9-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour starts with pickup in Casablanca. The journey moves north through coastal and imperial highlights, then into the Rif and on to Fes. Afterward, you head to the Sahara for a sunset camel ride and a night in a luxury camp. Next, cross the Dades and Atlas landscapes toward Marrakech for two easy nights. Finally, return to Casablanca for departure, closing a trip that blends culture, history, and desert adventure.
departure & retuarn location at your riad or hotel in marrakech if it is accessible by car
if not the meeting point is at cafe de france jamaa el fna or nearest point to your accomodation
8:00 am. the exact pick up time will be confirmed after booking
The 9-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour from Casablanca offers the chance to explore Morocco’s culture, history, and desert beauty. You begin in Casablanca and continue to Rabat, the capital, before reaching the blue city of Chefchaouen.
After that, the journey leads to Fes for two nights, where you discover the old medina, mosques, and lively souks. Next, you travel south to the Sahara desert in Merzouga. There, you ride camels at sunset and spend the night in a luxury camp under the stars.
The route continues through the Dades Valley with its gorges and kasbahs. Then you cross the High Atlas Mountains before arriving in Marrakech for two nights of discovery. Finally, the tour ends with departure from Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport.
9-day imperial cities & sahara tour from casablanca starts on day 1 with your arrival at mohammed v international airport, where our professional driver will be waiting at the exit gate holding a sign with your full name.when you meet our driver you will then be transferred straight to your hotel in casablanca to relax and begin our visits the next day. the drive from the airport to the city center takes about 40 minutes.
On day 2, after breakfast at your hotel, the journey continues with a visit to the hassan ii mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, and a walk along the corniche area. then we drive to rabat, the capital city of morocco, to explore the oudaya kasbah, the hassan tower and the mausoleum of mohammed v. later in the afternoon, we continue north to the blue city of chefchaouen via Rif mountains including stops on the way for photos and to have lunch, arriving early in the evening for our overnight stay.
Day 3 of the 9-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour from Casablanca begins with breakfast at your riad or hotel in Chefchaouen. After that, the route heads south to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, where a guided tour allows you to explore this important archaeological site. From there, the journey continues to Meknes, one of Morocco’s imperial cities and once the capital during the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail. In this beautiful city, lunch is served in one of the oldest traditional restaurants to taste authentic Moroccan gastronomy.
Once the meal is finished, the visit carries on to the old walls of the city, Bab Mansour Gate, and Hri Souani, the large pool that once irrigated the royal gardens. Later in the afternoon, the road leads to Fes, where you check in to your riad or hotel for the night.
Today’s program begins with a guided tour of Fes. The first stop is the Royal Palace, followed by the Southern Tower for a panoramic view of the city. After that, the tour continues to the Blue Pottery School before entering the old medina. Inside the medina, visits include the Karaouine University, the Bouanania Medrassa, and the Nejjarine Museum.
The walk then leads to the tanneries and the lively souks, where traditional crafts and daily life can be seen. Around midday, lunch is served in a Moroccan traditional restaurant to enjoy local flavors. Once the guided visit of Fes is complete, the day ends with a return to your accommodation for the second night in the city.
The 5th day begins after breakfast at your riad or hotel in Fes, as the journey heads south toward the Sahara Desert of Merzouga. After about one hour and a half of driving, the road reaches Ifrane, often called the Switzerland of Morocco, and known as one of the cleanest and most unique cities in the country. Here there is a stop to take photos, use the washroom, and enjoy a cup of mint tea or coffee. The drive then continues to Midelt, known as the capital of apple plantations in Morocco, where another short stop allows time to stretch your legs and use the facilities.
From there, the route leads to Er-Rich, where lunch is served in a local restaurant offering traditional Anti-Atlas food. Once the meal is finished, the trip continues to Errachidia with a pause at the panoramic viewpoint of the Ziz Valley, the longest palm grove oasis in Morocco, also famous for its date plantations. The journey then moves on to Erfoud, recognized as the capital of fossils in Morocco, before finally reaching Merzouga. Here, the desert adventure begins with a camel trek through the golden dunes to a luxury desert camp. In the heart of the Sahara, you enjoy a private tent and spend an unforgettable night under the stars.
Your journey begins in the morning with the magical experience of watching the sunrise over the dunes of Merzouga, followed by a delicious Sahara breakfast at the camp. Afterward, the ride back takes you towards Rissani, where a stop at the local market lets you taste some of the best dates in the country, especially the famous Majhoul variety.
The road then continues from Rissani to Tinjdad, where a visit to a local women’s cooperative for clothing allows you to try traditional dress, take photos, and learn more about local crafts. The trip later carries on to Todra Gorges, the highest canyon in Morocco and an international school of rock climbing, where you can enjoy a short walk inside the gorge, admire the views, and touch the fresh spring water flowing through the valley.
In the afternoon, the drive takes you to the Dades Valley, considered the greenest valley in the region. On the way, there are stops to admire the famous rock formations known as the Monkey Fingers. Finally, the day concludes at a luxury riad in the heart of the Dades Valley, where quiet surroundings and beautiful nature combine for a peaceful overnight stay.
After breakfast in your riad, the journey continues to the Rose Valley, famous for its plantations and yearly rose festival, where locals celebrate by choosing the Queen of Roses. At this stop, you visit a local cooperative for rose distillation and learn about the process of making rose products.
From there, the road takes you to Skoura to explore the Amridil Kasbah, a 17th-century fortified village that still stands as a fine example of southern Moroccan architecture. The route then leads to Ouarzazate, often called the Hollywood of Morocco, where you visit the Atlas Cinema Studios, learn about movie production, and see the sets of many international films.
Your adventure continues to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you stop for lunch before taking a walk inside the old village to explore its unique clay architecture and narrow alleys. Later in the afternoon, the road crosses the High Atlas Mountains with a stop at the Tizi n’Tichka pass, rising 2,226 meters above sea level, to admire the panoramic views of winding roads and mountain landscapes. Finally, the day ends in Marrakech with accommodation in your riad or hotel.
Your exploration day begins after breakfast at your riad or hotel in Marrakech. The morning starts with a guided city tour, beginning at the Koutoubia Mosque and its beautiful minaret, the symbol of the city. From there, you continue to the Saadien Tombs, an important historical site from the 16th century, before visiting Bahia Palace with its fine architecture and colorful gardens.
Afterward, the tour takes you to the Secret Garden, a peaceful retreat hidden in the medina, and then to the Ben Youssef Madrassa, one of the most famous Quranic schools in Morocco, admired for its stunning Arab-Andalusian architecture. Later, you walk through the medina and explore the traditional souks, where artisans create unique crafts. Around midday, there is a break for lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant to enjoy local cuisine.
In the afternoon, the tour heads to Jemaa el Fna Square, the lively heart of Marrakech, where musicians, storytellers, and performers create a unique atmosphere. By the evening, you return to your riad or hotel for your second night in the city.
Depending on your flight schedule, you will have free time to relax, shop in the souks, or enjoy a last walk through the medina. afterward, you will be transferred either to marrakech menara airport or to casablanca mohammed v international airport for your departure flight. this marks the end of your journey through the imperial cities and sahara desert of morocco.
