From $1,390 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
Private Morocco Travel | Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Todra Gorges, Aït Benhaddou, Marrakech
Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca – Welcome to Morocco and Transfer to Rabat
Arrive at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. Meet your dedicated driver-guide who will provide a short briefing and help with luggage. Begin your journey toward Rabat, Morocco’s capital, just under two hours away.
Upon arrival, enjoy a brief city tour of Rabat’s key landmarks:
- Hassan Tower – an incomplete 12th-century minaret and the last remnant of a vast mosque project by Sultan Yacoub al-Mansour
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V – final resting place of the Moroccan king and his sons, adorned with traditional white marble and green tiles
- Kasbah of the Udayas – a cliffside fortress dating back to the Almohad era with narrow alleys, blue walls, and ocean views
Settle into a comfortable riad or hotel in Rabat. Enjoy a Moroccan dinner featuring local dishes such as lamb tagine with prunes, harira soup, and khobz (Moroccan bread).
Overnight in Rabat.
Day 2: Rabat to Chefchaouen – Rif Mountains and the Blue City
After breakfast, drive north through olive groves, fertile plains, and forested hills toward the Rif Mountains, reaching Chefchaouen by early afternoon (approx. 4.5–5 hours).
Chefchaouen is known for its blue-washed walls, peaceful atmosphere, and mountain setting. Take a walking tour through the medina:
- Stroll the steep, winding lanes that reveal hidden doorways and terraces painted in all shades of blue
- Visit Ras El Maa Spring, where locals come to gather water or do laundry
- Browse artisan shops offering handwoven blankets, goat cheese, handmade soaps, and traditional Berber jewelry
- Visit the Kasbah Museum if time permits – showcasing regional history, old photographs, and Andalusian-style gardens
Enjoy the relaxed pace of life here. Dinner is served in a local riad with panoramic views over the medina rooftops.
Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Day 3: Chefchaouen to Fes – Volubilis and Meknes En Route
Depart Chefchaouen after breakfast and head south. Along the way, visit:
- Volubilis: Morocco’s best-preserved Roman archaeological site, with sprawling columns, bathhouses, and mosaics over 2,000 years old. A short guided walk covers the Capitoline Temple, Basilica, and House of Orpheus
- Meknes: Once the capital under Sultan Moulay Ismail, explore monumental gates like Bab Mansour, the granaries of Heries Souani, and the royal mausoleum (entry subject to opening times)
Arrive in Fes by late afternoon. Settle into your riad in the historic medina and enjoy a quiet evening or optional dinner with an Andalusian music performance.
Overnight in Fes.
Day 4: Full-Day Fes Tour – History, Handicrafts, and Sacred Learning
After breakfast, meet your licensed local guide for a comprehensive tour of Fes el-Bali, one of the oldest walled cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The labyrinthine streets are filled with mosques, schools, and artisan workshops.
Key highlights include:
- Al Quaraouiyine Mosque and University – founded in 859 AD, it’s recognized by UNESCO as the world’s oldest existing university
- Chouara Tanneries – a rooftop viewpoint lets you watch traditional leatherworkers in dye pits with natural colors like poppy, saffron, and indigo
- Moulay Idriss Mausoleum and Nejjarine Fountain – sacred and historic architectural treasures
- Bou Inania Madrasa – featuring elaborate zellij tilework, cedar wood, and stucco designs
- Visit cooperative workshops for handmade brass, ceramic, embroidery, and carpet weaving
Lunch will be served in a traditional restaurant tucked into the heart of the medina.
In the late afternoon, walk through Fes el-Jdid, see the Royal Palace gates, and visit the Jewish Mellah district.
Overnight in Fes.
Day 5: Fes to Merzouga – Middle Atlas, Ziz Valley, and Desert Camp
Today is a long but scenic journey as you cross from the Middle Atlas to the Sahara Desert (approx. 8 hours with stops).
- Pass through Ifrane, a town designed with alpine-style architecture and clean streets
- Stop in Azrou’s cedar forest, known for its tall ancient trees and resident Barbary macaques
- Continue through the mountains and arrive in Midelt for lunch
- Drive past the Ziz Valley, with sweeping palm groves and fortified ksar villages
- Reach Erfoud, known for fossil finds, and proceed to the desert town of Merzouga
At Merzouga, transfer to your Sahara desert camp via 4×4 or by camel caravan. As the sun sets over the Erg Chebbi dunes, enjoy sandboarding or relax at camp.
Dinner is served under the stars with Berber drumming by the fire. Overnight in a private, en-suite tent with traditional rugs and desert silence.
Overnight in Merzouga Desert Camp.
Day 6: Merzouga to Dades Valley – Todra Gorge and Mountain Landscapes
After a sunrise breakfast in the dunes, return by camel or vehicle to Merzouga village and begin your drive toward Dades Valley (approx. 5–6 hours).
Along the way:
- Stop at Todra Gorge, a dramatic canyon where cliffs rise over 300 meters. Walk along the clear stream, often visited by climbers and travelers
- Continue through Berber villages with terraced farmland and stop for a local lunch
- Pass through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, a chain of crumbling mudbrick fortresses that once guarded caravan routes
- Arrive in Dades Valley in the afternoon and visit local viewpoints overlooking red cliffs, rock formations, and palmeries
Dinner and overnight in a boutique guesthouse or kasbah-style lodge.
Overnight in Dades Valley.
Day 7: Dades to Marrakech – Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, and Atlas Crossing
Depart early after breakfast for a drive toward Marrakech, stopping at some of Morocco’s most famous historical and cinematic sites.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou, a fortified ksar built on a hillside with mudbrick towers and narrow lanes. It has featured in films like Gladiator, The Mummy, and Kingdom of Heaven
- Short visit to Ouarzazate – nicknamed the “Hollywood of Africa” – with optional entry to Atlas Studios or Taourirt Kasbah
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 meters), stopping at scenic outlooks and roadside markets
Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon. Check into a comfortable riad inside the medina.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 8: Explore Marrakech – Historic Sites, Gardens, and Departure
Start your day with a half-day guided tour of Marrakech, a city full of contrasts, color, and culture. Key highlights include:
- Bahia Palace – 19th-century royal residence with rich interior décor
- Saadian Tombs – resting place of royals from the Saadian dynasty
- Koutoubia Mosque – the city’s tallest structure (exterior only)
- Jemaa el-Fnaa – main square alive with juice stalls, musicians, acrobats, and food vendors
- Explore the souks, offering handwoven carpets, perfumes, silver jewelry, spices, and ceramics
Optional lunch or spa treatment before your transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport, marking the end of your 8-day Morocco tour package.
Included in the Tour Package
- 7 nights’ accommodation in riads, boutique hotels, and a luxury desert camp
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver throughout
- Daily breakfast and 6 dinners (including desert BBQ and Berber lodge meals)
- Licensed local guides in Fes, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Marrakech, and Aït Benhaddou
- Camel ride in Erg Chebbi dunes
- All entry fees for mentioned sites
- Airport transfers in Casablanca and Marrakech
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Lunches and two dinners
- Optional excursions (spa, quad biking, hot air balloon)
- Personal shopping, drinks, and tipping
- Travel insurance