Morocco Desert & Imperial Cities: 10-Day Tour with Riads

Summary

Winding medinas, desert nights, and city colors from Casablanca to Marrakech

You’ll wander centuries-old medinas in Fes and Chefchaouen’s blue lanes, ride camels under Saharan stars near Merzouga, taste slow-cooked tagine in mountain villages, and feel Marrakech’s pulse at dusk—all with local guides, comfy riads, and desert camp nights woven in. It’s less about checking boxes than letting Morocco surprise you.

What’s the experience like?

It started with a grin from our driver at Casablanca airport—he waved my jetlagged self straight into the van, then insisted we grab a mint tea before anything else. I tried to say “shukran” right, but he just laughed and said, “You’ll get it by Fes.” That set the tone for the whole 10-day Morocco tour: people first, always. We saw the Hassan II mosque’s green tiles gleaming in the morning haze and I remember the echo of shoes on marble—so much quieter than I expected for such a huge place.

The drive north to Chefchaouen was all rolling hills and sheep herders waving at us from the road. Chefchaouen itself is like someone turned up the blue filter on real life. We wandered alleys that smelled faintly of soap and oranges. A kid pointed us toward Ras el-Maa waterfall (he wanted my cookie), and I still hear the water’s rush mixed with distant prayer calls. Our guide in Fes was this wiry guy named Youssef who seemed to know every shortcut through the medina; he steered us past piles of leather and copper—at one point I lost track of everyone just staring at a tile fountain glittering in sunlight.

The day we crossed into Merzouga, it felt like someone changed the channel—suddenly palm groves gave way to sand and silence. Riding camels into Erg Chebbi at sunset was both awkward (my knees!) and weirdly peaceful; our Berber host brewed tea over coals while stars came out sharp as pins overhead. The next morning, sandboarding down a dune left grit in my teeth for hours but honestly? Worth it for that view alone.

Dades Gorge was all red rock walls and switchbacks—I’m not great with heights so there were a few nervous laughs (the driver kept saying “no problem!”). We stopped in little villages where women sold figs on plastic sheets, and lunch somewhere near Ouarzazate tasted smoky-sweet from the tagine’s clay pot. By Marrakech I’d lost count of how many times someone offered directions or just smiled when we looked lost. Jemaa el-Fna square at dusk is pure chaos: drummers, snake charmers, orange juice sellers yelling prices—somehow it all fits together.

I keep thinking about that last night in a riad courtyard—candlelight flickering on mosaic walls, tired feet propped up after ten days of movement. This Morocco desert & imperial cities tour wasn’t neat or predictable, but maybe that’s why it sticks with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Casablanca visit

• Pick up at airport
• Visit Hassan II mosque
• Overnight at hotel

Day 2 — Rabat and Chefchaouen tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Rabat
• Visit Kasbah Oudaïas, Hassan tower, mausoleum of Mohamed V
• Continue to Chefchaouen
• Overnight in Chefchaouen

Day 3 — Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Volubilis
• Visit Roman ruins at Volubilis
• Continue to Fes
• Overnight in Fes

Day 4 — Fes city guided tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Guided tour of old medina and ramparts
• Visit Mérinides tombs ruins
• Visit madrasas Bouanania and Attarine
• Visit Karaouine mosque and Nejjarine fountain
• Lunch at Moroccan restaurant
• Visit Boujloud door and royal palace
• Explore souk and artisan shops
• Overnight in Fes

Day 5 — Fes to Merzouga desert crossing

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive through Ifrane and Azrou
• Cross Ziz valley and gorges
• Visit Midelt and Erfoud
• Take desert track to Merzouga
• Overnight near desert entrance

Day 6 — Merzouga desert and nomad visit

• Breakfast at hotel
• Enter desert and visit nomadic villages
• Cross Erg Chebbi dunes
• Visit Khamlia village and Gnawa music
• Camel ride to Berber camp
• Dinner and overnight in desert camp

Day 7 — Merzouga to Dades Valley

• Breakfast at camp
• Drive to Rissani
• Visit animal market and souk
• Visit fossil quarry in Erfoud
• Continue to Dades Gorges
• Dinner and overnight in Dades

Day 8 — Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Dades Gorges
• Drive through Amgoun mountain and valley of roses
• Pass Skoura palm grove and kasbahs
• Arrive in Marrakech
• Transfer to hotel

Day 9 — Marrakech city tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Saadian Tombs
• Visit Bahia Palace
• Visit Medersa Ben Youssef
• See Koutoubia Minaret
• Lunch at Ksar el Hamra
• Visit Majorelle Garden
• Visit Djemaa El Fna square
• Dinner at leisure
• Overnight in Marrakech

Day 10 — Departure transfer

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Marrakech or Casablanca airport

Top questions

How long is the Morocco desert & imperial cities tour?

This tour lasts 10 days, starting from Casablanca and ending in either Marrakech or Casablanca depending on your flight schedule.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, airport pickup is included upon arrival in Casablanca as well as transfers between cities throughout the trip.

Do we stay overnight in the Sahara Desert?

Yes, you’ll spend one night in a luxury tented camp right inside the dunes of Merzouga after a camel ride at sunset.

Are guided city tours included?

Yes, guided tours are included for both Fes and Marrakech led by local English-speaking guides.

What kind of accommodations are provided?

You’ll stay mostly in riads or 4-star hotels plus one night at a luxury desert camp near Merzouga.

Is lunch or dinner included during the tour?

A typical Moroccan lunch is included during some city tours; other meals are often at leisure or can be arranged locally.

Can infants join this Morocco tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join—the tour allows prams or strollers for easier travel.

What are some highlights along this route?

Main stops include Casablanca’s Hassan II mosque, blue Chefchaouen, Roman ruins at Volubilis, Fes medina, Merzouga desert camel rides, Dades Gorge, Ait Ben Haddou kasbahs, and Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fna square.

What’s included

Your days include airport pickup upon arrival in Casablanca; comfortable transport with fuel covered; nine nights’ accommodation split between riads/4-star hotels and one luxury tented camp deep in Merzouga dunes; guided city tours of Fes and Marrakech; camel rides for both sunset and sunrise; sandboarding fun; plus plenty of chances to try Moroccan food along the way before your final transfer back to Casablanca or Marrakech airport depending on your flight home.