Trip Highlights
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, one of the largest in the world
Hassan Tower, the Royal Mausoleum and Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat
The blue-washed alleys of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains
Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes
Guided walk through the medina, tanneries and souks of Fes
Camel trek and one night in a Sahara desert camp at Merzouga
Todra Gorges and the rock formations of the Dades Valley
UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a famous film location
12-Day Casablanca - Sahara - Marrakech Route
A cross-country journey of roughly 2,900 km, from Casablanca north to Chefchaouen and Fes, south into the Sahara at Merzouga, then west over the High Atlas to Marrakech and the coast at Essaouira.
Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen → Fes → Merzouga Desert → Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Marrakech → Essaouira · ~2,900 km
Day by Day Itinerary
Click a day to expand the full route, details, and a photo from that stage of the trip.
01
Arrival in Casablanca (Hassan II Mosque)
Arrival in Casablanca (Hassan II Mosque)
Your driver-guide meets you at Casablanca Airport for the transfer to your hotel. If time allows, explore Morocco's largest city and economic capital: the lively seafront Corniche and the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, set dramatically on the Atlantic. Lunch and a short city tour, then settle in for your first night in Morocco.
02
Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen
Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen
Drive to Rabat, Morocco's political capital and one of its imperial cities, to see the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Udayas. After lunch, continue north via Ouazzane to Chefchaouen, the 'Blue Pearl' of the Rif Mountains, known for its striking blue-and-white streets. Overnight in a cozy riad in the medina.
03
Chefchaouen – Full Day Exploration
Chefchaouen – Full Day Exploration
A full day to enjoy the ambiance of Chefchaouen. Stroll through the historic medina, with its famous blue doors and whitewashed walls, then hike up to the Spanish Mosque in the afternoon for a panoramic view over the town cradled in the Rif Mountains. Second night in your riad.
04
Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes
Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes
One last stroll through Chefchaouen's narrow streets before driving to Volubilis, Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site with striking mosaics and ancient pillars. Continue to Meknes, another imperial city, to see the monumental Bab Al-Mansour gate and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, before arriving in Fes for an overnight stay in a traditional riad.
05
Fes Medina Guided Tour
Fes Medina Guided Tour
Discover the spiritual heart of Morocco with a knowledgeable local guide: the ancient Medina and its winding alleyways, the Al-Qarawiyyin University, one of the oldest in the world, and the Bou Inania Madrasa. See the famous Chouara tanneries, wander the souks and artisan quarters, then walk past the seven gates of the Royal Palace and through the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, before a hilltop view over the whole medina at sunset.
06
Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Head into the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping first in Ifrane, often called Morocco's 'Switzerland' for its alpine chalets, then the cedar forest near Azrou, home to friendly Barbary macaques. After lunch in Midelt, follow the palm-lined Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet oasis, with stunning panoramic viewpoints along the way, before arriving in Merzouga village in the late afternoon, welcomed with a glass of mint tea.
07
Merzouga – Camel Trek & Desert Camp (Khamlia & Rissani)
Merzouga – Camel Trek & Desert Camp (Khamlia & Rissani)
Visit Khamlia village and its Gnawa musicians of Malian heritage to learn about their way of life and music, then head out to meet a family living in nomadic tents in the desert, sharing a traditional Berber pizza called madfouna. Later, browse the market of Rissani, a fortified trading town, before returning to Merzouga for a camel trek of around 1.5 hours into the heart of the dunes to watch the sunset. Dinner in the desert camp and an overnight stay beneath the stars.
08
Merzouga → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley
Merzouga → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley
Wake early to watch the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, then breakfast at the camp before leaving Merzouga via Rissani and Erfoud, home to fascinating fossil workshops, on to Tinghir. Visit the towering, narrow Todra Gorges, among the most spectacular canyons in Morocco, with time for a walk beneath its sheer rock walls. In the afternoon, cross the Dades Valley, known for the 'Monkey Fingers' rock formations, stopping at the Castle Sands for photos, before dinner and an overnight stay in a riad overlooking the Dades Gorges.
09
Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech
Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech
Drive via Ouarzazate to the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a spectacular fortified village that has served as the backdrop for Hollywood films such as 'Gladiator' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'. Cross the High Atlas Mountains at Tizi n'Tichka, the highest pass in the range at 2,260 m, with stops at panoramic viewpoints and an optional visit to an argan oil cooperative, before arriving in Marrakech in the afternoon.
10
Marrakech Guided City Tour
Marrakech Guided City Tour
Explore Marrakech, another of Morocco's imperial cities, starting with the Ben Youssef Quranic School and the Koutoubia Mosque. Visit the Saadian Tombs, resting place of Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour, and the ornately decorated Bahia Palace. Stop at the Majorelle Garden, a serene oasis of exotic plants, before an afternoon in the Old Medina among the artisan workshops, finishing at the bustling Jemaa el-Fna square with its storytellers, musicians, and food stalls.
11
Marrakech → Essaouira Day Trip
Marrakech → Essaouira Day Trip
A day trip to the coastal city of Essaouira, perched on a small rocky peninsula on the Atlantic. Its orderly medina streets give the town a distinct character, and the fishing port is a lively spectacle as boats return with the day's catch. Enjoy the nearly 10 km stretch of fine sandy beach before heading back to Marrakech in the afternoon for an overnight stay in your riad or hotel.
12
Departure – Return to Casablanca or Marrakech
Departure – Return to Casablanca or Marrakech
Your final day depends on your flight schedule. If ending in Casablanca, your driver transfers you to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, roughly 4.5 hours from Essaouira/Marrakech. If ending in Marrakech, you'll be transferred to Marrakech Menara Airport or dropped off at your hotel or riad, as requested.
Included / Excluded
Included
- Pickup from the airport or your hotel in Casablanca
- Private air-conditioned transportation with English-speaking driver
- Guided city tour in Fes
- 11 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
- 1 night in a Sahara desert camp
- Camel trekking experience in the Sahara
- Dinner in the desert camp and at your Dades Valley accommodation
- Sandboarding at the desert camp
Not Included
- Lunches throughout the tour
- Dinners in Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech and Essaouira
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
- Entrance fees to monuments and historical sites
- Optional tips for guides and drivers
Accommodation Options
Carefully selected riads, kasbahs and desert camps across Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Dades and Marrakech — let us know your preference when requesting a quote. Upgrades are available upon request.
Standard Hotels, Riads & Shared Desert Camp
Comfortable, well-located hotels in Casablanca and cozy riads in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech, plus a shared-facilities desert camp in Merzouga and a valley-view hotel in Dades.
- Well-located hotels near the Corniche in Casablanca
- Traditional riads with authentic decor in the medinas
- Comfortable Berber tents with private beds and bathrooms in Merzouga
Superior Hotels, Riads & Luxury Desert Camp
Upgrade to elegant city hotels with spas and panoramic views in Casablanca, refined riads with rooftop terraces in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech, and a luxury desert camp with en-suite tents, hot showers, and candlelit dinners under the stars.
- City hotels with spa amenities and panoramic views
- Elegant riads with rooftop terraces and personalized service
- En-suite luxury tents with hot showers and air conditioning on request
