PRIVATE DESERT TOUR — CASABLANCA TO MARRAKECH

OVERVIEW

Six days from Casablanca to Marrakech — a private tour that adds a full dedicated day in Fes medina to the 5-day itinerary. Beginning with the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the tour visits Volubilis, Meknes, and then devotes an entire day to exploring the ancient medina of Fes with a specialist local guide. The remaining days travel south through the cedar forests to the Merzouga Sahara, then west through the canyon landscapes and the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah to Marrakech.

Every element is private, tailored, and delivered by a dedicated driver/guide throughout.
HIGHLIGHTS

– Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca — the largest mosque in Morocco
– Mohammed V Square, Rick’s Café, and the Casablanca Corniche
– UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis
– Imperial city of Meknes — Bab Mansour, royal stables and granaries, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
– Full guided day in Fes medina — Al-Qarawiyyin, Chouara tanneries, Bou Inania Madrasa, Mellah
– Ifrane and Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou
– Ziz Valley panoramic views
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour
– Luxury desert camp with Berber music and starlit sky
– Rissani souk and Erfoud fossil marble workshops
– Todra Gorges and Dades Valley canyon scenery
– Rose Valley and Skoura palm grove
– UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
– High Atlas Mountains and Tizi-N-Tichka pass

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CASABLANCA → VOLUBILIS → MEKNES → FES

Pick-up from Casablanca. Visit the Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic promontory. Drive to the UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — Morocco’s finest ancient site with extraordinary preserved mosaics. Continue to the imperial city of Meknes — Bab al-Mansour gate, the Sahrij Souani basin, royal stables, granaries, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Drive east to Fes. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 2: FULL GUIDED TOUR OF FES MEDINA

A full day in Fes el-Bali with a specialist local guide. Begin with a driving tour of the Royal Palace Gate, the historic Jewish Mellah, and the panoramic Borj Sud fortress viewpoint. Visit the Ceramic Village. Then walk the medieval medina: the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University (the world’s oldest continuously operating university), the Chouara Tanneries viewed from above the vivid dye vats, and the vibrant craft and spice souks. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 3: FES → IFRANE → CEDAR FOREST → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA → LUXURY CAMP

After breakfast, drive south through alpine Ifrane and the cedar forests near Azrou (Barbary macaques). Lunch in Midelt. Drive along the breathtaking Ziz Valley. Arrive at the Merzouga Sahara desert. Switch to camels and cross the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, pausing on a high dune for the magical colours. Luxury desert camp: traditional dinner, Berber music, campfire, stars. Overnight in camp.

DAY 4: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → ERFOUD → TODRA GORGES → DADES VALLEY

Desert sunrise and breakfast. Return to Merzouga. Visit Rissani souk. Erfoud fossil marble workshop. Walk through the soaring Todra Gorges. Continue to the Dades Valley with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and gorge viewpoint. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

DAY 5: DADES VALLEY → ROSE VALLEY → SKOURA → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → MARRAKECH

Drive west through the Rose Valley (annual May Rose Festival). Skoura palm grove. Ouarzazate Atlas Film Studios. UNESCO Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah — starred in Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. High Atlas via Tizi-N-Tichka. Drop-off in Marrakech.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– Tour can be extended: 7 Days (+ Chefchaouen) / 8 Days (+ Rabat and Chefchaouen).
– Pickup from any location in Casablanca including airport, hotel, or port.
– Vehicles: Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 pax) or Mercedes/Ford minivan (up to 8 pax).
– Price varies by group size and accommodation category.
– Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking.