8-Day Rabat to Marrakech Tour via Fes and the Sahara Desert
A private Rabat to Marrakech tour through the imperial cities of Meknes and Fes, the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, the Todra and Dades Gorges and the kasbahs of the south
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
8 days and 7 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts in Rabat (airport, train station or hotel) and ends in Marrakech
Overnight
Riads, kasbahs and a Berber camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Highlights
Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, the Todra and Dades Gorges, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
Your Rabat to Marrakech Tour through the Sahara
This private Rabat to Marrakech tour links Morocco’s capital to the Red City by the most spectacular road: through the imperial cities and across the Sahara. You start in Rabat with the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas above the ocean, then visit Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis on the way to Fes, where a local guide shows you the oldest medina in the country.
From Fes you cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to Merzouga, ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi and sleep in a desert camp. The road west takes you through the Todra and Dades Gorges, the Valley of Roses and the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then over the High Atlas to Marrakech. Arriving in the north instead? See our 8-day tour from Tangier.
Tour Highlights
- The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- The Kasbah of the Udayas above the Atlantic
- The imperial city of Meknes and Bab Mansour
- The Roman ruins of Volubilis
- A guided day in the medina of Fes
- The Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley
- A camel trek and a night in an Erg Chebbi desert camp
- The Todra Gorge and the Dades Gorges
- The UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- A guided morning in Marrakech
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This Rabat to Marrakech tour can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Arrival in Rabat: the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas
Pickup from Rabat-Salé Airport, the train station or your hotel in Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Visit the Hassan Tower, the unfinished 12th-century minaret, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, then walk through the blue and white lanes of the Kasbah of the Udayas and its Andalusian garden above the mouth of the Bou Regreg river. End the day in the medina. Overnight in a riad in Rabat.
Stops on Day 1
- Hassan Tower
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- Kasbah of the Udayas
- Rabat medina
Day 2
Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis and Fes
Drive inland to Meknes, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, with the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the El Hedim square. Continue to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman city in Morocco, with its mosaics and triumphal arch, and the holy town of Moulay Idriss, before arriving in Fes. Overnight in a riad in the medina.
Stops on Day 2
- Meknes
- Bab Mansour
- Volubilis
- Fes
Day 3
A Guided Day in the Medina of Fes
Discover Fes el-Bali, the largest car-free medina in the world, with a local guide: the Bou Inania Medersa, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, the Chouara tanneries and the craft souks of brass, cedar and leather. In the afternoon, enjoy the view from the Merenid Tombs. Read more in our guide to the medina of Fes. Overnight in your riad.
Stops on Day 3
- Bab Boujloud
- Bou Inania Medersa
- Chouara tanneries
- Merenid Tombs
Day 4
Fes, Ifrane, the Ziz Valley and Merzouga: Camel Trek and Desert Camp
Cross the Middle Atlas through Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, home of the Barbary macaques, then drive past Midelt and through the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. In the late afternoon you ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset. Dinner with Berber drumming around the campfire and overnight in a desert camp.
Stops on Day 4
- Ifrane
- Azrou cedar forest
- Ziz Valley
- Merzouga
Day 5
Merzouga, Rissani, the Todra Gorge and the Dades Gorges
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes and ride back by camel. Visit the old market town of Rissani, then drive west to Tinghir and walk through the Todra Gorge, where cliffs rise 300 metres on either side of a narrow canyon. Continue to the Dades Gorges. Overnight in the Dades Valley.
Stops on Day 5
- Erg Chebbi sunrise
- Rissani
- Todra Gorge
- Dades Gorges
Day 6
The Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou
Follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Kelaat M’Gouna, the Valley of Roses and the palm grove of Skoura. In Ouarzazate, our home town, visit the Taourirt Kasbah, then continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and climb to the old granary at sunset. Overnight in a kasbah guesthouse.
Stops on Day 6
- Valley of Roses
- Skoura
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
Day 7
Ait Ben Haddou, the Tizi n’Tichka Pass and Marrakech
Cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres, with views over Berber villages and terraced valleys, and descend to Marrakech. In the evening, enjoy the storytellers, musicians and food stalls of Jemaa el-Fna square. Overnight in a riad in the medina.
Stops on Day 7
- Tizi n’Tichka
- Marrakech
- Jemaa el-Fna
Day 8
A Guided Morning in Marrakech and Departure
Discover the Red City with a local guide: the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the souks of spices, leather and lanterns. In the afternoon, transfer to your hotel or Marrakech Menara Airport. End of our services.
Stops on Day 8
- Koutoubia
- Bahia Palace
- Saadian Tombs
- Souks
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- English-speaking driver and private 4x4 or air-conditioned minivan with fuel
- 7 nights’ accommodation (riads, kasbahs and one night in a desert camp)
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Local guides for the medina of Fes and for Marrakech
- Pickup at the airport, train station or hotel in Rabat and drop-off in Marrakech
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments, Volubilis and kasbahs
- Optional activities (quad, 4x4 dune tour, sandboarding)
- Tips and personal expenses
Contact us to confirm the details of your Rabat to Marrakech tour 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 fly into Rabat or arrive by train from Casablanca or Tangier, and want to see the imperial cities, the Sahara and Marrakech in one week. Days 4 and 5 have longer drives, broken up by many stops.
Every Rabat to Marrakech tour we run is private, with your own driver. For a longer trip that also includes Casablanca, see our Morocco imperial cities tour.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other tours through the imperial cities and the Sahara.
Chefchaouen, a day in Fes, a night in the Sahara and Ait Ben Haddou in one week.
A round trip through Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech.
Two nights in the Merzouga desert, the Todra and Dades Gorges and Ait Ben Haddou.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 8 days enough for the imperial cities and the Sahara?
Yes. This Rabat to Marrakech tour includes Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, a full day in Fes, a night in the Sahara and Ait Ben Haddou, with comfortable stages between them.
Can you pick me up at Rabat airport or the train station?
Yes. We pick you up at Rabat-Salé Airport, Rabat Ville or Rabat Agdal train station, or at your hotel. We can also start in Casablanca on request.
Does the tour end in Marrakech?
Yes. It ends at your hotel or Marrakech Menara Airport on the afternoon of day 8.
Do I sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On day 4 you ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes and sleep in a Berber desert camp, then watch the sunrise before riding back.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal for the cities and the desert. Summer is very hot in the Sahara.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. All our tours are private, and the itinerary can be adjusted to your pace, budget and interests.
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:
Ready for Your Journey from Rabat to the Sahara?
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
Ask for Prices
Please fill in the form below or contact us directly by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will answer you as soon as possible. Include your tour date and the number of people.