Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Two nights close to the dunes, with a camel ride at sunset.
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10 Days • Private Grand Morocco Tour
Our 10 Days Tour from Marrakech is a slow private loop through the south, two nights in the Sahara, the imperial cities and the Rif, ending back in Marrakech.
Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Departure
Marrakech
Tour Type
Private tour with driver
Destination
Sahara, Fes, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Rabat
Transport
Private 4x4 or air-conditioned minivan
Availability
Daily, flexible start date
Overview
The 10 Days Tour from Marrakech is for travelers who prefer depth to speed. Shorter driving days at the start leave time for Aït Ben Haddou, the Skoura palm grove and the Dades Valley before two nights near the Erg Chebbi dunes. You then head north to Fes for a guided day in the medina, see the Roman site of Volubilis and the gates of Meknes, and spend a night in Chefchaouen. The return runs along the coast through Rabat and Casablanca, with a final guided morning in Marrakech. It suits couples, families and anyone who wants to see most of Morocco without packing every day into a rush.
A full circle of Morocco, taken at an easy pace.
What to expect
Spend two nights close to the Erg Chebbi dunes
Walk among the Roman mosaics of Volubilis
Explore Fes el Bali with a local guide
Wander the blue lanes of Chefchaouen
Finish with a guided walk around Jemaa el-Fna
Day by day
1
Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate
Approx. distance: 200 km
Pickup is around 9:00 am, a little later than on shorter tours. The road climbs through the High Atlas to the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with time for photos and a mint tea.
You spend the afternoon at Aït Ben Haddou, walking up through the clay ksar at an unhurried pace. A short drive then brings you to Ouarzazate for dinner and the night.
KEY STOPS: Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Ben Haddou
STAY: Riad or hotel in Ouarzazate
MEALS: Dinner
2
Ouarzazate → Skoura → Dades Valley
Approx. distance: 130 km
A short driving day. In Skoura you walk into the palm grove and see the old kasbahs, such as Kasbah Amridil, that once guarded the oasis.
Continue through Kelaat M'Gouna, known for its rose harvest in spring, then drive up into the Dades Valley to see its rock formations and winding road before dinner.
KEY STOPS: Skoura, Kasbah Amridil, Kelaat M'Gouna, Dades Gorge
STAY: Hotel or kasbah guesthouse in the Dades Valley
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
3
Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga
Approx. distance: 290 km
After breakfast you drive to Tinghir and walk into Todra Gorge along the stream. The road then crosses stony plains to Erfoud and Rissani.
At the edge of Erg Chebbi a camel handler leads you into the dunes for sunset. Dinner is served at a tent camp among the sand.
KEY STOPS: Tinghir, Todra Gorge, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi
STAY: Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
4
Merzouga → Khamlia → Rissani
Approx. distance: 80 km
Start with sunrise from the dunes. Later your driver takes you to Khamlia, a village known for Gnawa music, to share tea and listen to a short performance.
In Rissani you browse the souk, with its dates, spices and donkey park, and see the old gateway of the town. You return to Merzouga in the afternoon for a free evening and a second night at camp.
KEY STOPS: Khamlia, Rissani, Erg Chebbi
STAY: Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
5
Merzouga → Midelt → Fes
Approx. distance: 470 km
This is the longest drive of the trip. You follow the Ziz Valley north through palm groves and the Ziz Gorges, then stop in Midelt for lunch.
The afternoon crosses the Middle Atlas, past cedar forests near Azrou and the town of Ifrane. You reach your riad in Fes in the early evening.
KEY STOPS: Ziz Valley, Midelt, Azrou, Ifrane
STAY: Riad or hotel in Fes
MEALS: Breakfast
6
Fes el Bali → Chouara Tannery → Marinid Tombs
A licensed local guide leads you through Fes el Bali, a maze of lanes where donkeys still carry goods. You see the Bou Inania Madrasa, workshops of coppersmiths and weavers, and the dye pits of the Chouara Tannery from a terrace.
The walk ends at the Marinid Tombs for a wide view of the city, and the afternoon is yours to rest or shop.
KEY STOPS: Fes el Bali, Bou Inania Madrasa, Chouara Tannery, Marinid Tombs
STAY: Riad or hotel in Fes
MEALS: Breakfast
7
Fes → Meknes → Chefchaouen
Approx. distance: 260 km
Drive to Meknes to see the great Bab Mansour gate and the old royal granaries. Nearby, Volubilis holds the ruins of a Roman town with well-kept floor mosaics, a triumphal arch and columns standing among olive fields.
In the afternoon the road climbs into the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen, where you spend the night.
KEY STOPS: Meknes, Bab Mansour, Volubilis, Rif mountains
STAY: Riad or hotel in Chefchaouen
MEALS: Breakfast
8
Chefchaouen → Rabat
Approx. distance: 250 km
Enjoy a quiet morning in the blue medina before the crowds arrive, then drive south toward the Atlantic coast.
In Rabat you visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas, with its whitewashed lanes and views over the river mouth.
KEY STOPS: Chefchaouen medina, Hassan Tower, Kasbah of the Udayas
STAY: Hotel or riad in Rabat
MEALS: Breakfast
9
Rabat → Casablanca → Marrakech
Approx. distance: 330 km
A short drive brings you to Casablanca and the Hassan II Mosque, which stands on the edge of the ocean. Guided visits inside run at set times outside prayer hours.
After lunch, the motorway takes you back to Marrakech in about three hours. Check in to your riad and spend the evening at leisure.
KEY STOPS: Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca Corniche
STAY: Riad in Marrakech
MEALS: Breakfast
10
Koutoubia → Bahia Palace → Jemaa el-Fna
Your final morning is a guided walk through the Marrakech medina with a licensed local guide. You see the Koutoubia minaret, the painted rooms of the Bahia Palace and the busy souks around Jemaa el-Fna.
After the walk your driver takes you to the airport or your next accommodation, and the tour ends.
KEY STOPS: Koutoubia, Bahia Palace, souks, Jemaa el-Fna
STAY: End of tour, no overnight included
MEALS: Breakfast
The route
Two nights close to the dunes, with a camel ride at sunset.
Discover →
Roman ruins with fine mosaics, visited on the way north.
Explore →
A full guided day in the old medina and its tanneries.
Explore →
A night among the blue lanes of the Rif mountains.
Explore →
Photography
Practical details
Pickup and drop-off in Marrakech
Private vehicle, fuel and English-speaking driver
9 nights in riads, hotels and a desert camp
9 breakfasts and 4 dinners
Camel ride and guided walks in Fes and Marrakech
Lunches and dinners not listed
Entry fees to monuments and sites
Tips and personal expenses
Enquiry
Tell us your dates and group size and we will confirm a driver and accommodation. We can also add Essaouira, change hotel levels or reorder the route.
Good to know
What does the 10 Days Tour from Marrakech include?
Private transport with a driver, nine nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, four dinners, a camel ride and guided walks in Fes and Marrakech.
How long are the driving days?
Most days are three to six hours with stops. The drive from Merzouga to Fes is the longest, at about eight hours.
Is it a private trip?
Yes. Only your group travels in the vehicle, and the driver adjusts the pace to you.
Can I add Essaouira at the end?
Yes. We can add a night on the Atlantic coast in Essaouira, about three hours from Marrakech.
What accommodation is used?
Riads and family hotels in the towns, a kasbah guesthouse or hotel in the Dades Valley, and a tent camp in Erg Chebbi.
Are entry fees included?
No. Entry to sites such as Volubilis, the Bahia Palace and the Hassan II Mosque is paid on the day.
What should I pack?
Bring layers for cool mountain and desert nights, sunscreen, walking shoes and clothes that cover shoulders and knees for religious sites.
More journeys
Share your dates and we will build the ten days around your interests. We reply quickly on email and WhatsApp.