Luxury Morocco Tour: Casablanca to Marrakech via the Desert – 8 Days

Today you'll set out on a 4.5-hour private transfer from Chefchaouen to your accommodation in Fes. After saying goodbye to the scenic Rif Mountains, your first stop is Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins. Wander through the massive complex, exploring large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and many colorful mosaics. Continue to Meknes and stroll through the compact medina, which is less busy than other cities and offers a more laid-back atmosphere. 

Your final stop is Fes. Before settling into your riad (traditional Moroccan house), drive up to the Marinid Tombs, where you can enjoy a lovely panorama of the old city. On the hillside below, you may see leather drying in the sun. Then make your way into the bustling medina and enjoy navigating Fes' charming streets. Relax at your riad for dinner.

Today's comfortable, 8-hour private transfer takes you to your Bedouin-style tent accommodation in Merzouga. Starting early, your driver will stop at a few cultural spots along the way to show you the desert communities of the Sahara. Climb to an elevation of 7,146 feet (2,178 m) over the Col du Zad Pass, winding through the cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains as you keep your eyes peeled for the local Barbary monkeys. Stop for lunch in Midelt, known as the "Apple City" thanks to the nearby Moulouya River and surrounding fruit orchards.

Continue over the Tizi n'Talrhemt Pass and into the Ziz Valley, famous for its hidden oases and palm tree clusters. Chat with nomadic shepherds, stroll through settlements, and, if time allows, enjoy a cup of tea with a local Berber family. As the drive continues, you'll spot the waves of Erg Chebbi in the distance—sweeping sand dunes covering almost 14 square miles (35 sq km), with some peaks rising over 650 feet (200 m). The color and shape change depending on the time of day and the wind, with particularly spectacular views just before sunset.

Upon arrival near Merzouga, enjoy a short break as you prepare for a camel ride through the dunes, reaching your luxury camp in the late afternoon. Get settled in your tent, then climb up the nearest dune to watch the sunset display its color show across the sands. Head back to camp for dinner and a night by the campfire, enjoying traditional Berber music from the locals. Before climbing into bed, savor the stars strewn across the clear desert sky. 

Get back on the road today for the 5.5-hour drive towards Marrakech. Leaving Boumalne Dades, you'll pass El Kelaa M'gouna, where fragrant fields of rose bushes are cultivated for use in the world's cosmetic industry. Every May, a Rose Festival takes place to celebrate the year’s production. You can make a quick stop at a women-run rose cooperative to see the process of converting the petals into water and oil, and sample some of the products. Along the road, you'll also see children selling various crafts made from the flowers.

Continue to Ouarzazate, made famous by the country's growing movie industry, then proceed to the UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou, whose atmospheric old ksar (castle) has provided the backdrop to Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones. As you proceed up and over the Atlas Mountains, take in incredible panoramic views over the mountain range and the winding road ahead. After a stop at Taddert, where you can visit an olive oil cooperative for a quick tasting, get back on the road and enter the hustle and bustle of vibrant Marrakech for the evening.

Savor a final morning in Marrakech before meeting your private driver for the private 2.5-hour transfer to Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN), where you'll connect with your onward flight. Safe travels!