Explore Morocco's four imperial cities, the blue Chefchaouen, and the golden Sahara Desert on one epic journey
Discover the richness of Morocco on this comprehensive 7-day imperial cities and Sahara Desert tour that begins and ends in Casablanca. This expertly crafted journey takes you through the country's most iconic destinations — from the majestic Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca to the ancient Roman ruins of Rabat, the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, and the sprawling medieval medina of Fes. You will cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, traverse palm-filled gorges, and finally venture deep into the Sahara Desert for a magical night beneath the stars in a luxury desert camp near Merzouga.
The journey continues through the dramatic Dades Valley and Todra Gorges, past the Hollywood of Africa — Ouarzazate — and into the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou kasbah before concluding in vibrant Marrakech. This 7-day Morocco tour offers the perfect balance of cultural immersion, historical discovery, and authentic desert adventure, with comfortable riads, rich local cuisine, and knowledgeable guides at every step. From €850 per person, this grand tour represents the ultimate Moroccan experience in just over a week.
Your 7-day Morocco adventure begins with a morning pickup from your Casablanca hotel or the Mohammed V International Airport. The first stop is the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, standing dramatically on the Atlantic coastline with its towering 210-meter minaret. After a photo stop and a brief exploration of the mosque's exquisite architecture, you will travel north to the capital city of Rabat, where you will visit the impressive Royal Palace gates, the picturesque Hassan Tower — an unfinished minaret dating back to the 12th century — and the beautifully preserved Chellah necropolis with its Roman and medieval Islamic ruins. Continue north through the scenic countryside of northern Morocco, passing lush farmland and cork oak forests as you approach the magnificent Rif Mountains. Arrive in Chefchaouen, the famous blue pearl of Morocco, in the early evening — just in time to stroll through the enchanting blue-painted streets and enjoy a traditional tagine dinner at your charming local riad, surrounded by the peaceful mountain atmosphere.
Wake up in the magical blue city of Chefchaouen and take a morning walking tour through its famous medina, where every alleyway and staircase is painted in brilliant shades of blue and white. Visit the main square of Outa El Hammam with its red-walled kasbah and the Grand Mosque, then explore the local market where artisans sell traditional wool garments, woven blankets, and distinctive Chefchaouen handicrafts. After a relaxed Berber-style breakfast with fresh msemen flatbread and olive oil, you will depart for the imperial city of Fes, driving through the fertile plains of the Gharb region and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. Make a scenic stop at the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk among remarkably preserved mosaics, triumphal arches, and marble columns dating back to 40 BC. Arrive in Fes in the late afternoon and check into your traditional riad inside the old medina, then enjoy an evening walk through the bustling streets before a delicious dinner of couscous and pastilla at your riad's rooftop terrace overlooking the ancient city.
Today you will explore the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco — Fes el-Bali, the oldest and best-preserved medieval city in the Arab world. Your morning begins with a guided visit to the stunning Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, founded in 859 AD and recognized by UNESCO as the oldest existing educational institution in the world. You will wander through the labyrinthine alleys of the Fes medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing the vibrant Chouara Tannery where workers still dye leather using ancient methods in stone vats filled with natural pigments. Visit the elaborately decorated Bou Inania Madrasa, the Nejjarine Museum of Woodworking, and the Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum, pausing at the Seffarine Square where brass workers hammer intricate designs into copper and silver. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch at a restaurant with panoramic views over the entire medina, then continue to the royal palace gates and the Jewish Quarter known as the Mellah. Your afternoon includes visits to the pottery and mosaic cooperatives on the outskirts of Fes, where master artisans demonstrate centuries-old zellij tile techniques, before returning to your riad for a relaxed evening with mint tea.
Depart Fes after breakfast and travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing the charming alpine-style town of Ifrane — known as Morocco's Switzerland — with its red-roofed chalets, manicured gardens, and cedar forests inhabited by Barbary macaques. Continue through the Azrou cedar forest where you can stop to feed the playful wild monkeys, then descend into the dramatic Ziz Valley, a vast oasis of date palm groves stretching across the arid landscape. The road winds through spectacular canyons and gorges carved by the Ziz River, offering countless photo opportunities of the rugged terrain and traditional Berber villages with their distinctive mud-brick architecture. Arrive at the edge of the Sahara Desert in Merzouga in the late afternoon and prepare for the highlight of your 7-day tour — a breathtaking sunset camel trek across the towering golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Your experienced Berber guide will lead you through the shifting sands as the setting sun transforms the dunes into a sea of amber and orange. Arrive at your luxury desert camp where you will be welcomed with sweet mint tea, enjoy a traditional dinner of Moroccan tagine, and spend the night in a comfortable private tent under the most spectacular starry sky you have ever witnessed, with Berber drumming echoing across the dunes.
Wake before dawn to witness a truly unforgettable Sahara sunrise — the golden light spilling over the dunes is a photographic dream and a memory that will last a lifetime. After a hearty Berber breakfast at the camp, ride your camel back to Merzouga where you can freshen up at the guesthouse. Today's drive takes you through the rugged lunar landscapes of the Anti-Atlas and High Atlas regions, passing through the town of Rissani and its lively local market where you can see traditional Berber trading. Continue through the stunning Todra Gorges, where towering limestone canyon walls rise 300 meters on either side of the road — an incredible spot for walking and photography among the oasis palm groves. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant overlooking the gorge, then journey through the Dades Valley, known as the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, where ancient fortified villages cling to the hillsides and dramatic rock formations known as Monkey Fingers rise from the valley floor. Arrive in Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, in the late afternoon and check into your hotel, with time to explore the town and its impressive Taourirt Kasbah before dinner.
After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the famous Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate, where legendary movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones were filmed against the backdrop of the stunning desert landscapes. Then drive the short distance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou, the most spectacular ancient kasbah in Morocco, with its towering clay fortifications, maze-like alleyways, and panoramic views over the surrounding oasis. Spend two hours exploring this remarkable fortified village with a local guide who will explain the fascinating history of the trans-Saharan trade route and the traditional Berber architecture of the ksar. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters — the highest road pass in North Africa — stopping at viewpoints to admire the panoramic views of Berber villages, terraced fields, and jagged mountain peaks. Arrive in the vibrant red city of Marrakech in the late afternoon and check into your riad in the medina or the modern Gueliz district, with the evening free to explore the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square and its lively food stalls, storytellers, and musicians.
On your final day, enjoy a leisurely morning in Marrakech with time to explore the Majorelle Garden — the stunning botanical garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and restored by Yves Saint Laurent — or visit the Bahia Palace with its intricate cedar ceilings and marble courtyards. You can also wander through the bustling souks of the Marrakech medina, where you can shop for authentic Moroccan handicrafts including leather goods, handmade carpets, brass lanterns, and aromatic spices. After a final traditional Moroccan lunch at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the medina, your driver will transfer you back to Casablanca for your flight departure from Mohammed V International Airport. The drive from Marrakech to Casablanca takes approximately 2.5 hours via the A3 expressway, giving you time to reflect on a week filled with imperial cities, blue alleys, ancient ruins, Saharan dunes, and Berber hospitality. This 7-day imperial cities and Sahara tour from Casablanca concludes with drop-off at the airport, your riad, or your preferred location in Casablanca.
The tour includes private air-conditioned transport, English-speaking guide throughout, 6 nights accommodation (riads and luxury desert camp) with daily breakfast and dinner, sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi dunes, guided city tours with local official guides in Fes and Marrakech, all entrance fees to monuments, and bottled water.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal. These months offer comfortable temperatures for city walking tours in Fes and Marrakech as well as pleasant evenings in the Sahara Desert. Summer can be very hot in the cities, while winter brings cool but clear days across Morocco.
Yes, we offer complimentary airport pickup from Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport on the first day of the tour. Our driver will greet you at arrivals with a name sign and transfer you directly to your Casablanca hotel or begin the tour if you arrive in the morning.
Absolutely, this tour is very family-friendly. Children love the camel trek in the Sahara, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, and exploring the ancient kasbahs. We can provide child discounts, adjust walking distances, and recommend family-friendly riads. Please let us know ages when booking so we can prepare accordingly.
Pack comfortable walking shoes for medina tours, a light jacket for evenings, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for visiting mosques and religious sites, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear (your riad may have a pool), and a scarf for the desert wind. A small daypack is useful for daily excursions.
"The 7-day imperial cities tour from Casablanca was simply extraordinary. From the blue streets of Chefchaouen to the Sahara camel trek at golden hour, every moment was perfectly curated. Our guide Mohammed brought Morocco's history to life at every stop. The luxury desert camp was magical — we sat around the campfire with Berber musicians under the most incredible starry sky. Fes and Marrakech city tours were comprehensive and never rushed. Truly the trip of a lifetime."
🇦🇺 Australia — Traveled October 2025
Morocco Desert Vacation