Five days runs coast to coast at a brisk pace, linking a run of Morocco’s headline places between Casablanca and Marrakech: the imperial cities, the Middle Atlas, and the Sahara at Merzouga.
You start in Casablanca, then take the Roman ruins of Volubilis and imperial Meknes on the way to Fes. From there you cross the Middle Atlas by way of Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley to the desert for a night at Merzouga. The return leg runs west through Rissani and Erfoud, the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, past the Roses Valley, Skoura, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, and over the High Atlas to Marrakech, where the tour ends.
The tour begins with a pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Casablanca, the economic centre and the largest city in Morocco. You first visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the country, set on the west coast of the city on a promontory above the Atlantic. Free time for lunch. Then you explore the city and take in the Corniche of Casablanca.
Approx. 1 hour driving · Overnight: Hotel in Casablanca
After breakfast you leave Casablanca for the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, well preserved and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with mosaics scattered among the standing pillars and archways. After a walk through the ruins, it is a 30 km drive to Meknes, the Ismaili capital and one of the imperial cities, where you visit Bab Al-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the royal stables, the granary, and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. You then continue to Fes.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Fes
After breakfast the road runs south through Imouzzer to Ifrane, known for its cool climate, its snow, and its alpine-style houses, which have earned it the name Switzerland of Morocco. From there you continue to the cedar forest, home to the Barbary macaques, where you can feed them while walking among the trees. You reach Midelt for free time and lunch, then drive on toward Merzouga through the Tizi n’Tilghmt pass and along the Ziz Valley, with stops for the views.
You then arrive at the Sahara at Merzouga in the afternoon and switch to camels to cross the sand, pausing on a high dune for the sunset. You continue to camp, a blend of the traditional nomad tent and the comfort of a hotel, where you can enjoy Berber drum music and dancing around the fire under a wide sky of stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 7 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
An early start is a must, to watch the sunrise over the desert. Free time for breakfast, then you return by camel to Merzouga, where the driver is waiting. You then leave the desert for Rissani, the old capital of Tafilalet and still a major trading centre in the region.
After a walk through the souk, you continue to Erfoud to visit a fossilised-marble workshop. The road then runs through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad to the Todra Gorge, where the Todra river has cut a grand, red-walled canyon through the mountains, a favourite with rock climbers, with time to wander the gorge. Free time for lunch. You then continue to the Dades Valley through Boumalne Dades, with the stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and for a view over the Dades Valley.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Valley
On the last day you drive on to Kalaat M’Gouna to visit the Roses Valley, where a Rose Festival is held every May and locals sell their rose products. The road then passes through the palm groves of Skoura to reach Ouarzazate, where you visit the studios that have hosted many well-known films.
From there you head to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has appeared in films including Gladiator, Alexander, and The Mummy, and in series such as Game of Thrones. You then continue to Marrakech across the Tizi n’Tichka pass and the High Atlas, with stops for lunch and photos. On reaching Marrakech you are driven to the airport or your accommodation. This is the end of the tour.
Approx. 6 hours driving
Please fill out the form below to contact us, and we will respond as soon as possible.
For a faster response, simply click the floating WhatsApp icon on the website to send us a message.
You can also reach us by email at journeytomarrakech@gmail.com.
It is a private experience: only the travellers who make the enquiry take part, with no one else joining. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised trips, which is why we mainly run private tours.
The camel ride runs from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you stay in. If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that carries people and luggage in and out. ATVs can also be arranged at extra cost.
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has a private bathroom with hot running water.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best, with mild, pleasant weather across most regions. Winter is good too, especially in the south and the desert.
Either an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both air-conditioned. The 4×4 is a Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 passengers); minivans are a Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo, or similar (up to 8 passengers). For groups larger than 8, a minibus for up to 18 can be provided.
