Private tour · Casablanca to Marrakech
8-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca: Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech and Essaouira
The 8-day Morocco tour from Casablanca is a private one-way journey of seven nights that ends in Marrakech: two nights in Fes, two nights in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, one in the Dadès Gorges, and two in Marrakech with day trips to the Ouzoud waterfalls and Essaouira.
Private Morocco Tour from Casablanca in 8 Days
This private Morocco tour from Casablanca runs eight days and seven nights, from Casablanca through Fes and the Sahara to Marrakech, where it ends; it does not return to Casablanca.
It brings historic Fes and Sahara landscapes into one route: Rabat, Meknes and Volubilis on the way to Fes, a guided day in the medina, two nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes with a full desert day, the Todra and Dadès gorges, and Aït Ben Haddou. From Marrakech you then take day trips to the Ouzoud waterfalls and Essaouira on the Atlantic.
Eight-Day Casablanca Desert Itinerary: Jump to a Day
The route runs Casablanca to Fes, a day in Fes, Fes to Merzouga, a desert day, Merzouga to the Dadès, the Dadès to Marrakech, then day trips to Ouzoud and Essaouira.
Book an 8-Day Morocco Tour
To book, send us your travel dates and group size through the form, and we'll reply with a private tour proposal and quote.
To check availability for your dates, please include:
- Your travel dates
- Number of travellers, and the ages of any children
- Room preferences (double, twin, family or single rooms)
- Your arrival flight into Casablanca and departure flight from Marrakech
- Any changes you'd like to the itinerary
You can also email culture.moroccotours@gmail.com, call/WhatsApp +212 662 178 227, or use our contact page.
Send your trip details
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Casablanca to Fes and Desert Tour: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The itinerary covers Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes and Fes on days 1–2, the Erg Chebbi desert on days 3–4, the gorges and High Atlas on days 5–6, and day trips from Marrakech on days 7–8.
Casablanca to Fes via Rabat, Meknes and Volubilis
Day 1 is a long day from Casablanca to Fes, with sightseeing in Casablanca, the capital Rabat, the imperial city of Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Rabat and Meknes are both UNESCO World Heritage cities (Rabat listing). UNESCO describes Volubilis as
"an important outpost of the Roman Empire"— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Archaeological Site of Volubilis
You reach Fes in the evening.
Guided tour of Fes
Day 2 is a guided morning in the medina of Fes, followed by lunch in the medina and a panoramic view over the city.
UNESCO notes that Fes has kept its status as
"the country's cultural and spiritual centre."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Medina of Fez
You visit the Mellah (the old Jewish quarter), the courtyard outside the Royal Palace, the tanneries, and the Qarawiyyin, founded in the 9th century, which is seen from outside. The afternoon is free.
Fes to Merzouga and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Day 3 is the drive from Fes across the Middle Atlas to Merzouga, followed by a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night at a desert camp.
You pass Ifrane and Azrou, known for its cedarwood crafts, and have lunch in Midelt. The Moroccan National Tourist Office calls Merzouga
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
Dinner is a Berber meal at camp.
A day in the Merzouga desert
Day 4 is a full desert day: a visit to Khamlia and its Gnawa community, then an afternoon camel ride deeper into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a second night at camp.
In Khamlia you learn about Gnawa music and the village's way of life. An experienced camel guide leads the afternoon ride, and dinner is served outside your tent.
Merzouga to the Dadès Gorges via Rissani, Tinghir and the Todra Gorge
Day 5 is the drive west from Merzouga to the Dadès Gorges, with an optional one-hour walk and lunch in the Todra Gorge.
You pass Rissani and Tinghir before the Todra Gorge, then continue to the Dadès Valley and its rock formations known locally as 'monkey toes'.
Dadès Gorges to Marrakech via Kelaat M'Gouna and Aït Ben Haddou
Day 6 is the drive from the Dadès to Marrakech, via Kelaat M'Gouna in the Valley of Roses, Aït Ben Haddou and the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
UNESCO describes Aït Ben Haddou as
"a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
The road then crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Day trip from Marrakech to the Ouzoud waterfalls
Day 7 is a return day trip from Marrakech to the Ouzoud waterfalls, with a stop at the Imi n'Ifri natural bridge.
The old listing mentions a local English-speaking guide for this excursion. Lunch at the falls is not included; your guide can recommend a restaurant.
Day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira
Day 8 is a return day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira on the Atlantic coast, where the tour ends back in Marrakech.
Essaouira's medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Orson Welles filmed scenes of Othello here. You visit the fishing port, the medina and the art galleries, with free time in the afternoon.
Riads, Guesthouse and Two Nights in the Erg Chebbi Camp
You spend seven nights with dinner and breakfast: two in a riad in Fes, two in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, one in a guesthouse in the Dadès Gorges and two in Marrakech.
Both desert nights are at the camp, not in a hotel near the dunes. Exact properties are confirmed with your quote; tell us your room preferences when you enquire. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Casablanca Morocco Tour Package: What's Included
The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, pickup in Casablanca, hotel and riad accommodation, two desert-camp nights, the camel rides, and dinners and breakfasts; flights, lunches, drinks and entrance fees are not included.
Included
- Private tour in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Private driver-guide throughout
- Pickup in Casablanca; tour ends in Marrakech (ask about a Casablanca airport transfer if you fly out from there)
- Accommodation in riads, hotels and a guesthouse
- 2 nights in desert tents at a camp
- Camel rides in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dinners and breakfasts
Not included
- Flights to and from Morocco
- Lunches and drinks, including lunch at Ouzoud
- Entrance fees to museums and attractions
Why Choose This Morocco Cultural and Desert Itinerary
This Morocco cultural and desert itinerary combines a guided day in Fes, two nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes and two day trips from Marrakech in one private route from Casablanca.
Historic Fes and Sahara landscapes in one route
A guided medina day in Fes, then two nights in the dunes.
A full day in the desert
Khamlia's Gnawa community and an afternoon camel ride.
From Atlantic city to desert dunes
Casablanca and Rabat on day one, Erg Chebbi by day three.
Meaningful stops between city and Sahara
Volubilis, the Todra Gorge and Aït Ben Haddou.
Two day trips from Marrakech
The Ouzoud waterfalls and the Atlantic town of Essaouira.
A private journey from Casablanca
Only your group; customize your eight-day Morocco tour.
Eight-Day Morocco Desert Tour: Driving and Pace
Days 1, 3, 5 and 6 are long drives, day 1 especially; days 2 and 4 are spent in Fes and the desert, and days 7 and 8 are return day trips from Marrakech.
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends in Marrakech; it is a one-way journey and does not return to Casablanca.
How many nights are in the desert?
Two nights are in the desert, both at a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a full desert day in between.
How do the airport transfers work?
You are collected in Casablanca at the start, and the tour finishes in Marrakech; tell us your flight times so we can confirm the arrival and departure transfers.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes, the itinerary can be customized: request a custom desert itinerary, for example swapping a day trip for a free day in Marrakech.
Sources and further reading
Heritage and destination facts on this page are supported by UNESCO and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, neither of which endorses any tour operator.
- Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Historic City of Meknes — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Archaeological Site of Volubilis — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Medina of Fez — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
8-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca FAQs
This tour is private, starts in Casablanca, ends in Marrakech, and includes two nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this is a private tour. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver-guide.
Does the tour return to Casablanca?
No, the tour ends in Marrakech after the Essaouira day trip. Ask us if you need a transfer back to Casablanca.
Where do you stay each night?
You stay two nights in Fes, two in a desert camp at Erg Chebbi, one in the Dadès Gorges and two in Marrakech.
Is the Fes visit guided?
Yes, day two is a guided tour of the Fes medina. Entrance fees are paid separately.
Are the camel rides included?
Yes, the camel rides in the Erg Chebbi dunes are included. Tell us when you enquire if you'd prefer not to ride.
Which meals are included?
Dinners and breakfasts are included. Lunches and drinks are not.
What language does the guide speak?
The tour does not list a driver language, although the Ouzoud day mentions an English-speaking local guide; tell us your preferred language when you enquire.
How do I book this tour?
You book by sending the form with your dates and group size. You can also email or WhatsApp us; we'll reply with a quote.
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Plan Your Private Morocco Journey
Send your travel dates, number of travellers, room preferences, arrival and departure flights, and any changes you'd like, and we'll send a quote for your private eight-day tour.