Morocco · Culture

15-Day Imperial Morocco Tour with Sahara Camel Ride

15 Days Round trip from Route de Nouasseur Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the imperial cities of Rabat, Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech
02 Travel through Morocco's varied landscapes, from Atlantic beaches to desert dunes
03 Cross the Tizi n'Tichka Pass with panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains
04 Visit the famous kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, featured in numerous films
05 Enjoy a camel ride in the Sahara Desert at Erg Chebbi
06 Discover the blue-washed mountain town of Chefchaouen

Morocco has a huge range of delightful experiences awaiting your arrival, and this 15-day tour takes you through some of the best. Explore the imperial cities of Morocco, including Rabat, Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech, while travelling through a striking variety of landscapes, from beaches and forests to canyons and desert dunes. Along the way, visit Essaouira, cross the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, discover Aït Benhaddou, continue through Kelâa M'gouna and Boumalne Dadès, and experience the richness of Morocco's culture and scenery.

Take a camel ride to reach the desert camp in the middle of the dunes, where you will spend the night, enjoy your evening, dine under the stars, and sleep in a Berber nomad tent.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 15 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Casablanca, Safi, El Jadida, Fez, Ouezzane, Marrakech, Essaouira, Meknes, Errachidia, Midelt, Rabat, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Chefchaouen, Merzouga, Todgha Gorge, Erfoud, Rissani, Aït Benhaddou, Tizi n'Tichka, Ziz Valley, Atlas Mountains, Erg Chebbi, Azrou, Ifrane, Tinejdad, Skoura, Dadès Gorges, Boumalne Dades, Volubilis

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Casablanca

Arrival at Casablanca Airport. Your tour guide will meet and escort you to your hotel, depending on your arrival time. Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 02

Casablanca to Essaouira via El Jadida and Oualidia

Today we will leave Casablanca, "the commercial center of Morocco," and travel towards Essaouira via the coastal road while admiring the views. We will pass by El Jadida, formerly known as Mazagan; this old medina was established in 1513 by the Portuguese. Continue driving to Oualidia, where you will enjoy delicious seafood in this wonderful place. After lunch, we head to Essaouira via Safi. Arrive in Essaouira in the early evening, enjoy your dinner, and overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 03

Guided Tour of Essaouira and Transfer to Marrakech

Today, you will have a guided local tour of Essaouira. Before departing for Marrakech, explore the port of the coastal tourist town of Essaouira. You may visit an Argan factory run by women and get to know about the process of making Argan oil. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch in the medina; after lunch, we will leave Essaouira for Marrakech. Overnight at your hotel or riad.

Day 04

Marrakech Imperial City Sightseeing

Today can be devoted to sightseeing in Marrakech, the imperial city of the south. You will visit the Koutoubia Mosque and admire its tower, the Majorelle Garden, a botanical garden with varied plants, the 16th-century Saadian Tombs, all decorated in colourful mosaic tiles, and the 19th-century Bahia Palace with its beautiful eastern architecture. You will have a break for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will have time to explore the fascinating souks and the narrow alleys around the Djemâa El-Fna Square, well known for snake charmers, singers, acrobats, dancers, and storytellers, moving from one group to another. Enjoy your dinner and spend the night at your hotel or riad.

Day 05

Across Tizi n'Tichka Pass to Aït Benhaddou

Travel to Aït Benhaddou over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260 m). Stop along the way for photos and to enjoy the panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains, along with Berber villages located alongside the road. You will visit Telouet Kasbah and have a break for lunch.
Later, continue driving to the village of Aït Benhaddou and visit the exotic kasbah named after it. This kasbah is situated on a hill along the fertile Ounila River and is famous for its role in numerous films such as The Man Who Would Be King, Jewel of the Nile, Jesus of Nazareth, The Message, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, and Gladiator. Watch the sunset from the top of the hill. Enjoy dinner and spend the night in an auberge or hotel.

Day 06

Aït Benhaddou to Boumalne Dadès via Ouarzazate and Skoura

From here, we head to Ouarzazate, where you may visit the Atlas Film Studios and stop to view the Kasbah of Taourirt, built by the Glaoui dynasty. Continuing our drive, you will visit the incredible Kasbah of Amerhidil located in Skoura Oasis, where you will be mesmerised by the immense palm groves and beautiful sights of the Atlas Mountains.
Our next stop is in El Kelâa M'gouna, the Valley of the Roses, where you will have lunch. Later on, we will continue towards Boumalne du Dadès. Dinner and overnight in a hotel at Dadès Gorges.

Day 07

Dadès Gorges to Merzouga via Todra Gorges and Erfoud

After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave towards Tinghir and Todra Gorges. You will have the chance to stop for a panoramic view of the river. Continue along the road beside the river to reach the gorges, where you will have a break for lunch. Walk on foot through this stunning place while enjoying the views of the high rock walls.
From here, we drive to Merzouga via Tinjdad and Erfoud. You may stop in Erfoud to visit one of the marble fossil carriers, then continue to your hotel situated at the base of the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi. Take a camel ride to reach the desert camp in the middle of the dunes, where you will spend the night, enjoy your evening, dine under the stars, and sleep in a Berber nomad tent.

Day 08

Erg Chebbi Desert Excursion

Wake up very early at your guide's call to witness the sunrise and enjoy an early breakfast. You will trek back to your hotel, where you can have a hot shower and get ready for the excursion around the Erg Chebbi dunes. This excursion gives you the opportunity to explore the surrounding desert by visiting tiny villages and fossil carriers, in addition to nomad families. Return to your hotel for lunch and relaxation. This afternoon is at your leisure; you may want to experience a camel ride and spend the night in the desert camp again. Dinner and overnight in the auberge.

Day 09

Merzouga to Midelt via Rissani, Errachidia, and Ziz Valley

This morning, we will depart for Rissani. You will have a short visit to Zawiya Moulay Ali ash-Sharif, and you may also explore the souk with the opportunity to see the fondouks where donkeys gather.
Continuing our drive toward Errachidia via Erfoud, our next stop is at the panoramic viewpoint over Aoufous Oasis. Later on, you will pass through Errachidia, known as the military city due to its numerous garrisons. We may stop at Barrage Hassan Adakhil for photos. Continuing alongside the Ziz River, you will enjoy the beautiful scenes of the ksours and Ziz Gorges, and you will pass by the French-built Tunnel du Légionnaire (Zaabal). The trip continues through the Middle Atlas, and you will cross the Tizi N'Talghom Pass (1907 m). Arrive in Midelt, where you will spend the night in the hotel.

Day 10

Midelt to Fes via Azrou and Ifrane

After breakfast, you will enjoy the great views of Jebel Aachi Mountain with its snow-covered peaks. Leave Midelt towards Azrou, where you will have lunch and explore this Berber city. Later on, you will have the chance to view the old tree, the 800-year-old Cedre Gouraud, and meet the monkeys in the cedar forest. From here, we head to Ifrane, "The Moroccan Switzerland," where you will see the stone lion. You may visit Al Akhawayn University. Continuing our drive to Fes via Imouzar Kandar, arrive in Fes, where you will enjoy your evening meal and spend the night in a riad or hotel.

Day 11

Fes Medina and Royal City Tour

Today after breakfast, you will have a sightseeing tour to explore the royal city of Fès. Your morning will be spent visiting the medieval medina, the old city with its ramparts and narrow streets, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. You will see the 16th-century Merinid Tombs ruins. You will visit the Bou Inania and Attarine Medersas, constructed in the early 14th century by the Merinides, the Karaouine Mosque, the ancient educational centre of Islamic learning, and the Nejjarine Marble Fountain. You will have a break for lunch at a typical Moroccan restaurant. Continuing your visit, you will view the decorated gate of Bab Boujeloud, the medieval tanneries, and the Royal Palace.
Then visit the souks, where merchants and craftsmen sell their handmade jewellery, leather goods, copperware, and pottery. Dinner and accommodation at a hotel in Fes.

Day 12

Meknes and Volubilis to Chefchaouen

After breakfast, you will travel to the nearby city of Meknes, the third imperial city of Morocco with its famous gate. Meknes is known as "The Versailles of Morocco." You will explore Bab El Khamis and Bab El Mansour, one of the most beautiful gateways. Continue your sightseeing tour by visiting the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.
Later on, you will head to explore the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. We will continue our drive toward Ouezzane across the Rif Mountains while admiring the views of fertile plains and ancient olive groves. In Chefchaouen, you will be enchanted by this mountainous town, where you will spend the night at the hotel.

Day 13

Explore the Blue Town of Chefchaouen

You will spend your day exploring the charming town of Chefchaouen, situated in the Rif Mountains. It is famous for its bright blue-washed buildings. As you stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and walls of the medina, you will notice most of the men wearing djellabas made of wool and women wearing colourful straw hats. Lunch in a local restaurant. You will admire the panoramic view of the valley and village from the main square of the medina, after which you will have time to explore the shops full of local handicrafts, such as wool garments and woven blankets. Spend the night at your hotel.

Day 14

Chefchaouen to Casablanca via Rabat

This morning, we will drive to Rabat via Ouezzane, where you will embark on a sightseeing tour of the administrative capital of Morocco: the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and the Hassan Tower, the minaret of an incomplete mosque initiated by the Almohad ruler Yaacoub al-Mansour. You may also visit the Kasbah des Oudaias, with white houses and blue-painted parapets located near the Atlantic coast. Finally, we will continue on our way to reach your final destination, Casablanca. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 15