Camel Ride Trips9-Day Morocco Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour from Casablanca
A private Morocco tour from Casablanca to Marrakech through Rabat, the blue city of Chefchaouen, the medina of Fes and a night in a Sahara desert camp in Merzouga. Built for families, couples and first-time visitors who want Morocco's highlights in one week.
What is the 9-Day Morocco Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour?
It is a private 9-day, 8-night road trip by Camel Ride Trips that starts at Casablanca airport and ends in Marrakech. You visit the imperial cities of Rabat, Fes and Marrakech, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the blue city of Chefchaouen, the Erg Chebbi dunes of the Sahara, the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou. It includes a private English-speaking driver-guide, licensed local guides in Fes and Marrakech, a sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
- 1 night Casablanca
- 1 night Chefchaouen
- 2 nights Fes
- 1 night Sahara camp
- 1 night Dades Valley
- 2 nights Marrakech
How much driving is there on the 9-day Imperial Cities & Sahara tour?
The whole route covers about 1,700 km by road. On this 9-day tour, 4 of the 9 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 | Arrival in Casablanca | — | Airport transfer only |
| Day 2 | Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen | about 340 km | 5–6 hours with stops |
| Day 3 | Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Fes | about 270 km | 4–5 hours with stops |
| Day 4 | Fes guided tour | — | Little or no driving |
| Day 5 | Fes → Ifrane → Middle Atlas → Merzouga | about 470 km | 7–8 hours with stops |
| Day 6 | Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley | about 280 km | 4–5 hours with stops |
| Day 7 | Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech | about 340 km | 5–6 hours with stops |
| Day 8 | Marrakech guided tour | — | Little or no driving |
| Day 9 | Departure | — | Airport transfer only |
9-Day Morocco Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Casablanca
- Arrive at Mohammed V Airport
- Private airport transfer to your hotel
- Relax or walk along the Atlantic Corniche if time permits
Overnight: Casablanca
- Day 2
Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen
- Drive to Rabat, the capital
- Explore the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas
- Continue to Chefchaouen, the Blue City
Overnight: Chefchaouen
- Day 3
Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Fes
- Morning walk through the blue medina of Chefchaouen
- Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Optional stop in Meknes, depending on time
- Continue to Fes
Overnight: Fes
- Day 4
Fes guided tour
- Full-day guided tour of the historic medina with a licensed local guide
- Bou Inania Madrasa
- Traditional tanneries
- Artisan quarters and souks
- Historic gates and monuments
Overnight: Fes
- Day 5
Fes → Ifrane → Middle Atlas → Merzouga
- Morning departure from Fes
- Drive through Ifrane and the Middle Atlas Mountains
- Stop near Azrou in the cedar forest
- Continue through the Ziz Valley
- Sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dinner and Berber music around the campfire
Overnight: Sahara desert camp
- Day 6
Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
- Optional sunrise over the dunes
- Breakfast at the camp, then return by camel or 4x4
- Drive past desert landscapes and traditional villages
- Walk inside the Todra Gorge
- Continue through the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley
- Dinner included
Overnight: Dades Valley
- Day 7
Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech
- Scenic drive through the Dades landscapes
- Visit the Skoura oasis
- Continue to Ouarzazate
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains over the Tizi n'Tichka pass
Overnight: Marrakech
- Day 8
Marrakech guided tour
- Full-day private guided tour of the Red City
- Koutoubia Mosque
- Bahia Palace
- Saadian Tombs
- The souks and medina
- Jemaa el-Fna Square
Overnight: Marrakech
- Day 9
Departure
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Private transfer to Marrakech Airport
- Optional: private transfer to Casablanca Airport if your flight leaves from there
End of tour
A Morocco Tour for Families & First-Time Visitors
Families
Private car, flexible stops and a short, safe camel ride. Children love the desert camp, the campfire music and the blue streets of Chefchaouen.
First visit to Morocco
One week covers the classic highlights: three imperial cities, the Sahara, the kasbah valleys and a UNESCO site, without rushing.
Couples
Upgrade to boutique riads and a luxury tent in the dunes for a romantic version of the same route.
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 for the whole tour
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport pickup and departure transfer
- 8 nights' accommodation with breakfast every morning
- 1 night in Casablanca, 1 in Chefchaouen, 2 in Fes
- 1 night in a Sahara desert camp with dinner and breakfast
- 1 night in the Dades Valley with dinner
- 2 nights in Marrakech
- Sunset camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Berber music around the campfire
- Local guided tours of Fes and Marrakech
- Visits to Ait Ben Haddou and the Todra Gorge
- Stops at viewpoints and traditional villages
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and attractions
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the driver and local guides
- Travel insurance
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Questions About This Tour
How long is the Morocco Imperial Cities and Sahara tour?
It lasts 9 days and 8 nights. It starts at Casablanca airport and ends in Marrakech, with an optional transfer back to Casablanca airport.
Which cities does the 9-day tour visit?
Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga in the Sahara, the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech. Meknes can be added depending on time.
Is this Morocco tour good for families with children?
Yes. It is private, so the driver adapts the pace and stops to your children. The camel ride is short and safe, and the desert camp has private tents with beds and bathrooms.
How many nights do you spend in the Sahara?
One night in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, with a sunset camel ride, dinner, Berber music and an optional sunrise. You can add a second desert night.
Is the tour private or shared?
It is fully private: only your group, with your own vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide, plus licensed local guides in Fes and Marrakech.
Can I customize the 9-day itinerary?
Yes. You can add nights, include Meknes or Essaouira, upgrade to luxury riads or change the start and end cities.
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 9-day Imperial Cities & Sahara tour?
The whole route covers about 1,700 km by road. On this 9-day tour, 4 of the 9 days have little or no driving. The longest day is Day 5, Fes → Ifrane → Middle Atlas → Merzouga: about 470 km, 7–8 hours with stops. All times are approximate and include short stops.
How much does the 9-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara tour cost?
The 9-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara tour starts from €1,390 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.
See also our 11-day tour with Essaouira and the 8-day Imperial Cities & Sahara.
Your Journey, Your Pace, Your Morocco
Send us your dates and group size. We'll prepare this 9-day private tour around you, with clear pricing and no obligation.