In six comfortably paced days this itinerary travels across Morocco from Casablanca to Marrakech, taking in some of the country’s top highlights: the imperial cities, the Middle Atlas and the Sahara at Merzouga.
You start in Casablanca, then visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and imperial Meknes on your way to Fes, where you spend a day with a guide in the medina. Then you cross the Middle Atlas via Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley, arriving in the desert for a night at Merzouga. The return journey runs west through Rissani and Erfoud, the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, past the Roses Valley, Skoura, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, and then across the High Atlas to Marrakech, where your tour ends.
Good to know: the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, one of the stops on this itinerary, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your guide meets you on arrival, at the airport or your accommodation in Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco and its economic powerhouse. Your day starts at the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco, set on a headland over the Atlantic; its fine craftsmanship and seafront setting have made it the emblem of the city.
After free time for lunch, you continue exploring the rest of Casablanca. Depending on your arrival time, this can include Mohammed V Square, a photo stop at the famous Rick’s Café and a stroll along the lively Corniche.
Approx. 1 hour driving · Overnight: Comfortable hotel in Casablanca
Following breakfast, you leave Casablanca for the Roman site of Volubilis, a remarkably well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site where mosaics remain in place among columns and arches. After your visit, a short 30 km drive brings you to Meknes, the imperial city of Moulay Ismail, where you see Bab Al-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the royal stables, the granary and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. The day ends in Fes.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Fes
Following breakfast, you are collected from your riad to discover Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco and one of its best-known imperial cities.
The day starts with a drive to the impressive Royal Palace Gate, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), the wide panorama over the medina from the Borj Sud fortress, and the Ceramic Village and School. Then you explore the medieval medina on foot, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visiting the Al Attarine Madrasa, the University and Mosque of Al-Qarawiyyin, regarded as the oldest university still in operation, and the colourful Chouara tanneries, where leather is dyed with centuries-old techniques.
About 30 min by car / 3–4 hours on foot · Night: Riad in Fes
Following breakfast, you travel south via Imouzzer to Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco. Then you reach the cedar forest, home of the Barbary macaques, where you can feed them during a walk among the trees. After free time and lunch in Midelt, the road crosses the Tizi n’Tilghmt pass and follows the Ziz Valley towards Merzouga.
In the afternoon you arrive in the Sahara at Merzouga, where camels carry you over the sand to a high dune for sunset. Then it is on to the camp for Berber drums and dancing around the fire under a sky full of stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 7 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After a relaxed breakfast, you head back to Merzouga by camel or in the camp 4×4. Then you leave the dunes for Rissani, the former capital of Tafilalet and still a key trading town, with a large and lively souk.
After a walk through the souk, you continue to Erfoud to visit a workshop where fossilised marble is crafted. The route then crosses the Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves to the Todra Gorge, a towering red-walled canyon popular with climbers, with time to explore it. There is free time for lunch. The road continues to the Dades Valley via Boumalne Dades, with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and for the view over the Dades Valley.
About 5 hours on the road · Night: Hotel in the Dades Valley
On the last day you drive to Kalaat M’Gouna to discover the Roses Valley, then through the Skoura palm groves to Ouarzazate, where you visit the studios behind many famous films.
Next comes the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that appeared in Gladiator, The Mummy and Game of Thrones. The drive then continues to Marrakech across the Tizi n’Tichka pass and the High Atlas, with stops for lunch and photos. You reach Marrakech at around 5pm, where we drop you at the airport or your accommodation and the tour ends.
Approx. 6 hours driving
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The tour is fully private: only you and the people in your booking travel together, with no other guests added. We focus on quality, personal journeys, and that is why nearly all of our tours run privately.
Depending on the camp, the camel ride takes from 40 minutes up to about 1.5 hours. If you would rather not ride, a camp 4×4 can drive you and your bags to and from the camp. Quad bikes (ATVs) are also available at an extra cost.
Yes. Every tent at the luxury camp is just for you, with its own en-suite bathroom and hot water.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the ideal seasons, with mild, comfortable weather across most of the country. Winter is also a good choice, especially for the south and the Sahara.
We use air-conditioned 4x4s and minivans. Our 4×4 is a Land Cruiser Prado for up to 4 travellers; our minivans are a Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo or similar for up to 8. Larger groups of more than 8 travel in a minibus with up to 18 seats.