Morocco and Sahara Tour | Explore the Imperial Cities and the Desert
Your 8-Day Morocco and Sahara Tour begins in Casablanca, where you’ll step into the heart of Moroccan culture before journeying to Meknes, home to the magnificent Gate of the Victorious Renegade. This imperial city showcases Morocco’s rich history through its grand architecture and historic medina.
On Day 2, you will explore Fes, a city over a thousand years old, filled with stunning Islamic architecture, vibrant souks, and intricate Moroccan craftsmanship. The narrow, bustling streets of the medina offer a sensory experience like no other.
The following day takes you through the Middle Atlas region, where rolling landscapes and cedar forests create an unforgettable backdrop. You will cross the breathtaking Talghoumt Pass, descending into the desert, where a hidden oasis awaits. Here, you will have the opportunity to ride a camel across golden dunes, visit desert villages, and spend the night in a traditional Bedouin camp, experiencing the deep silence and vastness of the Sahara.
On Day 5, the adventure continues with a visit to a fossil town, followed by the Dades Valley, where you’ll witness towering cliffs, dramatic rock formations, and nomadic communities that still call this rugged terrain home. You will explore the Valley of the Roses before arriving at Morocco’s most famous kasbah, a stunning UNESCO-listed fortress that has been featured in countless films. The day ends in a Berber village, where you will encounter snake charmers, storytellers, and fortune tellers, offering an immersive cultural experience.
Your journey concludes in Marrakech, where you will have a full day to uncover its wonders, from bustling souks and ancient palaces to lively squares filled with performers and local artisans. A perfect way to end your Moroccan adventure.
Day 1
Casablanca – Meknes – Fes
Your 8-Day Morocco and Sahara Tour begins as you arrive at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, where you will be welcomed and set off towards Meknes, one of Morocco’s Imperial Cities. Here, you will visit Bab Mansour el-Aleuj, also known as the Gate of the Victorious Renegade, considered one of Morocco’s most impressive gateways.
Your journey through Meknes continues with a visit to the medina ramparts, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the vast Heri es-Souani granaries, and the Bassin de l’Ageudal, a historic water reservoir. Later in the day, you will travel to Fes, where you will spend the night in a traditional riad, nestled within the city’s ancient walls.
Day 2
Fes sightseeing
The second day of your Morocco and Sahara Tour is dedicated to exploring Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural heart. With a local guide, you will wander through the labyrinthine streets of the medina, visiting the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish Quarter, and the famous Tanneries, where leather has been dyed using traditional methods for centuries.
Your tour will take you to Bou Inania Medersa and Karaouiyine Mosque, both architectural masterpieces that showcase the city’s rich heritage. You will also visit a ceramics cooperative, where skilled artisans create intricate Moroccan pottery and tiles.
In the afternoon, you will admire a panoramic view of the medina, before exploring the modern side of Fes, providing a contrast to the city’s deep-rooted traditions. The night will be spent in your riad, soaking in the atmosphere of this historic city.
Day 3
Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Leaving Fes behind, the journey continues through the Middle Atlas Mountains, offering breathtaking landscapes along the way. You will stop in Ifrane, a charming town often called “Little Switzerland” due to its European-style alpine architecture.
Continuing south, you will travel through the Cedar Forest, home to Morocco’s native Barbary apes. As the journey unfolds, you will cross the Talghoumt Pass, where you may see nomadic shepherds tending their flocks.
Before arriving in Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, you will stop for a stunning view of the hidden oases of the Ziz Valley. The evening will be spent in a traditional riad or desert hotel, where the vast, golden dunes create an unforgettable backdrop.
Day 4
Merzouga region / camel ride into the Sahara
Today’s adventure takes you deeper into the Sahara, beginning with a visit to Dayet Srji, a small lake known for its diverse birdlife, including flamingos. You will then explore Khamlia, a village famous for the soulful music of the Gnaoua people, descendants of West African slaves.
If it is market day, you may visit Rissani, where you can taste a traditional Berber pizza, or alternatively, meet nomadic families in the Hamada, or “black desert”, where you will share tea in their tents and learn about their way of life.
As the sun begins to set, you will ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi, where a Bedouin camp awaits. The night is spent under the star-filled desert sky, an experience that captures the pure magic of the Sahara.
Day 5
Sahara – Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Your midway through your 8-Day Morocco and Sahara Tour as dawn breaks over the dunes, you will camel trek back to Merzouga, where a warm breakfast and refreshing shower await. The journey continues to Erfoud, often called “fossil town” due to its abundance of crystals, semi-precious stones, and prehistoric fossils.
After a short visit to a local fossil workshop, the road leads you through Todra Gorge, a natural wonder with towering 300m (985ft) cliffs. Known as a climber’s paradise, these cliffs create a dramatic passage through the mountains.
After lunch, you will continue to Dades Valley, where you will see unique rock formations, known locally as “monkey toes”, alongside striking mud-brick kasbahs. Tonight, you will relax in a hotel or riad overlooking the Dades Valley, where the rugged landscape offers a peaceful retreat.
Day 6
Dades Valley – Skoura Oasis – Ouarzazate – Marrakesh
Continuing your journey, you will travel through the Valley of the Roses, where thousands of rose petals are harvested each spring for use in perfume production. If visiting in May, you may experience the Rose Festival, an annual celebration of this fragrant crop.
Next, you will visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco’s most famous UNESCO-listed kasbah, featured in films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. This ancient fortress, made entirely of mud bricks, stands as a symbol of Morocco’s rich architectural history.
Crossing the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, Morocco’s highest mountain pass at 2,260m (7,417ft), you will descend into Marrakech, arriving near the lively Jemaa el-Fna Square. As night falls, the square comes to life with snake charmers, storytellers, and musicians, offering a truly vibrant Moroccan experience.
Day 7
Marrakesh Sightseeing Day
A full day in Marrakech allows you to immerse yourself in its rich history and bustling energy. A local guide will lead you through the city’s iconic sites, including the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech’s most famous landmark.
You will wander through the souks of the Medina, where artisans craft everything from handwoven carpets to aromatic spices. The tour continues with visits to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the Ben Youssef Medersa, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
In the afternoon, you will explore the Majorelle Gardens, a peaceful oasis filled with exotic plants, designed by the famous artist Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. A visit to the Menara Gardens follows, offering a tranquil escape from the city’s energy.
The day ends with dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a final overnight stay at your riad or hotel.
Day 8
Marrakech – Airport
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute shopping or a relaxed morning stroll before being transferred to the airport.
Your 8-Day Morocco and Sahara Tour concludes with unforgettable memories of Morocco’s Imperial Cities, the vast Sahara, and the stunning landscapes encountered along the way.
Contact Us
Have a question, or ready to book your trip? We’d love to hear from you – send us a message using the form, or contact us directly by phone or email.
