8-Day Morocco Tour From Casablanca: Imperial Cities & Sahara

Ride camels into the Sahara, then climb back over the High Atlas into Marrakesh

An 8-day private tour from Casablanca that loops through Morocco's imperial cities, mountain villages, and desert, with a camel journey into Erg Chebbi and overnight in a luxury nomad camp. Includes seven nights' accommodation, a private air-conditioned vehicle, driver and local guides in Fes and Marrakesh, airport or hotel pickup, and bottled water throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat

• Pick up in Casablanca
• Visit Rabat: Chellah Necropolis, Bab Oudaia, Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohamed V
• Explore Chefchaouen: blue streets, Plaza Uta el-Hammam, kasbah
• Visit Spanish Mosque at sunset

Day 2: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes

• Explore Chefchaouen Medina and souks
• Visit Volubilis Roman ruins and Moulay Driss
• Lunch in town
• Explore Meknes: Mansour Gate, Granary, Swani basin, old medina, Landim Square
• Travel to Fes and overnight in riad

Day 3: Fes sightseeing and cultural immersion

• Guided tour of Fes Medina and souks
• Visit Chouara Tannery and Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque
• Visit Bou Inania or Al Attarine Madrasa
• Explore Mellah Jewish district and Royal Palace
• Optional dinner with local family or restaurant

Day 4: Fes to Sahara Desert via Atlas Mountains

• Drive through High Atlas mountains and cedar forest
• Lunch in Midelt
• Visit artisan collective in Erfoud
• Arrive Merzouga and camel ride to luxury desert camp
• Sunset and dinner at camp with Berber music

Day 5: Merzouga to Dades Valley via Todra Gorges

• Watch desert sunrise
• Visit Rissani market and Maison Tuareg
• Explore Tinghir and Todra Gorge
• Drive through Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
• Arrive Dades Valley and see rock formations

Day 6: Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Visit Rose Collective
• Stop in Ouarzazate and Taourirt Kasbah
• Explore Aït Benhaddou kasbah
• Visit argan oil cooperative in Taddert
• Arrive Marrakech and visit Jemaa el-Fna

Day 7: Exploring Marrakech city

• Guided tour of Marrakech Medina, Souk, and Mellah
• Visit Bahia and El Badii Palaces and Saadian Tombs
• Visit Majorelle Gardens
• Evening at Jemaa el-Fna food stalls and cafes

Day 8: Departure and last-minute activities

• Optional shopping or visit Marrakech Museum
• Transfer to Marrakech or Casablanca airport

The experience

The route starts in Casablanca and heads north to Chefchaouen, where steep cobbled streets and blue-hued buildings fill the Rif Mountains. You'll wander the medina, relax in Plaza Uta el-Hammam with mint tea, and climb to the abandoned Spanish Mosque for sunset views. From there, the tour crosses to Volubilis (a UNESCO World Heritage Roman site with mosaic floors, temples, and a triumphal arch), then moves through Meknes and into Fes, where you spend two days exploring the medieval medina, souks, tanneries, and the ninth-century Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University. A private guide leads you through the maze of the old city and can arrange dinner with a local family if you want to learn Moroccan cooking firsthand.

Day four pivots south toward the Sahara. You'll drive through the High Atlas mountains (an area nicknamed "Little Switzerland" for its alpine villages), and watch for Barbary macaque monkeys in the cedar forests. The route passes through the Ziz Valley with its hidden oases and historic ksars, then stops in Erfoud to see how fossil-rich rock is transformed into decorative pieces. The highlight arrives at Merzouga: you trade the vehicle for a camel and ride across the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to a luxury nomad camp, where you watch the sunset from the dunes, eat dinner by the campfire, and sleep under the stars listening to traditional Berber music.

The return journey moves through Todra Gorge (a striking canyon with 300-meter limestone cliffs where you can walk or paddle in cool water), and into Dades Valley, known for rock formations locals call "monkey fingers" and mud kasbahs. You'll pass through the Rose Collective and Ouarzazate (Morocco's film industry hub) before climbing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass and descending into Marrakesh. The final two days center on the medina, Jemaa el-Fna square with its musicians and food stalls, the Bahia and El Badii Palaces, Saadian Tombs, and the Majorelle Gardens. Your driver handles airport transfers on departure.

What’s included

• Seven nights' accommodation in hotels or traditional riads (grade chosen at checkout).
• private air-conditioned vehicle with driver throughout.
• camel ride into the Sahara and one night in a luxury nomad camp with private tent, toilet, and shower.
• airport arrival and departure transfer or hotel pickup and drop-off.
• bottled mineral water on board.
• parking fees and restroom on board.
• fully licensed local guide in Fes and Marrakesh medina.
• driver/guide for the full eight days.

Options for this experience

3 options

Without AccommodationsGuide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed timePrivate local city guide included for Fes and Marrakech. Duration: 8 days. Private transportation covering airport arrival and departure as well as hotel pickup. Pickup is included.

With Standard AccommodationsGuide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed timeHotels and riads are booked for you, rated 3 to 4 stars, including riads, hotels, camps and traditional Moroccan-style lodgings. A private local city guide and driver are included in Fes and Marrakech. Duration: 8 days, covering the highlights of Morocco. Breakfasts are included with the hotel, plus 2 dinners and a camel ride. Private 4x4 vehicle for transportation, including airport arrival and departure. Pickup is included.

With Luxury AccommodationsGuide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed timeHotels and riads are booked for you, rated 5 stars, including riads, hotels, camps and traditional Moroccan-style lodgings, for a comfortable stay. A private local city guide and driver are included in Fes and Marrakech. This classic private luxury tour is an exclusive, personalized experience with premium accommodations and private transportation for a more comfortable journey than a standard tour. Duration: 8 days, covering the highlights of Morocco. Breakfasts are included with the hotel, and 2 dinners are included in the Sahara Desert. Itinerary: Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, the Sahara Desert of Merzouga, Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Private air-conditioned vehicle, a comfortable and clean 4WD, minivan or minibus depending on group size, covering airport arrival and departure as well as hotel pickup. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 60

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by DesertTrips

Is this one for you?The eight-day span lets you move slowly enough to spend two full days in Fes and two in Marrakesh without rushing the desert, mountain passes, and gorges in between: a pace that works for travelers who want depth in the cities and the Sahara experience without a grueling daily drive.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the accommodation options?

You choose at checkout between standard accommodations, luxury accommodations, or no accommodations. All options include seven nights in hotels or traditional riads. The difference is the grade of the property. The Sahara night is always in a luxury nomad camp with a private tent, toilet, and shower.

Do I need to arrange meals, or are they covered?

Meals listed in the itinerary are included. Other meals, drinks, and tips to the driver, guides, and restaurant staff are your choice at checkout depending on which option you select.

What happens on the camel ride to the desert camp?

After a full day of driving through the High Atlas and Ziz Valley, you arrive at Merzouga and trade the vehicle for a camel. You ride across the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to your camp, arriving in time to watch the sunset from the nearest dune, then return for dinner by the campfire and an evening of traditional Berber music before sleeping in your tent.

Are entrance fees to monuments and museums included?

No. Admission to monuments, attractions, and museums (such as Volubilis, the medina gates, palaces, and gardens) is not included and costs extra. Your guide will tell you the approximate fees when you arrive at each site.

Can I customize the itinerary or shorten the tour?

Yes. The operator notes that the tour can be modified to fit your schedule, so you can arrange fewer or more days. Contact them with your preferred dates and they will adjust the route accordingly.