DAY 1: CASABLANCA → RABAT

Your tour begins on arrival at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. You’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the world’s largest and most architecturally impressive mosques, before continuing to Rabat — Morocco’s capital. There you’ll explore the Hassan Tower and the Oudayas Kasbah before settling in for the night. (Late-night arrivals are transferred directly to a Casablanca hotel to rest before the tour begins the next day.)

Approximate driving distance: 128 km
Approximate driving time: 2 hours 10 minutes

DAY 2: RABAT → CHEFCHAOUEN

After breakfast, the drive heads north into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. The scenic route unfolds over about four hours through rolling hills and small villages. On arrival, you’ll check in to your riad and have free time to wander the blue-painted streets of the medina, browse the souks, and relax at one of the small cafés for a first taste of Moroccan cuisine.

Approximate driving distance: 254 km
Approximate driving time: 4 hours

DAY 3: CHEFCHAOUEN → VOLUBILIS → MEKNES → FES

After breakfast, a scenic drive through the Rif villages brings you to Volubilis — a once-thriving Roman city now preserved as an archaeological site with remarkable 3rd-century mosaics and public buildings. The route continues to Meknes, a 17th-century imperial capital where you’ll explore the medina, admire the Bab el Mansour gate, and visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. The day ends in Fes at a beautiful riad.

Approximate driving distance: 260 km
Approximate driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes

DAY 4: GUIDED TOUR OF FES

A full day in Fes with a local guide. You’ll start at the Royal Palace gate before entering the UNESCO-listed medina to visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Nejjarine Fountain, and the Chouara Tanneries. You’ll also explore the Mellah (Jewish quarter) and end the day with a panoramic view of the medina from an old fortress, before returning to your riad.

DAY 5: FES → IFRANE → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA DESERT

After breakfast, the drive south to the Sahara begins with a short break in Ifrane. The route crosses the Middle Atlas with a stop in the cedar forest — keep an eye out for Barbary macaques. Lunch is served along the way before the road follows the Ziz Valley and its palm groves toward the desert.

You’ll reach the edge of Erg Chebbi in the afternoon. A camel trek carries you across the dunes, with a pause on a high ridge for a spectacular sunset. On arrival at your luxury camp, a private tent is waiting. Dinner is followed by drumming, Berber music, and a long night under the stars.

Approximate driving distance: 500 km
Approximate driving time: 7 hours 30 minutes

DAY 6: MERZOUGA DESERT → RISSANI → TODRA GORGE → DADES GORGE

An early start is worth it for the sunrise from the dunes. After breakfast, you’ll head back to Merzouga by camel or 4×4. On market days (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday) you can explore the traditional souk in Rissani, then continue to the Todra Gorge for a walk beneath its soaring cliffs. The drive continues past the “monkey fingers” rock formations at the entrance to the Dades Valley, with panoramic views along the way, before checking in to your hotel.

Approximate driving distance: 310 km
Approximate driving time: 5 hours

DAY 7: DADES GORGE → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → MARRAKECH

The drive heads west to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, with an optional visit to the Atlas Studios. You’ll then continue to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO-listed fortified village used as a backdrop for many internationally famous productions.

After lunch, the road climbs back over the High Atlas Mountains with photo stops, before descending into Marrakech in the late afternoon. Check in to your riad and take a stroll through Jemaa el-Fna in the evening to soak up the lively atmosphere.

Approximate driving distance: 353 km
Approximate driving time: 6 hours 30 minutes

DAY 8: GUIDED TOUR OF MARRAKECH

After breakfast, a local guide will show you Marrakech’s highlights: Jemaa el-Fna square, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the Koutoubia Mosque. After lunch, you can explore the more modern side of Marrakech and visit the exquisite Majorelle Garden.

If your onward flight is today, we’ll transfer you to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) or Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), marking the end of the tour.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This tour can also start from Tangier — see the 8 Days Tour from Tangier to Marrakech.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Optional extras include quad biking or buggy driving in the dunes, a professional photographer, a cooking class, a hammam experience, or a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 will take you to the camp at no extra cost.
– All our luxury camps feature private tents with en-suite bathrooms.