10-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Casablanca with Imperial Cities

Arrive at Casablanca airport, where we will meet you and start your 10-day desert tour from Casablanca through the imperial cities. First, drive into Casablanca and then continue to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. In Casablanca, you will see the Hassan II Mosque, the largest one outside of Mecca, and experience the coastal Corniche seaside. Afterwards, we will leave for Rabat. Here, you will see the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah before checking in to your riad in the medina. Finally, overnight at a riad/hotel.

After breakfast in your riad, you will start traveling to Fes via Meknes and Volubilis. Meknes is another significant imperial city in Morocco. In fact, it is known as the Ismaili capital of Morocco. There, you will see the famous gate of Bab Mansour, the Sahrij Souani Basin, and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Then, after lunch, your journey continues to the Roman city of Volubilis, where you will get a chance to see the wonderfully preserved original mosaics, Roman road, and city layout. As you travel through the Moroccan countryside, we will pass by the holy city of Moulay Idriss for a photo opportunity. Then you'll arrive in Fes at the end of the afternoon and check into your riad in the medina. Finally, overnight at a riad/hotel.

Today will be devoted to sightseeing in Fes, Morocco's spiritual capital. This will consist of visiting the following places: the medieval medina, the Nejjarine Fountain, the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and the Karaouine Mosque (external visits only). You'll be offered the choice of having lunch at a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. Then, after a late-afternoon visit to the souks and Fes Jdid (New Fes), you'll be returned to your hotel.

We will drive towards Ifrane today after breakfast. Ifrane is known as 'the Switzerland of Morocco'. We will continue to Midelt, and then pass along the Ziz Valley to reach the city of Erfoud. Erfoud is very famous for its local fossil products, and it is also possible to stop and learn more about the region and its fossils. After Erfoud, we head to the ancient market town of Rissani to explore its souk. Tonight, the journey finishes in Merzouga, where we stay in a hotel on the edge of the desert dunes.

After breakfast today, we'll drive to a checkpoint in the Merzouga desert. Upon arrival, we'll trade in our 4x4 for camels (optional). Then, led by an experienced camel guide, you'll explore the region of Erg Chebbi. It will take around 90 minutes to reach the campsite. Once there, we'll enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dunes. Then after dark, this night will be spent in traditional Berber tents under the desert sky.

This morning, we're up early to catch the sunrise over the dunes before arriving at a local hotel to freshen up and have breakfast. Then we'll head through Rissani and Tinghir to Todra Gorge, the highest and narrowest gorge in Morocco. After lunch at the gorge, we'll drive through the Dades Valley. We'll stop to enjoy the view of the local geological feature, "Monkey Toes". Tonight, we stay overnight in Dades Valley.

Your private tour continues today with a drive towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate, recognized as 'the African Hollywood'. We may visit the local film studio and kasbah (fortress) here. We'll then head to Aït Ben Haddou to visit the local kasbah, the largest kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll continue over the High Atlas Mountains until we reach Marrakech, where we'll spend the night.

Today is fully dedicated to Marrakech. You will explore the main attractions and monuments of the city, including the famous Jamma el Fna Square, Koutoubia Mosque, the souks, palaces, and museums. We'll also explore parts of the city such as Gueliz, the Menara Gardens, and the Majorelle Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll get the chance to explore the city at your leisure. You may return to Jamma el Fna Square for dinner at one of the many food stalls, or perhaps enjoy a hammam - or both - before returning to your Marrakech hotel/riad.

Today we'll have a guided tour of beautiful Essaouira, a historic city on the Atlantic coast with 18th-century ramparts called Skala de la Kasbah and a more relaxed medina. After this, we return to your Marrakech hotel/riad for the final night.

Today we'll drive you to Marrakech/Casablanca airport, where your tour ends.