10 Days Morocco Imperial Cities & Desert Tour
A private loop from Casablanca through Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes, south to a night in the Sahara at Merzouga, then back through Todra Gorge, Dades Gorge and Ait Ben Haddou to finish in Marrakech.
What Does the 10-Day Imperial Cities & Desert Tour Cover?
It's a private 10-day, 9-night loop from Casablanca through Morocco's imperial cities — Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes and Fes — south to a night in the Sahara at Merzouga, then back through Todra Gorge, Dades Gorge and Ait Ben Haddou to finish in Marrakech, with guided tours built into both Fes and Marrakech rather than just drive-through stops.
This is a full private vehicle and driver-guide throughout, with a slower pace than a 7 or 8-day version of a similar route — enough time for a dedicated guided day in Fes, a proper visit to Volubilis's Roman ruins, and both a sunset and optional sunrise camel trek in the dunes, rather than compressing everything into one long push south.
This page covers the day-by-day route, where you sleep each night, what's included, and how to request a quote — so you know exactly what you're booking.
What Does Each Day of the Route Look Like?
In brief: Casablanca, Rabat and Chefchaouen on days one and two, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes on days three and four, the Sahara at Merzouga on days five and six, Todra and Dades gorges on day seven, Ait Ben Haddou on day eight, Marrakech on day nine, and departure on day ten.
Casablanca Arrival and City Tour
Your private driver meets you at Casablanca airport and takes you for a short city tour, starting with the Hassan II Mosque — Morocco's largest mosque, with the world's tallest minaret at 210 meters, set on a promontory over the Atlantic. Afterward you'll have time to see more of Casablanca's modern Art Deco character before checking into your hotel and enjoying free time in the evening.
Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen
After breakfast, head north to Rabat, Morocco's political capital, to see the Oudaya Kasbah's gardens and blue-and-white alleys, the Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. From there, continue to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains — the blue-painted town known for its narrow, tranquil streets.
Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes
Spend the morning exploring Chefchaouen's medina and shops before departing for Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman archaeological site with well-preserved mosaics and ruins. Continue to Meknes, another of Morocco's imperial cities, to see the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Bab Mansour Gate, and the royal granaries, before arriving in Fes for the evening.
Guided Tour of Fes
A local guide leads a full tour of the Fes medina — one of the world's largest car-free urban areas — including the exterior of the Royal Palace, the traditional tanneries, and the area around Al-Qarawiyyin University. The afternoon is free to explore the medina's souks at your own pace.
Fes → Ifrane → Ziz Valley → Erg Chebbi
Head south through the Middle Atlas, stopping in Ifrane — often called "Little Switzerland" for its alpine-style architecture — then continuing through cedar forests and Berber villages. A lunch stop in Midelt, known for its fossils and minerals, breaks up the drive before continuing via Erfoud to arrive in Merzouga by late afternoon.
Exploring Merzouga and Camel Trek into Erg Chebbi
Visit the Rissani market — one of Morocco's oldest and most traditional — and Khamlia village, where descendants of sub-Saharan communities keep the Gnawa music tradition alive. In the afternoon, ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun sets, then spend the night in a desert camp under the stars, with Berber music at camp.
Merzouga → Todra Gorges → Dades Gorge
An optional sunrise camel trek is followed by a return to Merzouga and the drive to Todra Gorge, known for its 600-foot cliffs and palm groves — a short walk through the canyon is usually possible. Continue to Dades Gorge, where the landscape's unusual rock formations are locally known as "monkey fingers."
Dades Gorge → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
Head toward Ouarzazate, the "Gateway to the Sahara," and visit Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortified ksar that has appeared as a filming location in productions including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. From there, the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs leads through Skoura and the Valley of Roses on the way to Marrakech.
Marrakech Sightseeing
A guided tour of Marrakech covers the Saadian Tombs, the Majorelle Gardens, and the Koutoubia Mosque — the city's tallest structure. Wander through Jemaa el-Fna Square before visiting the Bahia Palace and the Jewish Quarter, with free time in the afternoon to explore at your own pace.
Marrakech → Casablanca
After breakfast, transfer back to Casablanca for your onward departure.
Tour Summary
What's Included — and What's Not?
Included
- Private air-conditioned modern 4WD or mini-van
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Daily hotel pickup and drop-off with luggage service
- 9 nights' accommodation in riads and a luxury desert camp
- Half-board meals (breakfast and dinner)
- Entrance fees to sites and monuments
- Guided tours in Fes and Marrakech with a local guide
- Camel trek in the Sahara Desert
- Sandboarding in the dunes
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Tipping
- Lunches
- Personal expenses
Where Do This Page's Heritage Facts Come From?
Heritage-site details on this page are drawn from official listings, not invented.
- UNESCO — Archaeological Site of Volubilis — official World Heritage listing.
- UNESCO — Medina of Fez — official World Heritage listing.
- UNESCO — Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou — official World Heritage listing.
- Visit Morocco — Morocco's official national tourism board.
FAQs — 10-Day Imperial Cities & Desert Tour
Is 10 days enough to see Morocco's imperial cities and the Sahara?
Yes. Ten days allows a private loop from Casablanca through Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes and Fes, south to a night in the Sahara at Merzouga, then back through Todra Gorge, Dades Gorge and Ait Ben Haddou to finish in Marrakech, at a pace that includes guided time in Fes and Marrakech rather than just passing through.
Does this tour include a guided tour of Fes?
Yes. Day four is a dedicated guided tour of the Fes medina with a local guide, covering the exterior of the Royal Palace, the tanneries, and the Al-Qarawiyyin University area, with free time in the afternoon.
Do we visit Volubilis?
Yes, on day three, en route from Chefchaouen to Meknes and Fes. Volubilis is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman archaeological site.
Is there a camel trek in the Sahara?
Yes. A camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset is included on day six, with an overnight in a desert camp and an optional sunrise trek the next morning.
Where do we sleep during the tour?
Nine nights total: in riads and hotels in Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Dades Gorge area, and Marrakech, plus one night in a desert camp near Merzouga.
Does the tour visit Ait Ben Haddou?
Yes, on day eight, between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortified ksar.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The vehicle, driver and schedule are private to your group for all ten days — you don't join a shared group or fixed departure.
Can the itinerary be customized?
The core route can be adjusted in pace, accommodation category, and specific stops. Travelers wanting a different structure can request a tailor-made version of this itinerary.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts with airport pickup in Casablanca and ends with a transfer back to Casablanca for departure, after finishing sightseeing in Marrakech on day nine.
What is included in the price?
A private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, daily hotel pickup and drop-off with luggage service, 9 nights' accommodation in riads and a desert camp, half-board meals (breakfast and dinner), entrance fees to sites and monuments, guided tours in Fes and Marrakech, a camel trek, and sandboarding in the dunes.
What is not included?
Travel insurance, tips, lunches, and personal expenses are not included.
How much does the 10-day Imperial Cities & Desert Tour cost?
Cost depends on the number of travelers, accommodation category, and season, so Desert Morocco Tour provides a personalized quotation rather than a fixed listed price.
Reserve Your 10-Day Morocco Journey
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