6-Day Moroccan Desert Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech

Tour Details

Day One: Casablanca to Chefchaouen — Into the Blue

Your Moroccan odyssey launches from Casablanca’s Atlantic shores, heading northward into the rising Rif Mountains. The landscape unfolds in waves of green hills and pastoral valleys as you journey toward one of Morocco’s most photogenic treasures.

Chefchaouen reveals itself as a sapphire jewel nestled in the mountainside, its buildings painted in every imaginable shade of blue. Spend your afternoon wandering the medina’s maze-like passages, where each twist reveals another Instagram-worthy vista. Pause at a traditional café overlooking the central plaza, browse artisan workshops showcasing local craftsmanship, and breathe in the mountain-fresh air. As evening falls, settle into your boutique riad, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Blue Pearl.

Day Two: Chefchaouen to Fez — Through Empires Past and Present

Following breakfast, journey southward through rolling countryside toward Morocco’s spiritual capital. Your route includes a fascinating detour to Volubilis, where remarkably intact Roman mosaics, triumphal arches, and temple foundations tell stories from two thousand years ago. This archaeological treasure stands as a testament to Morocco’s rich tapestry of civilizations.

A brief stop in Meknes reveals another facet of imperial Morocco, with its imposing gateways and palatial architecture often overlooked by travelers rushing between more famous destinations. By afternoon, you’ll reach Fez, a city that has remained Morocco’s cultural and intellectual heartbeat for over a millennium. Your evening is yours to ease into the rhythm of this extraordinary city.

Day Three: Fez to Merzouga — Journey to the Sahara

Today’s adventure carries you across the Middle Atlas, through landscapes that shift dramatically with each mountain pass. First comes Ifrane, whose European-inspired architecture and tree-lined boulevards earned it the nickname “Little Switzerland.” The route continues through Azrou’s ancient cedar forests, where troops of Barbary apes make their home among centuries-old trees.

Following a midday respite in Midelt, the terrain transforms once more as you descend into the palm-studded Ziz Valley, where date groves line dramatic gorges. Passing through Erfoud, the final gateway, you’ll soon glimpse the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi rising from the horizon like golden waves frozen in time.

At Merzouga, your mode of transport shifts to the timeless method of camel caravan. As you sway across the undulating dunes, the setting sun ignites the sand in brilliant hues of amber, coral, and crimson. Tonight, traditional Berber hospitality awaits at your desert camp, where rhythmic drumming and endless stars create an unforgettable atmosphere.

Day Four: Merzouga to Dades Valley

Dawn in the Sahara offers a spectacle unlike any other as the first rays illuminate the dunes in constantly shifting shades. After a hearty breakfast, bid farewell to the desert and travel westward, stopping first in Rissani. This historic trading post still hosts vibrant markets where locals barter for dates, aromatic spices, and traditional handicrafts.

Your next destination, Todra Gorge, showcases nature’s dramatic artistry. Here, sheer limestone cliffs soar three hundred meters skyward, carved over millennia by the patient work of the Todra River. The narrow canyon draws adventurers and photographers alike to marvel at its scale and beauty.

The day concludes in the Dades Valley, aptly named the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs” for the fortress-homes dotting its landscape. Surrounded by peculiar rock formations and agricultural terraces, you’ll spend the evening in this fertile oasis.

Day Five: Dades Valley to Marrakech — Mountains – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

After breakfast, set off toward Ouarzazate, Morocco’s film capital, where desert vistas have doubled for alien planets and ancient lands in countless productions. The journey’s crown jewel awaits just beyond: Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village whose earthen towers have stood for centuries. This UNESCO-protected site’s remarkable preservation and photogenic qualities have made it a favorite of filmmakers, appearing in productions from epic dramas to fantasy series.

Following lunch and exploration, the route ascends into the High Atlas Mountains via the serpentine Tizi n’Tichka Pass. This spectacular mountain road winds through elevation changes of over 2,000 meters, offering breathtaking vistas of terraced valleys, stone villages clinging to slopes, and snow-capped peaks. As the sun sets, you’ll descend into Marrakech’s warm embrace, where the evening air fills with the scents of orange blossoms and grilled meat, and the sounds of storytellers and musicians drift from the famous square.

Day Six: Marrakech – Casablanca

Your final morning provides an opportunity for reflection on the incredible diversity of landscapes and experiences you’ve encountered. Depending on your departure schedule, you’ll be transferred to either Marrakech Menara Airport or return to Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, carrying memories of Morocco that few visitors truly experience – from mountain peaks to desert depths, from ancient ruins to living medieval cities, from the Atlantic to the Sahara and back again.