a favorite spot for rock climbers, and we were fortunate enough to witness some climbers in action while traversing the gorge on foot with our guide.

Todgha Gorge

• Exploring Tinghir

Next, we explored the town of Tinghir, where we had spent the previous night.

Our local guide led us on a walk through the Todra river valley, showcasing various fruits grown in the area, including apples, figs, apricots, and pomegranates.

This 30-minute jaunt through the valley eventually led us back to town, where we explored the narrow passages of the ancient Jewish quarter and visited a rug shop.

• Drive To Merzouga

From Tinghir, you will embark on a 3-hour drive to your ultimate destination, the Merzouga desert.

This segment will be punctuated by a lunchtime stop, as well as a visit to an outfitter in Ksar Touroug, where you can acquire headscarves, henna tattoos, and Berber attire for your desert experience.

Wearing appropriate desert attire enhances the enjoyment of the photography experience during your upcoming camel ride!

• Sunset Camel Ride

It’s time for an unforgettable camel ride into the desert! This experience is perfectly timed by tour companies to coincide with sunset, allowing you to capture the camels casting long shadows across the sand dunes. It’s a breathtaking sight.

We transferred our larger luggage and personal belongings to the tour company, which arranged to deliver them to the desert camp, while I mounted my camel with only my camera bag and a water bottle.

If this is your inaugural camel ride, it may seem somewhat daunting at first, but it will become easier. Moreover, we had the opportunity to take pictures and videos whilst riding.

We spent about an hour riding the camels to our desert camp in Erg Chebbi, pausing occasionally for photographs along the route.

• Overnight In Merzouga

Upon reaching our desert camp nestled within the Erg Chebbi dunes, we received our baggage and were assigned to our tents.

Some of the tents are quite luxurious; however, I opted for a basic tent, which was more economical while still offering comfort. Sanitary facilities were located in a separate tent.

We had some leisure time to explore the dunes or indulge in sandboarding near our camp, followed by a delightful dinner. After dark, a bonfire was lit, and traditional Berber singing and dancing ensued, in which most of our group participated.

Before retiring for the night, be sure to venture out from the camp and climb a dune to gaze at the stars!

Day 4: Exploring Merzouga

This day can be dedicated to delving into the surrounding areas and culture of Merzouga.

You will enjoy Saharan music in Khamlia, visit the traditional markets in Rissani, and sample local Berber pizza for lunch.

If you have a passion for the desert, like myself, you will be pleased to discover that you can relish additional time there too. Options include an opportunity to ride the camels again, partake in quad biking across the sand dunes, or simply unwind at your camp.

Day 5: Merzouga To Fes

On the final morning at Merzouga, you will rise early for another optional camel ride at sunrise. If preferred, you can also return by vehicle, but I relished the opportunity to ride the camels once more.

We commenced in darkness, journeying under the moonlight on our camels, an enthralling experience, after which we dismounted to watch the sunrise from atop a dune.

Following sunrise, it is time to begin the journey back to Fes, which will serve as our next destination in the itinerary.

Along the way, you will be met with new sights such as Ziz Valley, Midelt, and Azrou. Expect to observe cedar forests, wild monkeys, and more due to the different route from which you initially embarked on the Sahara trip.

• Overnight in Fes

Spend the next three nights in the city of Fes, which boasts an array of good hotel options.

Here are several of my suggestions:

• Budget — Dar Usham Fes. A quaint hotel located in the heart of the Fes medina. I found the owner to be exceptionally friendly. The only drawback is navigating the somewhat dark and maze-like alleys to locate the hotel, but the owner readily assists with this.
• Midrange — Riad Sidrat Fes. This establishment offers breakfast and is positioned on the northern edge of the medina, near the main road, yet within walking distance to the tanneries.
• High End — Riad Marjana. A beautifully appointed Moroccan-style hotel on the outskirts of the medina, including breakfast and a pool.

Day 6: Fes

• Medina

If you found the medina in Marrakesh to be vibrant, the medina in Fes is a complex labyrinth, complete with endless mossy alleyways and persistent guides attempting to lead you astray. Even my hotel proprietor humorously claimed it resembled a scene from a horror film.

This destination is still worthy of exploration, yet I strongly recommend hiring a guide in Fes to assist you with navigation and circumvent potential scams. I ventured through without a guide and faced many challenges.

• Tanneries

Fes is renowned for its leather tanneries, which have operated in essentially the same manner for centuries.

Among several active tanneries, the largest is the Chouara Tannery. Visiting any of these tanneries incurs a nominal fee.

The aroma may be overwhelming, yet observing the processing from ground level proves fascinating, and vantage points exist where you can watch from above.

Day 7: Chefchaouen Day Trip

During my second day in Fes, I embarked on a day trip to the renowned blue city of Chefchaouen, which I arranged online through GetYourGuide.

This excursion is quite lengthy from Fes, involving a 4-hour drive each way, in addition to 4 hours touring the city. In my experience, this allotted time was sufficient to explore the city, capture numerous photographs, and even enjoy lunch at a local café.

For those interested, there are accommodations in Chefchaouen for extended stays, which some may prefer. Personally, I was content with a day trip, as there isn’t a comprehensive array of sights or activities to warrant a longer visit.

My day tour to Chefchaouen cost only $26 USD, which encompassed transportation in a minivan with a small group, along with a local guide to navigate the blue city. I had a wonderful experience!

Day 8: Fes To Marrakesh

It is now time to return to Marrakesh for the final leg of your Moroccan expedition. Transportation options include flying or taking the train.

If you opt for a flight, the journey is brief, taking approximately 1 hour, and prices are surprisingly affordable for a one-way ticket with RyanAir. You can check flight options on Skyscanner.

The train is even less expensive, but the journey spans about 6.5 hours. Nevertheless, train rides can be enjoyable and provide a picturesque view of the Moroccan countryside along the way. The ONCF trains are neat, secure, and comfortable.

Although a bus is another option, expect the travel time from Fes to Marrakesh to be between 9 to 10 hours. You can reserve a bus ticket on this website.

Day 9: Marrakesh To Imlil (Mount Toubkal Hike)

If you are an avid hiker in search of a challenge, the Mount Toubkal trek provides a remarkable culmination to your Moroccan adventure. In my view, it undeniably merits the difficulty involved!

The Toubkal ascent is typically conducted over two days and presents a significant physical challenge. At the peak, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the sunrise, being the tallest summit in Morocco, North Africa, and the Arab world.

It is essential to note that this is an extremely demanding hike. The elevation gain is considerable, and the trail is rocky and relentless, with dust, rain, and donkeys sharing the pathway. If hiking is not your forte, you may prefer to allocate your time elsewhere, such as Casablanca or Ouzoud.

A guide is mandated for this hike according to Moroccan law and is also advantageous for navigation. I coordinated this through the tour company outlined in the following link.

• Imlil To Toubkal Refuge

The first day of the Mount Toubkal excursion consists of a 1.5-hour drive from Marrakesh to Imlil, followed by a hike from Imlil to the Toubkal Refuge, where you will be accommodated for the first night. My group departed from Marrakesh at 8:30 AM.

You can anticipate hiking for approximately 5 to 6 hours on the first day, with lunch stops and multiple breaks included. The initial day presents its challenges, primarily due to the hot sun, though it remains manageable unless you encounter rain like we did.

The guides bring a mule to assist with carrying extra luggage, making it advisable to pack an additional set of clothes in case rain dampens your primary ones. The scenery on the first day is striking, although it significantly improves at the summit!

• Overnight At Toubkal Refuge

During the first night of the two-day Toubkal hike, you will reside at the Refuge, a facility situated in the valley at the base of Mount Toubkal.

The Refuge consists of dormitory-style accommodations complete with blankets and pillows, along with private rooms available for an additional fee. Shared bathroom, shower facilities, and dining areas are also provided.

It offers a relatively comfortable overnight experience; however, should you be a light sleeper like I am, you might find it challenging to get more than an hour or two of quality rest.

Noise from other guests continued until approximately 10 PM, transitioning from conversation to snoring. Additionally, the altitude seemed to affect my sleep, limiting it significantly.

Day 10: Finish Mount Toubkal Hike

• Toubkal Summit

The second day of the Toubkal hike commences early at approximately 3 or 4 AM, signaling the time to prepare for the ascent to the summit and witness the sunrise.

This segment of the hike is exceptionally strenuous. The primary challenge I faced was the altitude, which rendered every step a struggle for breath. Though I have tackled higher elevation hikes in Colorado and Nepal, I have never experienced such a steep ascent without an extensive acclimatization period.

After approximately 3 hours of hiking in darkness, you will arrive at the summit of Mount Toubkal. The peak is steep and jagged, providing breathtaking panoramic views, particularly at sunrise. We devoted 30 to 45 minutes at the summit, enjoying the scenery, resting, and capturing photographs. It was truly breathtaking!

• Return To Marrakesh

The descent from Mount Toubkal is significantly easier than the ascent. After approximately 2.5 hours of leisurely hiking, we arrived back at the Refuge at 11 AM, affording us ample time to relax and enjoy lunch.

The trek from the Refuge back to Imlil typically takes around 4 to 5 hours, contingent upon your pace and the prevailing weather conditions. We encountered another substantial rainstorm at Chamharouch and had to take shelter in a café, resulting in some delay.

After a 1.5-hour drive from Imlil, we finally reached Marrakesh at nearly 7 PM. The Toubkal hike concluded as an exhilarating and awe-inspiring finale to the journey.

Spend the night in Marrakesh and prepare for your departure the next morning. Safe travels!

Alternate Itineraries For Morocco

If you are not an enthusiastic hiker, consider modifying this itinerary by bypassing Mount Toubkal and utilizing the extra time for day trips to the Ouzoud waterfalls and/or the Volubilis Roman ruins. That is my suggested alternative.

GetYourGuide offers a day tour to Ouzoud departing from Marrakesh and a day tour to Volubilis from Fes. Both are highly rated options.

For those seeking a shorter expedition, here’s what a one-week itinerary for Morocco may look like, filled with engaging sightseeing:

• Day 1 — Marrakesh. Dedicate the day to exploring the medina’s markets, alongside other notable sights such as the Medresa Ben Youssef and Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
• Days 2-4 — Sahara Desert Trip. Participate in a three-day adventure to the Sahara Desert in Merzouga, commencing from Marrakesh and concluding in Fes. Here is a tour you can consider.
• Day 5 — Fes. Explore Fes’s medina and tanneries.
• Day 6 — Chefchaouen. Take a day trip from Fes to Chefchaouen, the blue city of Morocco, and return to Fes by evening.
• Day 7 — Marrakesh. Fly or ride the train back to Marrakesh or Casablanca for your departure flight.

When To Visit Morocco

In general, the prime time to visit Morocco is during the spring (mid-March to May) or fall (September and October).

I conducted my journey at the end of September, with near-perfect weather for all the activities I had planned, including the Sahara Desert and Mount Toubkal. Crowds were manageable as well.

Visiting during the summer or winter is also feasible, but the summer heat in the desert can be oppressive, while the mountains may be cold and snowy in winter, necessitating additional planning.

More Travel Guides For Morocco

Thank you for your attention! I hope this guide has inspired ideas for how to spend up to 10 days in Morocco.

Be sure to bookmark GoTravelDaily for more insightful Morocco travel guides to come!