PRIVATE DESERT TOUR — FES & BACK

OVERVIEW

Seven days from Fes — a grand circular private tour that links Morocco’s imperial cities, the Blue City of Chefchaouen, the Atlantic capital Rabat, Casablanca, a guided day in Marrakech, the High Atlas Mountains, the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the Dades and Todra Gorges, and the Merzouga Sahara desert, before returning to Fes. This is the definitive one-week Morocco circuit from Fes — visiting the country’s greatest destinations in a single flowing journey.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

– Visiting Meknes — the Ismaili imperial capital and its monumental Bab Mansour gate
– Exploring the UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — extraordinary mosaics and ancient columns
– Discovering the legendary Blue City of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains
– Rabat — Morocco’s Atlantic capital: Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Oudayas Kasbah
– Casablanca — the Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche
– Full guided day in Marrakech: Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, souks, Jemaa el-Fnaa
– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass
– Visiting the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — filming location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones
– Admiring the Dades Valley and the soaring Todra Gorges
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour
– Spending a night in a luxury desert camp under the Saharan stars
– Visiting Rissani souk and Erfoud’s fossilised marble workshops
– Returning through the Ziz Valley, cedar forests, and Ifrane to Fes

ITINERARY

DAY 1: FES → MEKNES → VOLUBILIS → CHEFCHAOUEN

Early pick-up from your accommodation or airport in Fes. Drive west to the imperial city of Meknes — visit the monumental Bab Mansour gate, the Sahrij Souani reservoir, the royal stables and granaries, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Continue to the UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — Morocco’s finest ancient archaeological site, with remarkable floor mosaics, a triumphal arch, and ancient columns preserved on a hilltop. Drive north through Ouazzane to arrive in Chefchaouen — the famous Blue City in the Rif Mountains, where buildings and alleyways are painted in shades of blue. Overnight in a hotel.

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN → RABAT

After breakfast, stroll freely through Chefchaouen’s beautiful blue medina. Drive south through the Rif Mountains to Rabat — Morocco’s elegant Atlantic capital and imperial city. Visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Oudayas Kasbah overlooking the river estuary. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 3: RABAT → CASABLANCA → MARRAKECH

After breakfast, drive along the Atlantic coast to Casablanca — Morocco’s economic capital. Visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque, walk along the Corniche, see Mohammed V Square, and stop at the iconic Rick’s Café. Drive inland to Marrakech. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 4: FULL GUIDED TOUR OF MARRAKECH

Spend the full day exploring the highlights of Marrakech with a specialist local guide. Visit the stunning 19th-century Bahia Palace with its richly decorated courtyards, the Ben Youssef Madrasa — a masterpiece of Moroccan decorative art — and the vibrant medina souks filled with colourful artisan stalls. Experience the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa square and admire the Koutoubia Mosque. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, optional visit to the Majorelle Garden (pre-booking required) and a drive through the modern Gueliz district. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 5: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS → AIT BEN HADDOU → ROSE VALLEY → DADES VALLEY

Drive south through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass with panoramic stops. Visit the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — the magnificent earthen fortress of Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. Continue east through Ouarzazate, the Rose Valley, and the Skoura palm grove to reach the Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: DADES VALLEY → TODRA GORGES → MERZOUGA → CAMEL TREK → LUXURY CAMP

Drive east through the scenic Dades Valley with a panoramic gorge viewpoint stop. Continue to the spectacular Todra Gorges — soaring red cliffs pressing in on both sides of the river canyon. Walk freely through the gorge. Drive through the palm groves for a lunch stop, then arrive at the Merzouga Sahara desert. Switch to camels and cross the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset. Arrive at the luxury desert camp: traditional Moroccan dinner, Berber drumming around the campfire, and a night beneath an open sky blazing with stars. Overnight in camp.

DAY 7: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → ERFOUD → ZIZ VALLEY → CEDAR FOREST → IFRANE → FES

Rise early for the desert sunrise. After breakfast, return to Merzouga. Visit Rissani — the ancient capital of the Tafilalet — and its traditional souk. Continue to Erfoud to visit a fossilised marble workshop. Drive north along the Ziz river with a panoramic viewpoint stop. Lunch in Midelt. Enter the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques live freely. Visit the alpine town of Ifrane — the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Drop-off at your riad or airport in Fes.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This itinerary is fully customisable — contact us to adapt any day.
– Pickup time: 8:30 AM from any location in Fes.
– 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, Marrakech monuments, and Ait Ben Haddou are not included.