7 Day Morocco Desert Tour | Casablanca to Marrakech via Sahara

Arrive at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport in the morning, or be picked up from your accommodation. Begin your Moroccan journey with a visit to the world-famous Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco and one of the tallest religious structures globally. Explore its intricate mosaics, marble floors, and stunning oceanfront location.

Next, drive to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital, and enjoy 2 hours to discover the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, and Kasbah of the Udayas, with its white and blue alleys overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Continue your journey to Fes, the country’s spiritual and cultural heart. Upon arrival, check into your riad and relax.

Overnight: Riad with breakfast

After breakfast, meet your certified local guide at 10:00 AM for a full-day exploration of Fes el Bali, one of the largest medieval medinas still intact. Enter through Bab Boujloud and wander through narrow, labyrinthine alleys bustling with traditional souks, artisans, and mule carts.

Key sites include Bou Inania Madrasa (famous for its carved cedar and stucco), Zaouia of Moulay Idriss, the Andalusian Quarter, Es-Sahrij Madrasa, and Dar Batha Palace, showcasing Andalusian-Arabic architecture and Moroccan craftsmanship. Visit Al-Karaouine University Mosque, founded in 859, and explore the tanneries where leather dyeing techniques remain unchanged since the Middle Ages.

Overnight: Riad with breakfast

Depart from Fes after breakfast for Merzouga Desert, passing through Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” for a quick photo stop. Continue to Azrou cedar forest, home to wild monkeys, offering a perfect spot for nature photography. Enjoy lunch in the Berber village of Zaida, then drive through Middle Atlas Mountains, passing Midelt and Rich village, before stopping at the breathtaking Ziz Valley for panoramic photos.

Arrive at Erfoud, gateway to the Sahara, and continue to Merzouga. Mount camels for a scenic ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes, experiencing golden desert landscapes at sunset. Spend the night in traditional Berber tents, enjoy dinner under the stars, and listen to live Berber music around the campfire.

Overnight: Berber tents with dinner, breakfast, and live music

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over Erg Chebbi, a magical desert moment. After breakfast, opt to return by camel or 4x4. Adventure seekers can enjoy a quad bike or buggy excursion through the dunes.

Visit Khamlia village, home of the Gnawa musicians, for a live music and dance experience while sipping mint tea. Travel via Taouz along the old Paris–Dakar Rally track and admire prehistoric rock engravings. Stop at Jdaid village for lunch with a Berber family and try local specialties, including Berber pizza. Explore Ouzina oasis, then reach your Kasbah hotel for a peaceful desert night in southern Morocco.

Overnight: Kasbah Hotel Porte de Sahara Ouzina with dinner and breakfast

After breakfast, explore the nomadic communities of Ouzina and visit the barite mines, a mineral exported to Europe for glassmaking. Continue to Bourika Oasis for a picnic lunch surrounded by palm groves. Visit the Lost City of Oubahlou, featuring ancient Portuguese ruins, and stroll through the site. In the afternoon, relax at Ramlia Oasis, enjoy tea at a local café, and watch the sunset over Erg Ouzina, capturing the desert’s serenity.

Overnight: Riad Hôtel Porte De Sahara Ouzina with dinner and breakfast

After breakfast, depart toward Dades Valley. Stop in Rissani, one of Morocco’s oldest cities, for photos at the “Gateway to the Desert.” Visit a fossil marble factory in Erfoud, then drive through palm groves in Touroug and Tinjdad. Explore the majestic Todra Gorges, with vertical cliffs perfect for hiking and photography. Continue to Dades Valley for overnight.

Overnight: Hotel in Dades Valley with dinner and breakfast

After breakfast, visit Valley of Roses and continue to Skoura on the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs. Stop in Ouarzazate, visiting Taourirt Kasbah and film studios for photography. Continue to Ait Ben Haddou, UNESCO fortress, and enjoy free time to explore and have lunch. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi-n-Tinifift pass to Marrakech, concluding your 7-day Moroccan adventure.