9-Day Morocco Tour from Marrakech to Casablanca via Sahara Desert and Imperial Cities

DAY 01 - Arrival in Marrakech & Medina Tour

You will be picked up from Marrakech Menara Airport and taken to your hotel, where you will meet with a local expert guide. You will then start exploring the day to discover the vibrant culture and rich history of Marrakech, one of Morocco's famous imperial cities. You'll start your journey at the Ben Youssef Quranic School, one of the largest medersas in North Africa. Its remarkable Islamic architecture and stunning tile work are not to be missed.

Thereafter, you'll visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech, and enjoy the mosque's tall minaret and lovely gardens. Your journey continues as you learn about the incredible history of the Saadian Tombs, located by the Kasbah Mosque, which houses the tomb of the renowned Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour, one of the powerful Moroccan sultans of the 16th century.

Afterward, you'll visit the exquisite Bahia Palace, which features 19th-century Moroccan architecture with stucco, cedarwood carvings, and beautiful gardens. As you roam the palace grounds, get ready to hear stories of Sultan Bou Ahmed and his concubines while enjoying the tranquil courtyards and rooms.

Following lunch, you will experience the world-famous Majorelle Garden, a botanical oasis owned by Yves Saint Laurent, abundant with exotic plants, bright blue hues, and calm paths—a lovely place to sit and unwind and an excellent opportunity for photographs.

In the afternoon, your journey will take you through the winding lanes of the old medina, where skilled artisans create works of art you can admire or buy. Finally, return to your riad for an overnight stay, full of memories from a day steeped in culture and history.

DAY 02 - Marrakech → Atlas Mountains → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley

Following breakfast, you will journey on a picturesque drive from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, passing through the breathtaking Tizi n'Tichka Pass. Rising to 2,260 metres (7,415 feet) above sea level, Tizi n'Tichka is the tallest major Mountain pass in North Africa, winding through the stunning High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, look out for the beautiful panoramas of rugged peaks, traditional Berber villages, and lush, fertile valleys that characterise this spectacular drive.

Next, you will arrive at the famous Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its well-preserved mud-brick Ksar, the largest in Morocco. You will have the opportunity to wander the epic fortified village that has been the backdrop to famous films, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones, before enjoying a tasty lunch in this magical setting.

You will then continue your journey to Ouarzazate, also known as the "Moroccan Hollywood." Here, you can explore the historic Kasbah and world-famous film studios before continuing on to Kalaat Mgouna, located in the fragrant Rose Valley, renowned for its annual rose festival and the production of natural rosewater.

Finally, you'll arrive at the breathtaking Dades Gorges, where you'll enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and one night's accommodation at a warm hotel featuring dramatic canyon views.

• Drive: Marrakech to Dades Valley - approx. 353 km (around 6 hours)

DAY 03 - Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga Desert & Overnight Luxury Camp

After a delicious breakfast at our beautiful hotel, we will drive to the Todra Gorge via Tinghir, following the lush Todra Valley, an oasis filled with palm trees. Upon arrival, you’ll take a leisurely walk beneath the spectacular cliffs of the Todra Canyon before we continue our journey toward Merzouga.

We will reach the town of Merzouga in the afternoon, where our camels will be waiting to lead us on an authentic caravan trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to our luxury desert camp. Along the way, we will stop atop a high dune to admire a breathtaking sunset. Afterward, we’ll continue to the camp.

Upon arrival, the camp staff will greet you with a traditional cup of tea and show you to your private tent. Take some time to relax and enjoy a refreshing shower before dinner. After a delicious meal, you’ll be treated to an evening of Berber music and drumming around the campfire—and our crew will even teach you how to play the drums yourself.

• Drive: Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert- approx. 310 km (around 5 hours)

DAY 04 - Sahara Desert - Ziz Valley - Midelt - Azrou - Ifrane - Fes

We recommend waking up slightly earlier in the morning to witness the sand seas change colors as the spectacular sunrise unfolds. After breakfast, your professional camel rider will take you back to Merzouga via camels or by vehicle, on your choice. Then, we will start our day to Fes through Errachidia, and the beautiful Ziz Valley (a stunning gorge carved by the Ziz River). It is approximately 200-300 meters high and very impressive. If there is time, we will walk under these impressive giant rock canyon formations.

You will then continue your journey from Zaida, where you can enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch with barbecue and refreshing mint tea.

Your next stop will be the large cedar forests near Azrou (the largest forest in Morocco). Learn about the people and their way of life, with some still living in caves. You will also see Barbary macaques in the forest, which are likely to be visible.

Your final stop will be in Ifrane, often referred to as "Little Switzerland", where you can take your time to walk around town and see the famous lion landmark. Once you have passed through Immouzer-Kandar, you will arrive in Fes in the late afternoon, where you will spend the night in a traditional riad or hotel.

• Drive: Merzouga to Fes - approx. 490 km (around 7-8 hours)

DAY 05 - Full Day Explore Fez

Following breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Fes by your driver, and your exploration of the city will begin. Fes is not only the cultural and religious center of Morocco, but it is also one of the imperial cities of Morocco, boasting an outstanding historical background.

The day will begin at the impressive gate of the Royal Palace. You'll then enter the medieval medina through the Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud), which is an antique and well-preserved structure; the medina was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have a local guide who will show you the Medrasa Bouanania, the Najjarine Fountain, the leather tanneries, and the Quaraouin Mosque and University, which is regarded as the oldest continuously operating university in the world.

In the afternoon, you will leave the medina to explore the nearby Jewish quarter, known as the Mellah, which holds great historical and cultural significance. Then, you will visit the nearby ancient fortress from which you can see great views over the complex and labyrinthine narrow streets of the medina. To end your full day of exploring, you will return to your riad.

DAY 06 - Fes → Meknes → Moulay Idriss → Volubilis → Chefchaouen

After breakfast, you will be ready to explore the rich culture and history of the spiritual city of Fes. Your visit will begin with a leisurely stroll through the ancient Medina, a maze of narrow alleys and bustling life, where you can truly get lost in its beauty and timelessness.

You will visit the prestigious University of Al-Quaraouine, which is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest operating degree-granting university in the world, established in 859 C.E. by Fatima Al-Fihri. Its legacy continues as a leading institution of Islamic scholarship. Then, just nearby is the Bouanania Madrasa, an important institution for Quranic education, featuring beautiful architectural details.

Next, you will see the vivid colors and the traditional economy at Chaouara Tannery, where leather is still made in the same centuries-old way. The Nejjarine Fountain is also a beautiful landmark located in the middle of the Medina. You'll be able to walk through the local souks and artisanal working quarters, filled with skilled artisans.

You will break for lunch and then walk to see the seven grand gates of the Royal Palace, located outside the old Medina, and explore an important section of the cultural heritage in Mellah, the Jewish Quarter area. You will finish your day at the hilltop fortress, which offers panoramic views of the sprawling Medina, providing a beautiful array of photo opportunities and impressions of the Medina below.

Later in the afternoon, you will drive back to your accommodation and spend the night rested and inspired.

• Drive: Fes to Chefchaouen - approx. 196 km (around 4-5 hours)

DAY 07 - Chefchaouen → Tetouan → Tangier

After breakfast at your hotel in Chefchaouen, you’ll say goodbye to the Blue City and head north through the scenic Rif Mountains, taking in beautiful views along the way.

You will start in Tetouan, which has significant Andalusian influence and is home to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina. At this point, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the narrow alleys of the city, see the whitewashed buildings, and find traditional workshops and artisanal crafts. The medina of Tetouan has been identified as one of the most authentic and least changed of all medinas in Morocco, offering an inside look at how local people go about their daily lives and a window into its historical past.

Following lunch in Tetouan, you will continue down to Tangier, the famous port city where Africa and Europe meet. Depending on when you arrive, you can visit the Kasbah, the old medina, and places with stunning views of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Finally, you will arrive at your hotel in Tangier, where you will relax and get a good night's sleep.

• Drive: Chefchaouen to Tangier—approx. 112 km (around 2–3 hours, excluding stops)

DAY 08 - Tangier → Asilah → Rabat → Casablanca

After breakfast in Tangiers, our journey continues south along Morocco's Atlantic Coast. Our first stop will be the charming seaside town of Asilah, known for its colorful murals, whitewashed buildings, and artistic ambiance. You will have some spare time to wander through the Medina, walk along the ramparts for ocean views, and soak up the serene beauty of the coastal scene.

From Asilah, we continue to Rabat, Morocco’s capital and one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. Here, we will visit the highlights of Rabat, including Hassan Tower (an incomplete minaret from the 12th century) and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V (a beautiful example of traditional Moroccan architecture). The Kasbah of the Oudayas is a historic fortress with beautiful Andalusian-style gardens and fantastic views of the Bou Regreg River.

After enjoying free time for lunch in Rabat, we will make our way to Casablanca (Morocco’s largest city and economic center), where we will drop you off at your hotel at the end of a memorable tour of the Northern Coastal Region of Morocco.

• Drive: Tangier to Casablanca—approx. 338 km (around 4–5 hours, excluding stops)