Morocco Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour

Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at Casablanca Airport, you’ll be greeted by your private tour guide and driver and transferred to your hotel. After some time to rest and settle in, you’ll enjoy a short orientation tour of Casablanca. Your guide will also introduce the journey ahead, giving you an overview of the destinations, experiences, and cultural highlights awaiting you during your Moroccan adventure.

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of Casablanca with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the world. We’ll also visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, which is closed on Saturdays, and Place Mohammed V, surrounded by striking examples of the city’s Art Deco heritage.
After lunch, we travel north to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital. Here, we visit the picturesque Kasbah of the Udayas and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. We then continue through the countryside, stopping at the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis before arriving in Fes for the night.

Today is dedicated to discovering the extraordinary medina of Fes, one of the oldest and best-preserved medieval cities in the world. Founded in the eighth century, its maze of narrow lanes is filled with historic monuments, colorful markets, traditional workshops, and centuries-old craftsmanship.

Accompanied by your private guide, you’ll see the famous leather tanneries, meet local artisans, and visit one of the city’s historic religious schools, such as the Bou Inania or Cherratine Madrasa. In the afternoon, we explore the 14th-century Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter of Fes. Afterward, return to your accommodation for a second night in the city.

Today we leave Fes and journey across the beautiful Middle Atlas Mountains. Our route takes us through vast cedar forests and the alpine-style town of Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco.” We then continue through Azrou, a traditional Amazigh town surrounded by forested landscapes.

After passing through Midelt, we descend toward the spectacular Ziz Valley, known for its dramatic gorges and extensive palm groves. The scenery gradually changes as we travel through Erfoud and approach Merzouga, at the edge of the Sahara Desert.

Here, you’ll climb aboard a camel and ride across the golden dunes as the setting sun transforms the desert landscape. Tonight, you can stay in a traditional Berber desert camp or a nearby hotel.

Wake early for the unforgettable experience of watching the sunrise over the dunes of Merzouga. After breakfast, we leave the Sahara behind and travel through a succession of ancient Amazigh villages toward the magnificent Todra Gorges.

You’ll have time to admire the towering canyon walls and walk through this impressive natural setting before continuing toward Ouarzazate. Along the way, we pass through the dramatic Dades Valley and the fragrant Valley of Roses, two of southern Morocco’s most scenic regions. We arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening and settle in for the night.

After breakfast, we depart Ouarzazate and visit the remarkable fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou. Built using traditional earthen architecture and standing for centuries along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, this UNESCO-listed ksar is one of Morocco’s most photographed landmarks.

As we explore the village, we’ll take in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, the ancient trading routes, and the distant High Atlas Mountains. We then continue toward Marrakech, passing through mountain villages such as Amerzgane, Agouim, and Ighrem before crossing the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Upon arrival in Marrakech, you’ll be transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast, your private guide will introduce you to Marrakech, the vibrant “Pearl of Southern Morocco.” We begin with some of the city’s most celebrated historic landmarks, including the elegant Bahia Palace and the richly decorated Saadian Tombs.

We then continue through the Mellah, Marrakech’s historic Jewish quarter, before visiting the exterior of the iconic Koutoubia Mosque. The guided tour concludes at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city’s famous central square—a constantly changing spectacle of food stalls, musicians, storytellers, performers, and everyday Moroccan life.

After lunch, the remainder of the day is yours to explore independently. You may wander through the colorful souks, relax at a rooftop café, shop for traditional handicrafts, or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere of the medina.

Your Moroccan journey comes to an end today. At the appropriate time, your private driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to Marrakech Airport for your departing flight.For guests departing from Casablanca, a private airport transfer can be arranged at an additional cost.

We hope you leave Morocco with wonderful memories of its imperial cities, ancient medinas, mountain landscapes, welcoming communities, and the golden dunes of the Sahara. We look forward to welcoming you back again in the future.