Casablanca to Marrakech: Desert Dunes, Camel Rides & Atlas Villages

Summary

Atlas passes, Berber villages, desert nights and Marrakech souks

You’ll cross Morocco from Casablanca to Marrakech with real local guides, riding camels into Merzouga’s dunes, sleeping under Saharan stars, wandering ancient kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou, and sharing Berber food (and laughter) along the way. It’s not always comfortable — sand gets everywhere — but you’ll carry these moments home with you.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I booked this 5 day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech mostly for the desert part — I’d seen those orange dunes in pictures and just wanted to know if they really looked like that. Turns out, they do. But the first surprise was our driver Khalid picking us up right on time in Casablanca, already joking about how many mint teas we’d end up drinking before Marrakech. The city faded fast behind us and suddenly there were olive trees, then just red earth and those wide Moroccan skies. I kept thinking how different the air smelled — sort of dusty but sweet? — as we rolled into Marrakech. Our guide Fatima led us through the Medina’s maze; my sense of direction failed instantly but she seemed to know every shortcut between spice stalls and old tiled courtyards. I still can’t pronounce “Koutoubia” right.

The drive over the Tizi-n-Tichka pass was a blur of switchbacks and tiny villages clinging to hillsides. We stopped at Ait Ben Haddou for lunch (I ordered tagine again — couldn’t help it) and wandered through mudbrick alleys where some guy tried to sell me a carved camel that looked more like a potato. By Tinghir, everything felt quieter; there was this moment at sunset when the light hit the Todgha Gorges just right and everyone went silent for a second. Not sure if it was awe or exhaustion or both.

Merzouga was something else entirely. Camels are less comfortable than they look (my legs fell asleep), but riding into the Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun dropped behind them is one of those memories that sticks around in your chest for a while. We ditched our bags at camp and climbed up a dune with some other travelers; sand got everywhere but nobody cared because the sky turned this impossible shade of pink-purple before night crashed down and someone started drumming by the fire. I didn’t sleep much — too busy watching stars spill across the sky.

The last stretch back toward Marrakech felt dreamlike after all that sand and silence. We passed palm groves near Agdz where kids waved at our van and women carried bundles balanced on their heads like it was nothing special. My phone barely had signal but honestly, I didn’t miss it much by then.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Casablanca to Marrakech guided tour

• Pick up from Casablanca
• Transfer to Marrakech
• 3-hour guided tour of Marrakech
• Visit Koutoubia mosque
• Explore Kasbah and Saadian tombs
• Tour Bahia Palace
• Explore Medina and souks
• Visit Jemaa El Fna Square

Day 2 — Atlas Mountains and Tinghir journey

• Depart Marrakech at 7:00 am
• Drive across Tizi-n-Tichka pass
• Visit High Atlas Berber villages
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO site
• Lunch at Ait Ben Haddou
• Stop at Ouarzazate supermarket
• Continue to Tinghir via Rose Valley
• Overnight at hotel with dinner

Day 3 — Tinghir to Merzouga Desert adventure

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Erg Chebbi desert in Merzouga
• Pass Todra Gorges and oasis
• Arrive at Merzouga hotel
• Pack small bag for desert night
• Ride camels across sand dunes
• Sandboarding and watch sunset
• Overnight in Berber nomad camp

Day 4 — Merzouga desert to Agdz

• Watch sunrise in desert
• Return by camel to hotel
• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Rissani city
• Continue to Alnif, Tazarine, and N'Kob
• Lunch on route
• Drive through Draa Valley to Agdz
• Overnight at hotel in Agdz palm grove

Day 5 — Return to Marrakech

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive over Tizi N Tichka pass
• Arrive in Marrakech
• Transfer to Riad
• End of services

Top questions

How long is the drive from Casablanca to Marrakech?

It takes about 3 hours by car between Casablanca and Marrakech on this tour.

Is camel riding included in Merzouga?

Yes, camel rides for both sunset and sunrise are included in Merzouga desert.

Are meals included during the tour?

Dinner and breakfast are included at certain accommodations; lunch is available at local stops like Ait Ben Haddou.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You stay in riads or hotels in cities/villages and a Berber camp tent in Merzouga desert.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation in Casablanca is included.

Is sandboarding available on this trip?

Yes, sandboarding on the dunes is offered during your night in Merzouga desert camp.

Are infant seats available?

Specialized infant seats are available upon request for families traveling with young children.

Do you visit Ait Ben Haddou on this route?

Yes, there’s a stop at UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou village with time for lunch and exploring.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Casablanca, private transport with a professional driver (fuel covered), four nights’ accommodation ranging from city riads to a Berber desert camp, camel rides at sunset and sunrise in Merzouga (one camel per person), sandboarding fun on the dunes, plus dinner and breakfast at select hotels along the way before returning you to your riad in Marrakech.