Best 8 Days Morocco Itinerary: Explore History, and Desert

On this 8 days Morocco itinerary from Rabat to Marrakech, you will discover a millenary culture with a rich artistic heritage. Get to know the most important imperial cities in Morocco: explore Marrakech, its gardens, and its crazy street markets; discover the fascinating old Medina of Fez with a local guide; and visit Volubilis, Meknes, and Fes. You will have the opportunity to ride camels across the Sahara alongside Berber cameleers, sleep in Berber tents nestled among golden sand dunes, enjoy Berber music, learn about their cultures, and visit the Ziz Valley, which includes the Todra Gorge and the Roses Valley. Visit the old Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, rich history, and captivating beauty of Morocco.
Explore the majestic Atlas Mountains and visit ancient Kasbahs
Experience the thrill of camel riding across the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert
Immerse yourself in the rhythmic beats of traditional music
Enjoy the warm culture of the locals

A customized 8-day trip from Rabat is an excellent opportunity to experience Morocco’s diverse cultural and natural surroundings. Here’s why it’s a wonderful option:

Comprehensive Itinerary: The journey visits Morocco’s most prominent cities and areas. Beginning in Rabat, you’ll travel to the imperial cities of Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech, each providing a unique historical and cultural experience.

Desert Adventure: The tour’s centerpiece is an overnight stay in a Sahara desert camp. You can select from conventional or deluxe alternatives and enjoy camel rides across the dunes, as well as breathtaking dawn and sunset vistas.

Scenic Drives: The route takes you through a variety of landscapes, including the Anti-Atlas, Middle Atlas, and the Atlas Mountains. You’ll also get to view the stunning cedar trees and Barbary monkeys.

Historic Sites: Ouarzazate, regarded as the entrance to the Sahara, is home to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Personalized Experience: A private tour provides a bespoke experience with a skilled guide to help you fully appreciate each place.

Convenience: Ending the tour at Marrakech airport enables you to have a smooth transition to your next destination or back home.

This comprehensive itinerary is ideal for individuals looking to immerse themselves in Morocco’s history, culture, and natural beauty in a week.

1st day: Rabat Airport—transfer to hotel

Our driver will pick you up at Rabat-Sale airport to begin your 8 day Morocco tour from Rabat to the Sahara, then transfer you to the hotel. You will enjoy breakfast and spend the night at the hotel.

2nd day: Rabat-Meknes-Volubilis-Fes.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. You will meet with your guide and then proceed to explore Rabat. Rabat is the political capital of Morocco and the main residence of the king.

We start with a visit to the Kasbah of Oudayas, with its pleasant blue and white streets and typical Andalusian gardens, where flowers bloom all year round.

Next up is the majestic Hassan Tower, once the minaret of the largest mosque in the world. All that remains of the mosque now are fragments of walls and pillars. Here is also the tomb of Mohammed V, the founder of modern Morocco, richly decorated with mosaics. If time permits, we can explore the palace and marvel at its imposing entrance gates, which remain closed to outsiders.

We depart for Moulay Idris (2.5 hours), the holy city of the Moroccans, built around the tomb of the founder of the Idris dynasty, the first Moroccan dynasty, more than 12 centuries ago.

Visit the ruins of the town of Volubilis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), founded in the 1940s BC—one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Scenic green fields surround the huge ruins. Impressive office buildings, palaces, and baths, as well as splendid mosaics and sculptures, testify to the former greatness of the city, which was the administrative center of the Kingdom of Mauritania.

Transfer to Fez (1.5 hours). Breakfast and overnight at the hotel.

3rd Day: Full-Day guided Tour in Fes

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a full-day guided tour of Fez, the oldest imperial city of Morocco. Founded shortly after the Arab invasion of North Africa and Spain, Fez soon became the religious and cultural center of the country. Two cultures, Muslim Spain and the Arab East, shaped the city.

Old Fez takes you into the heart of Moroccan culture, where people in djellabas walk the narrow streets and donkeys are still the main means of transport. The old Medina, the largest medieval Muslim city in the world, is a wonderful starting point for exploring the city. The route takes you through the streets and bazaars of the old city, ancient caravanserais, and artisan workshops.

We continue with a tour of the New Town of Fez and a walk through the Jewish quarter of Mellah. This was once home to the largest Jewish community in Morocco, but today it is practically in ruins. The 9th century saw the founding of the mosque and Qaraouin University.

We will continue our Moroccan desert tour, admire the beautiful golden gates of the Royal Palace (the palace itself is forbidden to enter), and then climb the hill to the burial site of the Merinid dynasty, from where an impressive panoramic view of the old city is offered.

Overnight at the hotel Includes dinner and breakfast.

4th Day: Fes- Atlas Mountains- Merzouga Desert

Breakfast at the hotel, check out, and head for the Merzouga desert.

Today is the longest drive (7:30 hours), but before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the ever-changing scenery. On the way, we’ll stop at the university and spa town of Ifrane, founded by the French during the Protectorate. The town has the nickname “Moroccan Switzerland.” On the outskirts of Ifrane, we can admire the majestic Atlas cedars and feed wild boars.

Stop for lunch at Midelt (extra charge). We then travel through the gorge and the Ziz River valley, and the landscape becomes desolate as we approach Er-Rachidia.

Arriving at the small village of Merzouga, at the foot of the white dunes, we take only the essentials and board a desert camel that will take us to a real Bedouin camp in the middle of the dunes (the walk takes about an hour). On arrival at the camp, we will stay in tents with comfortable beds, private showers, and toilets. We enjoy a hearty Moroccan dinner (included in the price), listen to Bedouins sing around the campfire, and marvel at the incredibly beautiful starry sky as darkness falls.

Overnight in a desert luxury camp includes breakfast and dinner.

5th Day: Merzouga Desert, Todra Gorge, Dades Gorge

We wake up with the first rays of the sun to see the sunrise over the majestic and silent dunes.

This moment will be one of your most powerful experiences in Morocco! After breakfast with a strong Moroccan tea, we will return to the village on camelback and continue by car. During our journey, we will pause at a “fossil factory” to witness the diverse array of fossils abundant in this region. After about 3 hours, we will stop for a panoramic photo in the small, picturesque town of Tinghir, in the middle of a large palm oasis. A river crosses the famous Todra Gorge nearby. Its steep walls reach heights of up to 400 m and are only 10 m wide at their narrowest point.

Take a stroll through the gorge and enjoy lunch at a nearby eatery (at an additional cost). Continue to the Skoura oasis on the outskirts of Ouarzazate via the Dades River valley and the famous rose-growing town of Kelaat Maguna.

We will have dinner (included) and spend the night at a traditional guesthouse in Skoura Oasis.

6th Day: Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – Marrakech

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Optional (extra charge): 2-hour walk in the Skoura oasis. Skoura is a fertile palm oasis cut by several rivers. Amidst the date palms and desert landscape, you will find villages and gardens of olive, pomegranate, and fig trees.

During our journey, you will witness numerous ancient kasbahs, which are fortified houses made of adobe, earning this valley the nickname “Valley of 1000 Kasbahs.”

Transfer to Ouarzazate (30 min.). Ouarzazate has played host to numerous historical films, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Jesus of Nazareth, earning it the nickname “Morocco’s Hollywood.” The influential Glaoui Pasha clan owned the Taourirt Kasbah in the previous century, which is visible from the outside. Only a small part of the impressive Kasbah—the restored part by UNESCO—is open to visitors.

Transfer (20 minutes) to the town of Ait Ben Haddou Ksar (castle), a UNESCO monument and one of the oldest and most magnificent castles in Morocco. It was once a trade route from the Sahara through the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, carrying salt, gold, silver, and slaves; it served as a resting place and protection for caravans in numerous kasras and kasbahs. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Then continue our Morocco desert tours. Drive on to Marrakech via the highest pass of the Atlas Mountains, the 2260 m Tizi-n-Tishka Pass (3.4 hours with stops). This is one of Morocco’s most scenic roads, offering views of green river valleys, earth villages, and ancient Kasbah ruins.

Check-in at your hotel in Marrakech and spend the night at the hotel or Raid, which includes breakfast and dinner.

7th day: guided tour of Marrakech

Breakfast at the hotel. Guided tour of Marrakech. Marrakech is the tourist capital of Morocco and a city of legends that inspire artists and fashion designers. This sunny oasis under crystal blue skies against a backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks artfully combines the treasures of a rich past with the vibrant energy of modern cultures.

The famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent owns the Majorelle Garden, where we begin our tour. Next, we will witness the emblem of Marrakech, the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, which is visible from the exterior and inaccessible to non-Muslims. We will be strolling around the city’s main square, Jemaa el-Fna, where life pulses day and night. Here you’ll find all the colors of Morocco’s tourist capital: snake charmers and monkey tamers, Gnaoua musicians and acrobats, henna painters and fortune tellers, water vendors and traditional healers, and date and orange juice sellers.

We discover one of Morocco’s most beautiful palaces, the 18th-century Bahia Palace. You can shop or explore other attractions of your preference, and you can hire a guide and car at an additional cost.

8th-day Marrakech transfer to the airport

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Transfer to Casablanca or Marrakech airports. Return flight.

A private tour in an air-conditioned vehicle
professional multilingual driver/tour guide
Hotel or Riad includes Breakfast and dinner
Camel Trekking in Merzouga
An Overnight Desert Camp

Flight tickets & visa
Entrance tickets t monuments and museums
Personal expenses
Tips to guide and driver
Lunches Drinks

Our sample 8 day Morocco tour from Rabat is just a starting point. You have the flexibility to tailor it to fit your preferences and needs. Whether you wish to delve deeper into the vibrant cities or explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, adjust the itinerary to create a personalized and unforgettable Moroccan adventure.
If you have dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian or vegan preferences, please let us know during the booking process. We are committed to meeting your dietary needs and will make the necessary arrangements to ensure a delightful dining experience throughout your Morocco trip.
Make your guided tour of Fes and Marrakech even more memorable by adding extra activities. Choose from a hands-on cooking class, a relaxing traditional hammam experience, or a soothing massage. Inform us during booking to include these experiences in your itinerary and enhance your Moroccan journey.
For thrill-seekers, we offer exhilarating activities like quad biking or buggy driving in the stunning Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes. Express interest in your guide during the tour, and we’ll arrange these exciting adventures. Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping experience that will leave lasting memories.
For a more immersive desert experience, consider the 10 day Morocco itinerary, which includes an extra night in Dades Gorges and another in Ouarzazate, breaking up the longer journey and offering more exploration time.
If camel riding isn’t your preference, opt for a comfortable 4×4 vehicle to reach your desert camp. Enjoy the convenience and ease of modern transportation as you embark on your desert adventure.

From $500,00 Person

Can I skip the camel ride to the desert camp?

Certainly! You have the option of selecting an alternative. If you prefer not to ride camels, we may drive you to the camp in a luxurious 4×4 car at no additional cost.

What is the ideal number of days for Morocco?

Spending at least 2 to 3 weeks in Morocco will allow you to fully explore and appreciate our diverse landscapes, culture, and history.

How far in advance should we book this tour?

We recommend booking for popular tours 3 to 6 months in advance and 1 to 3 months for off-peak or Sahara desert tours to secure the best availability and pricing.

How to pay for the tour?

Our payment procedure is simple and hassle-free. To confirm your reservation, we kindly ask for a small deposit. This deposit can be easily paid via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise when you make your booking. The outstanding balance is due in cash on the first day of your tour directly to our knowledgeable driver/guide. You have the flexibility to pay in euros, US dollars, or an equivalent sum in dirhams.

What kind of vehicles are we using for this Morocco tour?

This is an excellent question! Because this desert tour often takes us off-road to explore remote areas, we rely on our reliable Toyota Land Cruiser Prado TX vehicles and similar comfortable options.

Is 8 days in Morocco enough?

This North African gem is ideal for those seeking both adventure and relaxation. Spending an 8 days tour in Morocco allows for exploration of Marrakech, Fes, the Sahara Desert, and hidden gems.

Incredible 8 Days Morocco Itinerary

Just returned from an 8-day trip in Morocco arranged by Ibrahim. This trip exceeded our expectations. We explored stunning locations, stayed in delightful riads, and most importantly, embarked on an overnight camel trek in the Sahara.

Our driver, Brahim, was the best. He was polite, pleasant, courteous, and a good friend by the end of the trip. He took excellent care of us, was very knowledgeable, and was always willing to take all the pictures we wanted. We even convinced him to take a few selfies with us.

The vehicle was spotless and very comfortable. We saw more than we ever imagined and felt we got a fantastic overview of the beauty of Morocco while meeting so many lovely people. I can’t wait to go back one day and have been raving about this trip to all my friends.

Dani T