11 Days Desert Tour from Casablanca

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca

We meet you at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca and drive you to your hotel. If you land early, you can walk along the Ain Diab Corniche or visit the Habous quarter. In addition, your driver explains the trip and answers your questions.

Overnight

Hotel in Casablanca, with breakfast.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen

After breakfast, we see the Hassan II Mosque, built right on the ocean. Next, we drive to Rabat, just over an hour away. There, you visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas.

In the afternoon, we climb into the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen. As a result, you arrive in time to stroll its blue streets before dinner.

Overnight

Hotel or riad in Chefchaouen, with breakfast.

Day 3: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Fes

After breakfast, we cross the Rif via Ouezzane to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco. There, you see the mosaics and the Arch of Caracalla. In addition, the holy town of Moulay Idriss appears on the hillside nearby. In the late afternoon, we reach Fes.

Overnight

Riad in Fes, with breakfast.

Day 4: Fes with a Local Guide

Today a local guide shows you Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities. First, you see the gates of the Royal Palace and the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter. Then, you enter the medina of Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You pass Al Quaraouiyine, often called the oldest university in the world that is still active, the Chouara tannery and the shrine of Moulay Idriss II. In the afternoon, you visit a zellige workshop with a view over the medina.

Overnight

Riad in Fes, with breakfast.

Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

Your driver picks you up at your riad or hotel in Fes at 8:00 AM. First, we climb into the Middle Atlas and stop in Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Next, we cross the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often sit by the road; please watch them, but do not feed them.

Then, we stop for lunch in Midelt, between the Middle and High Atlas. Afterwards, the road follows the gorges and palm groves of the Ziz Valley to Erfoud. Finally, we reach Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, in the late afternoon.

On arrival, you check in at your hotel. If the weather is warm, you can enjoy the pool before dinner.

Overnight

Hotel in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast.

Day 6: A Day around Merzouga and a Night in the Dunes

After breakfast, we explore the area around Erg Chebbi by 4×4. First, we visit a nomad family in their goat-hair tent and share a mint tea. Then, we stop in Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music.

Depending on the season, we also see the lake of Dayet Srji, where flamingos sometimes stop. In the afternoon, you have free time to rest or climb the dunes.

In the late afternoon, your camel trek in Merzouga begins. The ride takes about one hour, so you reach the camp at sunset. Later, you share a Berber dinner with drums under the stars.

Overnight

Private tent in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi, with dinner and breakfast.

Day 7: Merzouga – Rissani – Tinghir – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

Wake up early for the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back to Merzouga for a shower and breakfast. Next, we drive west through Rissani, Erfoud and Tinejdad, with a stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, we reach Tinghir and walk into the Todra Gorge, where limestone walls rise about 300 metres. Finally, we continue to the Dades Valley for the night.

Overnight

Hotel in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast.

Day 8: Dades Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

After breakfast, we follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Rose Valley and Kelaat M’Gouna. Then, we stop in the palm grove of Skoura before reaching Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa”.

Next, we visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar, and have lunch nearby. Afterwards, we cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) and stop at an argan oil cooperative. Finally, we reach Marrakech around 5:30–6:00 PM.

Overnight

Riad in Marrakech, with breakfast.

Day 9: Marrakech with a Local Guide

Today a local guide shows you Marrakech. First, you walk through the medina, a maze of lanes full of craftsmen and hidden courtyards. Then, you see the Koutoubia minaret and Jemaa el-Fna square.

Next, you explore the souks of spices, leather, lanterns and ceramics, and visit one of the historic palaces or gardens. In the afternoon, you have free time for a hammam, a rooftop café or a cooking class.

Overnight

Riad in Marrakech, with breakfast.

Day 10: Marrakech – Essaouira

After breakfast, we drive west across the argan plain, about 3 hours. On the way, we stop at a women’s co-operative that makes argan oil. Then, we reach Essaouira and you walk along the Skala ramparts and the fishing port.

Overnight

Riad or hotel in Essaouira, with breakfast.

Day 11: Essaouira – Casablanca Airport

After breakfast, we leave for Casablanca airport, about 4 hours away by motorway. For this reason, an afternoon or evening flight works best.

Drop-off

Casablanca Mohammed V Airport.