Morocco Itinerary 5 Days

Day 1: Casablanca ➔ Chefchaouen (340 km / 5 hrs)

Once you arrive in Casablanca, your driver will meet you at the airport or your hotel. You’ll begin your 5-day Morocco itinerary with a visit to the impressive Hassan II Mosque, which stands right on the Atlantic coast and is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. After your visit, you’ll head north toward the Rif Mountains. The drive takes about five hours, passing through open countryside and rolling hills. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Chefchaouen, a quiet town known for its blue-painted streets and relaxed atmosphere. You’ll check into a traditional riad located in the heart of the medina. After settling in, you can take a short walk through the medina as the town begins to quiet down for the evening. Dinner is not included tonight, but your driver or riad host can suggest local places to eat.

Day 2: Chefchaouen ➔ Fes (200 km / 4 hrs)

After breakfast at your riad, you’ll have a little time to enjoy Chefchaouen’s calm pace before heading out. The drive to Fes is about four hours, taking you through olive groves, small towns, and scenic countryside. You’ll arrive in Fes in the early afternoon and meet your local guide for a walking tour of the old medina. This part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban centers in the world. You’ll explore narrow alleys, historic mosques, traditional tanneries, and artisan quarters. Key stops often include the Al Quaraouiyine University, the oldest existing degree-granting university, and the Bou Inania Madrasa. After the tour, you’ll check in to your riad inside the medina. Dinner tonight is on your own, and there are plenty of great options nearby serving traditional Fassi cuisine.

Day 3: Fes ➔ Ifrane ➔ Midelt ➔ Merzouga (470 km / 7 hrs)

Today is a full travel day as you make your way toward the Sahara. After an early breakfast, you’ll drive south and pass through Ifrane, a small town with alpine-style architecture and clean, tree-lined streets. Locals call it “the Switzerland of Morocco.” A short while later, you’ll stop in the cedar forests near Azrou, where you might see Barbary macaques roaming around. Around midday, you’ll have lunch near Midelt, a town nestled between the Middle and High Atlas mountains. The scenery becomes more dramatic as you drive through the Ziz Valley, lined with palm trees and fortified villages. By late afternoon, you’ll reach Merzouga, where your camel will be waiting for the ride into the desert. The trek lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, leading you to your desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. You’ll enjoy a freshly prepared dinner at the camp and spend the night in a private tent equipped with basic comforts.

Day 4: Merzouga ➔ Rissani ➔ Todra Gorges ➔ Dades Valley (280 km / 5.5 hrs)

After watching the sunrise from the dunes and having breakfast at the camp, you’ll ride back to Merzouga either by camel or 4×4, depending on your preference. From there, the drive continues to Rissani, where you can stop to visit the local market if it’s open that day. Your route then takes you through desert plains and small towns before reaching the Todra Gorges, a canyon with cliffs that rise up to 300 meters and are popular with climbers. It’s a good place to stretch your legs and take photos. Later in the afternoon, you’ll continue through the Dades Valley, known for its dramatic rock formations, including the famous “Monkey Fingers.” You’ll spend the night in a small guesthouse or hotel along the valley, where dinner is included and served on-site.

Day 5: Dades ➔ Ouarzazate ➔ Ait Ben Haddou ➔ Marrakech (320 km / 6 hrs)

On your final day, you’ll head west toward Marrakech. The first stop is Ouarzazate, sometimes called the “Hollywood of Morocco” due to its nearby film studios. If you’re interested, you can make a quick stop at Atlas Studios (entrance optional). Then you’ll continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar that has been used as a backdrop for several well-known films. You’ll have time to walk through the old village and take in the views before crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N’Tichka Pass. The road winds through scenic landscapes with occasional panoramic viewpoints. Expect to arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon or early evening, where your driver will drop you off at your riad or hotel. This marks the end of your 5-day Morocco tour.