13 days - 12 nights: Casablanca - Chefchaouen - Desert - Casablanca
13-Day / 12-Night Tour: Casablanca – Chefchaouen – Desert – Casablanca
Overview:
A 13-day, 12-night tour of Morocco starting and ending in Casablanca. This comprehensive circuit will take you to discover the fascinating blue city of Chefchaouen, the imperial cities, historic kasbahs, and the magic of the Sahara Desert.
During the journey, you will traverse spectacular landscapes of mountains, oases, and golden dunes, enjoying an authentic experience in the Merzouga Desert with unforgettable nights under the stars.
An ideal tour for discovering the essence of Morocco, combining culture, adventure, gastronomy, and Berber traditions on a unique route from Casablanca to the Sahara and back.
Itinerary
Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Fez – Merzouga – Nomads – Tinghir – Sahara Desert – Todra and Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech
Day 1
CASABLANCA – RABAT
Arrival at Casablanca International Airport. We will pick you up to begin our tour, starting with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque—the largest mosque in Morocco and one of the largest in the world. Afterward, you can enjoy the "Corniche" coastline before departing for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Once there, you will visit the Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah of the Udayas. Accommodation and breakfast included.
Day 2
RABAT – CHEFCHAOUEN
After breakfast at your riad, we will drive to Chefchaouen, with most of the journey taking us along the coast toward Moulay Bouselham. We will travel through rural villages in western Morocco—where many farmers live and enjoy authentic Moroccan life—and stop for lunch in Ouazzan before continuing our journey through the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Accommodation and breakfast included.
Day 3
Free day in Chefchaouen (optional guided tour)
A free day to start exploring the Medina. Chefchaouen is a beautiful, unique city, characterized by its white walls and blue doors and windows. Unlike many parts of Morocco, Chefchaouen was under Spanish occupation, resulting in significant Spanish cultural and architectural influence. You will have the opportunity to meet the locals and stroll through this beautiful Medina. Overnight stay at a Riad, including breakfast.
Day 4
CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – FEZ
After breakfast at the hotel and exploring the city of Chefchaouen, we will travel south via Ouazzane to Volubilis—the best-preserved Roman site, dating back to 225 BC—where some mosaics remain in excellent condition; afterwards, we will travel to Fes. Accommodation and breakfast at a Riad are included.
Day 5
EXPLORING FEZ (GUIDED TOUR)
After breakfast at your riad, you will begin a day of exploring Morocco's cultural capital on foot, wandering through its alleys and narrow streets. Our tour* begins at the Royal Palace and the Jewish Quarter—the first *Mellah* built in Morocco. We will ensure you visit all sites of cultural and historical interest, including the famous Al-Qarawiyyin University—the oldest in the region and the world—and the tanneries. After lunch, you will visit a pottery workshop and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Medina of Fez. Free time. Accommodation and breakfast included.
Day 6
Fez – Day Trip to Meknes – Wine Tasting
After breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up to begin a beautiful journey through the Rif Mountains toward Meknes. You will be amazed by the region's lush green landscapes and witness the enduring influence of the Romans on our land and culture—an area often likened to Tuscany. After a two-hour drive through this scenic region, we will arrive in Meknes, the Ismaili Imperial Capital of Morocco. Here, we will visit the fascinating Bab Mansour Gate—built by Sultan Moulay Ismail—as well as the granary and the Sahrij Souani, a historic water reservoir used for irrigation and agriculture. After exploring Meknes, we will head to a nearby winery to sample Moroccan wine; you will enjoy a tasting session and learn about the country's renowned, distinctive wines while having lunch on-site. Finally, we will make the return journey to Fes for a relaxing evening at your Riad.
Day 7
FEZ – IFRAN – AZROU – ERRACHIDIA – MERZOUGA
Today, we continue our journey, departing from Fez for Ifrane—known as "the Switzerland of Morocco" due to its pitched roofs and the snowfall that makes visiting in winter so special. We will then proceed to Merzouga via Azrou and the Ziz Valley. Along the way, you will experience the wonder of traversing the Middle and High Atlas Mountains. We will stop in Azrou, a Berber town nestled within Morocco's largest cedar forest, where you can see and interact with Barbary macaques.. You will notice the landscape changing to reveal the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia. Your journey continues toward Merzouga via the Tizi Ntalghamt Pass and along the lush Ziz Valley, with stops to enjoy panoramic views along the way. We will arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon. Accommodation includes dinner and breakfast.
Day 8
MERZOUGA – CAMEL RIDE
After breakfast at your riad, you will begin exploring the local area. You will visit the Gnawa people—descendants of enslaved people originally brought from Sudan—to experience their music and way of life. Nearby lies Lake Merzouga, a small wetland that serves as a stopover for migratory birds and a habitat for various avian species. You can also visit a nomadic craft center, where many Berber handicrafts are available at lower prices than in the big cities. In the afternoon, you will embark on a camel trek; guided by an experienced handler, you will traverse the orange dunes of the Erg Chebbi Desert—a vast sea of sand waiting to be explored. You will enjoy a magnificent sunset over the golden dunes and spend the night at our luxury desert camp, nestled among secluded dunes far from any villages, for a truly unforgettable and unique experience. Dinner, accommodation, and breakfast are included at the luxury desert camp.
Day 9
MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGES – DADES GORGES – SKOURA
If you wish, we will wake you early in the morning to witness what may well be one of the best sunrises of your lives. Afterward, you will enjoy a leisurely camel ride back to the village of Merzouga. Along the way, you can admire the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes, which shift in appearance as the light changes throughout the day. Following breakfast at the riad, we will set off for Rissani, Tinghir, and the Todra Gorges—the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge, we will drive through the Dades Valley, where you will see majestic "sandcastle" formations and the incredible rock formations known as "monkey fingers," continuing on toward Kalaa M’gouna and Marrakech. The route through the Dades Valley is known as the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs," offering numerous opportunities to capture some of the best photos of your trip. We will stop in Kalaa M’gouna—"the City of Roses"—where you can purchase rose water, a scent that will keep your clothes smelling lovely long after your journey ends. We will arrive in Skoura in the late afternoon, where you will spend the night in a Kasbah; dinner, accommodation, and breakfast are included.
Day 10
SKOURA OASIS – OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU
After breakfast, we will continue our tour to see the 17th-century Kasbah still standing in this oasis—a major symbol of the region known as the famous Kasbah of Amredil. Traveling on through Skoura and the Valley of the Birds, we will visit the Kasbah Ameridil, a remarkably well-preserved structure. Following a walk through the valley, we will stop for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the entire area. Upon arriving in Ouarzazate—"the Hollywood of Africa," a place whose geography and stunning landscapes have attracted world-class filmmakers—you will have the option to visit the film studios. There, you can see props used in movies and series you may already recognize, such as *The Mummy*, *Gladiator*, and *The Last Temptation of Christ*, or the series *Game of Thrones*. Overnight accommodation will be at a local riad, with dinner and breakfast included.
Day 11
AIT BEN HADDOU – HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS – MARRAKECH
After breakfast at your riad, we will continue our magnificent journey through the "Route of a Thousand Kasbahs" toward Marrakech, stopping to visit the oldest and most renowned site—the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou—as well as the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains. We will visit Ait Ben Haddou, the largest kasbah in Morocco. Originally built in the 18th century by Et Hami El Glaoui—one of the last Berber chieftains—it was once a stronghold for the Glaoui family. Your journey continues across the majestic Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) in the High Atlas Mountains, finally arriving in Marrakech. Accommodation and breakfast included.
Day 12
EXPLORING MARRAKECH (GUIDED TOUR)
After breakfast at the riad, you can begin exploring Marrakech, "the Red City of Morocco." Your guide will ensure you see the most important historical and cultural sites, including the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia and El Badi Palaces, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa. In the afternoon—following lunch near the square, where you can savor local cuisine amidst the authentic bustle of the medina—you will visit the Majorelle Gardens, the Menara Gardens, and the exterior of the Koutoubia Mosque. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to stroll through Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, a lively hub filled with magicians, storytellers, snake charmers, and food vendors; the square is charming by both day and night, making it well worth visiting in both settings to fully appreciate its unique atmosphere. Accommodation and breakfast at the same riad.
Day 13
MARRAKECH/CASABLANCA – AIRPORT
After breakfast at your hotel, we will take you to Casablanca or Marrakech airport, where the tour and our services will conclude—we hope to have left you with wonderful memories and a desire to embark on another travel adventure with us. However, should you have more time to spend in the country, we are happy to accommodate any further requests or needs you may have.
Including
- Pick-up and transfers to and from Casablanca and/or Marrakech Airport.
- Travel throughout the tour in a highly comfortable vehicle—sized to fit the group—equipped with air conditioning and an experienced, English-speaking driver (please inquire about other languages).
- All included accommodations are of 3- or 4-star quality.
- Breakfasts.
- Dinners in Merzouga, Skoura and Ouarzazate.
- Guided tours in Fez and Marrakech.
- Camel ride (1 per person)
- Overnight stay at a luxury desert camp, with dinner and breakfast included.
Not Included
- Midday lunches
- Drinks
- Flights.
- Dinners in Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fez, Marrakech and Casablanca.
- Travel insurance.
- Gratuities and anything not mentioned in the program.
🗺️ Tour Route
Follow the full itinerary of this unique experience in Morocco.
4 Reasons to Choose Our Morocco Tours
Authentic Connection with Morocco
We are a local team that lives and breathes Morocco. We don't just organize trips; we create real experiences. With our expert, multilingual guides, you'll discover the country's culture, traditions, and best-kept secrets, far from mass tourism.
Personalized and exclusive experiences
Every traveler is unique, and your journey should be too. We design private tours and tailor-made itineraries to fit your interests, from Sahara Desert adventures to cultural tours through Marrakech, Fez, and beyond. You imagine it, we make it happen.
Complete tour of the best of Morocco
From the imperial cities to the golden sands of the Sahara, through the Atlas Mountains and hidden oases. We offer you a complete experience that combines nature, culture, and adventure in a single unforgettable journey.
Confidence, security, and total assistance
Your peace of mind is our priority. We accompany you every step of the way with personalized attention and 24/7 assistance. We take care of all the details so you can just enjoy Morocco worry-free.