12-Day Tour from Rabat to Marrakech via Chefchaouen, Fes and the Sahara
A relaxed 12-day Morocco tour from Rabat: two nights in Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara dunes of Merzouga and Marrakech, with the Dades Gorges and Ouarzazate on the way
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
12 days and 11 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts in Rabat (airport, train station or hotel) and ends at your hotel or the airport in Marrakech
Overnight
Riads, kasbahs, hotels and a Berber camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Highlights
Rabat, Chefchaouen and Akchour, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, the Todra and Dades Gorges, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
A 12-Day Morocco Tour from Rabat, at a Relaxed Pace
This private Morocco tour from Rabat gives you twelve days without rushing, with two nights in most places so you can unpack and enjoy them. You start in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, with the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas, then head north to spend two nights in Chefchaouen, the blue city of the Rif Mountains, with time for an optional hike to the Akchour waterfalls. After Roman Volubilis and Meknes, you have two nights and a guided day in the medina of Fes.
From Fes you cross the Middle Atlas to the Sahara for two nights in Merzouga, with a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes. The road west follows the Todra and Dades Gorges and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, then crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech, where two nights end your trip. Short on time? See our 8-day tour from Rabat.
Tour Highlights
- The Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat
- Two nights in the blue city of Chefchaouen
- Optional hike to the Akchour waterfalls and God’s Bridge
- The Roman ruins of Volubilis and Meknes
- A guided day in the medina of Fes
- Two nights in the Sahara with a camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- The Todra Gorge and a night in the Dades Gorges
- Ouarzazate, its film studios and the Fint oasis
- The UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and the Tizi n’Tichka pass
- A guided day in Marrakech and Jemaa el-Fna
- Two nights in a riad in the Marrakech medina
- A private driver for the whole journey
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This Morocco tour from Rabat can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Arrival in Rabat: the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas
Your Morocco tour from Rabat begins with pickup at Rabat-Salé Airport, the train station or your hotel. Visit the Hassan Tower, the unfinished 12th-century minaret, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, then walk through the blue and white lanes of the Kasbah of the Udayas and its Andalusian garden above the mouth of the Bou Regreg river. Overnight in a riad in Rabat.
Stops on Day 1
- Hassan Tower
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- Kasbah of the Udayas
- Rabat medina
Day 2
Rabat, the Rif Mountains and Chefchaouen
Drive north across the fertile Gharb plain and into the green hills of the Rif, stopping in Ouezzane, a holy town known for its wool weavers. Arrive in Chefchaouen, the famous blue city, and settle into your riad. In the late afternoon, walk up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset over the blue rooftops. First night in Chefchaouen.
Stops on Day 2
- Gharb plain
- Ouezzane
- Chefchaouen
- Spanish Mosque
Day 3
Chefchaouen and the Optional Akchour Excursion
A free day in Chefchaouen. Wander the blue lanes, the Outa el Hammam square and the old kasbah at your own pace, or join the optional excursion to Akchour, about 45 minutes away in the Talassemtane National Park. A walk along the river leads to the Akchour waterfalls and the natural stone arch known as God’s Bridge. Second night in Chefchaouen.
Stops on Day 3
- Chefchaouen medina
- Outa el Hammam
- Akchour waterfalls (optional)
- God’s Bridge (optional)
Day 4
Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes
Leave the Rif for the fertile plains of the north and visit Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman city in Morocco, with its mosaics and triumphal arch. Stop at the holy town of Moulay Idriss and the imperial city of Meknes, with the monumental Bab Mansour gate, before arriving in Fes. First night in a riad in the medina.
Stops on Day 4
- Volubilis
- Moulay Idriss
- Meknes
- Fes
Day 5
A Guided Day in the Medina of Fes
Discover Fes el-Bali, the largest car-free medina in the world, with a local guide: the Bou Inania Medersa, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, the Chouara tanneries and the craft souks of brass, cedar and leather. In the afternoon, enjoy the view from the Merenid Tombs. Read more in our guide to the medina of Fes. Second night in Fes.
Stops on Day 5
- Bab Boujloud
- Bou Inania Medersa
- Chouara tanneries
- Merenid Tombs
Day 6
Fes, Ifrane, the Ziz Valley and Merzouga: Camel Trek and Desert Camp
Cross the Middle Atlas through Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, home of the Barbary macaques, then drive past Midelt and through the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. In the late afternoon you ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset. Dinner with Berber drumming around the campfire and first night in a desert camp.
Stops on Day 6
- Ifrane
- Azrou cedar forest
- Ziz Valley
- Merzouga
Day 7
A Full Day in the Sahara around Merzouga
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, explore the desert around Merzouga: the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, nomad families, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji and the old market town of Rissani. Optional 4×4 dune tour, quad biking or sandboarding. Second night in the Sahara, in a hotel or a camp.
Stops on Day 7
- Erg Chebbi
- Khamlia
- Dayet Srji
- Rissani
Day 8
Merzouga, the Todra Gorge and the Dades Gorges
Drive west through the palm groves of the Tafilalet to Tinghir and walk through the Todra Gorge, where cliffs rise 300 metres on either side of a narrow canyon. Continue to the Dades Gorges, with their winding road and the rock formations known as the “Monkey Fingers”. Overnight in the Dades Gorges.
Stops on Day 8
- Tinghir
- Todra Gorge
- Dades Gorges
Day 9
The Valley of Roses, Skoura and Ouarzazate
Follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Kelaat M’Gouna, the Valley of Roses and the palm grove of Skoura to Ouarzazate, our home town. Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, the Atlas film studios and the hidden palm oasis of Fint. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Stops on Day 9
- Valley of Roses
- Skoura
- Taourirt Kasbah
- Fint oasis
Day 10
Ait Ben Haddou, the Tizi n’Tichka Pass and Marrakech
Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in the quiet of the morning. Then cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres, and descend to Marrakech. In the evening, enjoy the storytellers, musicians and food stalls of Jemaa el-Fna square. First night in a riad in Marrakech.
Stops on Day 10
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Tizi n’Tichka
- Marrakech
- Jemaa el-Fna
Day 11
A Guided Day in Marrakech
Discover the Red City with a local guide: the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Medersa and the souks of spices, leather and lanterns. The afternoon is free for the Majorelle Garden, a hammam or shopping. Second night in Marrakech.
Stops on Day 11
- Koutoubia
- Bahia Palace
- Saadian Tombs
- Souks
Day 12
Marrakech and Departure
Enjoy a free morning in Marrakech, perhaps at the Majorelle Garden, in a hammam or for some last shopping in the souks. Transfer to your hotel or Marrakech Menara Airport. End of our services.
Stops on Day 12
- Majorelle Garden
- Souks
- Marrakech airport or hotel
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- English-speaking driver and private 4x4 or air-conditioned minivan with fuel
- 11 nights’ accommodation in riads, kasbahs, hotels and a desert camp
- Daily breakfast, and dinner on the nights outside Marrakech
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Local guides for the medina of Fes and for Marrakech
- Pickup in Rabat and drop-off at your hotel or the airport in Marrakech
Not Included
- Flights
- Optional excursion to the Akchour waterfalls
- Lunches, drinks and dinners in Marrakech
- Entrance fees to monuments, Volubilis and kasbahs
- Optional activities (quad, 4x4 dune tour, sandboarding, hammam)
- Tips and personal expenses
Contact us to confirm the details of your Morocco tour from Rabat for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- Comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This tour suits travellers who fly into Rabat or arrive by train and want to see the north, the imperial cities, the Sahara and Marrakech without long days on the road, with two nights in Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech.
This Morocco tour from Rabat leaves time for free afternoons, a hammam and the optional hike in Akchour. Every tour is private, with your own driver. For a shorter route, see our 8-day tour or our 6-day desert tour from Rabat.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other tours from Rabat and Tangier.
Meknes, Volubilis, a day in Fes, a night in the Sahara and Ait Ben Haddou in under a week.
Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, a day in Fes, a night in the Sahara and a guided morning in Marrakech.
Two nights in Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech and Essaouira, at a relaxed pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optional Akchour excursion?
Akchour is a village about 45 minutes from Chefchaouen, in the Talassemtane National Park. A river trail leads to waterfalls and a natural stone arch called God’s Bridge. The walk takes 2 to 5 hours depending on the route, and we arrange the transport and a local guide if you choose it.
How much of Morocco can I see in 12 days?
This Morocco tour from Rabat covers the capital, the blue city of Chefchaouen, Fes, two nights in the Sahara, the kasbahs of the south and Marrakech, with two nights in most places and no very long driving days.
Can you pick me up at Rabat airport or the train station?
Yes. We pick you up at Rabat-Salé Airport, Rabat Ville or Rabat Agdal train station, or at your hotel. We can also start in Casablanca on request.
Do I sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On day 6 you ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes and sleep in a Berber desert camp. For the second night in the Sahara you can stay in the camp or in a hotel at the foot of the dunes.
Where does the tour end?
On day 12, at your hotel or Marrakech Menara Airport. If you have more time, we can add two nights by the ocean in Essaouira.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. All our tours are private, and the itinerary can be adjusted to your pace, budget and interests.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
Ready to Explore Morocco from North to South?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
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