8 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech: Imperial Cities, Sahara and Chefchaouen
From the red walls of Marrakech to the golden dunes of Merzouga and the blue alleys of Chefchaouen
This 8-day Morocco desert tour from Marrakech takes you across the full breadth of the country, linking imperial cities, dramatic mountain passes, ancient kasbahs, and the sweeping dunes of the Sahara. It is designed for travelers who want a thorough introduction to Morocco without the guesswork of independent planning.
The route moves south through the High Atlas via the Tizi N'Tichka pass, passes the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and descends through rose valleys and palm groves to the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. A camel trek at sunset, followed by a night under the stars in a Berber camp, marks the midpoint of the journey.
Heading north, the tour calls at Fes, one of the world's best-preserved medieval medinas, before turning west to the mountain village of Chefchaouen, whose cobalt-blue alleyways have made it one of Morocco's most photographed destinations. The final leg sweeps through Rabat and Casablanca before returning to Marrakech.
Tour Highlights
Walk through the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village that has served as a backdrop for major international film productions.
Rise before dawn in the Sahara Desert to watch the sunrise from the crest of an Erg Chebbi dune, one of the most memorable experiences Morocco offers.
Traverse the Tizi N'Tichka mountain pass through the High Atlas, a landscape of Berber villages and panoramic ridgelines rarely seen on city-only itineraries.
Explore the living medina of Fes, home to the Chouara tannery, the Karaouine Mosque, and a tangle of souks that have operated for over a millennium.
Wander the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, a Rif Mountain town whose distinctive color palette creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in North Africa.
Visit Rabat's Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V Mausoleum, and the Oudaya Kasbah — landmarks that together tell the story of Morocco's royal and architectural heritage.
Enter the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors and a masterpiece of modern Moroccan craftsmanship.
Itinerary Overview
Airport transfer to your riad is followed by free time to discover Jemaa el Fnaa square and the surrounding souks at your own pace. The afternoon and evening are unstructured, allowing you to settle in before the journey begins.
A guided morning tour covers the Koutoubia Mosque, the Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, and the Saadian Tombs. The afternoon drive crosses the High Atlas via Tizi N'Tichka and visits the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou before arriving in Ouarzazate, gateway to the southern desert.
The route follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Skoura palm grove, the Rose Valley, and the dramatic rock formations of the Dades Valley before reaching the 300-metre-high walls of the Todra Gorges. The day ends with a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes and an overnight stay in a Berber camp.
An early sunrise at the top of a dune precedes breakfast, then the journey north passes the vast Tafilalet palm grove and the Ziz Valley before crossing the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, where Barbary macaques are occasionally spotted. The day concludes with arrival in Fes.
A local guide leads a full walking tour of the Fes medina, taking in the Attarine and Bou Anania Medersas, the Nejjarine fountain, and the Chouara tannery. In the afternoon the group drives into the Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen for an overnight stay.
The morning is spent exploring Chefchaouen's blue medina and its 18th-century kasbah. The route then heads south to Rabat for visits to the Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V Mausoleum, and the Oudaya Kasbah, before continuing to Casablanca for the night.
What Is Included
Included
- Airport transfers in Marrakech at arrival and departure
- 7 nights accommodation in hotels, riads, and desert camp
- Daily breakfast throughout the tour
- Dinners in Ouarzazate, Merzouga Berber camp, and Casablanca
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver
- Official guided walking tour of Marrakech Medina
- Local guide for Fes Medina walking tour
- Camel trek at sunset into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- One night in a traditional Berber bivouac camp in the Sahara
Not Included
- International flights to and from Morocco
- Lunches throughout the tour
- Personal travel and health insurance
- Entry fees to monuments and museums unless stated
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses and optional activities
Important Information
Ready to Explore Morocco?
Secure your place on this 8-day journey through Morocco's imperial cities, mountain landscapes, and Sahara dunes. Places are limited on each departure.
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