8 days desert tour from Casablanca to Marrakech
8 DaysOverview
The 8 Days Desert Trip from Casablanca to Marrakech is a Morocco desert tour packed with real adventure. You’ll start in Casablanca, move on to the stunning imperial cities of Marrakech and Fes, and soak up the history in every stop. Along the route, you’ll drive past mountains, green valleys, and old kasbahs, each view more impressive than the last. The highlight comes when you visit Merzouga, where orange sand dunes stretch for miles. There, you get to ride a camel through the Erg Chebbi dunes and watch the sunset over the Sahara, a moment you’ll never forget. Spend the night in a desert camp, with music and a sky full of stars. The private trip ends in Marrakech or Casablanca, letting you choose what fits your plans. Each day of the 8 day Morocco tour gives you a new part of Morocco’s story, told not just by guides but through the places you see and the people you meet.
8-Day Tour Highlights: Casablanca to Marrakech
- Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
- See the Hassan Tower in Rabat
- Tour Fes and Marrakech with a local guide
- Spot Barbary apes in the Azrou Cedar Forest
- Take in the sweeping views of Erg Chebbi dunes
- Ride camels in the Merzouga Sahara
- Watch the sun set over the sand dunes
- Try out sandboarding
- Enjoy dinner and music by the campfire (Berber drums)
- Sleep under the stars in a Merzouga desert camp
- Explore Merzouga and visit a nomad family
- Tour Atlas Studio and Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate
- Walk through the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
- Admire the Atlas Mountains along the way
Tour Itinerary, 8 day desert trip from Casablanca
8 days Desert tour from Casablanca to Marrakech. Upon Arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport where our driver/guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. You’ll get a quick rundown of your tour so you know what to expect in the days ahead.
After breakfast, hit the road toward Fes. You’ll pass through lovely farmland with olives, grains, vegetables and vineyards. Along the way, stop in Meknes to see the Medersa Bou Inania, Bab Mansour gate, and Henri es-Souani, then head to Volubilis to explore striking Roman ruins surrounded by beautiful scenery. Finally, reach Fes and check into your riad.
Dive into Fes with a local guide. Explore the Royal Palace (Dar El Makhzen), the historic Jewish quarter (Mellah), and the Al Attarine Madrasa, a masterpiece of Marinid design. Wander through Nejjarine Square, see Al Qarawiyyin Mosque from the outside, and visit the famous Chouara Tannery. Don’t miss local pottery and ceramics. Let your guide know if there’s something else in Fes you want to see, and they can help plan it.
After breakfast, journey from Fes to Merzouga. Stop in Ifrane, then continue to the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary apes live—great for photos. Have lunch in Zaida, a Berber village. Cross the Atlas Mountains past Medilt, then on to Rich and Erfoud, where the Sahara begins. Once at Merzouga, relax before heading out on camels to your desert camp for the night.
Wake early to see sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, return by camel and meet your driver. Visit Rissani, known for the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif and its historic ties to the Alawite dynasty. Travel through the Todra Gorges and past Tinerhir Oasis, then enjoy the lush Dades Valley, dotted with old kasbahs. Overnight in Dades Valley.
After breakfast, drive to Ouarzazate with scenic stops in Roses Valley and Skoura. Visit the Atlas film studios and explore Ait Benhaddou Kasbah before lunch in the village. Later, travel over the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi N’tichka pass before arriving in Marrakech. Stay overnight at your Marrakech riad.
Spend the day in Marrakech. Wander the Bahia Palace, stroll through the old Jewish quarter (Mellah), and dive into the busy Jemaa El-Fna square with its food stalls and performers. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque nearby, the Saadian Tombs, traditional souks, and the peaceful Majorelle Garden filled with exotic plants and streams.
On your last day, your driver will transfer you from your riad to the airport in Marrakech or Casablanca, depending on your departure plans.
Places to see on your 6 Days desert tour in Morocco from Casablanca to Marrakech
Morocco’s Imperial cities: Fes, Marrakech, Rabat and Meknes
Morocco’s four imperial cities—Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, and Rabat—each served as a past capital and show off the country’s rich history. Walk their old streets and you’ll see grand palaces, busy markets, and ancient city walls that have stood for centuries. These cities still play a big role in Morocco’s culture and daily life.
Merzouga Sahara and Erg Chebbi dunes
Merzouga sits in the middle of the Sahara and calls out to anyone looking for adventure. Ride a camel over huge orange dunes, try sandboarding, or catch a show of traditional music under the stars. Locals welcome you with mint tea, and every sunrise feels like a fresh start. If you’ve dreamed of desert life, Merzouga delivers an experience you won’t forget.
High and middle atlas mountains
The High and Middle Atlas mountains stretch across central Morocco, bringing cooler weather and a break from city heat. Their green valleys, rugged peaks, and Berber villages attract hikers and curious visitors year-round. You’ll find snow in winter and wildflowers in spring, making this region full of surprises for nature lovers.
Historical Kasbahs and Stunning Valleys
Stunning valleys stretch between rugged mountains, covered with green fields and dotted with rivers. Old kasbahs rise above the landscape, their thick walls and towers telling stories from centuries ago. Each village feels quiet yet alive with history, offering a real sense of Morocco’s past.
Fez Medina
Fes’s old medina feels like a step back in time, with its narrow alleys and colorful markets packed with energy. Small shops sell spices, leather goods, and crafts that locals have made for generations. Even in the busiest spots, you’ll find calm moments in shaded courtyards or quiet corners. The mix of sound, scent, and color makes every visit feel new.
Marrakech things to do and see
Stroll through the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa Square for street food and live shows. Wander the narrow alleys of the Medina packed with shops selling spices, rugs and pottery. Visit the Majorelle Garden for bold colors and quiet paths or step into the peaceful courtyards of Bahia Palace. Every corner of Marrakech offers a new mix of sights, sounds and tastes you won’t forget.
What’s Included
- • Private tour (no strangers in your group)
- • Comfortable air-conditioned 4x4 or minibus, based on your group size
- • English-speaking driver/guide
- • Pro guides in Marrakech and Fes
- • All night accommodations
- • One night in a luxury desert camp
- • Camel rides in Merzouga
- • Airport and hotel pick-up, drop-off
- • Daily breakfasts at hotels/riads and camp
- • Dinners at the desert camp and in Dades Valley
- • Free sandboarding on request
- • Option to take a 4x4 to camp instead of riding a camel
What’s Not Included
- • Flights or ferry tickets
- • Entry fees to monuments
- • Lunches and drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech, usually an 8–9 hour drive. Most tours split the trip with a break in places like Dades Valley or Ouarzazate. The return trip is a full day on the road.
Yes, you can reach the desert from Casablanca. At Up Morocco Tours we will arrange your trip through the blue city, Fes, then the sahara desert where you can camp under the stars and ride camels. You’ll travel in a private 4×4, passing by Marrakech and sights like Todra Gorge and Rose Valley. The trip crosses the Atlas Mountains and brings you back through Fes and Rabat.
The camel ride to the Erg Chebbi camp lasts 45 minutes to an hour each way, planned for sunset and sunrise, offering great views and a real Sahara experience.
Small groups (up to 4) travel in air-conditioned 4x4s like Toyota Land Cruisers, while larger groups get vans with plenty of space.
Luxury tents have private bathrooms and hot showers. Standard camps have shared bathrooms outside the tents.
Yes. You can take a 4×4 vehicle instead of the camel with no extra to pay.
Yes, quad bikes and buggies are available to rent from about 50 Euros per hour. Your guide can help you set this up.
Wear light, loose clothes that cover your skin, along with a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and closed shoes. This keeps you comfortable and protected from the sun and sand.
Yes Luxury camps have outlets in each tent.
Yes. Luxury desert camps have air-conditioned tents, with cooling in summer and heat in winter.
Camel rides can feel odd at first due to their swaying walk, but you get used to it quickly. Most guests enjoy the ride and the amazing desert views.
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) bring comfortable weather. Summer can be very hot, and winter is cooler, especially at night, but nights under the stars are beautiful.
Yes. These tours are flexible, so you can adjust activities and lodging for children or adults. Kids love the camel rides, meeting locals, and experiencing the desert camp.
2 days is plenty of time to see the desert, ride camels, and stay at a camp. You get a good taste of the Sahara’s scenery and culture. If you want more time, you can add a day.
BOOKING
Please use the below form to email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
Reviews
