Casablanca to Marrakech: 5-Day Private Tour via Fès

Summary

Morocco Journey: Riads, Desert Nights & Medina Streets

Experience Morocco’s contrasts on this private 5-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech via Fès and Merzouga Desert. Ride camels under Saharan stars, wander ancient medinas with local guides, and share laughter over home-cooked tagines in family-run riads. You’ll find small surprises around every corner — moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first mint tea in Casablanca to taste so different — sharper, maybe sweeter than I’d had before. Our driver, Youssef, laughed when I tried to say “shukran” properly (I still can’t roll the ‘r’ right). We set off early and Rabat’s sea air felt cool on my face, even though the city was already busy. The Hassan Tower looked almost unreal in the morning haze. There were schoolkids running past the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, their voices echoing off the stone. By evening we reached Fès, and I remember lying on my riad bed listening to distant calls to prayer — somehow both comforting and strange.

The next day was a blur of changing landscapes. Ifrane looked nothing like what I pictured Morocco would be — it’s got these chalet roofs and clean streets that feel oddly European. Then came the cedar forests near Azrou; we stopped for a bit because Youssef wanted us to see the monkeys (one stole half my apple). Lunch in Midelt was simple but good — bread still warm from the oven, olives that tasted almost smoky. By late afternoon we hit Erfoud, dustier and hotter, and then Merzouga just as the sun started dipping low. Riding camels into the Sahara felt surreal — sand everywhere, sky turning pink-orange. That night at camp, someone played a drum by the fire and I just sat there watching sparks drift up into total darkness.

Waking up before sunrise in Merzouga wasn’t easy (I’m not a morning person), but seeing those dunes glow gold made it worth it. My legs were sore from riding back on the camel but honestly? Didn’t care much. Tinghir’s Todgha Gorge was all red rock and cool shadows; our guide pointed out Berber villages tucked into hillsides that I’d have missed otherwise. Dinner in Dades Gorges was slow — tagine bubbling away while we tried to figure out how many kinds of dates there actually are in Morocco (a lot, apparently). The riad owner’s daughter showed me how she ties her scarf; I fumbled it completely but she just grinned.

The road toward Marrakech took us through Ouarzazate (Youssef called it “Africa’s Hollywood” — he seemed proud) and then Ait Benhaddou’s mud-brick walls rising out of nowhere. Walking those narrow alleys with our guide explaining movie scenes filmed there was weirdly fun — Gladiator trivia mixed with stories about his own childhood visits. By Marrakech I was tired but wired; Jemaa el-Fnaa square at night is pure chaos: orange juice sellers shouting over snake charmers and smoke from food stalls curling everywhere. I bought a tiny brass lamp for no reason except it caught the light just right.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Casablanca to Fes via Rabat

• Drive Casablanca to Rabat
• Visit Hassan Tower, Kasbah of Udayas, Mausoleum
• Drive to Fes and check in

Day 2 — Fes to Merzouga Desert

• Drive via Ifrane and Cedar Forest
• Lunch in Midelt, continue to Erfoud
• Camel ride to desert camp

Day 3 — Merzouga to Dades Gorges

• Sunrise and breakfast at camp
• Camel ride back to Merzouga, visit Todgha Gorge
• Drive to Dades Gorges, dinner and relax

Day 4 — Dades to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Drive via Ouarzazate, explore Valley of Roses
• Visit Ait Benhaddou kasbah
• Drive to Marrakech and check in

Day 5 — Marrakech guided tour and optional transfer

• Visit Koutoubia Mosque and Menara Gardens
• Visit Saadian Tombs
• Explore Bahia Palace
• Visit Jemaa el-Fnaa and souks
• Optional transfer to Casablanca

Top questions

How many days does this Casablanca to Marrakech tour last?

This private tour lasts 5 days from Casablanca to Marrakech via Fès and Merzouga Desert.

Is hotel pickup included for this Morocco tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included at the start of your journey in Casablanca.

Do we sleep in the desert during this trip?

Yes, you spend one night in a comfortable desert camp near Merzouga after a camel trek.

Are meals included during the tour?

Breakfasts are included; some lunches and dinners are provided at guesthouses or camps along the route.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in local riads (traditional Moroccan guesthouses) and a desert camp for one night.

Is this trip suitable for families with young children?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome and infant seats are available.

Which main attractions do we visit?

You’ll visit Rabat’s Hassan Tower, Fès medina, Merzouga Desert dunes, Todgha Gorge, Ait Benhaddou kasbah, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and Jemaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakech.

Is there an option to return to Casablanca at the end?

Yes, an optional transfer back to Casablanca is available after your time in Marrakech.

What’s included

Your journey includes private round-trip transportation with pickup from your hotel in Casablanca, guided visits at each stop including Rabat’s landmarks and Marrakech’s medina sights like Jemaa el-Fnaa square and Bahia Palace; overnight stays at local riads plus one night in a desert camp after a camel trek; breakfasts throughout; some lunches or dinners depending on location; all arranged by your local guide so you can focus on soaking up Morocco’s colors and flavors along the way.