The route in one sentence

For a 10-day Morocco road trip by car, the most balanced loop starts in Casablanca, goes through Marrakech, crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stops at Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate, follows the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge to the Merzouga dunes, then returns via Ouarzazate and Marrakech to Casablanca. Ten days is enough to see the imperial cities, the mountains and the desert without spending every day behind the wheel.

Day 1: Casablanca

You collect the car in Casablanca. If you arrive early, the Hassan II Mosque and the Ain Diab seafront fill the afternoon nicely. Spend the first night here so you set off rested the next morning.

Day 2: Casablanca – Marrakech

The motorway links the two cities easily. Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon, as Jemaa el-Fna square comes alive at sunset. Leave the car in a guarded car park: the medina is best explored on foot.

Day 3: Marrakech

A day without the car. The souks, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Majorelle Garden and the Bahia Palace easily fill a full day. It is also the right time to stock up on water and snacks before the mountains.

Day 4: Tizi n'Tichka and Ait Benhaddou

The road crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass: hairpins, Berber villages and viewpoints follow one another. Drive in daylight and take your time. Late in the day, the ksar of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, glows ochre. Stay the night in Ait Benhaddou or Ouarzazate.

Day 5: Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

In the morning, Ouarzazate and the Taourirt Kasbah. Then the road heads east through Skoura and its palm grove, and the Valley of Roses around Kelaat M'Gouna. In the evening, settle into the Dades Valley at the foot of the cliffs.

Day 6: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge

The morning is for the Dades Gorge and its hairpin bends. In the afternoon, head to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, where you walk between towering rock walls. Overnight near Tinghir.

Day 7: Todra – Merzouga

The landscape gradually opens up until the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi appear. Many travellers spend the night in a desert camp: the car stays in the hotel or camp car park, and you reach the dunes by camel or by 4x4 with a local guide.

Day 8: Merzouga

Sunrise over the dunes, then a slower day: the village of Khamlia and its Gnaoua music, or simply rest. Do not take the rental car onto the sand: dune tracks are for a local driver.

Day 9: Merzouga – Ouarzazate

This is the longest day behind the wheel. Leave early, stop regularly and avoid driving at night. If you prefer a gentler pace, split the stage again in the Dades Valley.

Day 10: Ouarzazate – Marrakech – Casablanca

Return over the Tizi n'Tichka, then take the motorway to Casablanca to drop off the car. If your flight leaves from Marrakech, ask for a Marrakech return when you book. A possible variation: swap one desert day for Essaouira on the Atlantic coast.

Which car, and how much

On this circuit, an automatic SUV with a high driving position is the most comfortable choice, especially on the Atlas passes. The three models below come with unlimited mileage: on a loop this long, you drive without counting. For 10 days, the "from 7 days" rate applies.

  • Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2025, diesel): 2300 MAD/day from 7 days, so 23000 MAD for 10 days (2300 × 10). Deposit 30000 MAD.
  • Maserati Levante (2026, petrol): 2000 MAD/day from 7 days, so 20000 MAD for 10 days (2000 × 10). Deposit 30000 MAD.
  • Porsche Macan (2026, petrol): 1800 MAD/day from 7 days, so 18000 MAD for 10 days (1800 × 10). Deposit 30000 MAD.

These amounts cover the rental only. Fuel, tolls, parking and accommodation come on top. The deposit is held at pick-up and released when the car is returned. Rates may change: the price confirmed at booking is the one that applies.

Practical tips

  • Drive in daylight, especially in the mountains and on southern roads.
  • Fill up whenever you get the chance between towns.
  • Carry water and some cash for small shops and car parks.
  • Book desert accommodation ahead in high season.

Book

To book your SUV or ask about the route, message us on WhatsApp at +212 646 618 020 or book online at loccor.com.