12-Day North to South Morocco Tour From Tangier to Casablanca
North to South Morocco Tour: 12 Days From Tangier to the Sahara and the Atlantic
Start where Africa meets Europe and finish where the Atlantic meets the old ramparts. In 12 days this north to south Morocco tour takes you from the port of Tangier to the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, the imperial cities, a night in the Sahara, the kasbahs of the south and the sea breeze of Essaouira.
A true north to south Morocco tour works because it never doubles back. You enter at Tangier, climb into the Rif Mountains, cross the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the walled cities of Meknes and Fes, then cut through the Middle Atlas cedar forests to the dunes of Merzouga. From the desert you follow Todra and Dades, cross the High Atlas by Ait Ben Haddou and arrive in Marrakech with time left for the city, the Ourika Valley and the coast.
Twelve days gives you room to breathe. There are full days in Fes and Marrakech, and long drives are broken by stops worth making: cedar forests, oases, palm groves and gorges. We build the route around your dates and your pace, so you can add a night, slow down in a favourite city or change the hotels to suit your style of travel.
- Duration12 days
- StartTangier, from airport or ferry terminal
- EndCasablanca
- CitiesChefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech, Essaouira
- Desert nightMerzouga, with a camel ride
- Best forFirst visit, couples, friends, small groups
North to South Morocco Tour Highlights
- Explore Tangier, the cosmopolitan port that has drawn artists, writers and travellers for generations
- Wander the blue and white lanes of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains
- Walk the Roman ruins of Volubilis and visit the imperial city of Meknes
- Spend a full day in the Fes medina, from Bab Boujloud to the Karaouiyine quarter
- Cross the cedar forests of Azrou and the Middle Atlas on the way to the Sahara
- Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night in a Berber nomad tent
- Walk through the Todra and Dades gorges and visit the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- Discover Marrakech, the Ourika Valley and the Atlantic port of Essaouira
12-Day North to South Morocco Itinerary
From the Mediterranean coast to the Sahara and back to the Atlantic, with a rest day in each major city so the trip never feels like a race.
Day 1: Tangier
Your tour starts with a transfer from the airport or the ferry terminal to your hotel in Tangier. You have the rest of the day to explore this cosmopolitan Mediterranean port, once a favourite of artists, musicians, politicians and writers such as Paul Bowles.
Walk the old town, visit the museums and historic sites that interest you, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of a city that has always looked both towards Europe and towards Africa. You spend the night at your hotel.
Day 2: Tangier to Chefchaouen
Today you head into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, an Andalusian style town famous for its blue and white washed houses. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the small winding alleyways and market squares invite you to wander without a plan.
Local women from the surrounding Rif region sell handmade products in the town, which gives you a chance to meet people and take home something genuine. The day ends with dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes
Our first stop is Volubilis, the remains of a Roman city set among fields near Moulay Idriss, a major pilgrimage town on the nearby hillside. Walking among the old columns and streets gives you a real sense of how far the Roman Empire reached.
We continue to Meknes, the smallest and most welcoming of Morocco’s imperial cities, with its immense walls, grand gates and a maze of market stalls that gives the old city a Mediterranean feel. Later in the day we drive on to Fes.
Day 4: A full day in Fes
Fes is the world’s last surviving medieval city, and a full day lets you see it properly. Pass through the medina’s souks, see the gateway of the Royal Palace and visit landmarks such as the 9th century Karaouiyine Mosque and University.
Explore the Najarine Fountain, Bab Boujloud, the old harem gardens and the Batha Museum, then look for a panoramic view of the city or visit a famous tannery on your way back to the hotel.
Day 5: Fes to Merzouga through the cedar forests, with a camel ride and a night in the desert
After breakfast we leave Fes and drive south via Ifrane and the cedar forests of Azrou, where wild monkeys roam and photographers always ask us to stop. We then cross the Atlas Mountains, with a break in the Berber village of Zaida and views of the Midelt area.
The road continues through Rich and Erfoud, where the Tafilalet oasis begins, and brings you to Merzouga. After a short rest you climb on a camel and ride into the dunes of Erg Chebbi for a night in a Berber nomad tent.
Day 6: Merzouga to Dades Gorges via Todra and the Dades Valley
Wake up for the desert sunrise, then ride your camel back to Merzouga where your vehicle is waiting. This is the quietest and most beautiful light of the whole journey, so give yourself time to enjoy it.
From there we drive towards the Dades Gorges through Berber villages, local markets and the Todra Gorge, whose cliffs rise up to 300 metres. We follow the Dades Valley and reach the Dades Gorges by evening.
Day 7: Dades Gorges to Marrakech via Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou
We leave Dades in the morning and head for Ait Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-protected fortified village that has served as a backdrop for films such as Gladiator. The mud brick towers and the walk up through the old village are among the highlights of the whole tour.
The road then climbs over the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which reaches 2,260 m, with wide views of the mountains and Berber villages. You arrive in Marrakech in the evening.
Day 8: A full day in Marrakech
Marrakech is the imperial city of the south, and today you explore it near Jemaa el-Fna Square. The square is a dynamic mix of storytellers, musicians, snake charmers and food stalls, and it changes character completely between afternoon and night.
Dive into the narrow streets of the medieval medina, taste local specialities and give yourself time to browse the souks at your own pace. You spend the night in a riad or hotel.
Day 9: Marrakech to the Ourika Valley and back
Today is an excursion from Marrakech to the Ourika Valley, in the foothills of the High Atlas. You visit traditional Berber souks and see how the villages along the river live, surrounded by terraced fields and mountain views.
You also meet local artisans in their workshops and see their craftsmanship at work. In the evening you return to Marrakech for dinner at the riad.
Day 10: Marrakech to Essaouira
We drive west to Essaouira through the argan tree forests, where the trees often seem to be filled with goats. The road drops towards the Atlantic, and the sea air and the wind are noticeable as soon as you reach the coast.
In this romantic port town, shaped in part by the Portuguese, you visit the Mellah, walk the ramparts and enjoy fresh seafood. You spend the night at a riad in the medina.
Day 11: Essaouira to Casablanca
After a relaxed morning by the sea we leave Essaouira and travel north towards Casablanca, following the Atlantic side of Morocco. This is a travel day, with time to look back over everything you have seen, from the blue streets of Chefchaouen to the dunes of Merzouga.
If your flight leaves early on day 12, we plan the timing of the drive with you in advance, so you reach Casablanca rested and on time.
Day 12: Casablanca and departure
Your journey ends in Casablanca. We make sure you reach the airport or your next destination in good time, with your driver handling the transfer.
If your flight is later in the day, tell us when you book and we can plan a relaxed morning before the final transfer, so the trip finishes without stress.
Why Book This Tour With Visit the Desert
A route that never doubles back
North to south means every day brings a new landscape: coast, mountains, cedar forests, desert and Atlantic ramparts, with no repeated roads.
Full days in the great cities
Fes and Marrakech each get a day of their own, so you see the medinas properly instead of racing through them.
Built around your plans
Different arrival point, an extra night in the desert, a slower pace or different hotels? We adapt the itinerary to your dates and comfort level.
What Is Included in the 12-Day North to South Tour
Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver for the whole route
- Transfer from the airport or ferry terminal in Tangier on day 1
- Hotel and riad accommodation along the route, plus a night in a Berber nomad tent in Merzouga
- Dinners at the hotel in Chefchaouen and at the riad in Marrakech, as listed in the itinerary
- Camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and sites
- Personal expenses
- Tips for your driver and guides
Good to Know Before You Go
Long driving days
Fes to Merzouga and Dades to Marrakech are long days on the road. We break them with regular stops, but bring water, snacks and a light jacket for the vehicle.
Pack for every climate
You pass from the Mediterranean to the Rif Mountains, the Atlas and the desert. Bring layers, closed shoes, a scarf for sun and sand, and a warm layer for the desert night.
Best season
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) give the most comfortable temperatures across all regions. Summer is very hot in the south, and winter nights in the desert and mountains are cold.
Desert night
Take a small overnight bag for Merzouga and leave your main luggage in the vehicle. The camel ride is easy to learn, and no special fitness is needed.
Days 11 and 12
The tour ends in Casablanca. If you have an early flight, tell us when you book so we can plan the transfer and timing with you.
Ready to Cross Morocco From North to South?
Pick your travel dates in the booking form on this page, or message us to adjust the route, the camp or the number of nights.
North to South Morocco Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the 12-day north to south Morocco tour start and finish?
The tour starts in Tangier, with a transfer from the airport or the ferry terminal to your hotel, and ends in Casablanca on day 12. If you would like a different start or end point, tell us and we adapt the route.
Which cities and sites are covered on the north to south Morocco tour?
You visit Tangier, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, Merzouga, the Todra and Dades gorges, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech, the Ourika Valley and Essaouira. Fes and Marrakech each have a full day for the medina.
Do we sleep in the desert?
Yes. On day 5 you reach Merzouga, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and sleep in a Berber nomad tent. The next morning you watch the sunrise in the desert, then ride back to Merzouga before continuing to the Dades Gorges.
How many hours do we drive each day?
The longest days are Fes to Merzouga and Dades to Marrakech, with several hours on the road each. We split them with stops in the cedar forests, the oases and Ait Ben Haddou, and the other days are much shorter.
Can I do this tour from south to north instead?
Yes. The same route works in reverse, starting in Casablanca or Marrakech and finishing in Tangier. If you want a shorter version, our 10-day classic Morocco tour covers a similar loop in two fewer days.
Can we add nights or change hotels?
Yes. Many travellers add an extra night in Fes, Marrakech or the desert. Tell us your dates and your style of travel, and we confirm hotel and riad options for the route.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
March to May and September to November are the best months, with pleasant temperatures from Chefchaouen to the Sahara. In July and August the south is very hot, and from December to February the nights are cold in the desert and the mountains.
Is this tour private or in a group?
We organise the route around your travel dates and group size, and we confirm the details with you before booking. If you prefer a different 12-day loop, compare it with our Morocco Grand Tour, 12 days.
