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This 5-day desert tour from Casablanca to Marrakech is perfect if you want to see Morocco’s top highlights in a short time. You will explore the ancient cities of Rabat and Fes, ride a camel through the golden dunes of Merzouga, and spend the night in a traditional Berber desert camp. On the way to Marrakech, you will visit the Todra Gorges, the famous Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, and cross the beautiful High Atlas Mountains.
Your driver will pick you up at 8:00 am from your hotel in Casablanca. The first stop is Rabat, Morocco’s capital, where you will visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Oudayas. After lunch, we continue to Fes, arriving in the evening. You will check into your riad inside the old city and relax for the night.
Today, you will explore the city of Fes with a local guide. The tour starts by car with a visit to the Royal Palace, where you will see its large golden doors and detailed tilework. Then, you will head to Borj Sud, a hilltop fortress built in the 1500s, offering a great view of the old city.
After that, the walking tour starts in the medina. You will visit Al Quaraouiyine University, founded in 859 and still active today. Then, you will see the Bou Inania Madrasa, a 14th-century Islamic school known for its beautiful design.
Next, you will visit the famous tanneries, where leather is dyed in colorful pits using traditional methods.
In the afternoon, you can relax or enjoy more time in the medina on your own. Overnight stay again in Fes.
Today, you will travel from Fes to the Merzouga desert, passing through the Middle Atlas Mountains and many beautiful landscapes along the way.
Your first stop will be in Ifrane, a small city known for its clean streets and European-style houses. Here, you can take a photo with the famous stone lion statue. Next, you will continue to the cedar forest near Azrou, where you can see wild Barbary monkeys in the trees.
After that, the drive takes you through the mountains, and you will stop in Midelt for lunch. Then, you will continue toward Errachidia and stop at the Hassan Addakhil Dam, which brings water to the desert region. The tour continues through the Ziz Valley, a beautiful area filled with palm trees and small Berber villages.
In the afternoon, you will arrive in Merzouga, and you will begin your camel ride on the sand dunes. Before sunset, you will reach the desert camp, check in, and have time to relax or walk up the dunes to watch the sunset.
In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Berber dinner, followed by music around the fire. You will spend the night in a private tent in the desert.
You will wake up early to enjoy the sunrise over the dunes — one of the most beautiful moments of your desert trip. After breakfast at the camp, you will travel to Dades, exploring some attractions along the way.
The first stop is Rissani, a historical town that was once an important stop for caravans crossing the Sahara. You will visit its traditional market, where locals buy and sell fruits, spices, clothes, and even animals.
After Rissani, you will stop in Fezna to see the old underground irrigation system. These narrow tunnels were once used to bring water from the mountains to farms in the desert and are still impressive to see.
Then, you will continue to the Todra Gorges near Tinghir. These are tall canyon cliffs with a river running through the middle. You can walk between the cliffs, take photos, and enjoy the cool air.
By the end of the day, you will arrive in the Dades Valley, where you will spend the night in a hotel/riad.
After breakfast in Dades, we will head to Marrakech, taking the road known as the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
Our first stop is the Rose Valley, famous for its rose products and beautiful views, especially during the spring bloom. Then, we continue to Skoura to visit the Amridil Kasbah, a traditional mud-brick house that reflects the lifestyle of Berber families in the past.
Next, we arrive in Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa,” where many famous movies were filmed. Here, you will visit the Atlas Studios. After that, we will explore Ait Benhaddou, a historic clay Kasbah and UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have about an hour to hike through its narrow paths and enjoy the view from the top.
In the afternoon, we will drive across the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, stopping along the way to take in the mountain views. By late afternoon, we will reach Marrakech, where our 5-day tour from Casablanca ends.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
The cost of this 5-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech depends on how many people are traveling, the type of accommodation you choose, and the time of year you travel.
For 1 to 4 people, we provide an SUV such as a Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Prado, or Mitsubishi Sport. For groups of 5 to 8, we use a comfortable minivan. For larger groups, we arrange a spacious minibus.
Yes, the 5 day desert tour from Casablanca to Marrakech is private; only your group participates.
Yes, you will have a private tent in the Merzouga desert. It will not be shared with other travelers — it is just for you and your group.
You will ride the camel across the dunes for around 40 minutes.
We suggest bringing comfortable clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small backpack, and a jacket for the cool desert night.
Yes, our 5-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech can also start from other cities like Marrakech, Fes, or Tangier. Please contact us if you would like a different starting point.
If you prefer not to ride a camel, we can arrange a 4×4 vehicle to take you to the desert camp. Just let us know your preference when booking.
