8 Days Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour: Casablanca to Marrakech via Fes & Merzouga

Overview

Experience several of Morocco's most iconic destinations on an eight-day private journey beginning in Casablanca and traveling through the imperial cities, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert and southern Morocco before reaching Marrakech. Begin on Morocco's Atlantic coast before visiting Rabat and continuing to Fes, one of the country's most important historic and cultural cities. After exploring Fes with a local guide, travel through the Middle Atlas, stopping in Ifrane and the cedar forests around Azrou before continuing through Midelt and the scenic Ziz Valley toward Merzouga. At the edge of the Sahara, ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes around sunset and spend the night in a desert camp beneath the stars. Continue west through Rissani, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley before traveling through Ouarzazate and UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou. Cross the High Atlas to Marrakech for a guided city tour followed by a free day, then return to Casablanca.

Suggested itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1

   Day 1 – Casablanca → Rabat → Fes Pickup from your Casablanca hotel, Mohammed V International Airport, cruise port or agreed meeting location. Visit or stop outside Hassan II Mosque beside the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Rabat for Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Kasbah of the Udayas and historic areas. Continue east to Fes and check into the accommodation. Overnight: Fes

2. 2

   Day 2

   Day 2 – Full-Day Guided Tour of Fes After breakfast, meet a local guide for Fes el-Bali, Chouara Tanneries, the Al-Qarawiyyin area, Nejjarine Fountain, Royal Palace gates, traditional souks, artisan workshops and historic medina streets. Learn about Fes's history, craftsmanship, architecture and daily life. Overnight: Fes

3. 3

   Day 3

   Day 3 – Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt ��� Ziz Valley → Merzouga Travel south through the Middle Atlas. Stop in Ifrane, continue to the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques may be seen depending on conditions, then continue through Midelt toward the Ziz Valley. Enjoy scenic views over palm groves and valleys before reaching Merzouga. In the late afternoon, ride camels across Erg Chebbi at sunset and arrive at camp for dinner, Berber music when arranged and stargazing. Overnight: Merzouga desert camp Dinner: Included

4. 4

   Day 4

   Day 4 – Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley Wake early for sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, travel to Rissani, an historic market town in the Tafilalt region. Continue to Tinghir and walk through Todra Gorge between its towering rock walls. Continue through southern landscapes toward the Dades Valley. Overnight: Dades Valley

5. 5

   Day 5

   Day 5 – Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech Travel toward Ouarzazate, Morocco's filmmaking region, then explore UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou and its traditional earthen architecture. Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka route with scenic stops before descending to Marrakech. Overnight: Marrakech

6. 6

   Day 6

   Day 6 – Full-Day Guided Marrakech Tour After breakfast, meet a local guide and explore Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque area, Majorelle Garden, traditional souks, Marrakech Medina and Jemaa el-Fna. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight: Marrakech

7. 7

   Day 7

   Day 7 – Free Day in Marrakech Enjoy a free day for souk shopping, a traditional hammam, museums, gardens, cafés, restaurants, Jemaa el-Fna or an optional Atlas Mountains excursion. Optional activities are not included unless arranged separately. Overnight: Marrakech

8. 8

   Day 8

   Day 8 – Marrakech → Casablanca After breakfast, depart Marrakech and travel toward Casablanca. Drop-off at a Casablanca hotel, Mohammed V International Airport, cruise port or agreed central location. End of the eight-day Morocco journey.

What's included

• Private air-conditioned minivan, 4x4 or suitable tour vehicle
• Professional driver
• English- and French-speaking driver-guide
• Transportation throughout the full itinerary
• Pickup in Casablanca
• Final transfer to Casablanca
• 6 nights accommodation in selected hotels or traditional riads
• 1 night accommodation in a Merzouga desert camp
• 7 breakfasts
• 1 desert camp dinner
• Camel trek in Merzouga
• Sahara sunset experience
• Sahara sunrise opportunity
• Local guided tour of Fes
• Local guided tour of Marrakech
• Scenic stops during transfers when appropriate
• Fuel and standard transportation costs

What's not included

• International or domestic flights
• Lunches
• Dinners except the included desert camp dinner
• Entrance fees to monuments, museums, gardens and attractions
• Drinks not explicitly included
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Optional activities
• Optional Day 7 excursions
• Additional local guides not specifically listed as included

Practical information

Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Starting point

Casablanca

Ending point

Casablanca

Transport

Private air-conditioned minivan, 4x4 or suitable touring vehicle

Tour style

Private cultural, desert and scenic Morocco journey

Languages

English and French

Accommodation

6 hotel or riad nights + 1 Sahara desert camp night

Suitable for

Couples, families, friends, small groups and first-time visitors

Walking level

Easy to moderate

Important notes

• Driving times vary with road, mountain, traffic and weather conditions.
• Entrance tickets are not included unless specifically stated.
• The exact hotel or riad may vary according to availability while maintaining a similar standard.
• Camel rides depend on local and weather conditions; an alternative camp transfer may be offered when operationally available.
• Desert temperatures may be hot by day and considerably cooler at night; warm clothing is recommended in colder months.
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for medinas, kasbahs and gorge visits.
• Barbary macaque sightings near Azrou cannot be guaranteed because they are wild animals.
• The order and timing of sightseeing stops may change slightly depending on local conditions.
• Optional activities on Day 7 are paid separately unless specifically arranged.