At a glance
- Five days is enough for Marrakech, the High Atlas and Ait Ben Haddou without rushing.
- The big Sahara dunes at Merzouga are too far for five days; the Agafay desert near Marrakech is the better fit.
- Base yourself in a riad in Marrakech and spend one night near Ait Ben Haddou.
- The drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass takes about four hours with stops.
- Spring and fall give the best conditions for this route.
A 5-day Morocco itinerary works best when it stays in one region. From Marrakech you can see a great medina, cross the High Atlas, sleep beside a UNESCO-listed kasbah and spend an evening in the desert, all without a single seven-hour drive. Here is the route we recommend.
Why not the big dunes in five days
Merzouga and Erg Chigaga, home of the tallest dunes, are eight to ten hours' drive from Marrakech each way. In five days that means two full days in a car for one night in the sand. We would rather give you an evening in the Agafay desert, 45 minutes from Marrakech, and save the deep Sahara for a longer trip such as Sahara Solitude.
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your riad in the medina. Spend the afternoon resting in the courtyard, then walk to Jemaa el-Fna at dusk, when the food stalls light up. Our list of five riads in Marrakech we love will help you choose where to stay.
Day 2: The Marrakech medina
A morning with a licensed guide: the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Bahia Palace and the souks, which are quietest before 10 a.m. In the afternoon, take a taxi to the Majorelle Garden and book the timed entry online. More ideas are in our guide to things to do in Marrakech.
Day 3: Over the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou
Leave Marrakech after breakfast and climb the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at 7,415 feet the highest road pass in the High Atlas. The drive takes about four hours with photo stops and lunch in a mountain village. Arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar, in the late afternoon, when the day-trippers have left.
Tip
Stay the night near Ait Ben Haddou rather than visiting on a day trip. At sunset and sunrise you will have the ridge almost to yourself.
Day 4: Kasbahs and the return over the mountains
Walk up through the ksar at sunrise, then visit the Kasbah of Telouet, the old palace of the Glaoui family, on the quieter back road. Return to Marrakech by mid-afternoon for a hammam and dinner on a rooftop.
Want this route built around your dates?
We arrange the riad, the driver, the guides and the desert camp, and adjust the pace to you.
Day 5: An evening in the Agafay desert
Spend a slow morning in Marrakech, then drive 45 minutes to the Agafay, a stone desert with views of the Atlas. Ride a camel at sunset and have dinner at a private camp before returning to the city, or stay the night. Read more in our guide to Agafay desert camps.
If you have a few more days
With seven to ten days, add the Skoura palm grove and the deep Sahara, or head north to Fes. Our 10-day Morocco itinerary shows how.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for Morocco?
Yes, if you stay in one region. Five days covers Marrakech, the High Atlas and Ait Ben Haddou comfortably. Adding Fes or the big Sahara dunes needs at least a week.
Can you see the Sahara in 5 days from Marrakech?
You can reach Merzouga, but it means two full days of driving for one night. The Agafay desert near Marrakech is a better fit for a short trip.
Where should I stay for a 5-day trip?
A riad in the Marrakech medina for most nights, and one night near Ait Ben Haddou to see it at sunset and sunrise.
Do I need a driver for this itinerary?
We strongly recommend one. Mountain roads are slow and winding, and a driver lets you stop wherever the view is good.
What is the best time of year for this route?
Spring and fall. In winter the Tizi n'Tichka pass can see snow, and in summer Marrakech is very hot.
Can we do this itinerary with children?
Yes. The drives are manageable with stops, and children love the camel ride, the kasbah and the gardens.
Can we fly into Marrakech and out of Casablanca?
Yes, but for five days it is simpler to fly in and out of Marrakech.
