7-Day Desert Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech
Fly into Casablanca, fly home from Marrakech, and see the best of Morocco in between. This private 7-day desert tour from Casablanca starts at the Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic, heads north to the blue streets of Chefchaouen and the medina of Fes, crosses the Middle Atlas to a night in the Merzouga dunes, then returns west through the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech.
Casablanca → Chefchaouen → Fes → Merzouga → Tinghir → Boumalne Dades → Aït Benhaddou → Marrakech
Highlights
- Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic
- Chefchaouen, the blue city
- Guided day in the Fes medina
- Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest
- Sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Night in a Sahara desert camp
- Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou
Itinerary
Arrival in Casablanca
Welcome at Mohammed V airport and transfer to your hotel. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, and walk the Corniche along the Atlantic. Overnight in Casablanca.
Casablanca – Chefchaouen
North through the countryside into the Rif Mountains. Afternoon in the blue medina of Chefchaouen: the kasbah, Outa el-Hammam square and the artisans’ shops. Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Chefchaouen – Fes
A scenic mountain drive with photo stops above terraced valleys, arriving in Fes in the afternoon. Mint tea and a first walk near your riad. Overnight in Fes.
Guided tour of Fes
A full day with a local guide in Fes el-Bali: the Al Quaraouiyine university, the Bou Inania madrasa, the Chouara tanneries and the artisans’ souks. Overnight in Fes.
Fes – Ifrane – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Through Ifrane and the cedar forest of Azrou with its Barbary macaques, then down the Ziz Valley. Sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi, dinner and Berber music at the desert camp.
Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Sunrise over the dunes, the market town of Rissani, a walk in the Todra Gorge, then the valley of a thousand kasbahs. Overnight in the Dades Valley.
Dades – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech
The Skoura palm oasis, Ouarzazate and the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, then over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to your riad in Marrakech.
Included
- Casablanca airport pick-up
- Private A/C vehicle and English-speaking driver
- 6 nights: hotels, riads and desert camp
- Breakfast and dinner as per itinerary
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Guided tours in Fes
- Drop-off in Marrakech
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Optional activities (4×4, sandboarding)
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Driving times
Days 1 and 4 have no long drives. Times below are driving only. Stops for photos, visits and meals come on top.
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Casablanca to Chefchaouen | about 340 km | about 5.5 hours |
| Day 3 | Chefchaouen to Fes | about 200 km | about 4 hours |
| Day 5 | Fes to Merzouga | about 470 km | about 8 hours |
| Day 6 | Merzouga to the Dades Valley, via the Todra Gorge | about 270 km | about 5 hours |
| Day 7 | Dades Valley to Marrakech, via Aït Benhaddou | about 320 km | about 6 hours |
Best time to go
The best time for this tour is March to May and September to November, when the weather is pleasant in the cities, the mountains and the desert. Summer (June to August) is very hot inland and in the Sahara, so we start early and plan camel rides for sunset and sunrise. In winter (December to February) cities are mild and sunny, but desert nights are cold and snow can sometimes close the mountain passes for a few hours, so pack warm layers.
Related tours: Arriving in Casablanca a day early? Spend it in the capital with our Rabat day trip from Casablanca.
Your Casablanca to Marrakech desert tour route
- Casablanca
- Chefchaouen
- Fes
- Merzouga
- Tinghir
- Boumalne Dades
- Aït Benhaddou
- Marrakech
What our travellers say about their trip
★★★★★ 5.0 on Tripadvisor · 41 reviews
It was absolutely incredible
“This trip to Morocco was an absolute dream!!! I’m never going back to planning my own trips again…”
Amazing experience
“Beautiful country, beautiful landscapes, nice people. Best trip ever. A place you must visit.”
Love it!!
“One of the best holidays in my life, the place is so beautiful…”
Great place to visit!
“A great place to visit! Beautiful country with amazing views and Hamid is an amazing guide!”
Best experience ever!
“Had an absolutely incredible time! I will 100 percent book this experience again…”
Enjoyed everything!
“Hamid is a great, kind person, the best to work with.”
7-day tour from Casablanca FAQ
Can this tour start at Casablanca airport?
Yes. We meet you at Mohammed V airport on day 1 and take you to your hotel, so the tour starts the moment you land.
Why start in Casablanca and finish in Marrakech?
Most international flights land in Casablanca. A one-way route lets you see the north, Fes and the Sahara without backtracking, then fly home from Marrakech.
Can we finish in Casablanca instead?
Yes. We can add a transfer back to Casablanca at the end, or see our 10-day round trip from Casablanca.
Is one night in the desert enough?
It gives you sunset, a night at camp and sunrise over the dunes. Ask us if you would like a second desert night.
How long is the drive each day?
The longest driving day is day 5, Fes to Merzouga: about 470 km, about 8 hours of driving. The other days are shorter. There are stops for photos, visits and meals along the way, and the driving times table on this page shows every day.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes. Because the tour is private, we can adjust the pace and add extra stops for children. Tell us their ages when you book so we can plan the day around your family.
