11 Days Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert Tour: Chefchaouen, Fes & Marrakech
Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
11 days and 10 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts in Casablanca and ends in Marrakech
Overnight
Riads and hotels, with a night in a desert camp
Highlights
Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara dunes, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
Morocco’s Greatest Cities and Landscapes
This 11 days imperial cities and Sahara desert tour combines Morocco’s greatest cities with its most striking landscapes. You start in Casablanca and the Hassan II Mosque, visit Rabat and the blue city of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, then explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes and the medina of Fes.
From Fes you cross the Middle Atlas to the Sahara for a camel ride and a night in a starry desert camp, before returning through the Todra Gorges, the Dades and Roses valleys, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech, where a guided city tour completes the journey.
Tour Highlights
- Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
- Rabat and the Oudaya Kasbah
- Chefchaouen, the blue city of the Rif Mountains
- Volubilis and Meknes
- Fes, the spiritual and cultural city of Morocco
- Ifrane and the cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques
- The Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet oasis
- Camel riding and a night in the Sahara dunes
- The Todra Gorges and the Roses Valley
- Skoura palm groves and Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”
- Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Marrakech, the “Red City”
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Arrival in Casablanca
A member of our team welcomes you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to visit the Hassan II Mosque. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Casablanca, Rabat and Chefchaouen
After breakfast you drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, to see the Hassan Tower and walk through the Oudaya Kasbah. You then continue north to Chefchaouen, the “blue city” at the foot of the Rif Mountains, with its whitewashed and blue-washed lanes and its Spanish and Moorish influences.
Stops on Day 2
- Casablanca
- Rabat
- Chefchaouen
Day 3
Chefchaouen, Meknes, Volubilis and Fes
After breakfast in your riad you travel to Fes via Ouazzan and the Roman site of Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman city in Morocco, with a guided tour of its mosaics. You then visit Meknes, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, with its gate Bab Mansour, its granaries and the Sahrij Swani basin, before continuing to Fes.
Stops on Day 3
- Chefchaouen
- Meknes
- Volubilis
- Fes
Day 4
Full Day in Fes
You spend the day exploring the medina of Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On a walking tour of its narrow lanes you visit the famous tanneries, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, the madrasas and the Nejjarine fountain. In the afternoon you drive to the Jewish quarter (the Mellah) and the gates of the Royal Palace, visit a pottery or tile workshop and finish at a viewpoint with a panoramic view over the whole medina.
Day 5
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt and Merzouga
You leave Fes after breakfast and travel south into the Middle Atlas. Your first stop is Ifrane, the alpine-style town known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”, followed by the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may see wild Barbary macaques. You continue through Midelt and Errachidia and along the green Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and Berber villages, as the scenery slowly turns to desert. You reach the Sahara dunes at the end of the day.
Stops on Day 5
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Azrou
- Midelt
- Errachidia
- Merzouga
Day 6
Merzouga, the Dunes and a Desert Camp
After breakfast in your hotel you will start an explorative journey of the area. You’ll visit the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their Music and lifestyle. You may also visit the Souk of Rissani depending in which day you are on the area (shopping Days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday ) , a traditional town which was the origin of the Ruling family in Morocco and the meeting place of the Caravans trading as far as Mali. By afternoon you will start your guided camel ride, led by an experienced camel man to explore Within the Sand Sea of Sahara Desert, and the best Sunset over the dunes . Overnight at our desert starry camp
Day 7
Merzouga, Todra Gorge and Boumalne Dades
Early in the morning The staff of the camp will wake you up to watch what well may be the best Sunrise of your life. Afterwards you will trek back to the village of Merzouga, en route you Couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – Changing with the light as the day progresses. After coming back with camels you’ll leave to Dades Valley, visiting Todra Gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After That you will have an optional hour’s hike through the fields of palm trees then Later to go through Dades Valley, where you will have the opportunity to see majestic Sandcastles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodation in a hotel.
Stops on Day 7
- Merzouga
- Todra Gorge
- Boumalne Dades
Day 8
Dades, Roses Valley, Skoura and Ouarzazate
After breakfast in the hotel we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kelaat M’Gouna and Ouarzazate. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand kasbahs – providing Numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kelaat M’Gouna, “the rose city”, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Skoura palm groove visit the Kasbah Ameridil, a well-preserved kasbah in this area. After lunch, you will have some time for hiking within the valley and then continue to Ouarzazate – “the Hollywood of Africa”– whose geography and beautiful landscapes have attracted many world class movie producers.
Overnight accommodation in Riad/Hotel
Stops on Day 8
- Dades
- Roses Valley
- Skoura
- Ouarzazate
Day 9
Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
After breakfast you travel to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified village that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. You then drive through the Ounila Valley to Kasbah Telouet, once the seat of the Glaoui family, and cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 metres) before arriving in Marrakech.
Stops on Day 9
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Marrakech
Day 10
Full Day in Marrakech
You explore Marrakech with a local guide. The highlights include Jemaa El Fna square, the old medina and its souks, the Koutoubia minaret, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Gardens, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Koranic school. The rest of the day is free to shop in the souks or relax.
Day 11
Departure from Marrakech
At the suitable time, transfer to the airport and end of our 11 Days Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert Exploring
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- Driver-guide and private 4x4 or minivan transport with fuel
- Accommodation with breakfast and dinner (bed and breakfast in Fes and Marrakech)
- City tour guide in Fes and Marrakech
- Camel ride into the dunes
- A night in a desert camp, with dinner and breakfast
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- Comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This tour suits travellers who want to see both the north and the south of Morocco on one journey, with time for the blue city of Chefchaouen. Expect several long days on the road.
For a shorter route, see our 10-day imperial cities tour. Looking for a New Year’s Eve version? See our New Year’s Eve in the Sahara tour.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other imperial cities tours.
A snapshot of Morocco’s historic cities: Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Meknes and Marrakech.
Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech and Essaouira in thirteen days.
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley, with time in the Sahara desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a New Year’s Eve version of this tour?
Yes. Our New Year’s Eve tour follows a similar route and puts you in the Sahara on New Year’s Eve. See our New Year’s Eve tour.
Does the tour include Chefchaouen?
Yes. On day 2 you drive from Rabat to Chefchaouen and spend the night there, then continue to Meknes, Volubilis and Fes on day 3.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Casablanca, where our team welcomes you at the airport, and ends in Marrakech on day 11 with a transfer to the airport.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation as described in the itinerary is arranged for you, with the meals listed in the included section. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your requirements, and we can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco. Tell us what you need on our contact page.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, summer is very hot in the desert and winter nights are cold, so bring warm clothes.
What should I bring?
warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter, sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes, comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag, cash for lunches, drinks and tips and a camera. Read our tips in the Morocco FAQ.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
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Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
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