Best Tour in Morocco: 11 Days from Casablanca to the Sahara
Imperial cities, the blue city of Chefchaouen, a desert camp 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 and ends in Casablanca
Overnight
Riads and hotels, with a night in a starry desert camp
Highlights
Chefchaouen, Fes, a Sahara camel ride, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
Morocco’s Highlights in One Journey
Our best tour in Morocco is an 11-day journey that brings together everything the country is loved for: the imperial cities of the north, the blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen, the medieval medina of Fes, the golden dunes of the Sahara, and the kasbahs and mountains of the south, before finishing in Marrakech.
You start in Casablanca with the Hassan II Mosque, cross the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, explore Volubilis, Meknes and Fes, then head south to Merzouga for a camel ride and a night in a starry desert camp. The return route takes in the Todra and Dades Gorges, the Roses Valley, Ouarzazate and the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, before you cross the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Like all our tours, this itinerary is private and can be modified to your dates and interests. Compare it with our 11-day imperial cities and Sahara tour or our shorter 10-day imperial cities tour.
Tour Highlights
- Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
- Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco
- Cross the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, the “Blue Pearl” of the north
- Fes, the spiritual and cultural city of Morocco
- Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”, and its cedar and oak forests
- Wild Barbary macaques in the cedar forest
- The Ziz Valley, its palm groves and the Tafilalet oasis
- Sahara Desert sunset and sunrise, with camel riding
- The Todra Gorges and the Roses Valley
- Skoura palm groves and Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”
- The Taourirt Kasbah and the UNESCO site of Ait Ben Haddou
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains to discover Marrakech
- The coastal charm of Essaouira and its old ramparts
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
Your driver meets 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, one of the largest mosques in the world, set on the Atlantic coast.
Overnight: hotel in Casablanca.
Day 2
Casablanca, Rabat and Chefchaouen
After breakfast, drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, to see the Hassan Tower and walk the Oudaya Kasbah. Continue north to Chefchaouen, the “Blue Pearl of the North”, at the foot of the Rif Mountains. Its whitewashed walls, blue doors and windows reflect the Spanish and Moorish influence of the city’s past.
Overnight: riad in Chefchaouen, breakfast included.
Stops on Day 2
- Casablanca
- Rabat
- Chefchaouen
Day 3
Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes
Travel to Fes via Ouazzan and the Roman site of Volubilis, one of the best-preserved Roman settlements in Morocco, with a guided tour of its mosaics. Continue to Meknes, an imperial city known for the gate of Bab Mansour, its granaries and the Sahrij Swani basin, before arriving in Fes.
Overnight: riad in Fes.
Stops on Day 3
- Chefchaouen
- Volubilis
- Meknes
- Fes
Day 4
Full Day in Fes
Spend the day exploring the Fes medina, the “Spiritual City of Morocco”. Visit the Al Quaraouiyine Mosque and University, regarded as the oldest in the world, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Chouara tanneries and the Nejjarine fountain. In the afternoon, see the Royal Palace gate, walk through the Mellah (Jewish quarter), visit a pottery cooperative and finish at a viewpoint over the whole medina.
Overnight: riad in Fes (bed and breakfast).
Day 5
Fes, Ifrane, the Ziz Valley and Merzouga
Head south-east through the Middle Atlas. Stop in Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”, and the cedar forest near Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques can often be seen. Follow the green Ziz Valley through Berber villages as the scenery turns to desert, reaching Merzouga and the Sahara by evening.
Overnight: desert hotel, dinner and breakfast included.
Stops on Day 5
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Azrou
- Midelt
- Errachidia
- Merzouga
Day 6
Merzouga: Camel Ride and a Night in the Sahara
Explore the area around Merzouga and meet the Gnawa community, whose ancestors were brought from Sudan, to hear their music and learn about their way of life. The Rissani souk, once a meeting place for caravans trading as far as Mali, is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. In the afternoon, a guided camel ride takes you into the dunes of the Sahara to watch the sunset.
Overnight: desert camp, dinner and breakfast included.
Day 7
Sahara Sunrise, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
Wake early for a spectacular sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before trekking back to Merzouga. Continue to the Todra Gorges, the narrowest and highest gorges in Morocco, with an optional hour’s hike through the palm groves. Later, cross the Dades Valley to see its striking rock formations, known as the “monkey toes”.
Overnight: hotel in the Dades Valley.
Stops on Day 7
- Merzouga
- Todra Gorge
- Boumalne Dades
Day 8
Dades, the Valley of the Roses, Skoura and Ouarzazate
Drive the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” through the Dades Valley toward Kelaat M’Gouna, the “rose city”, where you can pick up rosewater and rose products. Continue to the Skoura palm grove and visit Kasbah Amridil, a well-preserved fortress, before reaching Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, whose dramatic landscapes have attracted major film productions.
Overnight: riad or hotel in Ouarzazate.
Stops on Day 8
- Dades
- Roses Valley
- Skoura
- Ouarzazate
Day 9
Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Travel to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage kasbah built in the late 19th century and still home to several families. Continue through the Ounila Valley to Kasbah Telouet, once linked to the powerful El Glaoui family, with sweeping views over the Atlas Mountains. Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m) over the High Atlas before arriving in Marrakech.
Overnight: riad in Marrakech.
Stops on Day 9
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Telouet
- Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Marrakech
Day 10
Marrakech City Tour
Explore Marrakech, the “Red City of Morocco”, with your private guide. Highlights include Jemaa El Fna square, the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Koranic School and the Koutoubia tower and gardens. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own.
Overnight: riad in Marrakech (bed and breakfast).
Day 11
Departure from Marrakech
At a suitable time, transfer to the airport. End of our services.
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- A driver-guide all day long
- 4x4 transport with fuel
- Accommodation with dinner and breakfast (bed and breakfast in Fes and Marrakech; see accommodation in Morocco)
- A camel ride and a tent camp in the middle of the dunes
- City tour guides in Fes and Marrakech
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Layers and a warm jacket for the mountains and desert nights
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- 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 the very best of Morocco in a single trip: the imperial cities of the north, the Sahara, and the kasbahs and mountains of the south. It includes several long driving days, balanced by two full days with local guides in Fes and Marrakech.
For a similar route without Chefchaouen, see our 10-day imperial cities tour. For a longer version with Essaouira, see the 13-day tour.
More Tours You May Like
Compare this itinerary with our other tours across Morocco.
Eleven days linking Morocco’s imperial cities, the Rif Mountains and the Sahara desert.
A snapshot of Morocco’s historic cities: Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Meknes and Marrakech.
Cross the High Atlas, visit Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, then take a camel ride in the desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this the best tour in Morocco?
It combines the country’s most-loved experiences in one trip: the imperial cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes and Fes, the blue city of Chefchaouen, a night in a Sahara desert camp, and the kasbahs of the south, ending in Marrakech.
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.
Do I ride a camel and sleep in the desert?
Yes. On day 6 you ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset and spend the night in a starry desert camp.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
When is the best time to do this tour?
Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for both the mountains and the desert. Summers are hot inland and in the Sahara, and winter nights are cold in the mountains and the desert, so pack accordingly.
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
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Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
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