9-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca: Imperial Cities & Sahara

You're welcomed at Casablanca Airport and transferred to your hotel. The evening is free to explore Casablanca at your own pace or simply rest after your journey.

A stop at the Hassan II Mosque, built out over the Atlantic with a 210-metre minaret that was among the tallest in the world for many years, precedes the drive to Rabat. There, the Kasbah of the Oudayas overlooks the Bou Regreg river, alongside the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower, the unfinished minaret of a 12th-century mosque project. The route continues north into the Rif Mountains, arriving in Chefchaouen — the blue city — by evening, with time for a stroll through its blue-washed lanes.

The route heads south toward Fes, stopping first at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Roman site with well-preserved mosaics, arches and basilicas. Meknes follows — one of Morocco's four imperial cities — with the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the monumental Bab Mansour gate, and the 17th-century Royal Stables. By late afternoon, the day ends in Fes, with the evening free.

Volubilis is inscribed as "an exceptionally well preserved example of a large Roman colonial town" — UNESCO World Heritage

A local guide leads a full day through Fes el-Bali, one of the best-preserved medieval medinas in the Arab world: the outer gates of the Royal Palace, the Mellah (the historic Jewish quarter), the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa, the exterior of the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque and university — often cited as the world's oldest continuously operating educational institution, though entry is reserved for worshippers and students — and the Chouara Tannery. The afternoon is free to explore further or rest at your hotel.

Fes has "retained its status as the country's cultural and spiritual centre" — UNESCO World Heritage

One of the longer driving days on the route. Ifrane, often called the "Switzerland of Morocco" for its alpine-style architecture, precedes the Azrou cedar forest, where Barbary macaques may sometimes be seen near the road. The landscape then opens into the Ziz Valley's palm groves before reaching Merzouga by afternoon. A camel trek carries you into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset — a 4x4 transfer can replace this if you'd prefer not to ride — followed by a Berber dinner and music around the campfire at your luxury desert camp.

An early wake-up for sunrise over the dunes, then a return to Merzouga by camel before breakfast. Rissani, an ancient desert trading post, brings a lively souk and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif. Continuing to the Todra Gorges, canyon walls rise sharply above the valley floor — a walk along the riverbed is well worth the stop. The day ends in the Dades Valley, known for its striking rock formations.

The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs passes through Kalaat M'Gouna, known for its rose distilleries, before Skoura and the Amridil Kasbah, one of Morocco's best-preserved. Ouarzazate — sometimes called the "Hollywood of Africa" for its film studios — brings the Taourirt Kasbah, before the day's centerpiece: Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar that has appeared in films including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. The road then climbs the Tizi n'Tichka Pass over the High Atlas, descending into Marrakech by evening.

Ait Ben Haddou is called "a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco" by UNESCO World Heritage

A local guide leads a day through the exterior of the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, and the Saadian Tombs, followed by the Majorelle Garden. In the afternoon, the souks and Jemaa el-Fna Square come alive with street performers and market stalls, with the rest of the day free to explore at your own pace.

After breakfast, your driver transfers you to either Marrakech Airport or back to Casablanca, according to your departure flight, bringing this 9-day journey to a close.

Both finish points are available — confirm which suits your flights when you request your quote. A Marrakech-to-Casablanca transfer takes around 2.5-3 hours if that's your chosen route.