8-Day Grand Morocco Tour: Sahara Desert & Rif Mountains

Overview

Morocco's most complete journey — from the Blue Pearl of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains to a night under Sahara stars, ending in the souks of Marrakech.

Private vehicle & driver throughout

Official guides in Fes & Marrakech only

Fully customizable itinerary

Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen → Fes → Merzouga Sahara → Dades Valley → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech

Trip Highlights

Blue Pearl streets of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains

Roman ruins of Volubilis

Fes Medina — a UNESCO-listed, car-free old city

Cedar Forest & Barbary macaques near Ifrane

Camel trek & luxury overnight desert camp in Merzouga

Todra Gorge and the Dades & Rose Valleys

UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou

Official local guided tours included strictly in Fes and Marrakech

8-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca - Sahara & Imperial Cities

A full loop of roughly 1,800 km, from the Rif Mountains in the north to the Sahara dunes and the High Atlas in the south.

Grand Morocco Tour driving route map: Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Marrakech

View Route on Google Maps

Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen → Fes → Merzouga Sahara → Dades Valley → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech · ~1,800 km loop

Day by Day Itinerary

Click a day to expand the full route, details, and a photo from that stage of the trip.

Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen

~340 km ~5h drive

Arrival at Casablanca airport and a private transfer to Rabat, Morocco's capital, for a short orientation stop at the Hassan Tower and Kasbah des Oudayas. Continue north through the Rif Mountains, arriving in the Blue Pearl of Chefchaouen by evening.

Chefchaouen Free Exploration

On foot Full day

A full free day in Chefchaouen to explore entirely at your own pace — wander the Blue Pearl's blue-washed lanes on foot, browse local crafts in the medina, and photograph the town's famous alleyways however and whenever you like.

Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes

~200 km ~4h drive

Depart Chefchaouen and stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by a visit to the royal city of Meknes. Continue to Fes for the evening.

Fes Cultural Guided Tour (Official Local Guide)

On foot Full day

Guided tour with an official local guide through Fes el-Bali, the world's largest car-free urban zone, including the tanneries, the Al Quaraouiyine — the world's oldest university — and the ancient medersas.

Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Ziz Valley → Merzouga Desert (Camel Trek & Luxury Camp)

~460 km ~8h drive

Leave Fes for the mountain town of Ifrane, then wind through the Cedar Forest, home to Barbary macaques, before descending along the Ziz Valley's palm groves to the desert edge at Merzouga. In the late afternoon, mount your camel for a sunset trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in a luxury desert camp.

Merzouga Desert → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley

~320 km ~6h drive

Sunrise over the dunes before breakfast and a camel ride back to camp. Drive via the old caravan town of Rissani, then into the dramatic Todra Gorge with its towering rock walls, ending the day in the rose-hued Dades Valley.

Dades Valley → Rose Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas Mountains → Marrakech

~360 km ~7h drive

Drive through the fragrant Rose Valley and the film studios of Ouarzazate, then visit the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, descending into Marrakech by evening.

Marrakech Guided Tour (Official Local Guide) & Departure Transfer

On foot Morning + transfer

Guided morning tour with an official local guide through Marrakech's highlights — the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and the souks around Jemaa el-Fnaa — before your private departure transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport.

Included / Excluded

Included

Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver
7 nights accommodation (riads & desert camp)
Daily breakfast and desert dinners
Camel trek and overnight luxury desert camp in Merzouga
Official local guided tours in Fes and Marrakech
Free airport pickup and departure transfer

Not Included

Lunches and personal expenses
International flights
Travel insurance
Entrance fees to monuments and museums
Tips and gratuities

Accommodation Options

Choose the comfort level for your riads and desert camp — let us know your preference when requesting a quote.

Standard Riads & Shared Desert Camp

Comfortable, well-located 3-star riads with en-suite bathrooms in each city, plus a traditional shared-facilities desert camp in Merzouga — a great balance of comfort and authenticity.

En-suite bathroom in every riad
Traditional Berber tents with shared washroom facilities
Central medina locations, close to main sights

Boutique Riads & Luxury Private Desert Camp

Upgrade to 4–5 star boutique riads with rooftop pools and spa access, plus a private luxury desert camp with en-suite tents, hot showers, and a dedicated camp team.

En-suite luxury tents with hot showers
Rooftop pools and spa access at select riads
Private camp setup, away from shared groups

Contact Us

Contact Us for Custom Rates & Availability

Pricing depends on group size, season, and your chosen accommodation tier. Tell us your dates and preferences and we'll send a tailored quote within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour really private?

Yes — you'll have your own private vehicle and driver throughout, with no other travelers joining your itinerary.

Which days include an official local guide?

An official licensed guide is included strictly on Day 4 (Fes) and Day 8 (Marrakech). On other days your private driver leads orientation walks and stops, but licensed guiding is limited to these two cities on every itinerary.

How much does the tour cost?

Pricing is fully custom based on group size, travel dates, and accommodation tier — contact us for custom rates and current availability.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Absolutely — extend stays, add stops, or adjust the route to fit your schedule and interests.

Tour Summary

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Group Type: Private Tour

Start / End: Casablanca → Marrakech

Best Season: Mar–May & Sep–Nov

Book This Tour

8 Days / 7 Nights · Private Tour

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