Morocco: Sahara Desert & Imperial Cities Private 10-Day Tour

Summary

Private journey from Casablanca to Marrakech with desert nights, ancient medinas, and local stories

You’ll dive into Morocco’s imperial cities and drift through blue alleys in Chefchaouen before riding camels across Sahara dunes at sunset. Expect local guides who share real stories, nights in boutique riads or desert tents, and moments that linger—a bite of fresh goat cheese or the hush after Berber music by firelight.

What’s the experience like?

We landed in Casablanca and I barely had time to process the airport chaos before our guide—Youssef—found us. He shook my hand like we’d met before and steered us straight to the Hassan II Mosque. The ocean breeze mixed with incense as he explained how non-Muslims could actually step inside here (which I didn’t expect). Later, at Rick’s Café, I tried to picture Bogart at the bar but mostly just stared at the shadows on the white walls. Rabat was next—guards on horseback outside the Mausoleum of Mohammed V looked so formal it made me stand up straighter without thinking.

The blue city of Chefchaouen felt like a dream after all those highways—every wall painted some shade between sky and lavender. We got lost on purpose, following kids carrying bread through alleys that smelled like goat cheese and mint. Youssef bought us some; it tasted earthy and a little wild. On the way to Fes we stopped at Volubilis—Roman ruins just sitting out in a field with storks nesting on top. There’s something weirdly comforting about seeing ancient stones and birds sharing space like that.

Fes was a maze—9000 streets, or so our city guide claimed (I didn’t count). The tanneries hit you first by smell then by color: vats of red and yellow dye, leather everywhere. I tried haggling for a wallet and failed spectacularly; the shopkeeper grinned anyway. By now we’d gotten used to slow mornings with sweet tea and flatbread before heading south towards Merzouga. Watching the landscape shift from cedar forests near Ifran to date palms in Ziz Valley made me realize how much Morocco changes every few hours by car.

The Sahara Desert is quieter than I imagined. Riding camels into Merzouga’s dunes at sunset felt both awkward (my legs still remember) and kind of magical—the sand turned gold then pink as we climbed a dune for photos nobody will ever believe are real. That night in camp, music around a fire gave way to silence so thick you could almost hear your own thoughts echoing back. I lay awake counting stars until I lost track…or maybe just fell asleep.

Marrakech was pure energy: Bahia Palace tiles cool underfoot, spices thick in the air near Jemaa el-Fna square, street musicians everywhere. Our last night we ate tagine shoulder-to-shoulder with locals while Youssef told stories about his grandmother’s cooking (he swears hers is better than any restaurant). Ten days went fast—I keep thinking about that first cup of tea in Merzouga or getting lost in Fes’ medina. If you’re curious about Morocco beyond postcards, this private tour really does pull you right into it—even if you butcher your Arabic greetings along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Casablanca to Rabat

• Arrive at Casablanca airport
• Visit Hassan II Mosque
• Visit Rick’s café
• Travel to Rabat

Day 2 — Rabat city tour and travel to Chefchaouen

• Visit Hassan Tower
• Visit Mausoleum of Mohammed V
• Visit Kasbah of the Udayas
• Travel to Chefchaouen
• Explore Chefchaouen medina

Day 3 — Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes

• Depart Chefchaouen after breakfast
• Visit Roman ruins of Volubilis
• Visit Meknes city highlights
• Arrive in Fes and panoramic city tour

Day 4 — Full day exploring Fes medina

• Visit Fes medina with guide
• See palaces, Jewish quarters, and madrassa
• Visit leather tannery

Day 5 — Fes to Merzouga Desert via Ifran and Erfoud

• Visit cedar forests of Azrou and Ifran
• Stop in Midelt for mountain views
• Pass Ziz Valley and Erfoud fossil site
• Arrive Merzouga and enjoy Moroccan tea

Day 6 — Desert activities and local culture in Merzouga

• Participate in desert activities
• Visit Rissani market and souk
• Visit Khamlia nomadic village and enjoy music
• Camel ride in desert dunes
• Watch sunset on dunes
• Dinner and live music around bonfire

Day 7 — Merzouga to Dades Valley via Todra Gorges

• Sunrise climb on desert dune
• Travel to Todra Gorges and explore cliffs
• Arrive and relax in Dades Valley

Day 8 — Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Travel Route of the One Thousand Kasbahs
• Visit Kalaat Mgouna and Skoura villages
• Visit Ouarzazate kasbah and movie studios
• Visit Ait Benhaddou UNESCO site
• Dinner at Jamaa el Fna square

Day 9 — Full day Marrakech city tour

• Visit Bahia Palace
• Visit Ben Youssef Medersa
• Visit Koutoubia Mosque
• Visit Majorelle Gardens
• Visit Yves Saint Laurent Museum
• Explore Marrakech souk

Day 10 — Departure from Marrakech

• Optional morning shopping in souk
• Optional hot-air balloon ride
• Transfer to airport for departure

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this private Morocco tour?

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

Do I get to ride a camel in the Sahara Desert?

Yes, there’s a camel ride across Merzouga’s dunes included as part of your stay.

Are accommodations traditional Moroccan riads?

You’ll stay in high-quality 4-star riads or boutique hotels with Moroccan decor throughout most of the trip.

Does this tour visit Chefchaouen?

Yes, you’ll spend time exploring Chefchaouen—the famous blue city nestled between mountain ranges.

How many days do we spend in Marrakech?

You’ll have two days in Marrakech at the end of the tour for sightseeing and shopping.

Is there free time during the day trips?

Yes, there are relaxed mornings and evenings plus chances to explore markets or try local food on your own.

Are meals included during desert camping?

Dinner is provided during your luxury desert camp stay—including traditional Moroccan dishes under the stars.

Can infants or wheelchair users join this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; wheelchair access and infant seats are available upon request.

What’s included

Your journey includes private transportation throughout Morocco with an official licensed vehicle (and insurance), overnight stays in boutique riads or luxury desert tents with private bathrooms, daily breakfast plus dinner during your Sahara camp experience, guided tours of key sites like Fes medina and Marrakech palaces, entry fees where needed, camel rides across Merzouga’s dunes—and hotel or airport pickup when you arrive.