Private 5 Days From Casablanca to Merzouga, Desert Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
CASABLANCA - FES
10 stops
1
Hassan II Mosque
Visit the iconic Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world. Admire its oceanfront location, intricate mosaics, and the world’s second tallest minaret.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
2
Ain Diab
Enjoy a scenic drive along Casablanca’s lively Corniche, a beautiful coastal promenade stretching along the Atlantic shore. Pass by sandy beaches, cafés, luxury hotels, and modern seaside architecture. This refreshing stop provides stunning ocean views and a pleasant introduction to the vibrant coastal lifestyle of Morocco’s economic capital.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
See the magnificent exterior of the Royal Palace, famous for its grand brass doors framed by colorful zellige tiles and carved cedarwood details. Although the interior is closed to the public, the exterior façade is one of Fes’s most photographed landmarks and provides valuable insight into Moroccan craftsmanship and royal architecture.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Walk through the historic Mellah, the Jewish quarter of Fes, known for its unique urban layout distinct from the rest of the medina. Discover its traditional wooden balconies, historic synagogues, and narrow streets that reveal centuries of cultural coexistence. Your guide will share stories about the Jewish community’s important role in the city's history.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Borj Nord
Visit Borj Nord, a 16th-century fortress built to overlook and protect the medina. From its panoramic terrace, enjoy sweeping views of the world’s largest medieval medina—a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is one of the best photo opportunities in Fes, allowing you to appreciate the city’s impressive scale and landscape.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Step inside a traditional pottery and mosaic workshop where skilled artisans craft the famous Fassi ceramics. Watch demonstrations of clay shaping, hand-painting, zellige tile cutting, and the firing process in ancient kilns. This visit highlights the craftsmanship that makes Fes a global reference for Moroccan arts and design.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
7
Admire Bab Bou Jeloud, the iconic Blue Gate marking the main entrance to the Fes Medina. Decorated with blue tiles on one side and green tiles on the other, the gate symbolizes knowledge and spirituality. It’s a central meeting point where travelers begin exploring the maze-like streets of the ancient medina.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
Mosque and University of al-Qarawiyyin
Discover the Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, recognized as one of the oldest universities in the world. Founded in 859, this spiritual and intellectual center has shaped Moroccan culture for centuries. While the interior is accessible only to Muslims, visitors can admire its exquisite courtyards, carved arches, and green-tiled roofs from the surrounding alleys.
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
9
Fontaine Nejjarine
Explore Nejjarine Square, home to a beautifully restored 18th-century fountain and distinguished by its intricate woodwork. The square sits at the heart of the carpenters' district and offers a glimpse into the artisanal traditions of Fes.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
10
Chouara Tannery
Visit the famous Chouara Tanneries, one of the oldest tanneries in the world. From a panoramic terrace, observe the traditional leather-dyeing process carried out in large stone vats using techniques passed down through generations. This vivid and colorful scene is one of the most iconic symbols of Fes.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
FES – IFRANE – MIDELT- ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD - MERZOUGA
7 stops
11
Fez
Depart from Fes in the morning and begin your journey across the Middle Atlas Mountains. Enjoy changing landscapes as you leave the historic city behind.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
12
Ifrane
Stop in Ifrane, a charming alpine-style town known for its European architecture, clean avenues, and the famous stone lion statue. Built by the French in the 1930s, Ifrane offers a refreshing contrast to the desert regions farther south.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
13
Azrou Cedar Forest
Walk through the majestic cedar forest near Azrou, home to the Barbary macaque monkeys. Enjoy the cool mountain air and observe the playful monkeys in their natural habitat.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Midelt
Pass through Midelt, a peaceful town surrounded by olive farms and apple orchards. This is one of Morocco’s main agricultural regions, located between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountains.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
15
Ziz valley view
Enjoy a panoramic stop overlooking the lush Ziz Valley, famous for its palm groves and dramatic canyon cliffs. This oasis stretches for dozens of kilometers and is one of the most beautiful valleys in southern Morocco.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
16
Erfoud
Arrive in Erfoud, known worldwide for its fossil and marble workshops. Learn about the region’s geological history and see how ancient marine fossils are extracted and polished.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
17
Merzouga
Continue toward Merzouga, where the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi rise majestically from the desert. Enjoy mint tea upon arrival and prepare for your camel trek into the Sahara for sunset.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
MERZOUGA - RISSANI - TODGHA GORGES - DADES VALLEY
4 stops
18
Merzouga
Start your day with a magical sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy the peaceful desert atmosphere as the first light colors the sand in golden tones.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
19
Rissani
Head toward Rissani, a town that once served as an important caravan trading center. Explore its traditional architecture and learn about its historical role in Morocco’s Saharan trade routes.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
20
Todra Gorge
We head to the High Atlas Mountains once more, this time toward Tinghir, one of the most beautiful oases, surrounded by mountains and canyons. Drive along the Todra Gorge, a striking valley with rocky canyons and towering palm trees. Take a short walk through the gorge before breaking for lunch.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
21
Drive through Dades Valley, known for its dramatic rock formations and ancient kasbahs. Enjoy scenic viewpoints and experience the valley’s charming villages and striking landscapes.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
DADES - OUARZAZATE - AIT BEN HADDOU - MARRAKECH
4 stops
22
Dades Gorges
Depart from Dades Gorges, enjoying early-morning views of the valley’s spectacular rock formations and kasbahs. Travel through winding roads carved into the mountains as you begin your journey toward Ouarzazate.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
23
Ouarzazate
Travel to Ouarzazate, stopping in the “roses city” and visiting the Kasbah of Taourirt and Atlas Studios.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
24
Our next destination is the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, built in the 11th century. This iconic location has been featured in films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile, Gladiator, and Alexander. We will have lunch here.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
25
Marrakech
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, passing Berber villages. Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon. Overnight in Marrakech with breakfast included in the Riad.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 5
MARRAKECH SIGHTSEEING
1 stop
26
Marrakech
Explore the Red City, visiting the Koutoubia Mosque, Jamaa El Fna Square, Bahia Palace, and the bustling souks.
6 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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