Classic Morocco With Sahara Desert
- Duration 9 Days
- Tour Type Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style Classic
About This Trip
This 9-day private trip covers what most first-time visitors want to see in Morocco. It starts in Casablanca and heads north to Rabat, then inland to Fez, with the Roman ruins of Volubilis on the way. From Fez, the road crosses the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara, where you spend a night in a camp among the Erg Chebbi dunes. After that, you stop at Todra Gorge and the UNESCO-listed village of Ait Ben Haddou before reaching Marrakech, so you finish in a different city from where you began and never double back.
Because the trip is private, you set the pace with your own guide and driver, and we can adjust the stops, hotels, and any more details to suit your preference.
Itinerary Summary
| DAY | PLACE | HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1 | Casablanca | Arrival |
| 2 | Rabat | Hassan Tower, The Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Royal Palace of Rabat |
| 3 | Volubilis | Roman Ruins of Volubilis |
| 4 | Fez | Chouara Tannery, Al Attarine, Al-Karaouine, Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss |
| 5 | Merzouga | Jeep Safari, Camel Ride & Camping in the Sahara Desert |
| 6 | Skoura | Todra Gorge |
| 7 | Ouarzazate | UNESCO Ait Ben Haddou |
| 8 - 9 | Marrakech | Koutoubia Mosque, El-Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Jardin Majorelle Garden |
Suggested Itinerary
Hassan II Mosque
Today’s Highlights
- See the Hassan II Mosque from the Outside
Your Day in Detail
Upon arrival in Casablanca, take a private transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the day relaxing and recovering from the long flight. On the way, you will see the exterior view of the city's landmark, the Hassan II Mosque.
- Casablanca
Rabat's Royal Palace
Today’s Highlights
- Explore Rabat's Royal Palace Gardens
- Admire Hassan Tower & The Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- Wander Through the Oudayas Kasbah
Your Day in Detail
Today, explore Rabat, the capital city and one of Morocco's four imperial cities. Stroll through the French-style gardens surrounding the Royal Palace, admire the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and discover the country's unique architectural charm while wandering the narrow alleys of the UNESCO-listed Oudayas Kasbah.
- B
- Rabat
Ruins of Volubilis
Today’s Highlights
- Explore the Ancient Roman Ruins of Volubilis
- Discover the Holy Town of Moulay Idriss
Your Day in Detail
After breakfast, head out to Morocco's Berber-Roman ruined city of Volubilis. Wander the expansive complex to admire its beautiful columns and well-preserved mosaics.
Not far away is the holy city of Moulay Idriss. Head to Fez for the night after exploring it.
- B
- Fez
Chouara Tannery in Fez
Today’s Highlights
- Wander Through the Maze-Like Fez Medina
Your Day in Detail
Spend the day exploring the maze-like Medina of Fez at a leisurely pace. Visit the famous Chouara Tannery to see traditional leather-making techniques, admire the exquisite tiled Al-Attarine Madrasa, and discover beautiful wooden art at the Nejjarine Museum. More than simply sightseeing, your private guide will also show you the city's culture and daily life.
Optional Activities
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Zellige Mosaic MakingTry your hand at one of Morocco's most distinctive decorative arts in a traditional zellige workshop. Learn how intricate geometric pieces are crafted and create your own mosaic artwork.
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Traditional Hammam ExperienceUnwind in a traditional Moroccan hammam and enjoy a soothing treatment designed to refresh both body and mind after a day of exploring Fez.
- B
- Fez
Sunset Camel Ride in the Sahara
Today’s Highlights
- Travel Through the Atlas’s Changing Landscapes
- Ride a 4x4 Into the Erg Chebbi Dunes
- Enjoy a Sunset Camel Ride
- Camping in the Sahara Desert
Your Day in Detail
This morning, set off on a scenic journey toward the Sahara Desert through the ever-changing views of the Middle Atlas Mountains, with a stop in Midelt for lunch break. The drive takes approximately 7 hours.
Upon arrival in Erfoud, switch to a 4x4 and continue into the heart of Merzouga, where the golden Erg Chebbi dunes await. Enjoy a sunset camel ride across the desert sands. Spend an unforgettable night camping under the star-filled Sahara sky.
- B D
- Merzouga
Todra Gorge
Today’s Highlights
- Watch Sunrise Over the Sahara
- Walk Beneath the Cliffs of Todra Gorge
Your Day in Detail
Wake up early to admire the beautiful Sahara sunrise. After breakfast, return to Erfoud and continue your journey by private vehicle.
Travel through the stunning Todra Gorge, where towering red cliffs rise from the canyon. You may take a short walk to enjoy the scenery up close. Later, arrive at the palm-filled oasis of Skoura and relax at your hotel.
- B
- Skoura
Ait Ben Haddou
Today’s Highlights
- Explore UNESCO-Listed Ait Ben Haddou
Your Day in Detail
Today's highlight is a visit to the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou in Ouarzazate. Its distinctive mud-brick architecture may look familiar, as this ancient ksar has appeared in many famous films and TV series.
- B
- Marrakech
Koutoubia Mosque
Today’s Highlights
- Exterior View of the Koutoubia Mosque
- Explore the Ornate Bahia Palace
- Discover the Saadian Tombs' Hidden Beauty
- Stroll Through Jardin Majorelle
Your Day in Detail
Discover Marrakech, the Red City of Morocco, on a private guided tour (about 4 hours). Visit highlights including the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and the beautiful Jardin Majorelle.
The rest of the day is free for you. You may relax at a rooftop café or explore the lively Jemaa el-Fna night market.
- B
- Marrakech
- B
Optional Activities
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Hot Air Balloon Odyssey (Marrakech)Glide silently above the fantastic desert at sunrise in a hot air balloon. Float over forgotten Berber hamlets and snow-dusted Atlas peaks. Privately charter for a romantic champagne breakfast. As the sun crests dusty dunes, illuminating ocher sands in amber light, you’ll drift on the wind, cares left behind. This once-in-a-lifetime flight at the edge of the desert offers a soul-stirring escape into tranquility.
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Experience Artistic Visions of Morocco (Marrakech)
Feast your eyes on stunning masterpieces by many local and international artists at the art galleries in Marrakech. Young and renowned artists capture the diversity and beauty of magical and mystical Morocco, transforming it through unique art pieces. Discover the blend of traditional and contemporary art, reflecting the uncommon artistic vision of local culture, history, and people.
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Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khmisa (Marrakech)
Enjoy Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khmisa, who is passionate about cooking and specialized in Morrocan cuisine for about 25 years. She will welcome you with a traditional mint tea, take you the old sook to purchase fresh ingredients, and teach you how to prepare Morrocan Tajine.
What's Included in Your Private Tour
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A dedicated travel expert will work with you to design and arrange your itinerary based on your interests, travel style, schedule, and budget. Your trip can be adjusted as your plans take shape.
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Accommodation is selected based on location, quality, your preferences, and budget. Depending on the destination and itinerary, options may include international hotel chains, boutique hotels, and locally distinctive properties.
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Local guides are arranged in each destination, with strong language skills and in-depth local knowledge. Your guide will help you make the most of each destination while sharing local history, culture, and everyday life.
Guide arrangements may vary depending on your destination and itinerary. Please refer to your Tour Program for the specific guide arrangements for your trip.
If you have any special requirements for your guide, such as in-depth historical and cultural interpretation or expertise in a particular industry or subject, please let us know in advance so we can take your preferences into consideration when arranging your trip. -
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver, as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic trains as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- International flights for selected multi-country tours, as specified in the itinerary.
Transportation arrangements can be adjusted to suit your itinerary and travel needs.
*As each trip is tailor-made, transportation arrangements may vary by itinerary and destination. The final arrangements will be detailed in your Tour Program.*International flights to and from your home country are normally not included in the initial Tour Program. If you would like, your travel expert can also help arrange these flights upon request.
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- Breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D) as specified in the itinerary
- Additional meals can be arranged upon request
- Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request
FAQ About the Trip
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The Sahara camp is more like a luxury desert retreat than basic camping. We usually arrange a permanent luxury camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with spacious, well-decorated Berber-style suites featuring real beds, private bathrooms and showers, and power for charging devices. However, the exact tent type and layout depend on availability at the time of booking. Wi-Fi is generally available, but the desert connection can be unreliable, so it’s best to plan for a relaxing night under the desert sky.
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You'll stay in a mix of traditional riads and standard hotels, rather than in conventional hotels throughout the trip. Depending on availability, we typically arrange riad stays in Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech, giving you a more authentic experience of Morocco's historic medinas, especially on a first visit.
Riads are traditionally renovated courtyard houses, so their layout can be quite different from a modern hotel. Some have steep stairs and no elevator, and rooms may be smaller than those in a modern hotel. If you have a specific accommodation preference, just let your travel advisor know. As this is a private trip, the arrangements can be adjusted to suit your needs.
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The longest day is Fez to Merzouga, at roughly 7 hours - broken up with stops in the Middle Atlas Mountains and a lunch break in Midelt. Most other travel days run 3 - 5 hours, and two full days (Fez and Marrakech) are spent on foot. Across 9 days you'll cover around 20 hours of driving in total.
If long drives are a concern, feel free to let your travel expert know, it can be discussed and replaced with a plan that feels more comfortable for you.
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You don’t need any special footwear for this trip. A pair of comfortable, lightweight walking or hiking shoes with good traction should work well for most situations, including the medinas. For the desert, sand gaiters or waterproof socks can be useful for keeping sand out, especially if you plan to walk on the dunes. A pair of outdoor sandals with a heel strap is also a good option for relaxing at the desert camp or as a backup pair in the medina.
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Fly into Casablanca (CMN) and home from Marrakech (RAK). That's a real advantage of this sample itinerary: it runs in one direction, so you never double back across the country at the end.
Your Travel Partner Every Step of the Way
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Before You Travel
- Personalized itinerary planning
- Professional advice from local experts
- Smooth booking support from start to finish
Every great journey starts with thoughtful planning. From the moment you contact us, we take the time to understand your travel style, interests, and expectations. Whether you’re looking for iconic highlights, local experiences, or a more relaxed pace, we help design a trip that truly fits you. -
While You Travel
- Expert local guides with deep knowledge
- 24/7 support for any on-the-go needs
- Flexible arrangements to suit your pace
Once your trip begins, we're right there with you behind the scenes. Our local guides, trusted partners, and support team work together to make your journey smooth, comfortable, and worry-free. From airport pickups to flexible day-to-day arrangements, we help you travel with confidence and ease. -
After You Return Home
- We welcome and value your feedback
- A travel team you can return to anytime
- Special benefits for your next journey
For us, the journey doesn’t simply end when the trip is over. We love staying connected with our travelers, hearing your feedback, and learning more about your experience. Your insights help us continue improving our services while also inspiring future travelers. Many of our guests travel with us again, or recommend us to family and friends, and that’s something we truly value.
Before You Travel
While You Travel
After You Return Home
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