9 Day Casablanca Tour: Fes, Sahara & Marrakech

After breakfast, depart Rabat and head north toward the Rif Mountains. The drive winds gradually higher through changing scenery, from coastal plains to forested hills, before arriving in Chefchaouen by early to mid-afternoon.

Then, spend the afternoon and evening exploring the blue city at your own pace. Wander the famous blue-washed medina, where nearly every wall, staircase, and doorway is painted in a different shade of blue, and browse the small shops selling wool blankets, leather goods, and local crafts.

For those with energy after the drive, the walk up to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint is especially beautiful at sunset. Check into your riad for the night.

Overnight stay: Riad in Chefchaouen

After breakfast, depart Chefchaouen and head south back toward the plains. Along the way, stop at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Roman archaeological sites in North Africa.

Although once one of the most important Roman outposts on the continent, Volubilis is preserved well enough that visitors can walk through triumphal arches, along ancient streets, and over mosaic floors that have survived nearly two thousand years beneath the Moroccan sun.

Then, continue to Fes, arriving in the late afternoon. Check into your traditional riad in the heart of the old medina and enjoy a relaxed evening, preparing for a full day of guided exploration the following morning.

Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Fes

Today is entirely dedicated to Fes el-Bali, the ancient walled medina of Fes and one of the most complete medieval cities anywhere in the world.

With a knowledgeable local expert guide, spend the day walking through a labyrinth of over nine thousand alleyways where the sounds, scents, and textures of medieval Morocco are very much alive.

First, visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 AD and recognized by UNESCO as the world’s oldest continuously operating university, and the Bou Inania Madrasa, a stunning 14th-century theological school featuring some of the finest examples of Moroccan decorative craftsmanship.

Then, head to the world-famous Chouara Tanneries, where leather has been dyed using natural pigments and traditional methods for over a thousand years, best viewed from the rooftop terraces of the surrounding leather shops.

Finally, spend the afternoon exploring the artisan quarters, where coppersmiths, weavers, and ceramicists still practice their crafts, with free time to browse the souk before returning to your riad for a second night in Fes.

Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Fes

After breakfast, depart Fes and head south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. First, stop in Ifrane, a charming alpine town with stone chalets, manicured parks, and cool mountain air that has earned it the nickname the Switzerland of Morocco.

Then, continue to the cedar forests around Azrou, where Barbary macaque monkeys roam freely among the trees.

After a lunch stop in Midelt, the road descends into the Ziz Valley, a stunning pre-Saharan oasis where thousands of date palms line the banks of the Ziz River.

Stop at the panoramic viewpoint high above the valley for photographs before continuing south. By late afternoon, the towering orange dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon.

Your camels will be waiting at the edge of the desert for a sunset trek across the golden sands, the dunes glowing in shades of amber and rose as the sun descends.

Finally, arrive at your luxury desert camp to a warm welcome of mint tea and Berber bread, followed by a traditional dinner and live Berber music around the campfire under a sky full of stars.

Overnight stay: Luxury desert camp in Merzouga | Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast

First, rise before dawn to witness the Sahara sunrise, one of the most peaceful and unforgettable moments the desert offers.

After breakfast at the camp, check out and transfer to your comfortable riad or hotel in Merzouga for the second night, this time with the full day free to explore the region properly.

Because today’s stops lie off the paved road across open sand and rough desert tracks, the day is done in a private 4×4 vehicle with an experienced desert driver, rather than the standard touring car used on the rest of the trip.

Begin with a visit to a nomadic Berber family in their tent and gain a genuine insight into their quiet, self-sufficient way of life.

Then, continue to the fossil mines near Merzouga, where millions of years of prehistoric marine life are embedded in the local rock.

Afterwards, head to Khamlia village, home to the descendants of sub-Saharan Africans brought to Morocco in the 16th and 17th centuries, who have preserved the ancient tradition of Gnawa music. A live performance by local musicians here is one of the most memorable cultural encounters of the entire tour.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is free for optional activities, with the 4×4 already on hand to reach the best dune areas. ATV quad biking across the Erg Chebbi dunes is the most popular choice, and sandboarding is also available at an additional cost paid locally.

Finally, return to your riad or hotel in the early evening for dinner and a second night in Merzouga.

Overnight stay: Riad or hotel in Merzouga | Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast | Transport: Private 4×4 for the day’s desert excursions

After breakfast in Merzouga, say farewell to the desert and begin the journey west. First, stop in Rissani, the historic former capital of the Tafilalt region and the ancestral heartland of Morocco’s Alaouite royal dynasty, where a market day visit reveals one of the most authentic trading scenes in southern Morocco.

Then, continue toward the Todra Gorge, a spectacular natural canyon carved by the Todra River through limestone cliffs that rise over 300 meters on either side.

Take a refreshing walk along the river before continuing into the Dades Valley in the late afternoon, known for its winding roads, red rock formations, and the famous Monkey Fingers rock formations near Ait Oudinar.

Finally, check into your riad overlooking the valley for a peaceful evening.

Overnight stay: Riad in the Dades Valley

After breakfast, depart the Dades Valley and continue west through the Valley of Roses toward Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Africa for the film productions shot in its dramatic desert scenery.

Then, visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s most iconic fortified villages, built entirely from earthen clay and rising dramatically from the riverbank in a series of towers, walls, and labyrinthine alleyways.

After exploring the kasbah, cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest paved road in North Africa at approximately 2,260 meters above sea level, with sweeping views of mountain peaks and Berber villages along the way.

Finally, descend into Marrakech by early evening and check into your riad near the medina for your final night on tour.

Overnight stay: Riad in Marrakech

After breakfast, your Navigate Morocco driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure.

This 9 day Casablanca tour can end in either of two ways depending on your flight: a direct transfer from Marrakech Menara Airport, or a longer transfer back to Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport if your international flight departs from there.

Let us know your preference when booking and we will arrange the departure accordingly.

Either way, this brings your nine-day journey through Morocco’s imperial cities, the blue city of Chefchaouen, the Sahara Desert, and the High Atlas Mountains to a close.

End of tour with Navigate Morocco. To customise this 9 day Casablanca tour, contact us.