11-Day Morocco Imperial Cities, Chefchaouen & Sahara Desert Trek
An extended Morocco journey featuring imperial cities, Chefchaouen, Sahara trekking, camel caravans, and guided cultural tours through some of Morocco's most stunning landscapes.
Duration
11 Days
Group Size
6 – 16 people
Languages
English · French · Arabic
Activity Level
Easy to Moderate
Availability
Year-round
Tour Overview
An extended Morocco journey featuring imperial cities, Chefchaouen, Sahara trekking, camel caravans, and guided cultural tours through some of Morocco's most stunning landscapes.
From towering sand dunes and ancient kasbahs to starlit nights in a traditional desert camp, every moment of this tour is designed to connect you with the raw beauty and rich culture of the Sahara. Whether you ride a camel at sunset, share mint tea with a Berber family, or wake up to the silence of the desert at dawn — this is an experience that stays with you for life.
Itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat
Arrival in Casablanca, visit Hassan II Mosque, then drive to Rabat. Explore Kasbah of the Oudayas, Hassan Tower, and Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Overnight in Rabat. Casablanca is Morocco's economic capital and largest city, a vibrant blend of Art Deco architecture, modern boulevards, and traditional medina streets. The iconic Hassan II Mosque — one of the largest mosques in the world — stands dramatically on a promontory over the Atlantic Ocean, its minaret visible for miles. The Hassan II Mosque is an architectural masterpiece and one of the largest mosques in the world, with a 210-metre minaret and a retractable roof. Built partly over the ocean, it can accommodate 25,000 worshippers inside and 80,000 on its surrounding esplanade. A guided visit reveals its breathtaking mosaics, carved plasterwork, and cedar wood ceiling.
Day 2: Rabat – Chefchaouen
Drive north through Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Free time to explore the blue medina and Ras El Ma waterfalls. Rabat, Morocco's administrative capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its well-preserved historic medina, the unfinished Hassan Tower, and the ornate Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Stroll through the Andalusian Gardens, explore the ancient Chellah necropolis, and experience the elegant blend of French colonial and traditional Moroccan architecture. Chefchaouen — the famous Blue City — is one of Morocco's most photogenic destinations. Nestled in the Rif Mountains, its labyrinthine medina is painted in countless shades of blue and white, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. Explore narrow winding alleys, discover artisan workshops, sip mint tea on a rooftop terrace, and hike to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views over the city and valley below.
Day 3: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Moulay Idriss – Meknes – Fez
Visit Volubilis Roman ruins, Moulay Idriss holy town, and Meknes before continuing to Fez. Chefchaouen — the famous Blue City — is one of Morocco's most photogenic destinations. Nestled in the Rif Mountains, its labyrinthine medina is painted in countless shades of blue and white, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. Explore narrow winding alleys, discover artisan workshops, sip mint tea on a rooftop terrace, and hike to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views over the city and valley below. Volubilis is Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 3rd century BC. Wander through the ancient forum, admire remarkably intact floor mosaics depicting Neptune and Orpheus, and explore the triumphal arch of Caracalla. The site sits in a fertile plain with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Day 4: Fez Guided City Tour
Full-day guided tour of Fez including Bab Bou Jeloud, Al Quaraouiyine University, Bou Inania Madrassa, souks, and tanneries. Fes is one of the world's great medieval cities, its ancient medina a UNESCO-listed maze of over 9,000 alleyways. Your guided tour will take you through the leather tanneries with their rainbow of dye vats, the ornate Attarine Medersa with its breathtaking Andalusian craftsmanship, the lively spice markets, and the ancient Al-Qarawiyyin University — the oldest continually operating university in the world.
Day 5: Fez – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt
Travel through Middle Atlas Mountains, visit Ifrane and Azrou cedar forest. Overnight in Midelt. Fes is one of the world's great medieval cities, its ancient medina a UNESCO-listed maze of over 9,000 alleyways. Your guided tour will take you through the leather tanneries with their rainbow of dye vats, the ornate Attarine Medersa with its breathtaking Andalusian craftsmanship, the lively spice markets, and the ancient Al-Qarawiyyin University — the oldest continually operating university in the world. Ifrane is a charming mountain town known as "Morocco's Switzerland" for its European-style chalets and alpine atmosphere, sitting at 1,665 metres above sea level. In winter it becomes a ski resort; in summer its cool air, cedar forests, and pristine parks make it a refreshing contrast to the desert heat.
Day 6: Midelt – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga
Drive through Ziz Valley and Erfoud to Merzouga. Camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes and overnight in desert camp. Merzouga is the gateway to Erg Chebbi, the most dramatic sand dune field in Morocco, with dunes rising up to 150 metres above the surrounding plain. As you arrive, the sheer scale of the golden dunes — glowing amber, rust, and gold in the shifting light — is truly awe-inspiring. The area is also home to Gnawa musicians and nomadic Berber families who have lived alongside these dunes for generations. Erg Chebbi's towering dunes are among the most spectacular in the Sahara Desert. Rising to 150 metres and stretching over 22 kilometres, they shift colour dramatically through the day — golden at midday, deep orange at sunset, and silver under the desert moon. A camel trek into the dunes at sunset is one of the most memorable experiences Morocco has to offer.
Day 7: Sahara Desert Trek – Day 1
Begin multi-day Sahara trekking with camels, visit nomadic families, sunset over dunes, overnight wild camp. Meeting nomadic Berber families in the desert is one of the most genuine cultural encounters of any Sahara journey. These communities, who have navigated the erg for generations following seasonal pastures with their camels, goats, and sheep, welcome visitors with the boundless hospitality for which the Berber people are known — sharing mint tea, flat bread baked in the sand, and stories of desert life.
Day 8: Sahara Desert Trek – Day 2
Continue trekking through dunes, oasis lunch, Berber music and overnight in desert camp. Your desert camp is a traditional Berber-style bivouac of comfortable tents equipped with proper beds, bedding, and lighting, set deep within the dunes far from any road or light pollution. Dinner is a tagine cooked over an open fire, accompanied by live Gnawa music and storytelling from your Berber hosts. Fall asleep to the absolute silence of the Sahara and wake at dawn to watch the sunrise ignite the dunes.
Day 9: Merzouga – Rissani – Todgha Gorges – Dades Valley
Visit Rissani market, Todgha Gorges, then continue to Dades Valley for overnight. Merzouga is the gateway to Erg Chebbi, the most dramatic sand dune field in Morocco, with dunes rising up to 150 metres above the surrounding plain. As you arrive, the sheer scale of the golden dunes — glowing amber, rust, and gold in the shifting light — is truly awe-inspiring. The area is also home to Gnawa musicians and nomadic Berber families who have lived alongside these dunes for generations. The Todgha Gorges are one of Morocco's most dramatic natural wonders — a narrow canyon carved through sheer rose-coloured limestone cliffs that rise 300 metres on both sides. The cool, crystal-clear Todgha River flows along the gorge floor, and the light changes throughout the day in ways that delight photographers. Local Berber villages cling to the canyon walls, their palm groves and irrigated gardens a vivid green against the ochre rock.
Day 10: Dades – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
Drive through Valley of Roses, visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, cross Tizi n’Tichka Pass to Marrakech. Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco's most iconic sights — a fortified village (ksar) of earthen clay architecture rising dramatically above the Ounila River. Used as a backdrop in films including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones, it remains a living example of southern Moroccan ksour architecture. Your guided walk through the kasbah reveals centuries of history in its towers, granaries, and ancient mosque. Marrakech, the "Rose City," is a heady mix of medieval medina streets and 21st-century vitality. Explore the legendary Jemaa el-Fna square — filled with storytellers, snake charmers, acrobats, and food stalls — the Bahia Palace with its intricate carved stucco and zellij tilework, the Saadian Tombs, and the colourful souks where artisans work in copper, leather, wood, and textiles just as they have for centuries.
Day 11: Marrakech – Departure
Transfer to Marrakech airport or accommodation. Marrakech, the "Rose City," is a heady mix of medieval medina streets and 21st-century vitality. Explore the legendary Jemaa el-Fna square — filled with storytellers, snake charmers, acrobats, and food stalls — the Bahia Palace with its intricate carved stucco and zellij tilework, the Saadian Tombs, and the colourful souks where artisans work in copper, leather, wood, and textiles just as they have for centuries. Your journey concludes with a private transfer to the airport, giving you time to reflect on the extraordinary landscapes, cultures, and experiences of your Moroccan desert adventure. Your guide will ensure a smooth and comfortable journey to your departure terminal with time to spare.
Practical Information
Meeting Point
Your hotel lobby in Casablanca, typically at 7:00 – 8:00 AM. Exact time confirmed upon booking.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 14 days before departure. 50% refund between 7–14 days. No refund within 7 days of departure.
What to Bring
- • Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
- • High-SPF sunscreen & sunglasses
- • Warm layer for cool desert nights
- • Water bottle (1.5L minimum per day)
- • Headscarf or hat for sun protection
Physical Requirements
Suitable for most fitness levels. Light walking and camel riding involved. No prior experience needed. Not recommended for serious mobility difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour suitable for first-time desert travelers?
What type of accommodation is used?
Are meals included in the tour?
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Contact for pricing
What's Included
- Private air-conditioned transport
- English-speaking driver and guide
- Passenger driving insurance
- 10 nights accommodation in riads, hotels, and desert camp
- Daily breakfast
- 4 dinners including Sahara desert camp dinner
- Camel trekking in Merzouga (one per person)
- Sandboarding in the Sahara
- Guided tours of Volubilis, Fez, and Marrakech
- Pick-up and drop-off at accommodation or airport
Not Included
- Lunches
- Drinks and beverages
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Unlisted dinners
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
Free cancellation · 14 days notice
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