10 Days Marrakech to Casablanca Private Tour Through Sahara Desert, Fez & Chefchaouen

About

This tour brings together history, nature, and culture all in one journey. Start with guided tours of Marrakech's palaces, gardens, and souks. Cross the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara desert for camel trekking and stargazing. Explore the imperial city of Fes, its medina, and Roman ruins at Volubilis. Drive through the Rif Mountains to the blue city of Chefchaouen before ending in Casablanca via Rabat.

Day 1: Marrakech – Guided Tour Part 1

Morning pickup from your accommodation. Start with a visit to Jardin Majorelle, the blue botanical garden designed by Yves Saint Laurent. Continue to the Saadian Tombs, a 16th-century royal burial site with intricate decoration. Lunch break in the medina at a local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech with its iconic 77-meter minaret. Evening free to explore Jemaa el-Fna square, with its food stalls, storytellers, and musicians. Overnight in a mid-range riad in Marrakech.

Day 2: Marrakech – Guided Tour Part 2

Morning pickup from your riad. Visit Le Jardin Secret, a restored 19th-century palace garden with Islamic and exotic sections. Then visit Bahia Palace (or alternatively El-Badii Palace), a 19th-century masterpiece of Moroccan architecture with ornate courtyards and mosaic work. Lunch break in the medina. Afternoon shopping experience in Marrakech medina, exploring the souks for spices, carpets, lanterns, ceramics, and leather goods. Evening free to explore more of Jemaa el-Fna or wander through the old medina at your own pace. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 3: Marrakech to Ouarzazate

Morning pickup. Drive over the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260 meters) through the High Atlas Mountains with stops for views and minerals. Guided tour of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO site). Continue to Ouarzazate. Visit Taourirt Kasbah. Overnight in Ouarzazate.

Day 4: Ouarzazate to Merzouga Sahara

Wake up, breakfast, morning pickup. Drive through Dades Gorge with scenic stops. Hike in Todra Gorge (400m high cliffs). Continue through Tinghir and palm groves to Merzouga. Late afternoon: camel trek (1.5 hours) across Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset. Dinner, Berber music, and stargazing at desert camp. Overnight in desert camp.

Day 5: Sahara Full Day

Sunrise over the dunes. Breakfast at camp. Visit Khamlia village for Gnawa music. Meet nomad families. Visit the lake near Merzouga (season permitting). Optional quad biking or sandboarding. Second camel trek at sunset. Dinner, stargazing. Overnight in desert camp.

Day 6: Merzouga to Fes via Middle Atlas

Early morning camel ride back. Drive through Ziz Valley with panoramic stops. Lunch in Midelt. Continue through cedar forests of Ifrane. Stop at the Barbary ape forest. Arrive in Fes evening. Overnight in a riad in the old Fes medina.

Day 7: Fes Guided Tour

Morning pickup. Full day guided tour: Al Quaraouiyine University, Bou Inania Madrasa, Chouara Tannery, Attarine Museum, Nejjariine Fountain. Walk through Fes el-Bali medina. Visit pottery and mosaic cooperatives. Shopping experience. Overnight in Fes.

Day 8: Meknes, Volubilis, Moulay Driss Zerhoun, Marinid Tombs

Morning pickup. Drive to Meknes. Visit Bab Mansour, Heri es-Souani granaries, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Continue to Volubilis Roman ruins (UNESCO). Visit Moulay Driss Zerhoun. Return to Fes for sunset at Marinid Tombs. Overnight in Fes old medina.

Day 9: Fes to Chefchaouen

Pick up from your riad. Drive through Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen (3.5-4 hours). Guided tour through the blue medina. Kasbah visit. Sunset at Mosque Bouzaafer for panoramic views over the blue city and Rif Mountains. Stay at an auberge in Chefchaouen.

Day 10: Chefchaouen to Rabat to Casablanca

Pick up from your auberge. Drive to Rabat. Visit Hassan Tower and the Mellah. Continue to Casablanca for drop off at your hotel or at the airport.

  • Private driver
  • Fuel
  • Dedicated high‑quality vehicle
  • Accommodation (standard or luxury, depending on the tour booked)
  • All entrance fees to attractions and landmarks
  • Authentic Moroccan breakfast every day
  • Moroccan dinners at local restaurants and accommodations
  • Fresh bottled water at no extra charge
  • Camel trekking at sunset and sunrise
  • 24/7 customer support

Excluded:

  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fees
  • Gratuities (guides, drivers, hotel staff)
  • Daily lunches
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (quad biking, hot air balloon, spa, etc.)
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, etc.)

Pickup: From your hotel or Riad. 

Drop off: in your hotel/Riad or at the airport. 

  • Marrakech medina walking (Days 1‑2) – You’ll cover a lot of ground. Closed‑toe shoes with grip are far more comfortable on the uneven cobbles than sandals or flip‑flops.
  • Jardin Majorelle tickets – This is one of the busiest sites in Morocco. We book skip‑the‑line access for you, but morning visits (8 AM) are always quieter than midday.
  • Tizi‑n‑Tichka Pass (Day 3) – The road climbs to 2,260 m with plenty of switchbacks. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take a tablet before the drive. The air is noticeably cooler at the top, even in summer, keep a jacket handy.
  • Aït Benhaddou (Day 3) – The best light for photos is late afternoon, but we usually arrive mid‑morning. Walk up to the old granary for the classic panoramic shot. The climb takes about 10 minutes and is worth it.
  • Desert camp overnights (Days 4‑5) – You’ll spend two nights in the dunes. Pack a small backpack with just your essentials (toiletries, headlamp, change of clothes, warm layer). Your main luggage stays secured in the vehicle. Read our Sahara desert packing list for a full checklist.
  • Desert temperatures – Days can be hot (30‑40 °C in summer), but nights drop quickly. The camp supplies heavy blankets, but you’ll sleep better with an extra fleece. See our month‑by‑month weather guide for realistic expectations.
  • Quad biking & sandboarding (Day 5) – If you plan to try quad biking, wear closed‑toe shoes (no flip‑flops). The sand gets extremely hot by midday; morning sessions are safer and more enjoyable. For more on what’s involved, read our guide on Merzouga quad biking.
  • Gnawa music in Khamlia (Day 5) – Tipping the maâlem (lead musician) is expected: 20‑40 MAD per person. Carry small dirham notes; breaking a 200 MAD bill in the village is difficult. Our Khamlia guide explains the instruments and etiquette in full.
  • Fes medina (Day 7) – This is the world’s largest car‑free urban area with over 9,000 streets. A licensed guide is included in your tour, but if you wander alone, save your riad’s location on your phone before heading out.
  • Chefchaouen to Rabat to Casablanca (Day 10) – This is a long driving day (roughly 5½ hours plus stops). Download offline entertainment, charge your devices fully, and carry snacks from Chefchaouen. The Rabat stop breaks up the journey nicely; the Hassan Tower gardens are a peaceful stretch for your legs.
  • Cash & ATMs – Between Marrakech and Merzouga, reliable ATMs are scarce. Withdraw enough cash in Marrakech or Fez for tips, small purchases, and any optional activities. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels, but souks and desert camps are cash‑only.
  • Dietary needs – Tell us in advance if you’re vegetarian, vegan, or have allergies. Most stops can accommodate, but some remote camps need notice. Our desert camp food guide gives an overview of typical menus.

You’ll travel in a private, air‑conditioned 4WD or spacious minivan, late‑model Mercedes, Toyota, or similar, kept very clean and serviced regularly. Your driver is a licensed Moroccan professional with years of experience on mountain passes and Saharan pistes. Friendly, attentive, and discreet, they know every fuel stop, every viewpoint, and exactly how to pace the journey so you feel safe, comfortable, and never rushed.

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Infant seats available
  • Baby Crib available

Infant seats and baby cribs are available upon request — please reach out and request them in advance.

Chat Now  |  +49 1522 3075977

Free cancellation up to 14 days before your tour starts. If you cancel within 14 days, you’ll receive a full refund minus a 20% fee.

Learn more about cancellations →

When you travel with us, your money stays in the places & local shops you visit.

  • Family‑run riads and camps – we book accommodation owned by local families, not international chains. In Merzouga, the desert camp is managed by a Berber family we’ve known for years.
  • Local guides and drivers – every guide, driver, and musician you meet on this tour is from the region. They earn fair wages, and we never use commission‑based shopping stops.
  • Gnawa musicians – your visit directly supports the village’s musicians and their families. The tip you hand to the maâlem helps keep a centuries‑old tradition alive.
  • Nomadic families – we arrange respectful, low‑impact visits where the family receives direct payment. No “human zoo” setups. You share tea, ask questions, and leave a positive contribution.
  • Artisan cooperatives – when you buy pottery, carpets, or argan oil, we guide you to women‑led cooperatives that reinvest profits into the community itself.

This is not a charity pitch. It’s how we’ve always run our tours. And it means that after your visit to Morocco, you’ve left something real behind.

If you have questions about this tour, want to customize it, or simply need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just reach out to us through

Chat Now   |  +49 1522 3075977

We’ve spent years helping travelers explore the Morocco and have created an extensive library of practical guides covering everything from desert camps and weather to routes, packing, safety, local culture, and itineraries. If you still have questions before booking, our Guides will help you understand exactly what to expect and plan your trip with confidence.

Explore Our Morocco Travel Guides →

Want to tweak the itinerary, swap a stop, or change the pace? This tour is fully customizable. Just reach out, we’ll tailor everything to your preferences.

Commonly Asked Questions

Do I need a sleeping bag for the desert camp?

No. The camp provides thick blankets, and many tents have proper duvets. From April to October, what’s supplied is enough. If you’re traveling in winter (December–February), an extra fleece layer and warm socks are a good idea. Our month‑by‑month Sahara weather guide gives realistic nighttime temperatures.

The camel trek lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours at a gentle pace. The saddle is a wooden frame with blankets, so it’s not a plush seat, and most people feel a bit stiff afterwards. It’s part of the experience, but if you’d rather not ride, you can follow the caravan in the 4×4 support vehicle. Just let us know in advance so we can arrange it.

The longest stretch is Day 6 (Merzouga to Fes, about 7 hours with stops) and Day 10 (Chefchaouen to Casablanca via Rabat, about 5½ hours). We pace these comfortably with photo breaks, a proper lunch stop, and chances to stretch. The vehicle is air‑conditioned, spacious, and driven by an experienced local driver who knows the roads well.

Absolutely. The tour is fully private and customisable. You can add an extra night in the desert, swap a medina tour for a cooking class, or extend the trip to include Essaouira or the Atlas Mountains. Let us know what interests you, and we’ll build the route around your preferences.

From $1800
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We've guided this route hundreds of times. When you travel with us, you're traveling with a team that knows every curve of the road, every family who runs the camps, and exactly how to make your trip feel effortless.
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