12 days tour from Casablanca to desert

Upon arrival at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your flight time, you may visit the iconic Hassan II Mosque, perched dramatically over the Atlantic Ocean. Take a stroll along the Corniche, sample local seafood, or relax and prepare for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast, depart for Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Visit the Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Oudaya Kasbah with its Andalusian gardens overlooking the Bouregreg River. In the afternoon, journey through the Rif Mountains to the serene blue-washed town of Chefchaouen. Settle into a cozy riad and enjoy the peaceful mountain setting.

Enjoy a relaxing day exploring Chefchaouen, known for its calm atmosphere and striking blue alleys. Visit the Kasbah Museum and Plaza Uta el-Hammam, browse the medina’s artisan stalls, and sip mint tea while overlooking the town. Hike to the Spanish Mosque for sunset views of the blue city nestled in the Rif hills.

Depart Chefchaouen and drive south to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in North Africa. Walk among temples and intricate mosaics. Continue to Meknes, a former imperial city, to visit Bab Mansour and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Arrive in Fes in the evening and check in to your riad inside the ancient medina.

Spend the day discovering Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual capital. With a local guide, explore Fes el-Bali: the Al Quaraouiyine University, medieval medersas, artisan quarters, and the famous Chouara tanneries. See traditional craftsmanship alive in the narrow souks. Fes is rich with history, spirituality, and sensory wonder.

Leave the bustling city behind and drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, known as “the Switzerland of Morocco,” and see the cedar forests of Azrou, home to Barbary macaques. Cross the Ziz Valley and arrive in Merzouga by sunset. Ride camels into the dunes of Erg Chebbi and enjoy dinner and music under a star-filled sky at a Sahara desert camp.

Wake up early for sunrise over the dunes, followed by breakfast. Spend the day exploring the desert region: visit nomad families, the Gnawa village of Khamlia, fossil workshops, and seasonal oases. You may choose to relax in your desert lodge or try sandboarding or a 4x4 dune tour. Return to camp or riad for another magical desert evening.

After breakfast, drive to the spectacular Todra Gorges. Walk beneath the massive cliffs that rise hundreds of meters above a clear stream. After lunch, continue to Dades Valley through the palm-filled oasis of Tinghir. Arrive at your hotel in the Dades Gorges and enjoy a quiet evening surrounded by red rock formations and traditional kasbahs.

Spend a second day in the Dades Valley to explore more deeply. Hike through the canyon trails or walk to remote Berber villages perched above the gorges. Visit local homes to learn about daily life, agriculture, and rug-weaving traditions. You’ll also see the famous “Monkey Fingers” rock formations and enjoy spectacular views from the winding mountain roads. Dinner and overnight in the same guesthouse.

Leave the Dades Gorges and follow the scenic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. Stop to explore Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed mudbrick ksar used in films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After lunch, cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, arriving in Marrakech in the evening. Check into a traditional riad and enjoy your first glimpse of the Red City’s vibrant energy.

Today you’ll take a coastal day trip to Essaouira, a breezy Atlantic port town known for its fortified ramparts, fresh seafood, and relaxed atmosphere. Explore the medina’s art galleries and artisan wood shops, stroll the harbor, and walk the Skala walls facing the sea. Return to Marrakech in the evening and spend your final night soaking in the sounds and colors of Jemaa el-Fnaa.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Marrakech for last-minute shopping or a final mint tea. Then, depending on your departure time, drive to Casablanca Airport for your flight home. Ending your unforgettable 12 days tour through Morocco’s cities, deserts, and coasts.