Imperial Cities to Sahara Desert Tour: 13 Days from Casablanca to Essaouira
Rabat, Meknes, Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech and Essaouira in thirteen days
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
13 days and 12 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 the Sahara
Highlights
Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, the Sahara dunes, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech and Essaouira
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
Our Longest Journey Across Morocco
This imperial cities to Sahara desert tour is our longest itinerary, at thirteen days. It follows the classic route from Casablanca through Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis and Fes, across the Middle Atlas to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga, then through the Todra Gorges, the Roses Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech.
Instead of finishing in Marrakech, this tour adds a trip to the Atlantic coast, with two nights in Essaouira, before returning to Marrakech for your departure.
Tour Highlights
- Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
- Rabat, the capital of Morocco
- Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis
- 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”
- 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
A member of our team welcomes you at the airport and takes you to your hotel.
Day 2
Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis and Fes
After breakfast you drive north to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, and on to Meknes, where you see Bab Mansour, one of the most impressive gates in the country. You continue to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, before arriving in Fes at the end of the day.
Stops on Day 2
- Casablanca
- Rabat
- Meknes
- Volubilis
- Fes
Day 3
Full Day in Fes
You spend the day exploring the medina of Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a local guide. 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 4
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 4
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Azrou
- Midelt
- Errachidia
- Merzouga
Day 5
Merzouga, Erg Chebbi and a Camel Trek
You explore the area around the dunes and visit the Gnawa community, whose ancestors came from Sudan and Mali, to hear their music and learn about their way of life. You can also visit the lake of Merzouga, where birds gather depending on the season. In the afternoon you ride a camel into the dunes, enjoy the sunset and spend the night in a starry desert camp.
Day 6
Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Tinghir and Boumalne Dades
After breakfast you drive to Rissani, a traditional market town that was the origin of Morocco’s ruling family, where the souk sits under red arches. You continue through Erfoud and the Tafilalet oasis to Tinghir and the Todra Gorges, one of the most impressive canyons in Morocco, and then along the Dades Valley to the Dades Gorges.
Stops on Day 6
- Merzouga
- Rissani
- Erfoud
- Tinghir
- Todra Gorges
- Boumalne Dades
Day 7
Boumalne Dades, Kelaat M’Gouna and Ouarzazate
After breakfast you drive through the Dades Valley, on the road of a thousand kasbahs, to Kelaat M’Gouna, the “rose city”, where you can buy rosewater and rose products. You reach Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, in the afternoon.
Stops on Day 7
- Boumalne Dades
- Kelaat M’Gouna
- Ouarzazate
Day 8
Ouarzazate and Marrakech
You start the day in Ouarzazate with the Taourirt Kasbah, the cinema studios and Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You then cross the High Atlas Mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 metres) and reach Marrakech.
Day 9
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 10
Marrakech and Essaouira
After breakfast you drive to Essaouira, the Atlantic port city with Portuguese-built ramparts, about two and a half hours from Marrakech.
Day 11
Full Day in Essaouira
You spend the day in Essaouira, exploring the medina, the ramparts and the fishing harbour and enjoying the sea air and the beach.
Day 12
Essaouira and Marrakech
After breakfast you drive back to Marrakech.
Day 13
Departure from Marrakech
Transfer to the airport at a suitable time. End of our services.
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
- 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 with two weeks to spare who want to combine the imperial cities, the Sahara and the Atlantic coast. It involves several long drives.
For a shorter version, see our 10-day imperial cities tour or the 11-day tour with Chefchaouen.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other imperial cities tours.
A snapshot of Morocco’s historic cities: Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Meknes and Marrakech.
Eleven days linking Morocco’s imperial cities, the Rif Mountains and the Sahara desert.
A round trip from Marrakech through the Sahara desert and Fes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include Essaouira?
Yes. On days 10 to 12 you travel from Marrakech to Essaouira, spend a day there and return to Marrakech.
Is Chefchaouen part of this tour?
This itinerary goes from Casablanca to Fes via Rabat, Meknes and Volubilis. To include Chefchaouen, see our 11-day imperial cities and Sahara tour or ask us to adapt the route.
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 13 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:
Ready to Discover Morocco?
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.