9 Days from Casablanca to Merzouga Desert

Beginning of the Adventure

Your journey begins in Casablanca, where you will be welcomed and transferred to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.

Morning – Arrival in Casablanca

You will be picked up from Casablanca airport or your accommodation.

Afternoon – Exploration of Rabat

In Rabat, you will visit historical sites including:

• Kasbah of the Oudaias: A picturesque fortress overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with white and blue streets and Andalusian gardens
• Mausoleum of Mohammed V: A masterpiece of modern Alaouite architecture, housing the tombs of King Mohammed V and his sons
• Hassan Tower: The unfinished minaret of a massive mosque begun in the 12th century, surrounded by Roman columns

Evening – Overnight in Rabat

Route to Fes

Today, we head to Meknes, an imperial city full of history. You will visit prominent sites such as Bab Mansour and Heri es-Souani. Then, we head to the Roman ruins of Volubilis before arriving in Fes.

Morning – Visit to Meknes

Meknes was the capital of Morocco during the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century. You will visit:

• Bab Mansour: The most beautiful gate in Morocco, decorated with intricate zellij tilework and marble columns
• Heri es-Souani: The royal granaries and stables built for the sultan's 12,000 horses

Afternoon – Roman Ruins of Volubilis

We continue to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. You will walk through the ruins, seeing triumphal arches, basilica, capitol, beautiful mosaic floors, and remains of houses and baths.

Late Afternoon – Arrival in Fes

We arrive in Fes in the late afternoon. You will have free time to begin exploring or rest.

Evening – Overnight in Fes

In Fes, you will explore its labyrinthine medina on a guided tour. Discover the cultural richness of the city as you visit mosques, madrasas, and vibrant souks.

Morning – Exploration of the Medina

Your local guide will lead you through the winding alleyways of Fes el-Bali, the UNESCO listed medina. You will discover:

• The Bou Inania Madrasa, a masterpiece of Marinid architecture with intricate carved wood and zellij tilework
• The University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 AD and recognized as the oldest continuously operating university in the world (exterior view)
• The Chouara Tannery, where leather has been dyed in the same stone vats for over a thousand years
• The Nejjarine Museum of Wood Arts, housed in a beautifully restored caravanserai

Afternoon – Souks and Vibrant Markets

Continue your exploration through the vibrant souks. You will find:

• The brass and copper souk
• The carpet souk with handmade Berber rugs
• The dye souk with colorful powders
• The clothing souk with traditional djellabas and caftans

You will have free time to shop and explore on your own.

Evening – Overnight in Fes

Road to the Desert

We leave Fes behind and head toward Erfoud, passing through Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco. Enjoy panoramic views and the change in the landscape as you approach the desert.

Morning – Stop in Ifrane

We stop in Ifrane, an alpine style town built by the French in the 1930s with red tiled roofs, flower filled roundabouts, and a stone lion carved into the rock.

Crossing the Middle Atlas

We continue through the Middle Atlas mountains, passing through:

• The Cedar Forest, one of the largest remaining cedar forests in Africa
• Wild Barbary macaques, which you can observe from a safe distance
• The Ziz Valley, a dramatic oasis of thousands of palm trees

We make several stops for panoramic photographs.

Afternoon – Arrival in Erfoud

We arrive in Erfoud, a town known for its fossil industry. The desert around Erfoud is rich in marine fossils.

Evening – Overnight in Erfoud

You will spend the night in a hotel or riad in Erfoud. Enjoy dinner.

Adventure in the Sahara

Today we arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara. Experience an exciting camel ride through the golden dunes and enjoy a magical night in a Berber camp under the impressive starry Sahara sky.

Morning – Short Drive to Merzouga

We drive a short distance from Erfoud to Merzouga, approximately 1 hour.

Late Afternoon – Camel Ride into the Dunes

You will enjoy an exciting camel ride through the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Each person receives their own camel. Your experienced guide will lead you across the soft golden sand.

The camel trek is timed to arrive at a high dune just as the sun begins to set. Enjoy a magical sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes, the tallest in Morocco, reaching up to 150 meters high.

Evening – Night in a Berber Camp

You will spend a magical night in a Berber camp under the starry Sahara sky. You will be welcomed with mint tea. The camp consists of comfortable tents with mattresses, blankets, and pillows. Shared bathroom facilities are available.

Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner. After dinner, live Berber music around the campfire.

Between Mountains and Canyons

We leave the dunes behind and head to the stunning Todra Gorges, a narrow rocky canyon. Enjoy spectacular views and go for walks in this unique environment.

Early Morning – Sunrise and Departure

Wake up early to witness the spectacular sunrise over the golden dunes. After sunrise, enjoy breakfast at the camp. Then you will ride your camel back to Merzouga village (or take a 4x4 transfer).

Morning – Journey to Todra Gorges

We drive to the Todra Gorges, approximately 3 to 4 hours.

Exploration of Todra Gorges

The Todra Gorges are a stunning narrow canyon of red rock, carved by the Todra River over thousands of years. The canyon walls rise up to 300 meters high, in some places only 10 meters apart.

You will have time to:

• Walk through the narrow canyon between the towering cliffs
• Take spectacular photographs
• Watch rock climbers scaling the vertical walls

Evening – Overnight near Todra Gorges

You will spend the night in a hotel or riad near the Todra Gorges. Enjoy dinner.

Amazing Landscapes

Today we head to the Dades Valley, where you can enjoy stunning mountain landscapes and visit ancient kasbahs. Then, we arrive in Ouarzazate, known as the Door of the Desert.

Morning – Exploration of Dades Valley

The Dades Valley is known for its dramatic rock formations, winding river, and traditional Berber villages. The valley is often called the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.

You will visit:

• The famous monkey fingers rock formation
• Ancient kasbahs along the valley
• Panoramic viewpoints over the valley

Afternoon – Journey to Ouarzazate

We continue to Ouarzazate, approximately 2 to 3 hours.

Evening – Overnight in Ouarzazate

You will spend the night in a hotel or riad in Ouarzazate. Enjoy dinner.

Arrival in Marrakech

On this day, we will make a stop at Aït Ben Haddou, a historic kasbah declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will continue our journey to Marrakech, where you will have free time to explore the city and its vibrant souks.

Morning – Visit to Aït Ben Haddou

Aït Ben Haddou is a stunning fortified village of red adobe clay. This UNESCO World Heritage site has served as a backdrop for many films, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Mummy.

You will have time to:

• Walk through the narrow alleyways between mud brick buildings
• Climb to the top for spectacular views of the river valley
• Visit ancient kasbahs
• Take stunning photographs

Afternoon – Journey to Marrakech

After Aït Ben Haddou, we continue to Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass.

Late Afternoon – Arrival in Marrakech

We arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon or early evening. You will have free time to explore the city and its vibrant souks.

Evening – Overnight in Marrakech

Today is the last day of our journey. Enjoy your final hours in Marrakech before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight or to continue your adventures.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to:

• Visit the famous Jemaa el-Fna square
• Explore the vibrant souks for last minute souvenirs
• Visit the Koutoubia Mosque or Majorelle Gardens
• Enjoy a final Moroccan meal

Your driver will transfer you to Marrakech Menara Airport at the appropriate time.