Self-Launched Best of Morocco: 13 Days Marrakesh to the Sahara & Essaouira
13 days · Morocco
On The Go Tours charges £1,090
No-markup version: ~£815 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of On The Go Tours' 13-day "Best of Morocco" loop — Marrakesh medina, the High Atlas and Ait Benhaddou, Todra Gorge, a night in a Sahara desert camp at Erg Chebbi, Fes, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes, Rabat and Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque, then three relaxed days on the Atlantic in Essaouira before returning to Marrakesh. You'll swap the guided coach and tour leader for local CTM/SUPRATOUR buses, shared grand taxis, petit taxis, cheap self-bookable city guides and direct-booked riads and desert camps. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP per person and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Marrakesh — medina & Djemaa el Fna
Marrakesh
Land at Marrakesh Menara (RAK) and take the airport bus (L19, ~30 MAD/£2.40) or a petit taxi (fixed ~100 MAD/£8) to a riad or hostel in the medina. Settle in, then wander the souks and let Djemaa el Fna unfold at dusk — juice stalls, gnawa musicians, storytellers and food carts. Eat cheap at a stall (harira, grilled skewers, msemen) or on a rooftop terrace overlooking the square. Book a riad in advance via Booking.com or Hostelworld; doubles from ~£20-30, dorms ~£10-14. Solo note: the medina is a maze — screenshot your riad's location and expect some friendly 'guides' offering directions for tips.
🚌Airport bus L19 ~£2.40 or petit taxi ~£8
🛏Medina riad or hostel (private room ~£22)
- →Explore the medina souks
- →Evening at Djemaa el Fna square
- →Street food dinner at the night market
Marrakesh: Majorelle Garden, Koutoubia & medina highlights
Marrakesh
Start early at Jardin Majorelle (entry ~100 MAD/£8; book a timed slot online the day before — it sells out). Optionally add the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door (~100 MAD/£8) or the Berber Museum inside the garden (~30 MAD). Walk to the Koutoubia Mosque minaret for photos, then take a cheap self-bookable medina/souks walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15-20) or DIY it with a map through the souks and tanneries. Lunch at a cheap local spot near Jemaa el Fna (~40 MAD). Evening: rooftop dinner ~£8-10.
🚌Walking; petit taxis ~£1-1.50 per hop
🛏Medina riad or hostel (private room ~£22)
- →Jardin Majorelle (~£8, pre-book)
- →Optional YSL Museum (~£8)
- →Koutoubia Mosque exterior
- →Medina & souks walking tour (~£15-20) or self-guided wandering
Over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass to Ait Benhaddou
Ait Benhaddou / Ouarzazate
Take the morning CTM or SUPRATOUR bus from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate (~5 hrs, ~90-110 MAD/£8-9; book at the CTM office or ctm.ma a day ahead). The route climbs the Tizi n'Tichka pass with great Atlas views — sit on the right. Get off at or near Ait Benhaddou (ask the driver) or take a shared grand taxi from Ouarzazate (~50 MAD). Explore the UNESCO-listed ksar yourself for free (small fee to enter some kasbahs) — climb to the granary at the top for sunset. Sleep in Ait Benhaddou or continue 30 min to Ouarzazate. Cheap guesthouses from ~£16-22.
🚌CTM/SUPRATOUR bus Marrakesh–Ouarzazate ~£8.50; shared taxi to Ait Benhaddou ~£4
🛏Guesthouse in Ait Benhaddou or Ouarzazate (~£18)
- →Tizi n'Tichka Pass views
- →Ait Benhaddou ksar walk and summit viewpoint
- →Optional Skoura Kasbah Amherdhil if time
Ouarzazate → Todra Gorge → Merzouga Sahara camp
Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
Long travel day — leave early. Take a bus or shared grand taxi from Ouarzazate to Tinghir (~3 hrs, CTM ~60 MAD or shared taxi ~£5-6), then a grand taxi ~20 min out to Todra Gorge (~30-50 MAD) for a short canyon walk. Continue by shared taxi or local bus to Rissani/Merzouga (~3 hrs, ~£7-8; note the last connections are early afternoon). Pre-book a desert camp in Merzouga direct (~£25-35 including dinner, breakfast and camel trek) and confirm your arrival time so they meet you. Camel trek into Erg Chebbi for sunset (~1.5 hrs) and dinner under the stars in the Berber camp.
🚌Bus/shared taxi Ouarzazate–Tinghir–Todra–Merzouga ~£14 total
🛏Sahara desert camp, Erg Chebbi (dinner + breakfast included, ~£30)
- →Todra Gorge walk
- →Sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi
- →Berber camp dinner and stargazing
Sunrise in the dunes, then the long haul to Fes
Merzouga → Fes
Wake for sunrise camel ride back to Merzouga village, then breakfast and a shower at the camp or a local cafe. The bus to Fes (SUPRATOUR/CTM via Rissani) leaves around mid-morning to early afternoon and takes ~7 hrs over the Moyen Atlas, passing Ifrane (a pretty alpine-style town) — ~£15-18. Alternatively hire a shared grand taxi for the Rissani–Fes segments. Arrive Fes in the evening; take a petit taxi from the bus station to a riad in or near the medina (~20-30 MAD). Cheap riads from ~£15-22.
🚌Supratour/CTM bus Merzouga–Fes ~£16 (or shared taxi)
🛏Riad near Fes el Bali (~£20)
- →Sunrise camel ride
- →Moyen Atlas mountain views
- →Ifrane stopover if timing allows
Fes el Bali medina & tanneries
Fes
Explore the world's largest car-free urban area. A half-day licensed local guide is well worth it (~£20-25 direct or via GetYourGuide) to navigate the 9,000 alleys and keep you out of tourist-trap leather shops — or DIY with a map, visiting Bou Inania Madrasa (~20 MAD), Al-Attarine Madrasa, the tanneries (Chouara) and the ceramics quarter. Solo tip: tanneries often ask for a 'mint sprig' tip (~10-20 MAD) — agree before. Lunch: cheap tagine or bissara soup ~£3-4. Optional evening tagine-making class (~£25-30) or hammam (~£10-15).
🚌Walking in the medina; petit taxi to Bab Boujloud ~£1.50
🛏Riad near Fes el Bali (~£20)
- →Fes el Bali guided medina tour (~£22) or self-guided wandering
- →Chouara tanneries
- →Bou Inania Madrasa and Al-Attarine Madrasa (~£2 each)
- →Optional tagine cooking class (~£28)
Volubilis, Meknes & on to Rabat
Volubilis / Meknes / Rabat
Take an early train or bus from Fes to Meknes (~1-1.5 hrs, train ~40-60 MAD/£4). From Meknes, a shared grand taxi or petit taxi to Volubilis (~45 min, ~£6-8 shared or ~100-150 MAD return by taxi) for the UNESCO Roman ruins with their famous mosaics (entry ~70 MAD/£5.60). Back in Meknes, see Bab Mansour gate and the Heri es-Souani granaries, then take the train to Rabat (~2.5-3 hrs, ~70-100 MAD/£6-8, oncf-voyageurs.com). Sleep in Rabat's medina or near Gare Rabat Ville — doubles ~£20-28.
🚌Train Fes–Meknes ~£4; shared taxi to Volubilis ~£7; train Meknes–Rabat ~£7
🛏Budget hotel in Rabat medina (~£24)
- →Volubilis Roman ruins (~£5.60)
- →Meknes Bab Mansour and Heri es-Souani
- →Evening stroll in Rabat medina
Rabat, Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque & back to Marrakesh
Rabat / Casablanca / Marrakesh
Morning in Rabat: the Chellah necropolis (~70 MAD/£5.60), the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V (free) and a walk around the Oudayas kasbah. Take a train onwards to Casablanca (~1 hr, ~40-60 MAD) — from Casa Voyageurs take a petit taxi to the Hassan II Mosque (~20-30 MAD) and do a guided interior visit if timings work (~140 MAD/£11; check daily slots). Then take the evening Al Boraq high-speed train or a CTM bus to Marrakesh (~2.5 hrs by bus, ~90 MAD; high-speed rail options via Casa/Ouaislan take longer — check ONCF). Back to a Marrakesh riad or hostel.
🚌Train Rabat–Casablanca ~£4; train/bus Casablanca–Marrakesh ~£8
🛏Marrakesh riad or hostel (~£22)
- →Chellah necropolis (~£5.60)
- →Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan Tower (free)
- →Hassan II Mosque exterior and optional interior visit (~£11)
- →Oudayas kasbah walk
Marrakesh → Essaouira
Essaouira
Take the CTM or SUPRATOUR bus from Marrakesh to Essaouira (~3 hrs, ~70-90 MAD/£7; a few daily departures — book online or at the station). Check into a cheap riad or hostel in the medina (~£18-25). Afternoon exploring Essaouira's whitewashed lanes, the Skala ramparts over the Atlantic and the fishing port. Dinner at a cheap seafood grill near the port — pick your fish and have it grilled (~£6-8).
🚌CTM/SUPRATOUR bus Marrakesh–Essaouira ~£7
🛏Medina riad/hostel in Essaouira (~£20)
- →Explore Essaouira medina
- →Skala de la Ville ramparts
- →Fishing port sunset
- →Seafood grill dinner
Essaouira: beach, medina & souks
Essaouira
Slow morning. Walk the long beach, browse the artisan souks (thuya wood, marquetry, argan oil) and grab a cheap breakfast (msemen and mint tea ~£2). Optional windsurfing or kitesurfing lesson on the famously windy bay (~£35-45 for a beginner session, book direct with one of the beach schools) or a horse/camel ride on the beach (~£15-20). Sunset from the ramparts with a rooftop tea. Dinner ~£7-9.
🚌Walking
🛏Medina riad/hostel in Essaouira (~£20)
- →Essaouira beach walk
- →Artisan souks browsing
- →Optional kitesurf/windsurf lesson (~£40)
- →Optional beach horse or camel ride (~£18)
Essaouira: free day — surf, souks or day trip
Essaouira
A free day to shape as you like. Options: a second surf/kite lesson, a hammam and scrub (~£12-18), or a shared taxi day trip to the argan cooperatives and Diabat/Jimmy Hendrix beach (~£10-15). Or simply read on the ramparts and eat at a cheap ocean-facing restaurant. Keep a slow pace — this is the decompression leg the group tour also builds in.
🚌Walking
🛏Medina riad/hostel in Essaouira (~£20)
- →Optional surf/kite lesson (~£40)
- →Hammam (~£15)
- →Optional argan cooperative day trip (~£12)
- →Beach and rampart relaxation
Essaouira: last Atlantic day
Essaouira
Final full day on the coast. Head to the quieter end of the beach (Sidi Kaouki is a short bus/grand taxi ride south, ~£2-3 each way, for wilder sand and surf), or stay in town for the fish market and a final sunset on the ramparts. Repack and buy snacks for tomorrow's bus. Cheap dinner and maybe live gnawa music at a small venue (~£5).
🚌Local bus/grand taxi to Sidi Kaouki ~£2-3 (optional)
🛏Medina riad/hostel in Essaouira (~£20)
- →Sidi Kaouki beach (optional)
- →Fish market visit
- →Rampart sunset
- →Optional gnawa music evening (~£5)
Essaouira → Marrakesh and depart
Marrakesh
Take the morning CTM/SUPRATOUR bus back to Marrakesh (~3 hrs, ~£7) and either fly out the same evening from Menara (allow 3 hrs between bus arrival and flight) or spend the last night in the medina with a final mint tea in Djemaa el Fna. If timing is tight, book the earlier of the day's departures and consider an extra night in Marrakesh buffer — bus delays do happen.
🚌CTM/SUPRATOUR bus Essaouira–Marrakesh ~£7; airport bus ~£2.40 or taxi ~£8
🛏None (departure day) — optional extra Marrakesh riad night ~£22
- →Last wander through Marrakesh medina
- →Final mint tea at Djemaa el Fna
Self-launched vs. On The Go Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | On The Go Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£815 | £1,090 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £275 per person (25%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more On The Go Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£815
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Best of Morocco: 13 Days Marrakesh to the Sahara & Essaouira cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £815 per person for 13 days in Morocco. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with On The Go Tours?+
Yes — On The Go Tours charges around £1,090 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £815 — a saving of roughly £275 (25%) per person.
How long is the Morocco trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Morocco.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, foodie trip through Morocco, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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