7-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour from Casablanca

Five imperial cities, the Sahara at sunrise, and a night under the stars in a Berber camp

A 7-day tour from Casablanca through Morocco's imperial cities and the Sahara Desert, with private transport, English-speaking driver, local guides in Fes and Marrakech, six nights' accommodation, camel rides in Merzouga, and dinners included. The route moves through Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes, and Fes before crossing the Middle Atlas to the dunes, then returns through Marrakech to the airport. Meals in local cafes and restaurants are available as an add-on at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and visit Casablanca and Rabat

• Meet at Casablanca airport
• Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
• Drive to Rabat
• Guided tour of Rabat city
• Visit Royal Palace, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Hassan Tower
• Transfer to Chefchaouen
• Dinner and overnight in Chefchaouen

Day 2: Explore Chefchaouen and imperial cities

• Explore Chefchaouen medina and streets
• Drive to Moulay Idriss near Volubilis
• Visit Roman ruins of Volubilis
• Visit sacred town of Moulay Idriss
• Explore Meknes sights in afternoon
• Continue to Fes
• Dinner and overnight in Fes

Day 3: Full day Fes city tour

• Breakfast
• Full day guided tour of Fes
• Visit Jamaa Al-Karaouine university
• Visit Medersa Bouanania
• See tanneries, clay workshops, artisan quarters, souks
• Overnight in Fes

Day 4: Travel to Merzouga desert dunes

• Drive from Fes through Middle Atlas mountains
• Pass Ifran and Azrou villages
• Cross Ziz valley and gorges
• Arrive in Erfoud
• Take desert trail to Merzouga
• Camel ride at sunset
• Dinner and overnight in luxury desert camp

Day 5: Sunrise and travel to Marrakech

• Wake early to see sunrise
• Enjoy sandboarding and breakfast at camp
• Camel ride back to Merzouga hotel
• Meet driver and drive to Marrakech
• Stop for lunch en route
• Arrive in Marrakech evening
• Overnight in Marrakech riad

Day 6: Explore Marrakech city

• Breakfast
• Visit Majorelle Gardens
• Visit Koutoubia Tower
• Visit Saadian tombs and Bahia Palace
• Lunch near the square
• Walk through souks and handicrafts
• Afternoon free time in Marrakech
• Overnight in Marrakech riad

Day 7: Transfer to Casablanca airport

• Breakfast
• Transfer to Casablanca airport

The experience

The tour begins at Casablanca airport with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque, then moves to Rabat to see the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Hassan Tower before driving to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains. You'll spend a morning walking the blue-washed medina there, then head toward Volubilis to explore the Roman ruins and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss. The route continues through Meknes and into Fes, where a full day with a local guide covers Jamaa Al-Karaouine (the world's first established university), the Medersa Bouanania, the tanneries, clay workshops, and the souks of the oldest medina in Morocco.

From Fes, the tour crosses the Middle Atlas through cedar forests, passing the Swiss-style town of Ifran and the Berber village of Azrou before dropping into the Sahara. You'll ride camels at sunset in Merzouga and spend the night in a luxury camp in the dunes. The next morning brings a sunrise and time for sandboarding before the camel ride back. The drive south to Marrakech includes a lunch stop and passes through the Drâa Valley and Ouarzazate. In Marrakech, a guided day covers the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, and the Bahia Palace, with an afternoon free to explore the souks on your own. The final morning is a transfer to Casablanca airport.

Private transport with air conditioning and an English-speaking driver runs the entire route. Dinners are included throughout. Lunches and other meals in local cafes and restaurants can be added at checkout. Accommodations are in riads in the cities and a luxury camp in the dunes.

What’s included

• Six nights' accommodation in riads in the cities and a luxury camp in the Sahara.
• private air-conditioned transport with an English-speaking driver throughout.
• dinners each evening.
• camel rides at sunset and sunrise in Merzouga.
• local guides in Fes and Marrakech.
• airport pickup and return transfer.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Discover Morocco Tours

Is this one for you?This tour suits travelers who want to move through multiple imperial cities and experience the Sahara in a single trip without arranging transport or guides themselves. The fixed 7-day itinerary packs five cities, Roman ruins, mountain towns, and desert camp nights into one journey, so you cover more ground than shorter versions while keeping the pace manageable with overnight stops in each place.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What is there to do in Chefchaouen on this tour?

Chefchaouen sits in the Rif Mountains and is known for its bright blue-washed buildings. You'll spend three hours in the morning walking the narrow cobbled streets and medina walls, where you'll see men wearing wool Djellabas and women in colorful straw hats.

Do I ride camels on this tour?

Yes. You'll ride camels at sunset in Merzouga in the Sahara dunes and again the next morning before returning to the hotel. The tour also includes time for sandboarding in the dunes if you want it.

Where do I sleep in the Sahara?

You stay overnight in a luxury camp in the heart of the Merzouga dunes, in a Berber tent. Breakfast, a shower, and time to relax are part of the morning before the camel ride back.

What does the Fes day tour include?

A full day in Fes with a local guide covers Jamaa Al-Karaouine, the world's first established university; the Medersa Bouanania; the tanneries and clay workshops; artisan quarters; and the souks of Morocco's largest and oldest medina.

Is transportation from Casablanca airport included?

Yes. The driver meets you at Casablanca airport on arrival and handles all transport throughout the 7 days, returning you to the airport on the final morning. The vehicle is air-conditioned and seats your group privately.