10-Day Morocco Tour: Marrakech, Sahara Desert & Atlas Mountains

This Grand Tour of Morocco in all its splendor begins at Casablanca airport, taking you across the country during an unforgettable 16-day expedition. Once you arrive at the terminal, an English-speaking driver will welcome you and accompany you in a private vehicle for a direct transfer into Casablanca.

Without delay, we will visit one of Morocco’s most significant monuments, the Hassan II Mosque. This exceptional construction is one of the few mosques open to non-Muslim visitors. If the opportunity allows, we will explore its interior, renowned for exquisite Islamic decoration and exceptional materials.

We then continue to Rabat, less than 100 kilometres from Casablanca. Here, you will have time to discover some of the city’s fascinating historic sites, including the Kasbah of the Oudayas, Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, all located within an area protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your accommodation is a beautiful riad in the centre, conveniently located near the historic medina, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace.

After breakfast at your riad in Rabat, we depart for one of Morocco’s most magnificent towns: Chefchaouen. The journey takes us approximately 250 kilometres north towards the Rif Mountains.

As we approach Chefchaouen, its spectacular position among the Rif Mountains immediately reveals the distinctive character of the city. The medina is filled with slopes, stairways, hidden corners and atmospheric streets.

During our first day in this charming town, you will have time to discover its famous blue and white streets, panoramic viewpoints and traditional craft shops specialising in leather, wool and other Moroccan materials.

The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at your own pace before returning to your riad in the heart of the medina.

After breakfast at the riad, enjoy another day to explore Chefchaouen at a relaxed pace and discover more of the city’s historic and cultural character.

The impressive kasbah, now home to an Ethnographic Museum, offers an insight into the history of the town. You can also explore the ancient gates of the medina walls and wander through the distinctive blue-painted streets.

Uta el Hammam Square forms the heart of the old town and is an ideal place to begin or finish your explorations. Take time to enjoy the atmosphere, local cafés, artisan shops and mountain views before returning to the riad.

After breakfast, we leave Chefchaouen and begin a route filled with some of Morocco’s most important cultural and historical sites.

Our first stop is Volubilis, Morocco’s most significant Roman archaeological site. Its preserved ruins reveal an impressive ancient city through mosaics, columns, arches and remnants of its original urban structure.

We then continue to Meknes, an imperial city that flourished during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries under Sultan Moulay Ismail. Its historic gates, monuments and mausoleum reflect the importance of the city during this period.

Towards the end of the day, we reach Fez. After settling into your riad, you can enjoy a relaxed walk through the medina and begin discovering the atmosphere of this extraordinary historic city.

Fez is one of Morocco’s most historically significant cities and for centuries served as an important cultural and spiritual centre of the Islamic world. After breakfast, our official guide will meet you for a guided exploration of the historic medina.

The morning tour takes you through important landmarks including the Bou Inania and Attarine madrasas, as well as historic squares, fountains and traditional souks.

The route can also include the Karaouine Mosque and University, the Nejjarine area and the famous artisanal districts, including the traditional tanneries. Your guide will explain the history and traditions behind the city’s remarkable architecture and craftsmanship.

In the afternoon, there is time to discover additional areas such as the Royal Palace gates or the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter, and to browse the city’s renowned handicrafts.

After breakfast, we leave Fez early and begin our journey south towards the Moroccan Sahara. Our first stop is Ifrane, a distinctive mountain town known for its alpine-style architecture and lush surroundings.

We continue towards the Cedar Forest near Azrou, home to the endangered Barbary macaque and some of Morocco’s ancient cedar trees.

Crossing the Middle Atlas, the landscape gradually becomes drier as we enter the Ziz Valley. Palm groves appear among the arid terrain before we continue towards Erfoud, known for its fossil and geological heritage.

Eventually we reach Merzouga, where we leave the vehicle and mount camels for a journey across the dunes of Erg Chebbi. As the sun begins to set, we arrive at our desert camp for tea, dinner and an unforgettable night beneath the Sahara sky.

After breakfast at the desert camp, we set out by 4×4 to explore the remote landscapes surrounding Merzouga.

Our first destination is Khamlia, known as the “village of the blacks”. Here we meet local musicians who preserve the traditions of Gnawa music. A live performance offers an opportunity to experience this distinctive Moroccan musical heritage.

We then continue across desert tracks towards Ouzina, a remote area far from the main tourist routes. Upon arrival, we receive a traditional welcome with tea before enjoying one of the most spectacular moments of the day: sunset over the surrounding dunes.

Dinner is served at the desert hotel, accompanied by Berber rhythms and the peaceful atmosphere of the remote desert.

The eighth day begins with the sunrise over Ouzina. An early start allows you to experience the changing colours of the dunes as the first light reaches the desert.

After breakfast and time to refresh, we continue our expedition through desert landscapes marked by sand rivers, rocky hamadas and traditional Berber villages.

We travel towards the mountainous region of Jebel Kem Kem near Alnif before reaching the Draa Valley through the Maharch Pass.

We then follow the famous Route of the Thousand Kasbahs towards Tamnougalt. The historic ksar, built in adobe and recently rehabilitated, offers a unique setting for the evening. Dinner is enjoyed within this remarkable fortified complex.

After breakfast at Tamnougalt, we continue through the Draa Valley towards the Dades Valley.

Along the route we reach the spectacular Todra Gorges near Tinghir. The dramatic canyon walls rise high above the road, creating one of the most impressive landscapes in southern Morocco.

We explore the gorge both on foot and by vehicle, allowing time to appreciate the immense rock formations and the landscape carved by the Todra River.

From Todra, the road continues through the Dades Valley, where a picturesque village provides the setting for tonight’s accommodation and dinner.

After breakfast, we leave the Dades Valley and continue through a landscape filled with small villages, traditional kasbahs, palm groves and vast rocky hamadas.

We reach Ouarzazate, often considered the gateway to the desert from Marrakech. One of its most important landmarks is Taourirt Kasbah, once associated with Thami El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakech.

The kasbah combines defensive adobe architecture with richly decorated interiors that reflect the wealth and influence of its former occupants.

The area is also famous for its film studios, which have welcomed productions from around the world. If desired, a visit to the facilities can be arranged.

We continue towards Ait Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s most iconic fortified villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After breakfast in Ouarzazate, we resume our journey towards the High Atlas Mountains.

Our route takes us to Telouet and its historic kasbah, associated with Thami El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakech. The architecture and decorated interiors offer an insight into the history of the Glaoui family.

We then continue towards the Tizi n’Tichka pass, one of the principal routes crossing the High Atlas. At more than 2,200 metres above sea level, the pass provides spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and villages.

We descend towards Marrakech, where the afternoon is free to relax or begin exploring the atmosphere of the Red City.

After breakfast, a guided tour introduces you to the essential sights of Marrakech and reveals the history behind the city’s remarkable medina.

The tour may include Jemaa el-Fna Square, the Kutubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and Ben Youssef Madrasa.

The afternoon remains free for you to discover additional places of historical and artistic interest. Depending on your preferences, you may visit El Badi Palace, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum or the Majorelle Gardens.

Your guide can recommend the most interesting places according to your interests before you return to your riad in the medina.

Today is dedicated to enjoying Marrakech at your own pace. After breakfast, you are free to explore the city, discover local neighbourhoods, enjoy traditional shopping or simply relax.

Marrakech offers a wide variety of experiences, from traditional crafts and atmospheric souks in the medina to contemporary boutiques and cafés in Gueliz.

This free day also provides an opportunity to explore the surroundings of Marrakech or simply enjoy a slower rhythm before continuing towards Morocco’s Atlantic coast.

After breakfast, our chauffeur collects you from your riad and we travel towards Essaouira, known as the Pearl of the Atlantic.

Along the route, we stop at an argan oil cooperative to learn about the production of this characteristic Moroccan product.

Known historically as Mogador, Essaouira retains the character of its Portuguese heritage and its historic medina has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On arrival, explore the maritime fortress, historic gateways, fishing port and atmospheric streets surrounding Moulay Hassan Square.

Your accommodation is located within the charming old town, allowing you to enjoy the coastal atmosphere at your leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the riad before spending the day discovering Essaouira at your own pace.

The Atlantic coast offers a variety of optional activities, including surfing, kitesurfing, horse riding, dromedary rides along the beach or simply relaxing beside the ocean.

Essaouira is also known for its strong musical heritage and its connection with Gnawa culture. The city offers numerous places where visitors can experience local music and atmosphere.

Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed day wandering through the medina, visiting local shops, discovering seafood restaurants or simply taking in the coastal scenery.

After breakfast at the riad, enjoy some final moments in Essaouira, depending on your return flight schedule.

We then arrange your private road transfer from the accommodation to Marrakech Airport. The journey takes just over two and a half hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Your 16-day journey through Morocco comes to an end as you continue towards the airport for your flight home, taking with you memories of Morocco’s imperial cities, mountains, valleys, desert landscapes and Atlantic coast.