Camel Ride Trips8-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour from Casablanca
A complete first trip to Morocco in eight days. Start at the Hassan II Mosque, spend two nights in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and the gorges, enjoy two days around the Erg Chebbi dunes, then cross the Middle Atlas to Fes and finish in Rabat and Casablanca.
Is 8 days enough to see Morocco from Casablanca?
Yes, for the main highlights. You see Marrakech and Fes with local guides, Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra gorges, two days in the Merzouga desert and Rabat, and the tour ends back in Casablanca for your flight. For more time in each city, see the 10-day Grand Tour or the 12-day luxury desert tour.
- 2 nights Marrakech
- 1 night Dades Valley
- 1 night desert camp
- 1 night hotel in Merzouga
- 2 nights Fes
How much driving is there on the 8-day Imperial Cities & Sahara tour from Casablanca?
The whole route covers about 1,600 km by road. On this 8-day tour, 3 of the 8 days have little or no driving. Times below are approximate and include short stops for photos, lunch and visits.
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Casablanca → Marrakech | about 240 km | 4–5 hours with stops |
| Day 2 | Marrakech with a local guide | — | Little or no driving |
| Day 3 | Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley | about 340 km | 5–6 hours with stops |
| Day 4 | Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Rissani → Merzouga | about 260 km | 4–5 hours with stops |
| Day 5 | A day around Erg Chebbi | about 60 km | Short drives by 4x4 |
| Day 6 | Merzouga → Midelt → Azrou → Ifrane → Fes | about 470 km | 7–8 hours with stops |
| Day 7 | Fes with a local guide | — | Little or no driving |
| Day 8 | Fes → Rabat → Casablanca | about 290 km | 4–5 hours with stops |
Local desert team
We are based in Rissani, next to Merzouga, so the camels and camp are run by our own people.
Licensed local guides
Guided visits of the old medinas in Fes and Marrakech.
Private vehicle
Air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with your own English-speaking driver-guide.
Three comfort levels
Basic, Mid-Range or Luxury hotels, riads and desert tents.
8-Day Morocco Itinerary from Casablanca
- Day 1
Casablanca → Marrakech
Pickup at Casablanca airport or your hotel. Visit the Hassan II Mosque on the ocean, then drive to Marrakech.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Day 2
Marrakech with a local guide
Visit the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque with a licensed local guide, then your driver takes you to the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
In the evening, try street food on Jemaa el-Fna square or have mint tea on a rooftop café above it.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Day 3
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, visit Ait Ben Haddou and the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate, then follow the Valley of Roses and Skoura to the Dades Valley.
Overnight: Hotel or riad in the Dades Valley, dinner included
- Day 4
Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Rissani → Merzouga
Walk into the Todra Gorge, pass the Erfoud palm grove, with an optional fossil workshop, and continue through Rissani to Merzouga. Ride a camel into the dunes at sunset for a night in a nomad tent.
Overnight: Desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, dinner included
- Day 5
A day around Erg Chebbi
Sunrise over the dunes, then drive around Erg Chebbi to the Tissardmine oasis and a nomad site. Enjoy tea and Gnawa music in Khamlia, with a free afternoon to climb the dunes.
Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga, dinner included
- Day 6
Merzouga → Midelt → Azrou → Ifrane → Fes
Cross the Middle Atlas via Errachidia and Midelt, with a barbecue and mint tea stop in Zaida, Barbary macaques near Azrou and the alpine town of Ifrane.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Fes
- Day 7
Fes with a local guide
A licensed local guide meets you at your riad and leads you into Fes el-Bali through the Bab Boujloud blue gate. Visit the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, founded in 859 and often called the oldest university in the world, and the Chouara Tannery.
After lunch, see the golden gates of the Royal Palace and finish at a viewpoint over the old medina.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Fes
- Day 8
Fes → Rabat → Casablanca
Drive to Rabat, the capital, to see the Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Kasbah of the Udayas, then continue to Casablanca.
Tour ends at your hotel or Casablanca airport
Choose Your Comfort Level
Choose the level that suits you. The route and guides stay the same; only the hotels, riads and desert camp change.
Basic
- Clean 2–3 star hotels and guesthouses
- Simple traditional riads
- Standard tent in a desert camp
- Private rooms, breakfast included
Mid-Range
- Selected 3–4 star hotels
- Traditional riads with character
- Comfort desert tent with private bathroom
- Private rooms, breakfast included
Luxury
- Premium 4–5 star hotels and boutique riads
- Suites available on request
- Luxury desert tent with en-suite bathroom
- Breakfast included, selected dinners
Included & Not Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Local guides in Marrakech and Fes
- 7 nights in hotels, riads and a desert camp
- Camel ride in Merzouga
- Breakfast every day
- Dinners in the Dades Valley and Merzouga
- Pickup and drop-off in Casablanca
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Activities not listed in the itinerary
Questions About the 8-Day Tour from Casablanca
Are local guides included?
Yes, in Marrakech on day 2 and in Fes on day 7.
Where do we sleep?
Marrakech (2 nights), Dades Valley (1), a desert camp (1), a hotel in Merzouga (1) and Fes (2).
Which meals are included?
Breakfast every day, plus dinners in the Dades Valley and Merzouga.
Does the tour end at the airport?
Yes. We can drop you at your hotel or Casablanca Mohammed V Airport.
Can I choose a different hotel level?
Yes. This tour is available in Basic, Mid-Range and Luxury. The route, driver-guide and local guides stay the same; only the hotels, riads and desert camp change, along with the price.
How much driving is there on the 8-day Imperial Cities & Sahara tour from Casablanca?
The whole route covers about 1,600 km by road. On this 8-day tour, 3 of the 8 days have little or no driving. The longest day is Day 6, Merzouga → Midelt → Azrou → Ifrane → Fes: about 470 km, 7–8 hours with stops. All times are approximate and include short stops.
How much does the 8-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara from Casablanca tour cost?
The 8-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara from Casablanca tour starts from €1,310 per person at Mid-Range level, based on 2 travelers sharing. The price depends on your group size and comfort level (Basic, Mid-Range or Luxury). Message us on WhatsApp at +212 669 576 091 for an exact quote.
How do I pay for this tour?
Send a 20% deposit by PayPal, Payoneer or international bank transfer (SWIFT) and your tour is confirmed automatically. Pay the remaining 80% on the first day of the tour, in cash (EUR, USD or MAD) or online. Cancel 11 days or more before the tour for a full refund of your deposit. See our booking terms.
Other tours from Casablanca: 9-day Imperial Cities & Sahara, 10-day Grand Tour and 14-day Morocco at Leisure.
Your Journey, Your Pace, Your Morocco
Tell us your dates and we'll prepare this private tour around you, with clear pricing and no obligation.