10-day Morocco Itinerary - The Perfect Road Trip

If you’re looking for the world’s best road trip destination, Morocco is a top contender. Sweeping dunes, rugged canyons, and medieval medinas are only part of what makes this 10-day Morocco itinerary a trip to remember.

By: Mark Barnes | Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Morocco is an incredibly diverse country.

Vibrant cities contain medieval medinas where a frenetic clamour of life spills onto the streets. Landscapes of towering mountains, rugged canyons and sweeping dunes provide the ideal canvas for breathtaking hikes.

Yet, tucked into traditional villages and nestled into the foothills of spectacular mountains, the pace of life slows considerably. Here, in the heart of Morocco, the people are the friendliest and most helpful you could ever be charmed to meet.

This 10-day itinerary explores the south of the country from 3 days in Marrakech to the scenic Atlas Mountains. We visit imposing canyons, rural villages and iconic sand dunes. The itinerary finishes in the medieval labyrinth of Fez.

While it’s not always easy to explore Africa on your own, Morocco is one of the safest places to visit. With the area so underpopulated, driving and hiring a car is a breeze. It’s one of the best road trips we have ever done.

Here’s all the information you need to organise your own Morocco itinerary.

Table of Contents show

Map: 10 Days in Morocco

Our Morocco Itinerary map has all the destinations we visited on this trip to help you plan your own adventure.

Click on the top right corner to open our map in your Google Maps app. Click the star next to the title to save it to your Google account.

Our Morocco Itinerary

Arrive

To begin this itinerary, fly into Marrakech Menara International Airport.

Taxis can be hired from outside the airport, but if you are staying in a riad in the medina, we suggest you book a collection from them.

Riads – often located in narrow pedestrian-only alleyways – can be tricky to find. For $10 to $15, it’s worth arriving hassle-free.

Day 1 & 2: Marrakech

As one of the most atmospheric places in Morocco, Marrakech is a great place to spend the first two days.

It’s a wonderful initial taste of Morocco, with narrow laneways lined with souks, fascinating architecture, and plenty of cool things to do.

In two days, you can explore the best of the markets, visit majestic Moorish architecture and enjoy the sheer energy on the streets.

For all the information, follow days 1 and 2 of our 3-day Marrakech itinerary. This guide also includes our accommodation recommendations.

We also have a guide on the best things to do in Marrakech if you want to pick some different attractions that might interest you.

man ride a bicycle through a packed laneway — FONDOUK

Day 3: Ouirgane

Marrakech sits just north of the 4,000m-high Atlas Mountains, which contain several Berber villages scattered across the hills and valleys.

Visiting them was a highlight of our trip to Morocco, and there is no better place to start than Ouirgane.

Early on day 3, pick up your hire car from Marrakech and drive to Ouirgane. It’s a glorious 1.5-hour drive, twisting and turning up mountain roads.

When you arrive, organise a local guide and hike around the 5 Berber Villages that sit just above the town. Make sure your guide can organise lunch or tea with a local family. It’s both an experience you won’t forget and a great way to support the local community.

Read more about our experience hiking the villages, plus everything else you can get up to in our guide to visiting Ouirgane.

A quick side note about driving in Morocco. As long as you avoid the large cities and the unpaved mountain roads, then driving in Morocco is mostly a breeze. But to put your mind at rest, read our driving tips for Morocco.

Where to stay: Ouirgane Ecolodge, Ouirgane.
Driving time: 1.5 hrs taking the R203.
Driving distance: ~ 65 km.

Morocco Itinerary 10 Days, Ouirgane — Ouirgane

Day 4: Aït Ben Haddou

Driving through the Atlas Mountains is a joy in itself, and the scenery today on the drive to Aït Ben Haddou is remarkable.

Leave Ouirgane and head back to Tazhnaout, turn right onto the P2010 and – when you get to Aït Ourir – turn right again onto the N9.

Tizi N’tichka Pass

The N9 at first rises gradually. But as you get higher and higher, it gets more and more twisty. A series of hairpin turns delivers you to the 2,260m summit of the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The views from here over the rugged mountains and the road itself are breathtaking.

Dropping down the other side, you could take the fast route to Aït Ben Haddou. But the far more scenic and interesting P1506 has recently been paved. So turn left and head into the valley that was once the main caravan route from Marrakech to Timbuktu.

Telouet Kasbah

The first stop is Telouet Kasbah, the mighty fortified home of the Glaoui family. While the exterior may have seen better days, the interior features truly remarkable stucco plasterwork and inlaid cedar ceilings.

Lunch

Just outside the Kasbah, Lion D’Or does a surprisingly good lunch. The menu is minimal (just how we like it), and the cooking is simple but effective.

Morocco Itinerary 10 Days, Tizi n’Tichka pass. — Kasbah Telouet

a ruined kasbah with crumbling walls in the Atlas Mountains — Kasbah Telouet

Telouet to Aït Ben Haddou

Continue towards Aït Ben Haddou. On this part of the drive, the Ounila River meets the road and cuts magnificent canyons in the red rock.

The bottom of which is punctuated with a beautiful green oasis. There are plenty of great places to stop by the side of the road, explore and take photos.

Finally, aim to get to Aït Ben Haddou for sunset. Built on the side of a hill, this fortified town (ksar) sits majestically over the banks of the Ounila River.

Its castellated red mud walls and dramatic location conjure images of biblical towns, long-lost villages, and battling armies. Hollywood has also taken notice.

Some of the things filmed here include Game of Thrones, Gladiator and The Mummy.

Ait Ben Haddou has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, and we have more information on our guide to visiting Ait Ben Haddou.

Where to stay: Riad Tamdakhte, Aït Ben Haddou.
Driving time: 4.5 hrs from Ouirgane to Aït Ben Haddou.
Driving distance: ~195 km

Morocco Itinerary 10 Days, Ounila Valley

Morocco Itinerary 10 Days, Aït Ben Haddou

Day 5: Ouarzazate

This morning, take the short drive in from Aït Ben Haddou to visit the Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate, a working movie house that has churned out many Hollywood blockbusters.

Then go to the Cinema Museum for a quirky look at Ouarzazate’s movie heritage.

Flint Oasis

Drive 30 minutes south along a dirt track to Fint Oasis. Here you’ll find 4 villages, each with about 150 people living very traditional lives. It’s a beautiful spot and an interesting insight into a small community.

If you have more time, there are a few other things to do in Ouarzazate.

Dadès Valley

Next, take the N10 past Skoura and through flat, barren wastelands to the Dadès Valley.

The R704 winds up the valley, offering excellent views of Red Rock Canyon and Green Oasis. But the highlight is the remarkable feature of Monkey Fingers. Here, little streams have carved rivulets and slot canyons into the rock.

Stop at Isabel Guesthouse café, grab a mint tea and admire the strange bulbous rock formations.

As the sun goes down, head up to the top of the gorge, where a tight set of zig-zags twists and turns as the valley floor dramatically rises.

Most people stop at Café Timzzillite before turning around, but we suggest you head a little further, where, for only a few minutes extra drive, you get a fine view of the valley disappearing in front of you.

Once you get to your accommodation for the evening, organise a hike of Monkey Fingers for tomorrow morning.

Where to stay: Auberge Chez Pierre
Driving time: 2 hours 45 minutes (add 1 hour for Fint Oasis)
Driving distance: ~ 175 km.

Day 6: Dádes Valley

Start today with a stunning 3-hour hike up the Monkey Fingers rock formation. It’s an exciting scramble through tight spaces and over rocky rubble.

In the afternoon, drive along the N10, turning left on R703 to the Todra Gorge. The gorge is the most dramatic of the canyons carved by rivers rushing down from the High Atlas Mountains.

At almost 200 metres high and only 10 metres wide at its narrowest point, it’s superb Moroccan scenery.

Tinghir Oasis

But it’s not just the gorge that’s impressive. The Tinghir Oasis that lines the valley floor is stunning. This lush green vegetation follows the river for miles, creating a swathe of green amongst the barren rock.

There are plenty of places to stop along the road and explore the oasis and canyon.

To enjoy a beautiful sunset in a remote upper section of the canyon, Auberge le Festival is an excellent place to stay.

Where to stay: Auberge le Festival
Driving Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Driving Distance: 95 km

Day 7: Todra Gorge

This morning, take a half-day hike around the Todra Gorge. The route takes you along the back of the canyon walls and past nomad settlements.

It takes about 4 hours, and the views are ever-changing and excellent. There is no need to hire a guide for this one – all the details can be found in our Todra Gorge hike article.

Drive to Merzouga

After the hike and lunch, hop into the car and make your way to start a Merzouga desert tour.

Drive to Hotel Kasbah Mohayut and join a 1-night camel trip into the desert. The trips leave from the hotel in the late afternoon and are a great way to see the Erg Chebbi dunes – a fantastic sight in the Sahara Desert.

The tour stops at a desert camp for the evening, where you’ll enjoy some local food and experience the Bedouin lifestyle. If only for one night.

The tents are very comfortable with a communal bathroom and proper flushing toilets. As the sun sets, you’ll sit beside a campfire, sing songs, swap stories and live the desert life.

Where to stay: Kasbah Mohayut (in the desert camp)- email them to book
Driving time: 3 hours 10 minutes via R113, N12 and N13
Driving distance: ~193 km.

Day 8: Erg Chebbi Dunes

This morning, rouse yourself for dawn to watch the changing shapes and colours of the desert. The mesmerising views of the dunes and their shadows create beautiful patterns stretching to the horizon.

After breakfast, make your way back on the camels to the hotel.

We spent the day relaxing by their pool, catching up on some reading and enjoying some well-earned rest.

There are a number of other activities you can organise from the hotel, including quad biking in the desert, sandboarding down the dunes, jeep rides, or you can just do as we did and sit by the pool all day.

If you are here during the summer, you can take part in a Moroccan ritual. As a treatment for rheumatism, Moroccans will allow themselves to be buried neck-deep in the sand for a few minutes at a time.

Where to stay: Kasbah Mohayut (in the desert kasbah)
Driving Time: None

Day 9: Driving to Fez

Today, it’s a long 7-hour drive to Fez.

There isn’t much to see along the way, so our advice is to just put the miles behind you as quickly as possible (without speeding).

You definitely don’t need a car in Fez, so if possible, arrange to drop it at Fès-Saïs Airport and take a taxi (or pre-arranged transfer) to your riad.

Driving time: 7-8 hrs
Driving Distance: ~570 km.

Day 10: Fez

We spent our final day in Morocco in Fez Medina, the world’s largest urban car-free zone. While much of the modern city stretches out beyond the Medina walls, at least 70,000 people still live in the cramped, noisy medieval centre.

Their home is a maze of alleyways bursting with sensory overload. An exotic labyrinth where ancient traditions captivate modern tourists. Where the call to prayer floats over the clatter of metalworkers bashing pots, tanners beating leather, and donkeys trotting down cobbled lanes.

We have put together the best things to do in Fez, or you can try our walking tour of the Fez medina.

Planning & Logistics

What to Book Before Your Trip?

Marrakech is a popular tourist destination; however, queues at most tourist attractions are not particularly long.

So there’s no need to organise museums or other site entrances in advance. Popular restaurants, particularly in Marrakech and Fez, can get booked up early, so if you have your heart set on somewhere, then book online or ring before you go.

Here are some other suggestions for things you might want to book in advance.

Restaurants – There are two restaurants in Marrakech worth booking in advance. Nomad is a trendy rooftop bar and restaurant, and Le Foudouk is exceptional Moroccan cooking. In Fez, the top place for dinner is Dar Roumana, which is also a beautiful place to stay.

Riads – There are some great riads and hotels in Morocco. But the good ones get booked up. We advise you to reserve your accommodation in advance, especially if you have a popular riad in mind. Read our guide on where to stay in Marrakech for more details.

Hikes – There are a number of hikes in this itinerary. You’ll have a much better experience if you use a local guide in Ouirgane and the Dades Valley. Email your accommodation to organise. The Todra Gorge hike can easily be done without a guide by following our Todra Gorge walk post.

Desert Camp – If you want to do the 1-night desert tour through Kasbah Mohayut, then book ahead at Kasbah Mohayut activities.

Morocco Itinerary 10 Days, Monkey Fingers, Dades

Getting to Morocco

Arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport to start the itinerary.

The airport is only a short, cheap taxi ride into town, but since most riads can be tricky to find, we suggest you have your riad organise transport for you. It should set you back $10 to $15.

Since cars cannot get into the centre of the medina, do not be alarmed if you are dropped off a few hundred meters from your riad and handed off to a porter. He will put your bags in a wheelbarrow and lead you the rest of the way.

Some international flights leave from Fès-Saïs Airport to Western Europe, including London, Madrid and Paris) But you may need to get a connecting flight in Marrakech or Casablanca.

Getting Around Morocco

While we would not recommend hiring a car if you are travelling around Morocco’s northern cities, driving in the south is much easier than many think.

Public transport is not really good enough for the places we visited on this itinerary, so you do need to hire a car. We have written a guide on driving in Morocco, which you might find useful.

Morocco’s infrastructure is improving rapidly. All the roads on this itinerary are paved and can easily be navigated in a standard 2WD.

Pick up your car from Marrakech Menara Airport at the beginning of Day 3 and drop it in Fez at the end of Day 9. Car hire per day is quite cheap, and if you pick the right car company, the drop-off fee for returning to a different city is also minimal.

One important thing to note: Fuel stations become sparse east of Ouarzazate, so fill up there before heading towards Merzouga.

When to Go

Morocco can be painfully hot in summer, reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius.

The valleys and canyons around the Atlas Mountains are most beautiful in spring. At this time, the lush green crops contrast beautifully with the red rock. However, in winter and early spring, mountain passes can still be covered in snow, making them impassable.

So we suggest you plan your visit from late March to early May. At this time, the roads should be open and the temperatures not too high.

After the summer temperatures drop, mid-September to mid-October can also be a good time to visit. However, the green valley floor will not be as vibrant as in spring.

While not essential, it is also worth avoiding Ramadan. Morocco is a very religious country with strict adherence to fasting. This means that local cafes and services are often closed during the day.

Adjusting This Morocco Itinerary

We have been to Morocco three times, and this is our pick of what to do in 10 days. There isn’t a lot of downtime, but many truly wonderful experiences.

If you need to take a day out, you can easily skip Day 3 in Ouirgane and go straight from Marrakech to Aït Ben Haddou.

You could also spend just one day in the desert, but that would mean a 7-hour drive to Fez when you get back from the desert camp. Doable, but you may spend the last hour driving in the dark, which is not advisable.

What’s missed? We haven’t included Essaouira or Chefchaouen, both of which would take at least an extra day.

We have also left off the Aït Bouguemez Valley and Ouzoud Falls. Both are good, but we removed them in order to fit in the Erg Chebbi dunes and Fez.