Morocco: 9-day tour from Marrakech with Sahara desert

Summary

From Marrakech’s red walls to blue Chefchaouen and the quiet of the Sahara dunes

You’ll cross Morocco from Marrakech to Casablanca with local guides who know every shortcut and story. Ride camels into the Sahara desert for a night under stars, wander Fes’ ancient medina, and lose yourself in Chefchaouen’s blue streets. With hotel pickup included and breakfasts each day, you’ll experience Morocco’s colors and rhythms in ways you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the color — that deep, dusty red of Marrakech’s walls at dusk, just before the call to prayer. Our driver was waiting outside arrivals with my name on a sign (I always get nervous about that part), and somehow it felt like the trip had already started before we even left the airport parking lot. The city was loud in a way I didn’t expect — mopeds weaving past donkeys, someone selling oranges right on the curb. That night I barely slept, half from jet lag and half from excitement for what was coming next.

We met our Marrakech guide after breakfast — he knew every shortcut through the souks and kept us from getting lost in those wild alleys. He pointed out how the Koutoubia Tower lines up with the square, which I’d never have noticed. Lunch was this slow-cooked lamb tagine near Jemaa el-Fna; I still think about how cinnamon and cumin hung in the air. Later, walking through Bahia Palace, I touched one of those cool mosaic tiles just to see if it felt as old as it looked (it did). There were moments when I just stopped and listened — drums somewhere far off, kids laughing behind a market stall.

The drive into the Atlas Mountains was all switchbacks and sudden views — Berber villages clinging to hillsides, goats everywhere. We stopped at Ait Ben Haddou and our local guide explained how families still live inside those mudbrick walls. Ouarzazate felt quieter than I expected; maybe because we arrived right at siesta time. By Dades Gorge, my shoes were full of dust but I didn’t care. The next day we crossed Todra Gorge (those cliffs really do make you feel tiny) before heading toward Merzouga for our Sahara desert camp.

Riding camels at sunset across Erg Chebbi dunes is one of those things that sounds cliché until you’re actually there — sand cold under your feet after dark, sky so clear you can see satellites moving. The Berber guides played drums by firelight; someone handed me mint tea so sweet it made my teeth ache a little. In the morning we watched sunrise over the dunes in near silence except for a few sleepy greetings in Arabic. After that came Fes with its maze-like medina (our guide there joked he’d been lost once as a kid and never really found his way out), then Chefchaouen’s blue alleys where even stray cats seemed relaxed.

I keep thinking about how every city had its own rhythm — Casablanca’s rush versus Rabat’s calm gardens or that moment in Azrou forest when a monkey tried to steal someone’s snack (not mine this time). It wasn’t perfect every second — sometimes long drives or tired feet — but honestly, that’s what made it real for me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Transfer to Marrakech Hotel

• Airport transfer to hotel in Marrakech

Day 2 — Marrakech City Tour and Souks

• Visit Koutoubia Tower, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and Jemaa el-Fna Square
• Free time for lunch near the square
• Optional walk through souks and handicrafts

Day 3 — Atlas Mountains and Ait Ben Hadou

• Drive through Tizi-N-Tichka pass and stop at Ait Barka Village
• Guided visit to Ait Ben Hadou UNESCO site
• Free time for lunch
• Ouarzazate sightseeing
• Travel to Dades Valley and overnight in local hotel

Day 4 — Dades Gorges and Sahara Desert

• Trek in Todra Gorges
• Drive to Erg Chebbi dunes and camel ride at sunset
• Dinner and overnight in Berber camp in Sahara desert

Day 5 — Sahara Sunrise and Journey to Fes

• Sunrise over Sahara dunes and camel ride back to village
• Drive through Ziz Valley, Errachidia, Midelt
• Stop at Ifrane mountain village
• Visit Azrou cedar forest and Barbary apes

Day 6 — Fes Historical City Tour

• Visit Royal Palace gate, Jewish quarter, Al Qaraouine University, Tanneries, and Moulay Idriss mausoleum
• Visit tile cooperative and panoramic view of Medina

Day 7 — Chefchaouen Blue City Exploration

• Travel to Chefchaouen and explore blue medina and Kasbah

Day 8 — Rabat and Casablanca Sightseeing

• Visit Rabat’s Bab Challah, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Hassan Tower, Oudaya Kasbah
• Visit Casablanca Hassan II mosque if time permits

Day 9 — Casablanca Departure

• Visit Hassan II mosque
• Transfer to Casablanca or Marrakech airport

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Morocco 9-day tour?

Yes, pickup from your Marrakech hotel or riad is included at the start of the tour.

Do we spend a night in the Sahara desert during this tour?

Yes, one night is spent at a Berber camp in Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi dunes with camel ride included.

Are guided tours provided in Fes and Marrakech?

Yes, local guides lead sightseeing tours in both Fes and Marrakech as part of your itinerary.

What kind of accommodation is included?

The tour includes 8 nights in standard 3-star hotels or riads plus one night at a desert camp.

Is breakfast included each day?

Yes, daily breakfast is included throughout your journey across Morocco.

How do we travel between cities on this tour?

You’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver throughout the route.

Can infants join this Morocco tour?

Infants can join; specialized infant seats are available but some activities may not be recommended for pregnant travelers or those with certain health conditions.

Will we visit Chefchaouen Blue City?

Yes, Chefchaouen is included with free time to explore its blue-painted streets and Ras el-Maa Waterfall nearby.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup upon arrival in Marrakech, all transport by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver, eight nights’ accommodation (including one unforgettable night at a Berber camp in Merzouga’s Sahara desert), daily breakfasts plus dinner in Dades Gorges and Merzouga camp, guided sightseeing tours in Fes and Marrakech—and plenty of stories along the way before drop-off at Casablanca or Marrakech airport depending on your flight plans.