Imperial Cities & The Sahara
8 Days Tour From Casablanca to Marrakech
This tour is for the travelers who want to see all of the hotspots in a week, and includes the famous tanneries of Fes, a night in the spectacular Sahara Desert, a stop at the fort of Ait Ben Haddou, and shopping in the renown Marrakech Medina.
Carefully selected hotels, Kasbahs, Riads. Includes one night in a traditional Berber camp
Qualified multilingual local guides / drivers.
Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle(s), mini bus or motor-coach
Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Merzouga (Sahara Desert), Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Marrakech
Conducting preliminary research on flights from your nearest airport to find the most cost-effective options for landing in and departing from Morocco would be valuable. Please note that our tours are flexible, and we can commence from any city that aligns with your schedule.
Casablanca → Rabat
We will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, after which we will take a short tour of the city. We will visit the grounds of the immense Hassan II Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments, which features the world's tallest minaret and is the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims.
After our tour we will depart to Rabat, Morocco's diplomatic and administrative capital. We will briefly introduce you to some of the city's most important sights, including the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, before taking you to your riad or hotel to let you settle in. We will spend the night in Rabat.
Rabat → Meknes → Moulay Idriss Zerhoun → Volubilis → Fes
Following breakfast we will visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Despite the damage caused by an earthquake in the year 1755, this important Roman town still preserves detailed mosaics and architecture offering a unique perspective on Morocco's ancient history.
We will then continue our journey passing through Meknes, an imperial city often called the "Versailles of Morocco" owing to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments, before making our way to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. In Fes we will check into your hotel before having dinner and settling in for the night.
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a guided tour of the iconic Fes medina. Meet your knowledgeable local guide, who will lead you through the maze-like alleyways of this ancient city. Experience the bustling atmosphere as you encounter traditional forms of transportation like donkeys and mules navigating the narrow streets.
Explore the vibrant souks, where the air is filled with the rich scents of spices and perfumes. Witness the age-old craft of leatherworking at the tanneries, where craftsmen use traditional methods to produce high-quality leather goods. Despite the pungent smell, the leather products crafted here are renowned worldwide and make for excellent souvenirs.
In the evening, indulge in a delicious dinner at one of the authentic restaurants nestled within the medina. Retire to your hotel for a restful night's sleep, filled with memories of your exploration of Fes.
Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Gorges → Erfoud → Rissani → Merzouga (Camel ride into Erg Chebbi desert)
After picking you up from your hotel in Fes we will embark on a picturesque journey to Ifrane, through hills covered in forests of cork oak and giant cedar in which a few Barbary apes still make their home. Crossing strikingly beautiful passes over both the Middle and High Atlas ranges we will catch our first glimpse of the south’s incredible architecture.
After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. Crossing Tizi-n-Talremt (Pass of the She-Camel), we will descend into a desert plain along the Ziz Valley.
We will then head south to Erfoud and Rissani, in a huge oasis containing over six million palm trees, edged by many ksours (fortified villages). Our route will continue through an immense palm oasis and a vast area of stony plain that marks the transition to the desert before reaching the tranquil desert town of Merzouga from which we will mount our camels (or 4WD if you can't do the camels), and ride into the pink sands of the Erg Chebbi.
We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset, and will spend the evening at Luxury Berber Camp amidst the dunes where we will have a campfire and enjoy a Moroccan feast and traditional berber blues music. After dark you can relax outside and marvel at the stars and crystal-clear Milky Way like few people have seen them.
Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Canyon → Dades Valley
If you would like to wake up early so that you can watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the sand contrasts beautifully with the play of shadows on the dunes - after which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we will ride the camels or fun 4X4 off-road drive through the dunes back to the kasbah in Merzouga town, where we will be able to freshen up before heading out of town to the Todra Gorge, known as "Morocco's Grand Canyon".
We will have lunch here and take the opportunity to explore along the river and through the gardens or up the road on the other side of the gorge to take in the view. In the afternoon we will continue our scenic drive into the Dades Valley, also known as the “Valley of 1000 Kasbahs” for the countless abandoned kasbahs one can see dotting the countryside among the palm trees. Later that afternoon we will arrive in the Dades Gorge, where we will watch the sunset's orange glow against the rocks before having dinner and spending the night in our hotel.
Dades valley → Rose Valley → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Atlas Mount → Marrakech
After breakfast we will drive through the villages of this charming area, passing fields cultivated by Berber women and getting some brilliant views of the Atlas Mountains. Our journey will continue towards Ouarzazate, going off-road along the piste to visit Berber nomads in their caves and join them for a glass of tea. From here, we will continue through the Valley of the Roses, famous for its Rose Festival in May, and past the "Road of 1000 Kasbahs" by the Skoura Oasis before arriving in Ouarzazate.
In Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco”, we will visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the cinematographic museum before continuing on to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters such as “Gladiator” “Indiana Jones” and “Lawrence of Arabia”.
You will have the chance to explore some of the ruined buildings and climb to the top of the hill where the agadir (granary) offers a spectacular view over the village and the surrounding countryside. You may also want to enter one of the houses and share a glass of mint tea with some of the locals to gain a better understanding of their way of life. In the afternoon you'll drive north across the High Atlas Mountains.
The road, completed by the French Foreign Legion in 1936, winds up over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass and offers stunning views over the mountains before descending past Berber villages to the plains surrounding Marrakech. Even today, the name Marrakech conjures up scenery from Arabian Nights - alleyways, souks, and market stalls. This remarkable city, with the graceful architecture of the renowned 11th-century Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of its visitors. We will arrive back in Marrakech by late afternoon.
Breakfast will be served at your Riad, after which a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech's winding alleyways, hidden gardens, and secret souks. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, the principal cultural space in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beside which the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque can be seen towering into the sky.
In the evening this square overflows with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. Following your tour you will have the full day to spend at your leisure, whether it’s pampering yourself at a local hammam or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.
Marrakech is a sensory-rich city with a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern conveniences. You may want to try a Moroccan hammam or a spa, try your hand at a local cooking class, or perhaps take a ride on a donkey cart around the city. Whatever it may be, our guide is at your service to help with suggestions, information, and arrangements.
As we bid you farewell, we will help you with any departure formalities and arrange for your transfers to the airport. We hope you enjoyed your journey with us, and hope to see you again soon.
We will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, after which we will take a short tour of the city. We will visit the grounds of the immense Hassan II Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments, which features the world's tallest minaret and is the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims. After our tour we will depart to Rabat, Morocco's diplomatic and administrative capital. We will briefly introduce you to some of the city's most important sights, including the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, before taking you to your riad or hotel to let you settle in. We will spend the night in Rabat.
Our adventure begins with a mesmerizing desert sunrise, where the golden rays paint the vast expanse of sand in hues of orange and pink.
As we make our way towards Dades Valley, we pass through the enchanting Todgha Gorges. These towering canyons, carved by nature over centuries, offer a truly awe-inspiring sight. The sheer magnitude of the cliffs and the crystal-clear waters flowing through them create a surreal atmosphere that will leave you speechless.
Dades Valley itself is a hidden gem nestled amidst the rugged Atlas Mountains. This picturesque region is known for its stunning landscapes, dotted with lush green palm groves and traditional Berber villages. As we explore this serene valley, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and witness traditional farming practices that have been passed down through generations.
Breakfast will be served at your Riad, after which a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech's winding alleyways, hidden gardens, and secret souks. You will continue to the Cultural space of Jemaa el-Fna Square, the principal cultural space in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beside which the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque can be seen towering into the sky. In the evening this square overflows with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. Following your tour you will have the full day to spend at your leisure, whether its pampering yourself at a local spa with massage or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.
We exclude the entrance fees to monuments and cultural sights from the tour total cost in order to not charge you for things you might not be interested in visiting, Please let us know if you need a list of all the monuments that require a fee for entry.
Our tours are designed to be flexible and accommodating. Our knowledgeable guide will offer various options ( both paid and unpaid worth to visit ) for objectives and sights not only in each city but also along the way. Additionally, we're committed to offering the best possible experience for our clients.
We intentionally exclude dinners in urban areas or big cities for two main reasons. Firstly, dining at Riads or hotels in city settings tends to be relatively expensive. Secondly, the presence of a variety of restaurant options in cities allows our clients to choose according to their budget and preferences.
We can arrange cooking classes/ Hammam & SPA / Hot air balloon / ATV Quads / Dune buggies and any additional activiy available in any destination upon request.
We have over 20 years of experience crafting a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are our most common itineraries, to be used as starting points in developing yours.
Casablanca → Rabat
We will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, after which we will take a short tour of the city. We will visit the grounds of the immense Hassan II Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments, which features the world's tallest minaret and is the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims.
After our tour we will depart to Rabat, Morocco's diplomatic and administrative capital. We will briefly introduce you to some of the city's most important sights, including the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, before taking you to your riad or hotel to let you settle in. We will spend the night in Rabat.
Rabat → Meknes → Moulay Idriss Zerhoun → Volubilis → Fes
Following breakfast we will visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Despite the damage caused by an earthquake in the year 1755, this important Roman town still preserves detailed mosaics and architecture offering a unique perspective on Morocco's ancient history.
We will then continue our journey passing through Meknes, an imperial city often called the "Versailles of Morocco" owing to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments, before making our way to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. In Fes we will check into your hotel before having dinner and settling in for the night.
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a guided tour of the iconic Fes medina. Meet your knowledgeable local guide, who will lead you through the maze-like alleyways of this ancient city. Experience the bustling atmosphere as you encounter traditional forms of transportation like donkeys and mules navigating the narrow streets.
Explore the vibrant souks, where the air is filled with the rich scents of spices and perfumes. Witness the age-old craft of leatherworking at the tanneries, where craftsmen use traditional methods to produce high-quality leather goods. Despite the pungent smell, the leather products crafted here are renowned worldwide and make for excellent souvenirs.
In the evening, indulge in a delicious dinner at one of the authentic restaurants nestled within the medina. Retire to your hotel for a restful night's sleep, filled with memories of your exploration of Fes.
Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Gorges → Erfoud → Rissani → Merzouga (Camel ride into Erg Chebbi desert)
After picking you up from your hotel in Fes we will embark on a picturesque journey to Ifrane, through hills covered in forests of cork oak and giant cedar in which a few Barbary apes still make their home. Crossing strikingly beautiful passes over both the Middle and High Atlas ranges we will catch our first glimpse of the south’s incredible architecture.
After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. Crossing Tizi-n-Talremt (Pass of the She-Camel), we will descend into a desert plain along the Ziz Valley.
We will then head south to Erfoud and Rissani, in a huge oasis containing over six million palm trees, edged by many ksours (fortified villages). Our route will continue through an immense palm oasis and a vast area of stony plain that marks the transition to the desert before reaching the tranquil desert town of Merzouga from which we will mount our camels (or 4WD if you can't do the camels), and ride into the pink sands of the Erg Chebbi.
We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset, and will spend the evening at Luxury Berber Camp amidst the dunes where we will have a campfire and enjoy a Moroccan feast and traditional berber blues music. After dark you can relax outside and marvel at the stars and crystal-clear Milky Way like few people have seen them.
Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Canyon → Dades Valley
If you would like to wake up early so that you can watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the sand contrasts beautifully with the play of shadows on the dunes - after which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we will ride the camels or fun 4X4 off-road drive through the dunes back to the kasbah in Merzouga town, where we will be able to freshen up before heading out of town to the Todra Gorge, known as "Morocco's Grand Canyon".
We will have lunch here and take the opportunity to explore along the river and through the gardens or up the road on the other side of the gorge to take in the view. In the afternoon we will continue our scenic drive into the Dades Valley, also known as the “Valley of 1000 Kasbahs” for the countless abandoned kasbahs one can see dotting the countryside among the palm trees. Later that afternoon we will arrive in the Dades Gorge, where we will watch the sunset's orange glow against the rocks before having dinner and spending the night in our hotel.
Dades valley → Rose Valley → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Atlas Mount → Marrakech
After breakfast we will drive through the villages of this charming area, passing fields cultivated by Berber women and getting some brilliant views of the Atlas Mountains. Our journey will continue towards Ouarzazate, going off-road along the piste to visit Berber nomads in their caves and join them for a glass of tea. From here, we will continue through the Valley of the Roses, famous for its Rose Festival in May, and past the "Road of 1000 Kasbahs" by the Skoura Oasis before arriving in Ouarzazate.
In Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco”, we will visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the cinematographic museum before continuing on to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters such as “Gladiator” “Indiana Jones” and “Lawrence of Arabia”.
You will have the chance to explore some of the ruined buildings and climb to the top of the hill where the agadir (granary) offers a spectacular view over the village and the surrounding countryside. You may also want to enter one of the houses and share a glass of mint tea with some of the locals to gain a better understanding of their way of life. In the afternoon you'll drive north across the High Atlas Mountains.
The road, completed by the French Foreign Legion in 1936, winds up over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass and offers stunning views over the mountains before descending past Berber villages to the plains surrounding Marrakech. Even today, the name Marrakech conjures up scenery from Arabian Nights - alleyways, souks, and market stalls. This remarkable city, with the graceful architecture of the renowned 11th-century Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of its visitors. We will arrive back in Marrakech by late afternoon.
Breakfast will be served at your Riad, after which a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech's winding alleyways, hidden gardens, and secret souks. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, the principal cultural space in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beside which the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque can be seen towering into the sky.
In the evening this square overflows with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. Following your tour you will have the full day to spend at your leisure, whether it’s pampering yourself at a local hammam or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.
Marrakech is a sensory-rich city with a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern conveniences. You may want to try a Moroccan hammam or a spa, try your hand at a local cooking class, or perhaps take a ride on a donkey cart around the city. Whatever it may be, our guide is at your service to help with suggestions, information, and arrangements.
As we bid you farewell, we will help you with any departure formalities and arrange for your transfers to the airport. We hope you enjoyed your journey with us, and hope to see you again soon.
We are experts at creating a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are some of our most popular itineraries, and they may be customized to the utmost extent of your imaginations.
+212 677 365 421 (WhatsApp)
+212 661 469 661
hello@besttravelmorocco.com
Angle boulevard Emile Zola et Rue Rethel
7éme Étage N°20
Casablanca 20300 Morocco
.jpeg)
.png){kind=small}