Overview
Our 5 days desert tour from Casablanca is the fastest way to combine the imperial cities and the Sahara. This Casablanca to Marrakech desert tour starts with the Hassan II Mosque, then the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes and the night in Fes.
Across the Middle Atlas, Ifrane and the Ziz Valley you reach the dunes of Merzouga for a camel ride and a night in a luxury desert camp, before the Todra and Dades gorges, Ait Ben Haddou and the Tizi n'Tichka Pass to Marrakech.
This 5 day Casablanca desert tour is fully private: one of our most efficient Morocco tours from Casablanca when you have less than a week.
Highlights
- Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche of Casablanca
- Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes
- Ifrane and the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas
- Camel ride and night in a luxury Sahara camp
- Rissani market, Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Ait Ben Haddou and the Tizi n'Tichka Pass
Itinerary · Day by Day
DAY1Casablanca – Hassan II Mosque – Corniche
Pick-up at the airport, the port or your accommodation in Casablanca.
Visit the Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic, free time for lunch and a walk on the Corniche.
Clean and comfortable rooms with a private bathroom and your choice of double, twin or single beds. Breakfast and dinner included. If your preferred accommodation is unavailable, we arrange a similar option of the same category.
DAY2Casablanca – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
Drive to the UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis, with their mosaics, columns and arches.
Meknes: Bab Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the Royal Stables, the granaries and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, then the night in a riad in Fes.
Clean and comfortable rooms with a private bathroom and your choice of double, twin or single beds. Breakfast and dinner included. If your preferred accommodation is unavailable, we arrange a similar option of the same category.
DAY3Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga (Sahara)
Through Imouzzer to Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, and the cedar forests of the Barbary macaques.
Lunch in Midelt, the Tizi n'Talghamt Pass and the Ziz Valley. In Merzouga, a camel ride to a high dune for the sunset and your luxury camp for drums, dinner and the night.
Sahara Eden Camp, or similar
Private tent with a comfortable bed and a private bathroom with a hot shower. Dinner and breakfast included, with Berber music around the campfire under the stars. We never use basic camps or shared bathrooms.
DAY4Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Sunrise over the dunes, camel ride back, then the market of Rissani and a fossil workshop in Erfoud.
The palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad, a walk in the Todra Gorge and the Monkey Fingers of the Dades Valley.
Clean and comfortable rooms with a private bathroom and your choice of double, twin or single beds. Breakfast and dinner included. If your preferred accommodation is unavailable, we arrange a similar option of the same category.
DAY5Dades Valley – Roses Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
The Roses Valley of Kelaat M'Gouna, the palm groves of Skoura and the film studios of Ouarzazate.
The UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then the Tizi n'Tichka Pass to Marrakech and drop-off at the airport or your accommodation.
End of the tour · drop-off at your riad, hotel or the airport
Gallery
Tour Map
Route: Casablanca – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
Accommodations
Choose one category for your whole trip. The desert camp is always luxury. These are our usual choices; if one is fully booked we arrange a similar hotel of the same category.
| Night | Standard | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night 1 Casablanca | Ibis Casablanca City Centre | Kaan Casablanca | Royal Mansour Casablanca |
| Night 2 Fes | Riad Sara | Palais Houyam | Palais Faraj |
| Night 3 Sahara (erg chebbi) | Sahara Eden Camp, or similar · luxury desert camp only | ||
| Night 4 Dades Valley | Riad Gabsi | Riad Paradise or Dar Blues | Eden Boutique Hotel |
Price
The “from” price is for a private group of 17 people or more in standard accommodation. The final price depends on your group size, travel dates and the hotel category you choose. Ask us for a free quote.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned 4×4 or deluxe van for 5 days
- English or Spanish speaking local driver-guide
- Pick-up and drop-off at your riad, hotel or the airport in Casablanca and Marrakech
- 3 nights in hotels or riads of your category + 1 night in a luxury desert camp
- Breakfast and dinner every day (vegetarian and vegan options)
- Camel ride in the dunes (one camel per person)
- Stops for photos and breaks whenever you want
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Personal expenses
- Official local guides in the cities (we can book them for you)
Booking
If you’re looking to book or personalize this tour itinerary, let us know your ideas and preferences. We’ll craft an experience uniquely tailored to your vision. Our goal is to help you create the perfect Moroccan adventure. Don’t hesitate to contact us by email for more details.
If we haven’t replied to your message, please contact us on WhatsApp at +212 647-064454. We’ll be happy to help you!
Before You Go
- Bring layers: nights can be cold in the mountains and the desert, even in summer (and very cold from November to February).
- Pack sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and a scarf to protect you from sun and sand.
- For mosques and holy places, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the only one open to non-Muslims.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the medinas, gorges and kasbahs.
- Bring a small bag for the desert night; your big luggage stays safe in the car.
- Have some cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and small shopping; card payment is rare in villages.
- Roads in the mountains are winding: tell us if you get car sick and we will stop more often.
- Mobile network works in most places, and Wi-Fi is available in the hotels.
Reviews
FAQs
Is this tour private?
Yes. The car, the driver and the guide are only for you and your group. We never mix travelers from different bookings.
Are hotels included?
Yes, every night is included in the category you choose (standard, mid-range or luxury), and the desert night is always in a luxury camp.
Are meals included?
Breakfast and dinner are included every day. Lunches and drinks are not included, so you can choose where and what to eat.
Is the airport transfer included?
Yes. We pick you up at your riad, hotel or the airport in Casablanca and drop you off at the end of the tour in Marrakech.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Of course. You can add a night, change the hotels or add experiences like a nomad family visit, a cooking class or a romantic dinner in the dunes. Tell us your wishes.
What kind of vehicle is used?
A private air-conditioned 4×4 or deluxe van, depending on the size of your group.
What is the best time for this tour?
The tour runs all year. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant. Summer days are hot, and winter nights in the mountains and the desert are cold.
