Twelve days is enough to take in the imperial cities and the Sahara without hurrying: the Atlantic coast, the blue town in the Rif, the medieval city at Fes, the desert at Merzouga, and the coast again at Essaouira.
You open in Casablanca and take the capital at Rabat, then head north into the Rif for Chefchaouen, with a full day given to the blue city. The road south passes Volubilis and imperial Meknes to reach Fes, where a full guided day is spent in the medina. From there you cross the Middle Atlas by way of Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley to the desert for two nights with a full day between them. The return leg runs west through Rissani and Erfoud, the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, past the Roses Valley, Skoura, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, and over the High Atlas to Marrakech for a guided day. The trip closes on the coast at Essaouira before the final run to Casablanca.
Your guide meets you on arrival in Casablanca. The day opens at the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the country. After free time for lunch, the tour continues through Casablanca — Mohammed V Square, a photo stop at Rick’s Café, and a walk along the Corniche.
Approx. 1 hour driving · Overnight: Comfortable hotel in Casablanca
After breakfast the road follows the coast to Rabat. You take in the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon you head north through Ouazzane to the blue city of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Chefchaouen
After breakfast you explore Chefchaouen, the blue city, also called Achaoun (horns in Berber). You begin with a walk through the old medina, full of blue doors and whitewashed walls. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon you can hike up to the Spanish Mosque, set on high ground with a sweeping view over the whole blue town, before returning to your hotel.
No driving — approx. 2 hours walking · Overnight: Same hotel in Chefchaouen
After breakfast there is time to wander the lanes of Chefchaouen once more. Then the road runs to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and on 30 km to Meknes, where you visit Bab Al-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the royal stables, the granary, and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. You then continue to Fes.
Approx. 4 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Fes
You are collected from your riad after breakfast to explore Fes. A driving tour covers the Royal Palace Gate, the Mellah, the Borj Sud fortress view, and the Ceramic Village and School. The walking tour of the medieval medina with a local guide takes in the Al Attarine Madrasa, the University and Mosque of Al-Qarawiyyin, and the colourful Chouara tanneries.
Approx. 30 min driving / 3–4 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Fes
After breakfast the road runs south through Imouzzer to Ifrane, then the cedar forest of the Barbary macaques. You reach Midelt for lunch, then drive toward Merzouga through the Tizi n’Tilghmt pass and along the Ziz Valley.
In the afternoon you arrive at the Sahara at Merzouga and switch to camels to cross the sand, pausing on a high dune for the sunset, then continue to camp for Berber music and dancing under the stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 7 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
An early start is a must, to watch the sunrise over the desert. You return by camel or 4×4 to Merzouga. The seventh day is given to the region around Merzouga — dunes, a wild lake, mines, fossil grounds, and oases.
You drive off-road to an old antimony (kohl) mine, then visit a nomad family over Berber tea. Next is Khamlia village for Gnaoua music and dance. Free time for lunch. Afterwards you walk in the palm grove, then drive to the wild lake of Merzouga, the flamingo lake. You return to Merzouga for dinner and the night.
Approx. 2 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga
After breakfast you leave the desert for Rissani, with a large souk that comes alive on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. After the souk you continue to Erfoud for a fossilised-marble workshop, then through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad to the Todra Gorge, a high, red-walled ravine. Free time for lunch. You then continue to the Dades Valley through Boumalne Dades, with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and a viewpoint over the valley.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Valley
After breakfast you drive on to Kalaat M’Gouna to visit the Roses Valley, then through the palm groves of Skoura to Ouarzazate, where you visit the film studios.
From there you head to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then continue to Marrakech across the Tizi n’Tichka pass and the High Atlas, with stops for lunch and photos.
Approx. 5.5 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
After a warm breakfast you explore the highlights of Marrakech with a local guide: the nineteenth-century Bahia Palace, the well-preserved Ben Youssef Madrasa, the medina and its souks, the lively Jemaa el-Fna Square, and the Koutoubia Mosque from the outside.
Free time for lunch. In the afternoon you visit the Majorelle Garden (requires online pre-booking), then drive through Gueliz before returning to your riad.
Approx. 45 min driving / 3 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
After breakfast the road runs west to Essaouira, with stops on the way to see the argan plantations and cooperatives and, with luck, the goats up in the trees. You reach Essaouira, formerly Mogador, known for its seafood, its beach, and its surfing. Free time to visit the fishing port, the old ramparts with their cannons, and the medina. You are then transferred to your hotel.
Approx. 3 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Essaouira
On the last day you leave Essaouira and head to Casablanca, with drop-off at your departure terminal at Casablanca airport. Ideally your flight should leave around 4pm or later. The tour can also end in Marrakech if you prefer. This is the end of the tour.
Approx. 4 hours 20 min driving
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It is a private experience: only the travellers who make the enquiry take part, with no one else joining. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised trips, which is why we mainly run private tours.
The camel ride runs from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you stay in. If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that carries people and luggage in and out. ATVs can also be arranged at extra cost.
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has a private bathroom with hot running water.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best, with mild, pleasant weather across most regions. Winter is good too, especially in the south and the desert.
Either an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both air-conditioned. The 4×4 is a Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 passengers); minivans are a Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo, or similar (up to 8 passengers). For groups larger than 8, a minibus for up to 18 can be provided.