11 Days from Casablanca to the Desert and Beyond

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

Heading to the Blue City

Today, we head to Chefchaouen, known as the Blue City. Enjoy free time to explore the picturesque streets and unique atmosphere of this city.

Morning – Journey to Chefchaouen

We depart from Rabat and drive north toward the Rif Mountains. The drive takes approximately 4 hours.

Afternoon – Arrival in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is nestled in the Rif Mountains and is famous for its buildings painted in various shades of blue. The tradition of painting walls blue dates back to Jewish refugees who settled here in the 1930s.

You will have free time to:

• Wander through the blue washed alleyways of the medina
• Visit the Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the main square with its red brick mosque
• Shop for local handicrafts including wool blankets and woven goods
• Climb to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views of the blue city and mountains

Evening – Overnight in Chefchaouen

History and Culture

After a morning in Chefchaouen, we head to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and then to Meknes, where you will visit Bab Mansour and Heri es-Souani. Then, we arrive in Fes, the oldest city in Morocco.

Morning – Free Time in Chefchaouen

Enjoy a final morning in the Blue City before departure.

Afternoon – Roman Ruins of Volubilis

We drive to Volubilis, approximately 3 hours. Volubilis is 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 – Visit to Meknes

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

• Bab Mansour: The most beautiful gate in Morocco
• Heri es-Souani: The royal granaries and stables

Evening – Arrival in Fes

We arrive in Fes in the evening. You will check into your accommodation.

In Fes, you will immerse yourself in Moroccan culture with a guided tour of its labyrinthine medina. Discover the 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
• The University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 AD (exterior view)
• The Chouara Tannery, where leather has been dyed for over a thousand years
• The Nejjarine Museum of Wood Arts

Afternoon – Souks and Vibrant Markets

Continue your exploration through the vibrant souks. 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 to Midelt, 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

Afternoon – Arrival in Midelt

Midelt is a town nestled between the Middle and High Atlas mountains.

Evening – Overnight in Midelt

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

Meeting the Desert

Today we head to Erfoud, the gateway to the Sahara. Enjoy panoramic views and explore the palm grove of Erfoud.

Morning – Journey to Erfoud

We drive from Midelt to Erfoud, approximately 3 to 4 hours. The landscape becomes increasingly arid as we approach the desert.

Afternoon – Exploration of Erfoud

Erfoud is known for its fossil industry and its beautiful palm grove. You will have time to:

• Explore the palm grove of Erfoud, with thousands of date palms
• Visit a fossil workshop or showroom (optional)
• Relax and prepare for the desert experience tomorrow

Evening – Overnight in Erfoud

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

Adventure in the Sahara

We arrive in Merzouga, where your desert experience will begin. Enjoy an exciting camel ride through the golden dunes and a magical night in a Berber camp under the 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.

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. Here, you can go for walks and enjoy spectacular views.

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 the Red City

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.