9 Days tour from casablanca to the desert via chefchauen , fez

The best part of this nine-day Morocco tour is the sweep from Atlantic cities to the Sahara. You move through Rabat, blue Chefchaouen, ancient Fez, cedar forests, mountain passes, desert dunes, kasbah country, and Marrakech without having to organize each transfer yourself.

I like the private vehicle, which gives you room to adjust the pace, and I like the overnight in a luxury desert camp with a private shower and bathroom. The main consideration is the amount of driving. Days five through seven cover long roads, so this suits you if you would rather see a lot of Morocco than linger in one place.

Key points at a glance

• Airport pickup in Casablanca: Begin with a private welcome and a visit to Hassan II Mosque before continuing to Rabat.
• Chefchaouen and Fez: See the blue mountain town, then spend a full day with a local guide in Fez.
• Roman ruins and imperial cities: Visit Volubilis and Meknes before reaching Fez.
• Sahara overnight: Ride camels for about one hour, watch sunset from the dunes, and sleep in a luxury camp with a private bathroom.
• Mountain-to-desert scenery: Cross the Rif, Middle Atlas, and High Atlas mountains, with stops in Ifrane, the cedar forest, Ziz Valley, Todra Gorge, and Ait Ben Haddou.
• Private touring: Your group travels alone, with WiFi on board and a driver-guide who may be Ahmed, Hassan, or Rachid.

What this nine-day route gets right

Morocco rewards a route that connects very different parts of the country. This one begins in Casablanca and ends in Marrakech, so you do not spend the final day retracing your route to the starting point. Along the way, you get major cities, mountain villages, Roman remains, desert scenery, and traditional architecture.

The route also gives you two proper city touring days. Fez receives around five hours with a local guide, and Marrakech receives another five hours. That matters. The desert crossing is memorable, but the cities provide the cultural context that keeps the trip from becoming only a scenic road journey.

The private format is another real advantage. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable, and the tour can allow small changes in pace. That does not turn every day into a fully custom trip, but it gives you more control over photo stops, meals, and how long you spend at major sights.

The tradeoff is simple: this is an ambitious itinerary. You cover much of Morocco in nine days, and some days involve several hours on the road. The schedule is best for an active first visit, not for someone seeking a slow, hotel-centered holiday.

Day 1: Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, and Rabat

After airport pickup, you drive into Casablanca for a visit to Hassan II Mosque. The mosque is one of Morocco’s signature sights and sits beside the Atlantic, making it a strong first introduction to the country’s modern economic center and Islamic architecture.

Admission is not included for this stop, so confirm the current entry arrangement when booking. The itinerary gives about one hour here, which is enough for a first look but not a long architectural study.

You then continue to Rabat, Morocco’s capital. The overnight is listed as a highway hotel or similar accommodation. That wording is less specific than the riad descriptions later in the trip, so I would ask for the exact hotel name before paying if the quality or location matters to you.

Because the tour starts at 8:00 a.m., check that your flight arrival gives you enough time for immigration, baggage collection, and meeting the driver. Airport pickup is offered, but the exact pickup point should be confirmed in advance.

Day 2: Rabat’s Oudaias and the road to Chefchaouen

The morning focuses on Rabat’s Medina, the Oudaias area, and Hassan Tower. These stops offer a more polished architectural experience than the tangled lanes of Fez, with royal monuments, historic walls, and formal spaces.

The itinerary also refers to a Moroccan royal cemetery, likely the mausoleum area connected with Hassan Tower. Your guide should clarify the exact stops and entry arrangements on the day.

After Rabat, the road heads north toward Chefchaouen through the Rif Mountains. The change in scenery is part of the appeal. You leave the capital’s broad avenues and move into a greener, more rugged mountain region before reaching the famous blue-painted town.

The overnight is in a riad. Chefchaouen is a place where location matters, since a riad in or near the old town lets you walk out into the blue lanes more easily. Dinner in Chefchaouen is not included, so plan for that cost separately.

The listed touring time for Rabat is only about 30 minutes, which is brief. In practice, the day includes the drive north, so ask how much time is planned for Oudaias and Hassan Tower if those sights are important to you.

Chefchaouen: pretty, photogenic, and worth more than a quick stop

Chefchaouen is known for its blue walls, stairways, and narrow lanes set against the Rif Mountains. The color is not the whole story. The town feels smaller and less demanding than Fez, making it a good place to begin your time in Morocco.

You can expect plenty of opportunities for photographs, but the best experience comes from walking without rushing. Look beyond the most photographed corners and pay attention to doors, steps, small shops, and the way the town climbs the hillside.

This itinerary gives Chefchaouen one overnight rather than a full day. That is enough for a taste, but not enough for serious hiking or a slow exploration of the surrounding Rif. If the blue town is your main reason for visiting northern Morocco, ask about adding time here.

Day 3: Volubilis, Meknes, and Fez

The third day links two important historical places before reaching Fez. At Volubilis, you walk among Roman ruins and see evidence of Morocco’s long connection with the wider Mediterranean world.

The site is open and exposed, so comfortable shoes, water, and sun protection are sensible. The planned visit is listed at about 30 minutes, which sounds short for a large archaeological area. Ask whether that is the formal tour time or simply the estimated stop duration.

Next comes Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. The visit includes the Medina, its massive walls, Bab El Mansour, lunch time, and the shrine of Moulay Ismail. The city provides a useful contrast with Fez: it is still historic, but the scale and rhythm can feel less intense.

Lunch is not included, so you pay directly. After Meknes, you continue to Fez for the night. This is a full sightseeing and transfer day, but it is well planned geographically. You see two major sites without needing a separate return journey.

Day 4: Five hours inside Fez’s old city

Fez receives the most focused city visit on the route. A local guide leads you through the Royal Palace Gate, the Jewish quarter, the Mellah, Al Qarawiyyin University, the tanneries, the Attarine Museum, and the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss.

Fez can be difficult to understand without help. Its Medina is a maze of lanes, workshops, markets, religious buildings, and residential passages. A local guide gives the streets an order and helps explain how the Jewish quarter, Islamic institutions, craft trades, and royal areas fit together.

The tanneries are one of the city’s most memorable sights, with workers handling hides in traditional vats. You may be offered mint or a sprig of herbs near the viewing area because the smell can be strong. The tour then includes a visit to a tile cooperative and a viewpoint over the Medina from a tower.

Some stops may involve shopping, especially at craft cooperatives. That is not automatically a problem, but be clear with your guide if you want to browse without pressure or if you prefer to keep the visit focused on culture and architecture.

Dinner in Fez is included, as are eight breakfasts across the trip. The exact lodging is listed as a riad or similar, and one accommodation website is provided, but you should confirm the final property and room setup before departure.

Days 5 and 6: Across the Middle Atlas to the Sahara

Day five is the major road day. Pickup from your Fez accommodation is scheduled for 8:00 a.m., followed by Ifrane, the cedar forest, the Middle Atlas Mountains, Midelt, the Tizi N Talghamt pass, the Ziz Gorges, the Ziz Valley, and Merzouga.

Ifrane is often called Morocco’s Switzerland because of its alpine-style appearance and cooler mountain setting. The cedar forest provides a chance to see Barbary macaques. Keep food secured and follow your guide’s directions around the animals.

The route then changes steadily. Mountain scenery gives way to drier valleys and rock formations, with the Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock. This is where the private car pays off. You can stop for viewpoints and photographs without negotiating with a bus group.

After reaching Merzouga, you take a camel ride of about one hour into the dunes. The timing is designed around sunset, with a stop near the top of a dune before continuing to camp.

The desert camp is one of the tour’s strongest features. It is described as luxury accommodation with a private shower and bathroom, dinner, and a night beneath the stars. That setup is much easier than a basic tent, especially after a long day on the road.

Camel riding is not difficult for most people, but mounting and dismounting can be uncomfortable, and the ride is not suited to everyone. Ask whether a 4WD transfer to camp is available if you do not want to ride. The supplied details confirm the camel ride, but they do not specify alternative transport.

Day six begins after breakfast with Erfoud, known for fossils and minerals such as ammonites, trilobites, and fossilized starfish. This stop can be interesting if you like geology, but fossil workshops often include sales areas, so decide in advance how much shopping you want to do.

You then continue to Tinghir and the Todra Valley. A panoramic view comes before a walk inside Todra Gorge, where cliffs rise about 300 meters. The gorge walk is one of the route’s best chances to stretch your legs after the long drive from Fez.

The evening is in the Dades Valley or nearby. Dinner in the Dades Valley is included. The listed driving and sightseeing time is around four hours, but the day also includes several stops, so the final arrival time can vary.

Day 7: The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and Ait Ben Haddou

From Dades, the route passes through Kelaat M’Gouna, known as the Rose Town. A rose festival takes place there each May, so the seasonal atmosphere may be different if you visit during that month.

You continue to Ouarzazate, often called the Hollywood of Africa because films including Gladiator, The Mummy, and Kingdom of Heaven were made in the area. The major stop is Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village of earthen buildings that is among Morocco’s most recognizable sights.

Ait Ben Haddou is best approached on foot, with time to notice the kasbah walls, passageways, and views across the surrounding terrain. The itinerary calls it Morocco’s largest and most famous kasbah village, though the exact visit length is not provided. Ask how much walking time you will have.

The route then crosses the High Atlas Mountains. The highest peak reaches 4,167 meters, while the road crosses at about 2,260 meters. The drive includes views of Berber villages and changing mountain scenery before reaching Marrakech.

This is another demanding day. You get a remarkable transition from dry valleys to high mountain roads, but much of your time is spent seated in the vehicle. If you suffer from motion sickness, bring medication and sit where you feel most comfortable.

Day 8: Marrakech’s Medina, palaces, and gardens

The final full day is a private guided tour of Marrakech’s Medina. The planned sights include the Koutoubia Mosque, the souks, Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and Majorelle Garden.

These places cover several sides of Marrakech. The Koutoubia provides a city landmark, the souks show traditional trade and craftwork, and the madrasa and palaces offer detailed tilework, carved wood, courtyards, and decorative plaster.

Majorelle Garden has a different feel from the old city, with strong colors and planted grounds. Since the day includes many named stops and is listed at five hours, the pace is likely active. You may need to choose between lingering at one site and seeing them all.

The night is in a riad in the Medina or a similar property. Dinner in Marrakech is not included. That gives you freedom to choose your own meal, but budget for it and confirm whether your riad offers an evening dining option.

Day 9: A simple finish, but confirm the drop-off

Day nine is listed only as the end of the tour. No exact departure point or drop-off time is provided in the details, so confirm whether the tour ends at Marrakech airport, a hotel, or another location.

This matters if you have a flight that day. The provider offers pickup at the start, but the final transfer arrangement is not clearly stated. Ask before booking, especially if you need an airport transfer or are continuing independently.

Is $791 good value?

At $791, the price is attractive for a private nine-day route covering Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fez, the Middle Atlas, Merzouga, Dades, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, and Marrakech.

The value comes from the private air-conditioned vehicle, driver-guide, WiFi on board, accommodation, breakfasts, several dinners, the camel ride, and the luxury desert camp. A private itinerary also removes the work of arranging long intercity transfers on your own.

You still need to budget for lunches, dinner in Chefchaouen, dinner in Marrakech, entry costs not included, taxes and fees, and anything outside the stated inclusions. The dinner wording is slightly unclear because the package lists several dinners but specifically excludes Chefchaouen and Marrakech. Get a day-by-day meal breakdown in writing.

The tour is especially good value for someone who wants a broad first look at Morocco and prefers a private car to public transport. It is less compelling for a slow traveler who would rather spend several nights in each city.

Guides, comfort, and the private format

The company is Good Travelling In Morocco. The booking contact Moha is described as quick to answer questions and helpful with planning. Guides named in the supplied material include Ahmed, Hassan, and Rachid, though your assigned driver-guide may differ.

That distinction matters. The driver-guide is central to this trip because so much of the experience happens between the headline stops. Ask who will drive, which languages they speak, and when a separate local guide will join you in Fez and Marrakech.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, private, and equipped with WiFi. WiFi can be useful on long drives, but coverage may vary across mountain and desert areas, so do not rely on it as your only connection.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Still, you should be comfortable with long drives, uneven Medina lanes, a one-hour camel ride, and walking in the gorge and kasbah areas.

Who should book this Morocco tour?

I would choose this tour for a first visit when you want the country’s major contrasts in one trip. It works well for couples, families, and small private groups who value direct transport, flexible timing, and an English-speaking planning contact.

It also suits photographers. The route offers blue streets in Chefchaouen, Roman stonework at Volubilis, Fez’s tanneries, mountain passes, Ziz Valley, golden dunes, Todra Gorge, kasbah villages, and Marrakech’s decorative buildings.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts or long road days. I would also ask for extra time in Chefchaouen or Fez if those cities matter more to you than covering the full route.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a wide-ranging private introduction to Morocco with the Sahara as its centerpiece. The luxury desert camp, full Fez and Marrakech visits, private vehicle, and flexible format give the $791 price good practical value.

Before booking, confirm the exact hotels, entry fees, dinner schedule, guide assignment, and day-nine drop-off. If those details suit you and you accept the long drives, this is a strong choice for seeing Morocco’s most varied regions in a single nine-day trip.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour lasts approximately nine days, beginning in Casablanca and ending in Marrakech.

Is airport pickup offered?

Yes. Airport pickup in Casablanca is offered, with the tour beginning at an 8:00 a.m. start time.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and private transportation is provided.

Is camel riding included?

Yes. The package includes approximately one hour of camel riding in the Merzouga desert.

Does the desert camp have a private bathroom?

Yes. The luxury desert camp is described as having a private shower and bathroom.

Are meals included?

Eight breakfasts are included, along with specified dinners including dinner in Fez, dinner at the luxury camp, and dinner in the Dades Valley. Lunches, dinners in Chefchaouen, dinners in Marrakech, taxes, fees, and items not listed are excluded.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to a date change or full refund.