In short
For an 8-day Morocco tour, pick the imperial cities if you love history, medinas and crafts, and the Grand South if you dream of kasbahs, gorges and the gateway to the desert. Both start in Marrakech and last 7 nights: the real difference is pace and scenery.
- Length8 days / 7 nights, from Marrakech
- Imperial citiesMarrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fez
- Grand SouthTizi n'Tichka, Aït Ben Haddou, Todra, Erfoud
- FormatEscorted circuit, flights excluded
Why is 8 days a good length for Morocco?
Eight days is the format most travellers have in mind for a first trip to Morocco: long enough to leave Marrakech behind and see more than one city, short enough to fit into a busy calendar. But the country is big, and you have to choose: in a week you cannot cover both the imperial north and the Saharan south without spending your days in a vehicle.
Our advice: decide first what you want to bring home. Lanes, madrasas and souks? Or palm valleys, mud-brick fortified villages and wide open space? The answer shapes almost everything else. If the desert itself is calling, read our guide Agafay, Merzouga or Erg Chigaga.
Imperial cities or Grand South: what really differs?
The imperial cities circuit, from Marrakech to Fez unfolds historic Morocco: Marrakech over three days (one of them free), Casablanca, Rabat with the Oudayas kasbah, then Meknes, the Roman site of Volubilis and finally Fez, whose medina is UNESCO-listed. The way back crosses the Middle Atlas via Ifrane. It is a cultural itinerary, designed as a first approach to the country.
The Grand South circuit, kasbahs and gorges heads the other way: the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m, the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Todra gorges, then the Tafilalet at Erfoud, on the edge of the Sahara. Two full days in Marrakech frame the trip, one of them free. You drive more here, but the scenery changes at every stage.
| Criterion | Imperial cities | Grand South |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 8 days / 7 nights | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Mood | Medinas, monuments, crafts | Kasbahs, gorges, oases |
| Key stops | Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, Fez | Aït Ben Haddou, Todra, Erfoud |
| Suggested seasons | March to May, September to November | February to April, October to November |
| From | €455, flights excluded | €647, flights excluded |
Our experts' tip
Look at the season before you look at the map. The Grand South is generally nicest in spring and autumn; the imperial cities suit a wider window. Our guide on when to go to Morocco details the months.
Which 8-day circuit suits your traveller profile?
First time in Morocco, and you like to understand a country through its cities: the imperial cities are the natural choice. You alternate guided visits and free time, with 3* or 4* hotels depending on the package. Fez, with a full day to get lost in the medina, is often the highlight.
You care about landscapes and photography: the Grand South is for you. Red-earth kasbahs, the palm groves of the Draa valley and the Dadès and Todra gorges offer settings very different from the cities. A 4x4 version with 4* hotels is also available.
You would rather spend a real night in the desert, in a small group: then look at our desert, riad and kasbah circuit by private 4x4, shorter (5 days / 4 nights), with a night in a bivouac.
Good to know
Displayed prices are "from" prices, flights excluded; they vary with the package, date and number of travellers. Itineraries may be adapted in bad weather. Ask us for a precise proposal.
Our circuits in Morocco
Frequently asked questions
Can you do the imperial cities and the Grand South in 8 days?
Not comfortably: distances are large and you would spend most of the time on the road. We suggest choosing one itinerary, or considering a longer, tailor-made stay.
Which circuit is best for a first visit?
The imperial cities are designed as a first discovery of Morocco, with a guide by your side. The Grand South appeals mostly to those who prefer landscapes to monuments.
Are flights included?
No, the prices shown on our circuit pages are flights excluded. Our team can put together a complete solution on request.
Your trip to Morocco, tailor-made
Tell us your wishes, dates and budget: our team replies with a tailor-made proposal within 24 hours.