Morocco itinerary 9 days: day-by-day table
Nine days lets you see the north, the Sahara and the south and still have two full days without driving. That is the main difference from shorter routes: every long transfer is followed by a slower day, and the trip ends with two nights in Marrakech rather than a rushed airport run.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen | Hassan II Mosque interior, Hassan Tower, Kasbah of the Udayas | Riad in Chefchaouen |
| 2 | Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes | Quiet morning in the blue town, Roman mosaics, Bab Mansour | Riad in Fes |
| 3 | Fes guided day | Chouara tannery, Bou Inania, Al Quaraouiyine, Royal Palace gates | Riad in Fes |
| 4 | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga | Middle Atlas cedars, macaques | Hotel at the edge of the dunes |
| 5 | Erg Chebbi | Nomad family, Khamlia Gnawa music, sunset camel trek | Desert camp |
| 6 | Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dadès Valley | Sunrise on the dunes, gorge walk | Kasbah hotel |
| 7 | Dadès – Kelaat M'Gouna – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech | UNESCO ksar, Tizi n'Tichka | Riad in Marrakech |
| 8 | Marrakech guided day | Bahia Palace, Koutoubia, Saadian Tombs, souks, Jemaa el-Fna | Riad in Marrakech |
| 9 | Free morning – departure | Majorelle Garden or shopping | – |
Who should choose 9 days in Morocco from Casablanca?
This itinerary is a good fit for first-time visitors who want to see the whole classic circuit but dislike the feeling of being on the road every day. Families, older travellers and couples on a honeymoon often prefer it to the 7 or 8 day versions because there are two car-free days and two nights in each of Fes, Merzouga and Marrakech.
How it compares
- 8 days: identical route but only one night in Marrakech; see the 8 day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca.
- 10 days: more time in the south and the gorges; see the 10 day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca.
- 9 days from Marrakech: a round trip if you fly in and out of Marrakech; see the 9 day Morocco grand tour from Marrakech.
For broader planning ideas, browse our Morocco itineraries page.
Pacing and driving times across the 9 days
The route covers roughly 1,500 km. The busiest days are day one (about 5 hours of driving plus sightseeing in Casablanca and Rabat), day four (about 7 to 8 hours from Fes to Merzouga with stops) and day seven (about 6 to 7 hours from the Dadès Valley over the Tizi n'Tichka at 2,260 m). Days three, five and eight involve little or no driving.
All roads are paved. Your driver-guide plans photo stops, tea breaks and lunch in places where you can stretch your legs, and can shorten or lengthen visits to suit you. If you prefer to avoid the Fes to Merzouga day in one go, an extra night in Midelt can be added on request.
Two nights at Merzouga: hotel, camel trek and desert camp
The first night at Merzouga is spent in a comfortable hotel near the dunes. Merzouga has comfortable, clean, well-serviced hotels rather than luxury properties, so this night is the same in the comfort and luxury categories.
On day five you explore Erg Chebbi by 4x4, visit a nomad family and listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia, then ride camels for about an hour and a half to a dune crest for sunset and on to camp. The camel ride depends on camel availability that day; if none are free, you reach camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes and ride the camels the next morning.
In the comfort camp each private tent, normally for two, has its own bathroom and toilet; a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used, and the luxury category upgrades the camp. We do not organise isolated wild bivouacs, as Erg Chebbi has many camps. More background is in our Merzouga and Sahara travel guide.
What's included, best season and packing tips
Included: pick-up in Casablanca and drop-off in Marrakech, a private air-conditioned vehicle and driver-guide for nine days, eight nights' accommodation with daily breakfast, dinners in the Sahara and the Dadès Valley, the camel trek and 4x4 excursion in Erg Chebbi, and private walking guides in Fes and Marrakech. Not included: international flights, lunches, dinners in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech, monument tickets, tips and travel insurance. Prices start from €1050 per person for 4 to 6 travellers.
- Spring and autumn: the best balance of temperatures across coast, mountains and desert.
- Summer: hot inland and very hot in the Sahara; air-conditioned tents are worth requesting.
- Winter: cold desert nights, possible snow on the Atlas passes and rain in the Rif.
Pack layers, a warm jacket for the desert, modest clothing, comfortable shoes and sun protection. The dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so withdraw cash on arrival. Driver-guides work in English, French, Spanish or Italian, with Spanish and Italian subject to availability.