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Bestseller

8-Day Morocco Desert Tour: Sahara, Chefchaouen & the Rif Mountains

Featuring the Blue Pearl of the Rif Mountains: Chefchaouen

A private, tailor-made 8-day journey from Casablanca to Marrakech, blending the Rif Mountains, imperial Fes, camel trekking under Sahara stars, and authentic Berber culture.

Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
Group TypePrivate Tour
Start / EndCasablanca → Marrakech
Best SeasonMar–May & Sep–Nov
From€1,215 per person

Overview

Morocco's most complete journey: from the Blue Pearl of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains to camel trekking across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and a night under the Sahara stars, ending in the souks of Marrakech for an unforgettable experience.

This tour shares its dunes and desert camp with our complete guide to the Merzouga desert. Looking for a shorter desert trip from Marrakech? See our 5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour. Prefer a longer loop that also reaches the Atlantic coast? See our 12-Day Morocco Tour, or browse all our Morocco tours.

Private vehicle & driver throughout
Official guides included in Fes & Marrakech
Tailor-made, 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 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 guides for an authentic, in-depth exploration of Fes and Marrakech

8-Day Morocco Desert Tour Route: Casablanca, Sahara & Imperial Cities

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

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.

01
Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen
~340 km ~5h drive
Your private Morocco desert tour begins with arrival at Casablanca airport and a private transfer to Rabat, Morocco's capital and one of its four imperial cities, for a short orientation stop at the Hassan Tower and Kasbah des Oudayas. Continue north through the Rif Mountains to the Blue Pearl of Chefchaouen, arriving by evening.
02
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.
03
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 imperial city of Meknes. Continue to Fes, another of Morocco's imperial cities, for the evening.
04
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.
05
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 across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, arriving at your luxury desert camp for dinner and a night spent sleeping under the stars.
06
Merzouga Desert → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
~320 km ~6h drive
Sunrise over the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi 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.
07
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 the imperial city of Marrakech by evening.
08
Marrakech Guided Tour (Official Local Guide) & Departure Transfer
On foot Morning + transfer
Guided morning tour with an official local guide through Marrakech's highlights, including 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 dinners in the desert
  • 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, and 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 Berber desert camp with shared facilities in Merzouga, a great balance of comfort and authentic Berber culture.

  • 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 Berber 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

From €1,215 per person

100% private tour: your own vehicle, your own driver and your own pace. The final price depends on group size, season and accommodation level. Tell us your dates and we'll confirm your exact price 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 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. This is a tailor-made itinerary, so you can extend stays, add stops, or adjust the route to fit your schedule and interests.

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