Morocco Imperial Cities & Sahara: 10-Day Private Tour with Riads

Summary

From Casablanca to Marrakech by way of Fes medina blue Chefchaouen and the Sahara dunes

You’ll wander blue-washed streets in Chefchaouen, lose yourself among spices and sounds in Fes medina, ride camels into Sahara dunes near Merzouga for a night under stars, and end up tasting rosewater after crossing Atlas peaks toward Marrakech—all with local guides, private transport, riad stays, and airport pickup included. This Morocco tour leaves you with more questions than answers—in a good way.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first real jolt of Morocco to hit me in Casablanca — but it was that echo inside Hassan II Mosque, my shoes off on cool marble, sunlight bouncing off the Atlantic. Our driver Youssef grinned at my wide eyes and said, “Wait for Fes.” But I couldn’t stop thinking about that ocean air mixing with incense near the mosque doors. We set off toward Rabat after, windows down, the city noise fading behind us.

Chefchaouen looked almost painted on the hillside — blue on blue, even the stray cats seemed to match. I got lost in those winding medina streets (everyone does), but a shopkeeper named Samira pointed me back with a laugh and a handful of fresh mint. The day trip through Volubilis’ Roman ruins felt like stepping out of time; I tried reading some Latin inscriptions but mostly just listened to storks clacking overhead. By Meknes, I’d stopped worrying about what came next and just let myself drift from one square to another — coffee at Landim Square tasted almost chocolatey after all that sun.

Fes was a maze of leather smells and metalwork hammering — our local guide Fatima led us through alleys so narrow my shoulders brushed tile walls. She showed us the tanneries (yes, they hand you mint for your nose), then up to a rooftop where all of Fes unspooled below in golds and greens. That night at the riad, I could still hear drums from some wedding party nearby. And then came the long drive south: cedar forests (Barbary monkeys darting past), endless date palms in Ziz Valley, finally Merzouga where camels waited quietly at sunset. Riding into the Sahara is quieter than you think — just wind over sand and that slow sway. Dinner under stars with Berber music… I honestly thought I’d be too tired to care but ended up clapping along anyway.

The last stretch through Dades Gorge and Aït Ben Haddou was all red rock and mud-brick kasbahs; we stopped for rosewater in Kalaat M’Gouna (my hands still smelled faintly floral hours later). Marrakech felt like another world again — Jemaa el-Fna square at dusk is pure chaos: orange juice sellers shouting over snake charmers, smoke from food stalls curling up into pink sky. Our guide there joked that if you can cross that square without getting lost or buying something you deserve a medal. Maybe he’s right.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and hotel transfer in Casablanca

• Meet at Casablanca Mohammed V airport
• Drive to hotel in Casablanca

Day 2 — Casablanca to Rabat and Chefchaouen

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Hassan II mosque in Casablanca
• Travel to Rabat
• Visit Kasbah of Oudayas and Hassan Tower
• Visit Mausoleum of Mohammed V
• Lunch in Rabat
• Drive to Chefchaouen via Ouazzan
• Overnight in Chefchaouen hotel or riad

Day 3 — Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, and Fes

• Breakfast at hotel
• Explore Chefchaouen medina and souks
• Visit Ras In natural spring water
• Travel to Volubilis Roman ruins
• Visit Moulay Driss town
• Lunch in Moulay Driss
• Travel to Meknes
• Explore Meknes gates, granary, and medina
• Travel to Fes
• Overnight in Fes riad

Day 4 — Full day sightseeing in Fes

• Breakfast at riad
• Meet local guide
• Visit Royal Palace Gate and Jewish Quarter
• Visit ceramics cooperative
• Tour Bou Inania Medersa and Blue Gate
• Visit Karaouiyine Mosque and Chouara Tanneries
• See Medersa Seffarin and Attarin Medersa
• Visit Neijarin Fountain
• Afternoon visit to Merenids tombs viewpoint
• Overnight in Fes riad

Day 5 — Fes to Sahara Desert via Middle Atlas

• Breakfast at riad
• Travel to Ifran town
• Visit cedar forest and feed Barbary monkeys
• Lunch in Midelt
• Drive via Talghomt pass to Ziz Valley
• Stop for panoramic view of Ziz Valley oasis
• Arrive at Sahara desert
• Camel ride over Erg Chebbi dunes
• Watch sunset on high dune
• Trek to desert camp
• Dinner and Berber music at camp
• Overnight in luxury nomad desert camp

Day 6 — Sahara desert tour and nomad visit

• Early morning sunrise in desert
• Breakfast at camp
• Visit Merzouga lake and bird watching
• Meet nomad families and drink tea
• Drive rally Paris Dakar route
• Visit Mifis mines
• Visit Khamlia village and enjoy music
• Lunch in Khamlia village (Berber pizza)
• Visit oasis on sand dunes edge
• Return to hotel
• Overnight in desert hotel or riad

Day 7 — Merzouga to Dades Valley via Todra Gorges

• Breakfast at hotel
• Travel to Rissani and visit souk if market day
• Visit Erfoud fossil town and workshops
• Drive through villages to Todra Valley
• Lunch in Todra Valley town
• Visit Todra Gorges cliffs
• Travel to Dades Valley
• See rock formations and mud kasbahs
• Overnight in hotel overlooking Dades Valley

Day 8 — Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Benhaddou

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Rose town and learn about rose harvesting
• Drive to Skoura and see kasbahs
• Travel to Ouarzazate cinema studios
• Visit Ait Benhaddou kasbah and village
• Lunch in Ait Benhaddou village
• Drive over High Atlas mountains to Marrakech
• Arrive and overnight in Marrakech hotel or riad

Day 9 — Full day exploring Marrakech city

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Bahia Palace and Saadien tombs
• Tour Ben Youssef Koranic school
• Explore Marrakech souk
• Lunch near main square
• Visit Koutoubia tower and Majorelle gardens
• Overnight in Marrakech hotel or riad

Day 10 — Departure and airport transfer

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Marrakech or Casablanca airport
• End of 10-day Morocco tour

Top questions

How many days is this Morocco tour?

This private tour lasts 10 days and 9 nights starting from Casablanca.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, airport or hotel pickup and drop-off are included at both arrival and departure.

Do we visit Chefchaouen on this itinerary?

Yes, you spend time exploring Chefchaouen’s medina early in the trip.

Are camel rides part of this Morocco tour?

Yes—there’s a guided camel ride across Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga with an overnight camp stay.

Are accommodations traditional riads or hotels?

You’ll stay in a mix of carefully chosen hotels or traditional Moroccan riads depending on availability.

Is there a local guide in Fes or Marrakech?

A local guide leads your city tours in both Fes medina and Marrakech medina.

Are meals included during the desert camp night?

Dinner is included during your luxury nomad tent stay in Erg Chebbi Sahara Desert.

Can infants join this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap or use specialized seats if needed.

What’s included

Your journey includes airport or hotel pickup at arrival plus drop-off at departure; nine nights’ accommodation split between hotels or traditional Moroccan riads; fresh bottled water during touring days; private transportation with fuel; guided city tours in Fes and Marrakech; one night camping out in a luxury nomad tent (with dinner) after your camel ride across Sahara dunes—plus plenty of small moments no one puts on an itinerary sheet.