Morocco Itinerary: 10 Days — the Full Circuit
Ten days is the sweet spot for Morocco's grand circuit: three days in Marrakech, the two-day desert crossing to Merzouga, three days in Fes's medieval medina, and two in blue Chefchaouen. One direction, no backtracking. Budget roughly $600–850 per person on the ground, hotels excluded.
The route
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Cross the Atlas to Erg Chebbi — book the tour variant that DROPS YOU IN FES instead of returning.
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$600–850 per person on the ground — Food, entries, the Marrakech→Fes desert tour (1,200–1,800 MAD for the drop-off variant) and buses. Riads add $40–150/night. It runs cheaper than the same days split across two separate trips.
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Day 1 — Arrival and the squareMarrakech
Land, drop bags at the riad, and ease in: Koutoubia gardens at golden hour, then Jemaa el-Fna after dark — grill stalls, storytellers, controlled chaos.
Day 2 — The palace dayMarrakech
Bahia Palace at 8am, Saadian Tombs right after, souk lunch at Café des Épices, and Le Jardin Secret when the afternoon heat peaks.
Day 3 — Gardens and hammamMarrakech
Majorelle early (book online), mechoui alley for lamb at noon, hammam in the afternoon, rooftop farewell dinner — tomorrow starts at dawn.
Transfer: CTM / Supratours intercity bus · varies · 60–250 MAD
Day 4 — Over the AtlasSahara
The long spectacular drive: Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Benhaddou (climb to the granary), Todra Gorge — camel trek into the dunes by sunset, Gnaoua drums at camp.
Day 5 — Sunrise dunes, north to FesSahara → Fes
Dune ridge at dawn, then the northern route: Ziz valley palmeries, Midelt lunch, cedar forests near Azrou (Barbary macaques), into Fes by evening.
Transfer: CTM / Supratours intercity bus · varies · 60–250 MAD
Day 6 — Fes el-Bali, top to bottomFes
Bou Inania Madrasa at opening, then let Talaa Kebira pull you downhill through the workshops — 'balak!' means a donkey is coming through.
Day 7 — Tanneries and craftsFes
Chouara tannery terraces in the morning (10–20 MAD 'tip', whatever anyone claims), Al-Attarine's zellige, Nejjarine square, dinner in a converted riad.
Day 8 — Slow FesFes
The Mellah and royal palace gates, lunch at a family kitchen, Borj Sud at sunset for the whole-medina panorama locals keep to themselves.
Transfer: CTM bus · ~4 h · ~110 MAD
Day 9 — Into the RifChefchaouen
Morning CTM bus (~4h, ~110 MAD). Check into a guesthouse, wander the blue alleys after the day-trippers leave at 5, dinner on Uta el-Hammam.
Day 10 — Blue morning, homewardChefchaouen
Sunrise at the Spanish Mosque — the town to yourself — then a slow breakfast before the bus to Tangier or Fes for your flight.
Route and prices verified July 2026 · how we verify
10-day Morocco FAQ
Is 10 days enough for Morocco?
It's the sweet spot. Ten days covers the full circuit — Marrakech, the Sahara, Fes and Chefchaouen — in one direction without backtracking. Shorter trips should drop the north; longer ones add the coast.
How do you get from the Sahara to Fes?
Book the desert tour variant that ends in Fes instead of returning to Marrakech — most Merzouga operators run it. You cross the Ziz valley and Middle Atlas cedar forests, arriving Fes by evening on day two. It turns the route into a line instead of a loop.
Marrakech first or Fes first?
Marrakech first flows better: flights are cheapest into RAK, the desert tour runs naturally west-to-east, and Chefchaouen sits near your northern exit (Tangier or Fes airports). Reverse it only if flights dictate.
How much should I budget for 10 days in Morocco?
$600–850 per person on the ground (food, entries, desert tour, buses), plus riads at $40–150 a night. Most mid-range travelers land around $1,300–1,700 per person before flights.
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