Top 10-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca to Sahara

Your Moroccan tour begins in Casablanca, the nation’s economic heart. We’ll greet you at your hotel or the Mohammed V International Airport and begin with a scenic drive along the city’s Corniche. Here, you can marvel at the grand Hassan II Mosque, with its giant minaret set against the Atlantic Ocean. Afterward, we journey to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. You’ll explore its key historical sites, including the impressive Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site where we will spend the night.

After breakfast, we travel inland towards Fes, passing through rolling farmlands rich with olive groves and vegetable fields. Our journey includes two major historical stops. First, we’ll explore Volubilis, the impressive and well-preserved ruins of an ancient Roman outpost. Next, we arrive in the imperial city of Meknes, where we’ll visit the imposing Bab Mansour gate, the Moulay Ismail Palace, and the vast Herri es-Souani granaries. After our visit, we complete our drive to Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital, where we’ll settle in for the evening.

Today is dedicated entirely to Fes, one of the world’s oldest living medieval cities. With a local expert as your guide, you’ll navigate the labyrinthine alleys of the Fes el-Bali medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Highlights include a visit to the Royal Palace gates, the historic Karaouine Mosque and University (the oldest in the world), and the tomb of the city’s founder, Moulay Idriss II. For lunch, you’ll enjoy authentic cuisine at a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. The afternoon includes visits to the Najjarine Fountain and the Batha Museum before we end the day at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the entire city.

A dramatic change of scenery awaits as we leave Fes and head towards the Sahara. Our route takes us through the High Atlas Mountains to Ifrane, a unique town with alpine-style architecture. We’ll travel through the great Cedar Forests of Azrou, home to mischievous Barbary macaques, before stopping for lunch in Midelt, a town known for its apple orchards. The journey continues through the spectacular Ziz Valley, where the landscape transitions to lush palm groves lining a desert river. Upon arriving in Merzouga, you’ll leave your luggage, board a camel, and trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to our desert camp for a night under the stars.

Experience a full day in the Sahara. After breakfast, we’ll explore the desert region, starting with a visit to Khamlia village. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in the powerful, rhythmic music of the Gnawi people. We will also visit the serene Lake of Merzouga, a seasonal lake that attracts a stunning variety of birds, including flamingos. In the afternoon, embark on a deeper camel trek to explore the vast, silent beauty of the sand sea. As evening falls, enjoy dinner and traditional Amazigh music around a campfire before sleeping in your comfortable desert tent.

Wake early to witness a breathtaking desert sunrise over the dunes before riding your camel back to our auberge for a refreshing shower and breakfast. Our journey today takes us from the desert to the dramatic canyons of the Atlas Mountains. We’ll pass through Rissani, the ancient capital of the Tafilalt region, before arriving at the magnificent Todra Gorges, where you can walk between the towering 300-meter-high canyon walls. From there, we travel along the famous “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” to the Dades Valley, a region of stunning rock formations and ancient fortified villages, where we’ll have dinner and spend the night.

After breakfast, our journey continues through the Valley of Roses, famous for its fragrant rose cultivation. Our main destination is the iconic Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the stunning backdrop for epic films like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. After exploring this ancient fortified village, we will begin our spectacular ascent over the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260m). The winding road offers incredible views before descending into the plains and arriving in the vibrant “Red City” of Marrakech.

Dive into the vibrant soul of Marrakech with a full day of exploration. Your guided tour will take you to the city’s most famous landmarks, including the serene Menara Gardens, the striking Koutoubia Mosque, the dazzling Bahia Palace, and the Jardin Majorelle. After an optional lunch, you’ll get lost in the magic of the city’s colorful, bustling souks. As sunset approaches, we’ll find a rooftop terrace overlooking the legendary Djemaa el-Fna square to watch it come alive with storytellers, musicians, and food stalls.

Escape the city’s energy for the refreshing Atlantic coast on a day trip to Essaouira. Known as the “Wind City of Africa,” this charming, whitewashed town is a hub for artists and surfers. You’ll have time to walk along its historic ramparts, explore the vibrant fishing port, wander through the relaxed medina filled with art galleries and craft shops, and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch by the sea. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to Marrakech for your final night.