Marrakech to Casablanca: 7 Days Sahara Desert Tour

Duration

7 DAYS

Start in

Marrakesh

End in

Casablanca

Pickup

Airport or accommodation

OVERVIEW OF 7 DAYS CITIES AND SAHARA DESERT

The highlights of this trip 7 days Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech, including the Red City of Marrakech where you will start your adventure into Desert, and the commercial city of Casablanca where you will flight back home through the city of Fez known as the cultural city, and the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi.

You will explore in this venture-packed journey, the Real Morocco starting from Marrakech to experience the city’s vibrant Marketplaces and architectural diversity, then travel through the valleys and oasis to admire the abundant villages and kasbah abandoned villages, afterwards to spend the night in Desert under starry sky and tent surrounded by sand dunes.

Visit the old medina of Fez and its winding and narrow streets before to head west The capital of Morocco Rabat where you can see the Oudayas Kasbah and Hassan Tower before continuing to Casablanca to visit the Hassan II Mosque and its tallest minaret in the world.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the Medival Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
  • Discover the spectacular Dades Valley and Toudra Gorges.
  • Meet the locals and know more about their daily life and their culture.
  • Enjoy a beautiful sunset and sunrise over the golden sand dunes.
  • Explore the the imperial cities Marrakech -Rabat -Fes
  • Visit the massive Mosque Hassan II in Casablanca

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive in Marrakech & Private guided Tour

Known as the "Red City" because of the natural red pigment on its walls, Marrakesh is the third-largest city in Morocco. As you stroll through its busy streets, discover the colorful sights, sounds, and smells.

The Bahia Palace is among Marrakech's most stunning palaces and structures to start with. It was built in the 19th century dating back to 1859 under the reign of sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman. Afterward your local will take you to Saadian Tombs.

The royal necropolis was constructed on a royal necropolis that had most likely been in existence from the beginning of the 14th century. The Saadi Sultan Ahmed el-Mansour ruled from 1578 to 1603, and it was during his rule that the tombs reach a far more prominent and lavish statues.

Back to the city's iconic Jemaa el-Fna Square, which is home to numerous marketplaces, street vendors, and entertainers. The largest mosque in the city is Koutoubia Mosque and its Gardens.

Non-Muslims are not permitted to visit inside, although you admire the view of the grounds and exterior, which includes its impressive minaret. Wander in the Medina, and stroll down its winding lanes to reach the souks at Souk el Attarin, you can locate the renowned spice towers. End your Guided tour in the New city where you can visit the botanical Garden of Majorelle before going back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy souks and Jemaa El Fna square which comes to life in the evening.

Day 02 Marrakech to Dades Valley via the High Atlas Mountains and Ait Benhaddou Kasbah

Marrakech to Dades valley over the high atlas mountain starting your trip from flat to verdant hills  You will travel through desert scenery and forested foothills as drive through the  Tizi n'Tichka Pass and the High Atlas Mountains.

You will pass through beautiful Berber villages which still inhabited  by local people in atlas mountain and admire their  farmland along the way, then continue on the windy road to cross the pass of Tizi N'tichka (2260m) where you can stop to stretch your legs and the same time capture the scenery.

The next stop is the picturesque  UNESCO world heritage site Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. There is always someone to lead you to discover the Mud-straw mixture village, and wander the Kasbah's laneways and passageways. There is always a new route to get to the top, where you can take in the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the surrounding area of the village.

After lunch, continue to Ouarzazate, renowned for its film industry; you can tour the Atlas studio (optional )to learn about the movies had been shot in the studio and the surrounding area. Your venture into the Sahara Desert continues as you travel through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, which means fortified houses and homes for several defense fortifications due to the earthed and straw construction method.

As you enter Kela'a M'gouna, the "Valley of the Roses," you may see pink rose bushes here and you can visit the rose cooperative to learn the process of how they extract many cosmetics products from the Damascus roses.

Your final stop is Dades valley, admire the immense valley and enjoy your traditional dinner in the hotel.

Day 03 Dades Valley to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride via Tinghir Gorges & Erfoud

Your adventure to the desert starts in the Dades Valley and continues all the way to the Erg Chebbi dunes, where you will stay in a traditional Berber tent. About an hour and a half later, you will leave the main road to explore the Todra Gorges, stopping to admire the scenery of the Todra Valley, with its beautiful palm trees and picturesque ksours along the Todra River

Toudra Gorges or Canyon lie only 9 miles from the Berber town of Tinghir, at  300 m (980 feet ) high, you can walk through the Gorges or you can enjoy a walk in its crystal clear water river emerging from it. Travel to Erfoud before reaching Merzouga. In Erfoud, you may stop to visit a fossil factory (optional) to learn about the fossil-rich area and see the full process of how fossil rock is transformed into beautiful products such as fountains and tables. Erfoud is also well known for its annual Date Festival.

Finally, you will head to the Sahara Desert, where you can spot the Erg Chebbi dunes in the distance. Erg Chebbi is an immense sea of sand covering nearly 53 square kilometers (14 square miles), with some dunes reaching heights of up to 200 meters.

Enjoy a short rest upon arrival near Merzouga before mounting your camel and beginning the adventure to reach your camp. Along the way, you may stop to admire the sunset, or once at the camp, climb a nearby dune to catch a glimpse of the sunset’s spectacular colors as it goes down over the dunes.

Back at the camp, enjoy a delicious dinner followed by a show of local Berber music. Afterwards, you can enjoy the rest of the night under the starry sky.

Day 04 Merzouga to Fes via Rissani, Azrou Barbary Apes & the Atlas Mountains

There is nothing quite like the sunrise, so try to wake up early to witness it. After breakfast at the camp, the tour continues as you drive through the town of Erfoud and past traditional Berber ksours constructed with rammed earth, until you reach the Ziz Valley.

Admire the panoramic view of the oasis, which contains thousands of palm trees. Reach Errachidia, an area historically associated with raids and caravan routes used by nomadic Berber tribes.

Continue over the High Atlas Mountains and through the Tizi n’Talghemt Pass to reach the apple city of Midelt, where you can stop for lunch. Then follow the route through the Middle Atlas Mountains, climbing over the Tizi Zad Pass (2,178 m / 7,146 ft).

Enjoy the scenery as you drive through the cedar forests of Azrou, where many Barbary apes socialize among the trees. Continue to Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco, a former French colonial alpine-style city built in 1929.

You will arrive in Fes late in the afternoon. Settle into your riad.

Day 05 Imperial City of Fes and its medieval Medina

Meet your guide and spend half a day learning about the history and culture of Fes. It is considered the oldest imperial city in Morocco, and its Medina is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. In addition, the Medina of Fes is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Medina of Fes consists of two historic quarters: Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid. The Nouvelle Ville was built during the French colonial era.

Wander through Fes el Bali, built in the 8th century, and visit the 11th-century Chouara Tannery, the largest and busiest medieval tannery in the world, where leather from sheep, cows, goats, and other animals is processed.

The next stop is Al Quaraouiyine University and its mosque, built in 859 AD by the Tunisian-born Fatima al-Fihri. It is not only one of the oldest institutions in the world but also the first university founded by a woman.

Admire the intricately crafted woodwork and tilework during a visit to the  Attarine Madrasa. Continue to the Mellah quarter (the Jewish neighborhood) in Fes el Jdid, which dates back to the 13th century.

In the afternoon, return to your riad.

Day 06 From Fes to Casablanca via Rabat, the coastal capital

Enjoy a relaxing private ride from Fes to Casablanca via Rabat, the capital of Morocco.

Rabat, the country’s fourth-largest city, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. Visit the Chellah Necropolis, a medieval fortified site where you can see Roman and Islamic ruins.

Discover the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V while strolling through the Medina (Old Town). This abandoned 12th-century construction includes 200 columns and the minaret of an unfinished mosque.

Visit the Andalusian Gardens from the 20th century, founded during the French colonial period. Then exit the old Medina of Rabat by passing through the majestic Kasbah des Oudaias gate.

Afterwards, continue to the economic city of Casablanca. The first stop in Casablanca will be the massive Hassan II Mosque, which has the tallest minaret in the world. The large square can accommodate up to 80,000 people, while the interior can hold 20,000 worshippers.

It is a great opportunity for non-Muslims to enter on a guided tour and admire the elaborate wood, marble, and stone craftsmanship, as well as the basement hammams. Before heading north, fans of Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart may visit Rick’s Café (optional).

Day 07 Flight home or next destination from Casablanca

Take a leisurely 45-minute private transfer from your Casablanca hotel to Mohammed V International Airport (CMN). You will arrive at the airport with plenty of time for your flight. Have a safe journey home or to your next destination!

Included/Excluded

  • Private transportation in an air-conditioned 4×4 Toyota Prado TX, including all fuel.
  • Pick-up and drop-off directly from your riad or hotel in Marrakech.
  • Professional Berber and nomad driver-guide fluent in English .
  • 4 nights in a hôtel or Riad on a ( breakfast), in rooms with private bathrooms.
  • 2 nights in a hotel or riad on a ( breakfast And Dinner ), in rooms with private bathrooms.
  • One night in a luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi featuring a private bathroom with toilet and shower.
  • Guided camel ride; sandboarding can also be arranged directly with the camp team.
  • Luggage assistance throughout the tour and at all accommodation points.
  • Traditional Berber drumming and musical entertainment.
  • Free time to explore key sites, such as Kasbah Ait Benhaddou , with opportunities for walking and photography.
  • Flexibility to request stops along the route whenever desired.
  • Camel (dromedary) excursion in the desert.
  • Exclusive, private services (no other guests will be added to the group).
  • Everyday breakfast provided with vegetarian and vegan options available.
  • Guided tours of the Medina of and Fes with a certified English-speaking local guide.
  • International and domestic flights.
  • Lunches
  • Beverages.
  • Entrance fees to monuments and attractions.
  • Tips and personal expenses.
  • Dinner : Fez, Marrakech, Casablanca
  • Any services not explicitly listed under "Included" in the Price.

Tour Map

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