Two weeks is the dream length for a desert lover: time for two different stretches of Sahara, the full kasbah road and gorges, the imperial cities of the north and the Atlantic coast — all unhurried, with the dunes given the days they deserve rather than a single rushed night.
In this guide
Why two weeks is ideal for a desert trip
Fourteen days removes the cruel choices a shorter trip forces. You can begin in Casablanca or Fes, trace the northern medinas and Chefchaouen, drop through the Middle Atlas and the gorges to the Sahara at Merzouga, and still have room to add the remote Erg Chigaga dunes before circling back to Marrakech over the High Atlas — two nights under the stars rather than one snatched evening.
The drives between north and south are part of the reward, not a tax on it: the cedar forests of Azrou, the cliffs of the Dadès and Todra, the endless palmeries of the Draa Valley. With a private driver-guide each leg is a narrated journey, and the desert sits at the heart of the loop where it belongs.
Day-by-day: the grand circuit
This outline assumes arrival in Casablanca (CMN) and departure from Marrakech (RAK), a classic open-jaw routing that removes all backtracking. Days can be adjusted for flights, pace and personal interests.
- Day 1: Arrive Casablanca — Hassan II Mosque exterior and the corniche; overnight near the port.
- Days 2–3: Fes — the Chouara tanneries, Bou Inania madrasa, the Attarine souk; a private historian guide is essential.
- Day 4: Meknes (Bab Mansour, the royal granaries) and Roman Volubilis at golden hour.
- Days 5–6: Chefchaouen — the blue medina and Rif mountain hikes; two slow nights.
- Day 7: Azrou cedar forest and the Middle Atlas plateau south to Midelt or Ifrane.
- Day 8: Gorge country — the Dadès Gorge and Boumalne; overnight in the valley.
- Day 9: Todra Gorge at dawn, then east to Merzouga.
- Day 10: Erg Chebbi dunes — afternoon camel trek to a luxury camp; dinner under the stars.
- Day 11: Sunrise on the dunes, then the long, rewarding drive west through the Drâa Valley.
- Day 12: Ouarzazate ('the door of the desert') and Aït Ben Haddou kasbah.
- Day 13: Tizi n'Tichka pass over the High Atlas; afternoon in Marrakech.
- Day 14: Marrakech — medina, Jardin Majorelle, a hammam; evening departure.
How much driving does a 14-day Morocco trip involve?
The circuit covers roughly 2,500–3,000 km in total, spread across 11 or 12 driving days — typically 2–5 hours of moving per day. Days 7 and 11 involve the longest transfers (6–7 hours each); these are the days where an early start and a knowledgeable driver who stops at the right viewpoints make the most difference. The route is almost entirely paved, though some desert pistes near Merzouga benefit from a high-clearance vehicle.
Variants and add-ons
The best desert upgrade on a two-week trip is a second stretch of Sahara: pair Erg Chebbi at Merzouga with the wilder, emptier Erg Chigaga via M'Hamid and the Draa Valley for a genuine deep-desert leg. If Essaouira calls, swap the final Marrakech day for two nights on the Atlantic coast — a superb decompression before a long-haul flight. For more mountains, replace the Midelt overnight with two nights in Imlil and a guided day on the Toubkal foothills.
Frequently asked
Is 14 days enough for a desert trip plus the rest?
Comfortably. Two weeks lets you spend two nights in the Sahara — even at two different ergs — and still see the gorges, kasbahs, imperial cities and Atlas without rushing. A few far-flung spots (Taroudant, Dakhla) fall outside the radius, but most leave after a fortnight with a full trip rather than a frustrated one.
What is the best 14-day desert route?
An open-jaw circuit from Casablanca or Fes in the north to Marrakech in the south, via Chefchaouen, the Middle Atlas, the gorges, the Sahara at Merzouga (and optionally Erg Chigaga) and the High Atlas. This removes all backtracking and keeps the desert central.
What is the best time of year for a 14-day Morocco trip?
March to May and September to November. Spring and autumn give comfortable temperatures in the cities, walkable desert days, and the High Atlas passes free of snow. Summer (July–August) is feasible in the north and on the coast, but the desert and Marrakech at 40°C+ make a full circuit punishing.
Should I fly open-jaw for a two-week Morocco trip?
Yes — fly into Casablanca or Fes and out of Marrakech (or vice versa). The open-jaw eliminates 1–2 full driving days of backtracking, which makes a noticeable difference on a 14-day trip. Prices for open-jaw routings are usually comparable to returns.
Can I do the 14-day circuit by train and bus?
The northern section (Casablanca–Fes–Meknes–Chefchaouen) is well connected by train and CTM bus. South of Fes — the gorges, the Sahara, the kasbah road — public transport is slow and infrequent. A private driver is strongly recommended for the southern half of the circuit.
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Itineraries
Morocco Itinerary: 10 Days
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If the desert is the heart of your trip, plan around the dunes first. October to April is the prime Sahara window — comfortable days in Merzouga and Erg Chigaga, brilliant stargazing and cold but magical camp nights. Spring and autumn are the all-round sweet spots for combining the dunes with the cities and the Atlas.