Discover Morocco: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Marrakech Menara Airport and make your own way to your riad or guesthouse in the medina — a petit taxi from the airport costs around £4–6. Settle in, freshen up, and head out for your first Moroccan dinner at one of the many affordable local restaurants around Djemaa El Fna. Try a bowl of harira soup and a tagine for under £5.

🚌Petit taxi from airport to medina ~£4–6

🛏Riad or guesthouse in the Marrakech medina (e.g. Equity Point Marrakech hostel or similar budget riad) — ~£15–20/night

• →Arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport — petit taxi to medina ~£5
• →Check in to your riad or guesthouse
• →Evening stroll around Djemaa El Fna square
• →Dinner at a local restaurant near the square

Spend the morning on a self-guided walk through Marrakech's highlights: the Koutoubia Mosque (exterior), the buzzing Djemaa El Fna square, and the labyrinthine souks. Book a 2–3 hour guided medina walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–20pp) to get the most from the souk experience, including tips on haggling. In the afternoon, explore freely — visit the Bahia Palace (£2) or the Saadian Tombs (£2.50). In the evening, optionally head to a live Gnawa music performance in the square.

🚌Walking day — no transport needed

🛏Riad or guesthouse in the Marrakech medina — ~£15–20/night

• →Koutoubia Mosque exterior visit (free)
• →Djemaa El Fna square exploration (free)
• →Guided medina & souk walking tour via GetYourGuide ~£18pp
• →Bahia Palace entry ~£2
• →Optional evening: Gnawa music performance at Djemaa El Fna (free, tips appreciated)

Take an early CTM or Supratours bus from Marrakech to Casablanca (~2.5–3 hrs, £8–10). On arrival, take a taxi or walk to the Hassan II Mosque — one of the largest in the world. Guided tours are available on site (~£10pp, book directly). Dress modestly (knees and upper arms covered). Afterwards, catch a train from Casablanca Casa Voyageurs to Rabat (~1hr, £5). Explore Rabat's old medina, the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), and the busy souk. Try harsha bread with amlou from a street stall.

🚌CTM bus Marrakech–Casablanca ~£9; train Casablanca–Rabat ~£5

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Rabat (e.g. Hotel Splendid or similar) — ~£20–25/night

• →CTM/Supratours bus: Marrakech to Casablanca ~£9
• →Guided tour of Hassan II Mosque ~£10pp (book on-site or via GetYourGuide)
• →Train: Casablanca to Rabat ~£5
• →Self-guided walk: Rabat medina, Mellah & souk (free)
• →Street food: harsha with amlou ~£1–2

Book a day-trip from Rabat or take a grand taxi towards Meknès (~2hrs, £8–10), then another grand taxi to Volubilis (~30 min, £3). Alternatively, book a shared day tour via GetYourGuide from Rabat/Fez. Volubilis is the best-preserved Roman ruin in Morocco — wander the forum, basilica, mosaic townhouses, baths and aqueducts. Entry ~£5. Hire a local on-site guide (~£8) to bring it all to life. Afterwards, take a grand taxi or CTM bus to Fez (~1.5hrs from Meknès, £4–6). Check in to a riad in the medina.

🚌Grand taxis and local buses throughout the day ~£17 total

🛏Riad or guesthouse in Fez medina (e.g. Riad Laaroussa budget room or similar) — ~£18–25/night

• →Grand taxi Rabat to Meknès ~£9
• →Grand taxi Meknès to Volubilis ~£3
• →Volubilis Roman ruins entry ~£5
• →Optional local guide at Volubilis ~£8
• →Grand taxi or bus to Fez ~£5
• →Check in to riad in Fez medina

Devote today to Fez el-Bali, one of the world's largest medieval medinas. Book a half-day guided medina tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£20pp) to navigate the maze of alleys and visit Bab Boujloud gate, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas (entry ~£2–3 each), and the famous Chouara tanneries (viewing from a leather shop rooftop is free). Explore the Jewish Mellah district. Spend the afternoon wandering and shopping at your own pace — carpets, ceramics, spices and leather goods are all up for negotiation.

🚌Walking day within the medina

🛏Riad or guesthouse in Fez medina — ~£18–25/night

• →Half-day guided Fez medina tour via GetYourGuide ~£20pp
• →Bab Boujloud gate (free)
• →Bou Inania Madrasa entry ~£2
• →Al-Attarine Madrasa entry ~£2
• →Chouara tannery rooftop view (free from leather shops)
• →Jewish Mellah district self-guided walk (free)
• →Afternoon free exploration and souk browsing

This is a long travel day — start early. Take a CTM bus from Fez south towards Er Rachidia (~6–7hrs, ~£12), passing through Ifrane where you can stop to spot Barbary macaques in the cedar forest (alight at Ifrane then rejoin a southbound bus, or ask the driver for a photo stop). Have lunch at Er-Rich or a roadside café. Arrive at a guesthouse in the Ziz Valley by late afternoon. Enjoy an optional 1.5hr sunset walk through the palm-filled valley.

🚌CTM bus Fez to Er Rachidia ~£12

🛏Guesthouse or auberge in the Ziz Valley (e.g. Maison Vallée du Ziz or similar) — ~£15–20/night

• →CTM bus Fez to Er Rachidia (via Ifrane) ~£12
• →Barbary macaque spotting stop near Ifrane cedar forest (free)
• →Roadside lunch near Er-Rich ~£4
• →Sunset walk through Ziz Valley palms (free)

Take a grand taxi or local bus from Er Rachidia to Erfoud (~1hr, £4). Browse the fossil markets — the region is world-famous for trilobite and ammonite fossils carved and polished locally. Then take a grand taxi to Merzouga (~1hr, £5), the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Leave your main bag at your guesthouse and join a camel trek at sunset (book directly with your guesthouse or via GetYourGuide, ~£25–35pp including overnight camp). Trek 45–60 minutes into the dunes, watch the sunset, enjoy a traditional dinner and music around the campfire, and sleep under the stars in a desert camp.

🚌Grand taxis Erfoud–Merzouga ~£9 total

🛏Sahara desert camp near Erg Chebbi (e.g. Akabar Camp or similar guesthouse-arranged camp) — included in trek price ~£30

• →Grand taxi Er Rachidia to Erfoud ~£4
• →Fossil market browsing in Erfoud (free to browse)
• →Grand taxi Erfoud to Merzouga ~£5
• →Sunset camel trek + overnight Sahara camp ~£30pp (book via guesthouse or GetYourGuide)
• →Dinner and live music at desert camp (included in trek price)

Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then return to Merzouga by camel or on foot. Arrange a shared transfer or grand taxi towards Tinghir (~3–4hrs, £10–15) — your guesthouse can often arrange shared 4WD transfers with other travellers. From Tinghir, take a short local taxi to Todra Gorge (£2). Walk the dramatic 300m-high limestone canyon for 45–60 minutes — it's free and breathtaking. For the local family lunch experience, ask your guide or guesthouse to arrange it in advance (~£8–10pp, paid locally). Afterwards, take a grand taxi or CTM bus south-west to Skoura (~2hrs, £6–8).

🚌Shared 4WD + grand taxis ~£22 total

🛏Kasbah guesthouse in Skoura (e.g. Kasbah Ait Benhaddou or similar) — ~£18–22/night

• →Sunrise over Erg Chebbi dunes (free)
• →Shared 4WD transfer Merzouga to Tinghir ~£13
• →Local taxi Tinghir to Todra Gorge ~£2
• →Self-guided walk through Todra Gorge (free)
• →Lunch at local family home ~£9pp (arrange via guesthouse)
• →Grand taxi Tinghir to Skoura ~£7

Hire a local guide in Skoura for a 1–1.5hr hike through the lush palm grove oasis (~£10–15pp, arranged through your guesthouse). Walk through the palms, visit traditional kasbahs (entry ~£2–3 each, about 50 dirhams), and get insights into local Berber farming traditions. In the afternoon, relax by the pool, or take an optional visit to the historic Amridil Kasbah (entry ~£3, paid locally). A restful evening at the guesthouse is well earned.

🚌No major transport — all on foot

🛏Kasbah guesthouse in Skoura — ~£18–22/night

• →Guided hike through Skoura palm oasis ~£12pp
• →Traditional kasbah visits ~£2–3 each
• →Optional: Amridil Kasbah entry ~£3
• →Afternoon rest and pool time at guesthouse

Take a grand taxi west from Skoura to Ait Benhaddou (~1.5hrs, £7). This UNESCO World Heritage ksar (fortified village) has appeared in Gladiator, Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia. Wander freely through the atmospheric earthen alleys — entry to climb the ksar is around £2. Seek out the Akhenif Lglaoui women's weaving cooperative to see traditional Amazigh textile work (free to visit, purchases welcome). Afterwards, arrange a shared taxi or CTM bus over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ouirgane in the Atlas Mountains (~4–5hrs including stops, £10–15). The mountain scenery is stunning.

🚌Grand taxis and shared transfer ~£19 total

🛏Ecolodge or mountain auberge in Ouirgane (e.g. Auberge Chez Momo or similar) — ~£20–28/night

• →Grand taxi Skoura to Ait Benhaddou ~£7
• →Self-guided walk through Ait Benhaddou ksar ~£2 entry
• →Visit Akhenif Lglaoui women's weaving cooperative (free)
• →Grand taxi or shared transfer over Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ouirgane ~£12

A well-deserved rest day in the beautiful Atlas Mountains. Relax by the pool, enjoy the mountain views, or join a walk with a locally arranged guide around Lake Ouirgane and the surrounding Toubkal National Park area (~£10–12pp for a guided half-day walk). In the evening, treat yourself to a farewell Moroccan dinner at your auberge or a nearby restaurant — tagine, couscous and mint tea to close out the adventure.

🚌No transport needed

🛏Ecolodge or mountain auberge in Ouirgane — ~£20–28/night

• →Leisure morning by the pool with Atlas views (free)
• →Optional guided half-day walk around Lake Ouirgane ~£10pp
• →Toubkal National Park scenery (free to explore independently)
• →Farewell dinner at local auberge or restaurant ~£8–12

After breakfast, take a grand taxi or local bus back to Marrakech (~2hrs, £6–8). The tour itinerary ends at Marrakech airport. If you have time before your flight, drop your bags at a luggage storage (available near the main square) and squeeze in one last mint tea and pastilla at a medina café. Alternatively, extend your adventure to Essaouira (£4 CTM bus, 2.5hrs) or Agadir for a beach wind-down.

🚌Grand taxi or bus Ouirgane to Marrakech ~£7; petit taxi to airport ~£5

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Grand taxi or bus Ouirgane to Marrakech ~£7
• →Optional last-minute medina wander and mint tea
• →Airport transfer by petit taxi ~£5
• →Optional extension to Essaouira by CTM bus ~£4