6 Days Desert Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech
From
Casablanca
Duration
6 Days
Destination
Marrakech
Plan your captivating 6-day journey through Morocco, starting in the modern city of Casablanca and ending in the vibrant red city of Marrakech. Along the way, discover the country’s imperial capitals, ancient medinas, and breathtaking natural wonders. Wander through the blue-painted streets of Chefchaouen, explore the cultural depth of Fez, and journey into the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert for a night under the stars. This adventure also takes you through dramatic mountain passes, lush valleys, and cinematic kasbahs, offering a perfect balance of history, culture, and nature.
- Drive through the picturesque Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen
- Discover the charm of the “Blue Pearl” of Morocco
- Explore Fez, one of the world’s oldest imperial cities and cultural capitals
- Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Travel across the Middle Atlas Mountains and cedar forests toward the desert
- Experience a camel trek in the dunes of Merzouga at sunset
- Spend the night in a desert camp beneath a canopy of stars
- Explore the dramatic Todra Gorges and the fertile Dades Valley
- Visit the legendary Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Drive through the High Atlas Mountains and discover traditional Berber villages
- End the tour in Marrakech, famous for its palaces, souks, and lively Jemaa el-Fna square
Day 1: Casablanca → Chefchaouen (The Blue City)
Your adventure begins in Casablanca, Morocco’s cosmopolitan hub on the Atlantic coast. After meeting your driver, depart north toward the Rif Mountains, passing rolling hills and scenic countryside. By afternoon, you’ll arrive in Chefchaouen, affectionately called the “Blue Pearl” for its strikingly painted houses and narrow cobblestone streets.
Wander through the medina where every corner offers picture-perfect views, relax at a café in the main square, and enjoy the serene mountain atmosphere. Chefchaouen is also known for its traditional handicrafts, so you’ll find plenty of unique items in local shops. Overnight in a local riad or hotel.
Day 2: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fez
After breakfast, continue south toward Fez. Along the way, stop to explore the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a significant archaeological site featuring well-preserved mosaics, arches, and temple remnants dating back nearly 2,000 years.
Nearby lies Meknes, one of Morocco’s lesser-visited imperial cities, famous for its monumental gates and historical architecture. You’ll then travel onward to Fez, often described as Morocco’s spiritual and cultural heart. Spend the evening at leisure with the option to stroll through parts of the medina or simply rest before the following day’s exploration.
Day 3: Fez → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Erfoud → Merzouga (Sahara Desert)
After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains. The first stop is in Ifrane, often nicknamed the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine-style architecture and cool climate. Continue through the cedar forests of Azrou, where you may spot Barbary macaque monkeys.
After a lunch break in Midelt, the journey continues through the Ziz Valley, a region known for its palm groves and dramatic gorges, before reaching Erfoud, the gateway to the desert. From here, head to Merzouga, where the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi rise against the horizon.
Switch from car to camel for a trek across the golden sands as the sun sets, painting the desert in shades of orange and red. The evening is spent in a desert camp, enjoying traditional Berber music by the fire and gazing at the star-filled sky.
Day 4: Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Wake up early to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, begin the journey westward with a stop in Rissani, a traditional market town once a major caravan center. Its bustling souks are famous for dates, spices, and local crafts.
Continue toward the Todra Gorge, a spectacular natural canyon carved by the Todra River. Towering cliffs rise dramatically on either side, making it a favorite spot for hikers and climbers. After some time exploring, proceed to the lush Dades Valley, often called the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” where you’ll spend the night surrounded by striking rock formations and fertile fields.
Day 5: Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech
After breakfast, depart for Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” thanks to its film studios and desert landscapes featured in many famous movies. Continue to the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortified villages. Its earthen architecture has appeared in numerous films and TV series, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Following lunch and exploration of the kasbah, the journey takes you over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains. This winding road offers stunning panoramas of valleys, Berber villages, and rugged peaks. By evening, arrive in Marrakech, a city bursting with energy, color, and culture.
Day 6: Departure from Marrakech or Casablanca
On your final day, depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to Marrakech Menara Airport or back to Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport. This marks the end of your 6-day adventure, filled with unforgettable landscapes, cultural discoveries, and authentic Moroccan experiences
Included
- Comfortable, all-inclusive services throughout the journey
- Private Moroccan driver, fluent in several languages
- Accommodation with daily breakfast and dinner (according to your chosen category)
- Licensed local guides in major cultural and historical cities
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at the start and end of the tour
- Scenic camel ride in the Merzouga desert (for desert tours)
- Overnight stay in a desert camp, with traditional entertainment (for desert tours)
Excluded
- Daily lunch meals
- Beverages and drinks during the trip
- Personal purchases and extra expenses
- International or domestic airfare
