PRIVATE DESERT TOUR — CASABLANCA TO MARRAKECH

OVERVIEW

One week from Casablanca to Marrakech — a private tour that visits every major destination across the north and south of Morocco in a single seamless journey. Starting from the economic capital on the Atlantic, the tour travels north to Rabat and Chefchaouen, then east through Volubilis and Meknes to the cultural capital of Fes, where a full guided day explores the ancient medina. The route then descends south through the cedar forests and Ziz Valley to the Merzouga Sahara desert, before returning west through the Todra and Dades Gorges and the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah to arrive in 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, on the Atlantic promontory
– Mohammed V Square, Rick’s Café, and the Casablanca Corniche
– Rabat — Morocco’s Atlantic capital: Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Oudayas Kasbah
– The legendary Blue City of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains
– UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — extraordinary preserved mosaics and ancient columns
– Imperial city of Meknes — Bab Mansour gate, royal stables, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
– Full guided day in Fes medina — Al-Qarawiyyin, Chouara tanneries, Bou Inania Madrasa, Mellah
– Ifrane (Switzerland of Morocco) and Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou
– Ziz Valley panoramic views
– Rissani souk and Erfoud’s fossilised marble workshops
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour
– Spending a magical night in a luxury desert camp under the Saharan stars
– Walking through the soaring Todra Gorges canyon
– Dades Valley “monkey fingers” rock formations and gorge views
– Rose Valley and Skoura palm grove
– UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — filming location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones
– High Atlas Mountains and Tizi-N-Tichka pass

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CASABLANCA → RABAT → CHEFCHAOUEN

Pick-up from your accommodation or airport in Casablanca. Visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic promontory. Optional stops at Mohammed V Square, Rick’s Café, and the Corniche. Drive north along the Atlantic coast to Rabat — Morocco’s elegant imperial capital: the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Oudayas Kasbah overlooking the estuary. Continue north through Ouazzane to arrive in Chefchaouen — the legendary Blue City of the Rif Mountains, where the medina’s alleyways are painted in beautiful shades of blue. Overnight in a hotel.

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN → VOLUBILIS → MEKNES → FES

After breakfast, stroll freely in Chefchaouen’s beautiful blue medina. Drive south to the UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — Morocco’s finest ancient archaeological site, with remarkable preserved mosaics, a triumphal arch, and ancient columns on a hilltop above the plain. Continue 30 kilometres to Meknes — the Ismaili imperial capital: visit Bab al-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the royal stables and granaries, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Drive east to Fes. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 3: FULL GUIDED TOUR OF FES MEDINA

A full day in Fes el-Bali with a specialist local guide. Driving tour: Royal Palace Gate, the historic Jewish Mellah, Borj Sud fortress viewpoint, Ceramic Village. Walking tour of the medieval medina — a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University (the world’s oldest continuously operating university, founded in 859 AD), the Chouara Tanneries viewed from above the vivid dye vats, and the vibrant craft and spice souks. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 4: FES → IFRANE → CEDAR FOREST → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA → LUXURY CAMP

After breakfast, drive south through the alpine town of Ifrane — famous for its snow and European-style architecture, earning it the nickname “the Switzerland of Morocco.” Continue through the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques roam freely. Lunch in Midelt. Drive through the Tizi-n-Tilghmt pass and along the breathtaking Ziz Valley. Arrive at Merzouga in the late afternoon. Switch to camels and cross the Erg Chebbi dunes, stopping on a high dune to enjoy the magical desert sunset. Continue to the luxury camp: traditional Moroccan dinner, Berber drum music, and a night under an open sky blazing with stars. Overnight in camp.

DAY 5: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → ERFOUD → TODRA GORGES → DADES VALLEY

Rise early for the desert sunrise. After breakfast, return by camel to Merzouga. Visit Rissani — the ancient capital of the Tafilalet — and its traditional souk (lively three days a week). Continue to Erfoud to visit a fossilised marble workshop. Drive through the palm groves to the Todra Gorges — a soaring red-walled canyon carved by the river through the mountains. Walk freely through the gorge. Free time for lunch. Continue west to the Dades Valley through Boumalne Dades, with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and a panoramic gorge viewpoint. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

DAY 6: DADES VALLEY → ROSE VALLEY → SKOURA → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → MARRAKECH

Drive west to the Rose Valley near Kelaat M’Gouna — home to an annual May Rose Festival. Continue through the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate. Visit the famous Atlas Film Studios. Explore the magnificent UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — the earthen fortress of Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass. Drop-off in Marrakech in the late afternoon.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This itinerary is fully customisable — contact us to adapt any day.
– Best travel months: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November).
– 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.
– Entrance fees to Volubilis, Fes monuments, and Ait Ben Haddou are not included.