Morocco in 10 days: Marrakech, the desert, Fez
A day-by-day route from Jemaa el-Fna square to the dunes of Erg Chebbi and the Fez medina, with an activity sheet and its sources for every stage.
Ten days across Morocco from south to north: Marrakech and the Ourika Valley, the High Atlas road to the ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes, then the Fez medina. Every stage links to an activity sheet, where each fact cites its source.
Travel times come from Wikivoyage; the pages consulted are listed in the sources at the foot of the page. Where no source gives a duration, this notebook gives none. Opening hours and prices change: those quoted here were read on official sites on 1 November 2026.
Days 1 and 2 · Marrakech
Jemaa el-Fna square is the heart of the medina. UNESCO proclaimed it Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2001. By day it belongs to orange juice stalls and water sellers; late in the day come the storytellers and musicians, and as darkness falls dozens of food stalls set up.
On the second day, the Jardin Majorelle: the painter Jacques Majorelle began planting it in 1922; Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought it in 1980. Tickets are sold online only, on the official site, 170 dirhams full price as of 1 November 2026.
Day 3 · The Ourika Valley
Around 30 km from Marrakesh, the valley follows the Ourika river into the High Atlas. Setti Fatma, the last village on the paved road, is the start of the hike up the mountain stream to the waterfalls. On Mondays the souk is held in Tnine-de-l’Ourika.
Without a car, ALSA buses L25 and L40 go to Ourika, then a taxi takes about 45 minutes to Setti Fatma. For those with two more days, the Toubkal ascent starts from Imlil, with a licensed guide required since 2018.
Day 4 · Across the High Atlas to Aït-Ben-Haddou
The bus from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate takes 3 to 3.5 hours according to Wikivoyage Marrakesh, 4.5 hours for CTM buses according to Wikivoyage Ouarzazate. The ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou is 9 km off the Tizi n’Tichka road that links the two cities.
A World Heritage Site since 1987, the ksar packs its earthen houses behind walls reinforced by corner towers. The September 2023 earthquake damaged it: cracks and partial collapses were reported. Inside the ksar you can only walk, up to the granary at the top of the hill.
Days 5 and 6 · Merzouga and a night in Erg Chebbi
The daily Supratours bus between Merzouga and Ouarzazate takes 8 hours. Merzouga lies on the western edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, which rise up to 150 metres and stretch for about 28 km from north to south.
Camel trips lead to permanent camps for the night. Choose a licensed camp: the authorities closed unlicensed camps in 2019. The best time is October to April, when temperatures are milder; bring enough water.
Day 7 · From Merzouga to Fez
A Supratours bus leaves Merzouga for Fez every day at 10:30 p.m.; the one from Fez reaches Merzouga in the early morning. None of our sources gives the length of the journey: ask the company when you book.
Days 8 and 9 · The Fez medina
Founded between 789 and 808 as the Idrisid capital, Fes el Bali is a car-free area of about 300 hectares, a World Heritage Site since 1981. Chouara, the city’s largest tannery, still works leather by hand there.
Visit the tanneries early in the morning, before the sun hits the vats. If you hire a guide, go through your hotel or the tourism office for a licensed one; otherwise, signposted trails (green, orange or blue signs) cross the medina. A variant: Chefchaouen, the blue medina of the Rif, served by frequent buses from Fez.
Day 10 · Heading home
Fès-Saïs International Airport is 15 km from the city. To return to Marrakesh, direct trains link the two cities in 7 hours.
Sources · 13
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