8 Days Desert Tour from Casablanca to Merzouga

After a hearty breakfast, set off toward Fes, journeying through sunlit farmlands of olives, grains, and grapes. Your first stop is Rabat, where modern streets blend with ancient wonders like the Royal Palace and the peaceful Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Next, explore Volubilis, where Roman ruins whisper stories of a distant empire with crumbling columns and vibrant mosaics.

In Meknes, Moulay Ismail’s legacy shines through the ornate Medersa Bou Inania and the grand Bab Mansour gate. Nearby, ancient stables and granaries reveal the scale of his empire, while a rooftop garden offers sweeping city views. As dusk falls, arrive in Fes—Morocco’s spiritual heart—where history breathes in every alley. Rest well; tomorrow’s immersion awaits.

Dive into the heart of Fes today, guided by a local expert who knows every hidden alley of the world’s oldest living medina. The bustling souks fill the air with vibrant colors and fragrant spices. Stand before the golden gates of the Royal Palace, then explore the 9th-century Karouine Mosque and University, a historic beacon of faith and learning. Visit the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, the city’s revered founder.

After savoring tagine or couscous at a traditional medina restaurant, wander to the ornate Nejjarine Fountain, the tranquil Harem Garden, and the Batha Museum, where Moroccan artistry shines. As evening falls, take in a panoramic view of Fes’s glowing rooftops—a timeless moment capturing the city’s vibrant cultural heritage you’ll remember forever.

After breakfast, your journey to Merzouga begins—an unforgettable passage through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland,” and wander cedar forests in Azrou where wild monkeys leap through the trees. Enjoy a local lunch in Zaida before continuing past Midelt and Rich, where the landscape shifts toward the desert.

By afternoon, the golden dunes of Merzouga welcome you. Mount a camel and trek into the vast Sahara as the sun melts into the horizon. Arrive at your Berber camp and dine beneath a canopy of stars. This is the magic of Morocco’s desert—authentic, serene, and unforgettable.

Awaken to the hush of the desert as the first light spills across the dunes—soft gold stretching endlessly beneath a quiet sky. After mint tea and a hearty breakfast at the edge of the Sahara, mount your camel once more for a final, peaceful ride back to Merzouga.

From there, the journey carves through time and terrain. In Rissani, cradle of the Alawite dynasty, wander ancient souks where desert trade once thrived. Then enter the towering stone corridors of the Todra Gorges—where 300-meter cliffs rise like cathedral walls, echoing with wind and history.

As the day softens into dusk, you arrive in the Dades Valley, where kasbahs cling to red rock and the river weaves through orchards. Here, in Morocco’s “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” the landscape whispers legends, and your evening is wrapped in the serenity of mountain silence.

After breakfast, the road winds toward Ouarzazate, weaving through the Valley of Roses—where the scent of blossoms lingers in the breeze—and past Skoura’s palm-fringed kasbahs. In Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” pause to photograph the iconic Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Film Studios, where desert dreams are brought to life on screen.

Next, you’ll explore the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a timeless fortress of clay and stone that rises like a mirage from the earth. Wander its alleys, tracing footsteps of traders and filmmakers alike.

After a traditional village lunch, ascend into the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the awe-inspiring Tizi N’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters. As the landscape shifts from rugged peaks to palm-filled plains, Marrakech reveals itself—alive with color, rhythm, and anticipation. Check in and unwind. The Red City is calling.