Nine days covers a great deal of the country at a steady pace: the Atlantic coast at Casablanca, the imperial cities, the blue town in the Rif, and the Sahara at Merzouga, all run as a private trip with a private English-speaking driver.
The tour opens with a pick-up in Casablanca, then takes the capital at Rabat and the blue pearl of Chefchaouen. The road south passes Volubilis and imperial Meknes to reach Fes, where a 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 a night at Merzouga. 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, before the final run back to Casablanca.
The tour begins with a pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Casablanca. You visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco, set on a promontory above the Atlantic. Free time for lunch. Then you explore the city, taking in the Corniche, Rick’s Café, and Mohammed V Square.
Approx. 1 hour driving · Overnight: Hotel in Casablanca
After breakfast the road follows the coast to Rabat. You visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Free time for lunch. You then head north through Ouazzane and the Rif Mountains to the blue city of Chefchaouen.
Approx. 6 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Chefchaouen
After breakfast there is time to wander the lanes of the blue city. 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 / 2–3 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 vast dunes, pausing on a high dune for the sunset, then continue to the desert camp for Berber music and dancing under the stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 7 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, 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 favourite with rock climbers. 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. 4 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, the gate to the desert, where you visit the Atlas Studios.
From there you head to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. After a 20-minute walk up to the kasbah you continue to Marrakech across the Tizi n’Tichka pass and the High Atlas, with stops for lunch and photos.
Approx. 6 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
After breakfast you explore the highlights of Marrakech, the Red City, with a local guide. The visit takes in the Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Quranic mosque, and a walk through the largest traditional souk in Morocco. Free time for lunch near Jemaa el-Fna Square. Later you visit the Koutoubia Mosque and the Majorelle Garden.
You are then transferred to your accommodation, free to wander Jemaa el-Fna on your own.
Approx. 45 min driving / 3 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
On the last day, depending on your flight time, you may have free time in Marrakech. You then drive north to Casablanca airport. This is the end of the trip. The tour can also end in Marrakech.
Approx. 3 hours 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.