DAY 1: CASABLANCA → RABAT

On arrival at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, a local guide will meet you for the first stop: the Hassan II Mosque — one of the world’s largest and most architecturally impressive. You’ll admire its intricate tilework, carved marble, and ocean-front setting before continuing to Rabat, the Moroccan capital.

In Rabat you’ll visit the historic Hassan Tower and the atmospheric Oudayas Kasbah, then settle into your accommodation for the evening. (If your flight lands late at night, we’ll take you directly to a Casablanca hotel for a restful first night 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 road heads north to Chefchaouen, a small town nestled in the Rif Mountains. The drive takes around four hours through rolling hills and villages. On arrival, you’ll check in to your riad and have time to wander the city’s famous blue-washed alleys, visit the souks, or settle at a café in the medina for a leisurely evening.

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

DAY 3: CHEFCHAOUEN → VOLUBILIS → MEKNES → FES

After breakfast, the drive heads south through scenic Rif villages and open countryside to Volubilis — once a thriving Roman city and now one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in North Africa. You’ll walk among mosaics and grand public buildings dating back to the 3rd century.

The route continues to Meknes, a 17th-century imperial capital. After lunch, you’ll explore the medina and its famous Bab el Mansour gate — one of the most impressive in Morocco — and visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. The drive concludes in Fes, where you’ll check in to a riad in the old medina.

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

DAY 4: FULL DAY TOUR OF FES

A full day in Fes with a local guide. You’ll begin at the Royal Palace gate before entering the labyrinth of the medieval UNESCO-listed medina. Along the way you’ll visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Nejjarine Fountain, and the famous Chouara Tanneries.

You’ll also explore the historic Jewish quarter, the Mellah, before climbing to an old fortress for a panoramic view of the medina and the city. The evening is yours at your riad.

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

After breakfast, the long 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, where Barbary macaques are often seen. Lunch is served along the way before the drive follows the Ziz Valley to the desert.

You’ll reach the edge of Erg Chebbi in the afternoon. A camel trek takes you across the dunes for a spectacular sunset from a high ridge. On arrival at your luxury camp, a private tent is waiting. Dinner is followed by drumming, Berber music, and a long evening under the stars — join in on the drums yourself if you wish.

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

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

Wake up early for a sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, you’ll head back to Merzouga by camel or 4×4. If your trip falls on a market day (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday), you can explore the traditional souk in Rissani.

The route continues to the Todra Gorge, where you’ll walk beneath its towering cliffs, and on to the dramatic “monkey fingers” rock formations at the entrance to the Dades Valley. A scenic drive with panoramic views precedes your arrival at the hotel for the night.

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

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

The final day begins with a drive to Ouarzazate — the “Hollywood of Africa” — with an optional visit to the Atlas Studios. The route then continues to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site used as a backdrop for many internationally famous productions.

After lunch, the road climbs back over the High Atlas Mountains with photo stops along the way, before descending into Marrakech in the late afternoon.

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

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This tour can also start from Tangier — see the 7 Days Tour from Tangier to Marrakech.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Your Fes day can be enhanced with a cooking class, a traditional hammam, or a relaxing massage on request.
– Optional quad biking or buggy driving in the Erg Chebbi dunes can be arranged on request.
– 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.