
8-Day Morocco Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Trekking Tour from Casablanca
The journey
Tour overview
Experience the definitive Morocco desert road trip with this masterfully designed 8-day Morocco imperial cities itinerary. Journey from the coastal highlights of Casablanca and Rabat to the blue-hued streets of Chefchaouen, down through ancient Roman ruins, and into a multi-day Erg Chebbi desert trekking experience in the vast Sahara Desert. Daily breakfast is provided at all boutique accommodations, while authentic Moroccan dinners are included exclusively during your stays in the Sahara Desert (3 nights total, across the dune lines, wild camp, and luxury camp) and the Dades Valley (1 night).
Day 1: Casablanca Airport Pick-up to Imperial Rabat and Chefchaouen Your private driver meets you directly at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) or your hotel in Casablanca to begin your premium Morocco private tour. You will drive along the Atlantic coast to the imperial capital of Rabat to explore the coastal Kasbah of the Udayas (Oudayas), famous for its blue-and-white alleys, and marvel at the historic Hassan Tower. Following lunch, leave the coast behind and head deep into the Rif Mountains to arrive at the world-famous blue city of Chefchaouen, where you can stroll through the magical, color-washed lanes before settling into your boutique lodging for the evening. Overnight: Riad Dar Echchaouen or Riad Cherifa (Breakfast Included)
Day 2: Chefchaouen to Volubilis, Imperial Meknes, and Fes Depart the blue city after breakfast and travel south toward the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can walk through remarkably preserved mosaics and grand arches. Afterward, continue to the neighboring imperial city of Meknes to marvel at the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the historic Lahdim Square. In the late afternoon, make the short drive to the spiritual capital of Morocco, Fes, to check into your luxury Moroccan riad for a relaxing evening. Overnight: Riad Fes Mahal or La Perle de La Medina (Breakfast Included)
Day 3: Guided Fes Medina Sightseeing Tour Meet your local expert guide for an immersive dive into Fes el-Bali, the largest living medieval medina in the world. You will wander the labyrinthine souks, witness the ancient art of leather making at the historic Chouara Tanneries, and visit the architectural marvels of the Bou Inania Madrasa and Al-Qarawiyyin University. Afterward, you can relax and enjoy a free evening in the same boutique accommodation, spending your second night in the cultural heart of Morocco before your upcoming trip to the great desert. Overnight: Riad Fes Mahal or La Perle de La Medina (Breakfast Included)
Day 4: Fes to Azrou Barbary Apes and Merzouga Sahara Desert Dune Line Depart Fes and travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping first in the scenic alpine cedar forests of Azrou to see the wild Barbary apes in their natural habitat. Your scenic drive continues through the High Atlas foothills and along the dramatic Ziz Valley oasis as the landscape transitions into the rolling, golden Erg Chebbi dunes. Upon arriving at the gateway of the African Sahara in Merzouga, you will check into a charming hotel situated directly along the desert dune lines, allowing you to watch the sunset over the sand right from your accommodation. Overnight: Dar Morocco or Auberge Takojt (Breakfast & Dinner Included)
Day 5: Sahara Desert Trekking: Merzouga to Wild Camping Experience Awake early to a spectacular desert morning. Today marks the start of your deep Sahara Desert trekking adventure through the heart of the majestic Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Accompanied by experienced local guides, you will enjoy a raw, authentic walking trek lasting roughly 3 to 5 hours depending on your preferred pace. A dedicated camel caravan will carry all your heavy goods, camping gear, and necessary equipment seamlessly across the landscape. After a freshly prepared lunch amid the dunes and a beautiful sunset walk, you will arrive at your secluded wilderness spot for an unforgettable night of wild camping under a star-filled sky. Overnight: Authentic Wild Desert Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included)
Day 6: Continuing Dune Trek to Luxury Sahara Desert Camp Wake up to the absolute silence of the desert at dawn and enjoy a scenic breakfast. You will resume your Sahara Desert trekking journey, walking over the golden crests of the dunes for another immersive phase of the tour. A fresh lunch will be provided along the way as you navigate the deep desert landscape. By late afternoon, your trek brings you to a premier luxury desert glamping site tucked away in the dunes, where a warm traditional dinner and an authentic Berber music show around the campfire await you under the night sky. Overnight: Tiziri Camp or Sahara Eden Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included)
Day 7: Merzouga Desert Sunrise to Todra Gorges and Dades Valley Wake up early for a panoramic Sahara desert sunrise over the high dunes before enjoying breakfast at your luxury camp. Leave the vast desert dunes behind and drive toward the jaw-dropping Todra Gorges where you can walk through the massive 300-meter-high limestone canyon walls, a hotspot for rock climbers and nature lovers. Afterward, continue along the iconic "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" into the dramatic, winding landscapes of the Dades Gorge, where you will unwind and enjoy a tranquil dinner tucked away in the valley. Overnight: Dades Paradise or Dar Blues (Breakfast & Dinner Included)
Day 8: Dades Gorges to High Atlas Mountains and Marrakech Drop-off Depart the valley and cross the rugged High Atlas Mountains via the famous Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass at an altitude of 2,260m, offering panoramic views of traditional Berber villages and ancient kasbahs. You will then descend into the vibrant "Red City" of Marrakech. Your driver will provide a private, seamless drop-off directly at your chosen Marrakech accommodation, bringing your unforgettable 8-day Morocco imperial cities and Sahara desert trekking tour to an official conclusion.
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Starts in
- Casablanca (hotel pick-up)
- Travel style
- Private or small group (max 17)
- Guides speak
- English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic
- Season
- Year-round, best Oct–Apr
- Activity level
- Easy to moderate
Day by day
Itinerary
- 1
Day 1Casablanca Airport Pick-up to Imperial Rabat and Chefchaouen
Your private driver meets you directly at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) or your hotel in Casablanca to begin your premium Morocco private tour. You will drive along the Atlantic coast to the imperial capital of Rabat to explore the coastal Kasbah of the Udayas (Oudayas), famous for its blue-and-white alleys, and marvel at the historic Hassan Tower. Following lunch, leave the coast behind and head deep into the Rif Mountains to arrive at the world-famous blue city of Chefchaouen, where you can stroll through the magical, color-washed lanes before settling into your boutique lodging for the evening.
Overnight: Riad Dar Echchaouen or Riad Cherifa (Breakfast Included)
- 2
Day 2Chefchaouen to Volubilis, Imperial Meknes, and Fes
Depart the blue city after breakfast and travel south toward the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can walk through remarkably preserved mosaics and grand arches. Afterward, continue to the neighboring imperial city of Meknes to marvel at the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the historic Lahdim Square. In the late afternoon, make the short drive to the spiritual capital of Morocco, Fes, to check into your luxury Moroccan riad for a relaxing evening.
Overnight: Riad Fes Mahal or La Perle de La Medina (Breakfast Included)
- 3
Day 3Guided Fes Medina Sightseeing Tour
Meet your local expert guide for an immersive dive into Fes el-Bali, the largest living medieval medina in the world. You will wander the labyrinthine souks, witness the ancient art of leather making at the historic Chouara Tanneries, and visit the architectural marvels of the Bou Inania Madrasa and Al-Qarawiyyin University. Afterward, you can relax and enjoy a free evening in the same boutique accommodation, spending your second night in the cultural heart of Morocco before your upcoming trip to the great desert.
Overnight: Riad Fes Mahal or La Perle de La Medina (Breakfast Included)
- 4
Day 4Fes to Azrou Barbary Apes and Merzouga Sahara Desert Dune Line
Depart Fes and travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping first in the scenic alpine cedar forests of Azrou to see the wild Barbary apes in their natural habitat. Your scenic drive continues through the High Atlas foothills and along the dramatic Ziz Valley oasis as the landscape transitions into the rolling, golden Erg Chebbi dunes. Upon arriving at the gateway of the African Sahara in Merzouga, you will check into a charming hotel situated directly along the desert dune lines, allowing you to watch the sunset over the sand right from your accommodation.
Overnight: Dar Morocco or Auberge Takojt (Breakfast & Dinner Included)
- 5
Day 5Sahara Desert Trekking: Merzouga to Wild Camping Experience
Awake early to a spectacular desert morning. Today marks the start of your deep Sahara Desert trekking adventure through the heart of the majestic Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Accompanied by experienced local guides, you will enjoy a raw, authentic walking trek lasting roughly 3 to 5 hours depending on your preferred pace. A dedicated camel caravan will carry all your heavy goods, camping gear, and necessary equipment seamlessly across the landscape. After a freshly prepared lunch amid the dunes and a beautiful sunset walk, you will arrive at your secluded wilderness spot for an unforgettable night of wild camping under a star-filled sky.
Overnight: Authentic Wild Desert Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included)
- 6
Day 6Continuing Dune Trek to Luxury Sahara Desert Camp
Wake up to the absolute silence of the desert at dawn and enjoy a scenic breakfast. You will resume your Sahara Desert trekking journey, walking over the golden crests of the dunes for another immersive phase of the tour. A fresh lunch will be provided along the way as you navigate the deep desert landscape. By late afternoon, your trek brings you to a premier luxury desert glamping site tucked away in the dunes, where a warm traditional dinner and an authentic Berber music show around the campfire await you under the night sky.
Overnight: Tiziri Camp or Sahara Eden Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included)
- 7
Day 7Merzouga Desert Sunrise to Todra Gorges and Dades Valley
Wake up early for a panoramic Sahara desert sunrise over the high dunes before enjoying breakfast at your luxury camp. Leave the vast desert dunes behind and drive toward the jaw-dropping Todra Gorges where you can walk through the massive 300-meter-high limestone canyon walls, a hotspot for rock climbers and nature lovers. Afterward, continue along the iconic "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" into the dramatic, winding landscapes of the Dades Gorge, where you will unwind and enjoy a tranquil dinner tucked away in the valley.
Overnight: Dades Paradise or Dar Blues (Breakfast & Dinner Included)
- 8
Day 8Dades Gorges to High Atlas Mountains and Marrakech Drop-off
Depart the valley and cross the rugged High Atlas Mountains via the famous Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass at an altitude of 2,260m, offering panoramic views of traditional Berber villages and ancient kasbahs. You will then descend into the vibrant "Red City" of Marrakech. Your driver will provide a private, seamless drop-off directly at your chosen Marrakech accommodation, bringing your unforgettable 8-day Morocco imperial cities and Sahara desert trekking tour to an official conclusion.
Want to add a night, slow the pace or end in another city? Every private itinerary can be adjusted. Ask us to customise it.
Good to know
What's included
Included
- Private air-conditioned transport
- English-speaking driver and guide
- Passenger driving insurance
- Daily breakfast
- Desert trekking dinners
- Camel trekking experience
- Sandboarding
- Guided tours of Volubilis and Fez
- All fuel and driver costs
Not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance fees
- Unlisted dinners
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
Per person, in euros
Prices
| Room type | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single1 person per room | €2,756 |
| Double2 people per room | €1,517 |
| Triple3 people per room | €1,157 |
| Quadruple4 people per room | €966 |
Prices include taxes. Groups, children and camp upgrades priced on request.
Before you go
Practical information
Meeting point
Your hotel or riad in Casablanca, usually between 7:00 and 8:00 AM. Exact time confirmed on booking.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 14 days before departure. 50% refund between 7 and 14 days. Free date changes whenever possible.
What to bring
Comfortable layers, a warm jacket for desert nights, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and a scarf or hat.
Fitness
Suitable for most fitness levels. Light walking and an optional camel ride. Tell us about any mobility needs.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is this tour private or shared?
You can take this tour privately, with your own driver-guide and vehicle, or join a shared small-group departure (up to 17 guests) where available. Tell us which you prefer when you enquire.
Is this tour suitable for first-time desert travelers?
Absolutely. Our guides are experienced with travelers of all backgrounds and will make sure you feel comfortable and safe throughout the journey. No prior desert experience is required.
What type of accommodation is used?
We use a mix of traditional riad hotels in cities and authentic Berber desert camps with private tents, comfortable bedding, and camp lighting. Luxury glamping options are available on request.
Are meals included in the tour?
Most meals are included as listed in the "What's Included" section. Breakfast is provided at hotels; dinners and breakfasts at the desert camp are always included. Lunches in cities may be at your own expense.
How do I get to the departure city?
We pick you up from your hotel or riad in Casablanca. We can also arrange airport transfers and recommend trusted hotels if needed, just ask when booking.
Can I change the itinerary?
Yes. Every private tour can be adjusted: add a night, swap a stop, upgrade your desert camp or finish in a different city. We will send an updated itinerary and price.
What is the best time of year to visit the Sahara?
October to April offers the most comfortable temperatures (15–25°C / 59–77°F during the day). July and August are very hot but manageable with proper preparation. The desert is beautiful year-round.
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