Six days runs from coast to coast at a steady pace, taking in 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, where a guided day is spent in the medina. 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.
Your guide meets you on arrival, either at the airport or at your accommodation in Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city and its economic engine. The day opens at the Hassan II Mosque, set on a promontory above the Atlantic and the largest mosque in the country, whose detailed craftsmanship and shoreline setting make it the city’s landmark.
After some free time for lunch, the tour continues through the rest of Casablanca. Depending on your arrival time, it may take in Mohammed V Square, a photo stop at the well-known Rick’s Café, and a walk along the lively Corniche.
Approx. 1 hour driving · Overnight: Comfortable 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
You are collected from your riad after breakfast to explore Fes, the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco and one of its most iconic imperial cities.
The day starts with a driving tour: the grand Royal Palace Gate, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), the wide view over the medina from the Borj Sud fortress, and the Ceramic Village and School. Then comes the walking tour of the medieval medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, taking in the Al Attarine Madrasa, the University and Mosque of Al-Qarawiyyin, regarded as the oldest existing university in the world, and the colourful Chouara tanneries, where leather is still dyed by centuries-old methods.
Approx. 30 min driving / 3–4 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Fes
After breakfast the road runs south through Imouzzer to Ifrane, the 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.
In the afternoon you arrive at the Sahara at Merzouga and switch to camels to cross the sand, pausing on a high dune for the sunset. You continue to camp, 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 or the camp’s 4×4 to Merzouga. You leave the desert for Rissani, the old capital of Tafilalet and still a major trading centre, with a large, lively souk.
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, a high, red-walled canyon and a favourite with rock climbers, with time to wander it. 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 the 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, then through the palm groves of Skoura to 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 UNESCO World Heritage Site that has appeared in Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. You then continue to Marrakech across the Tizi n’Tichka pass and the High Atlas, with stops for lunch and photos. You reach Marrakech around 5pm and are driven to the airport or your accommodation. This is the end of the tour.
Approx. 6 hours driving
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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.
