Marrakech, beach and desert: 7 days to discover the best of Morocco
- Duration: 8 days
- From: Marrakech
- Arrival: Marrakech
Set off on an unforgettable 8-day adventure through the heart of Morocco, exploring the Imperial Cities, the legendary Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, and the captivating Sahara Desert. Each day of this journey promises new discoveries that will spark your senses and satisfy your thirst for exploration.
Services included
- Pick-up in Marrakech, at your hotel or at the agreed location
- 4x4 route, with a Spanish-speaking driver/guide
- Assistance and accompaniment throughout the excursion
- Camel ride to the tent camp
- Dinner at the tent camp
- Accommodation in a Berber tent
- Assistance at destination
Services not included
- Arrival and return flights
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Tickets to monuments
- Tips
- Schedule
Day 1
Your adventure begins on the first day with your arrival in Marrakech. Our team will greet you at the airport and provide a private transfer to your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll either have free time to start exploring at your own pace or enjoy a guided tour with a local expert. In the evening, you’ll settle in and relax at a charming riad nestled in the heart of the medina.
Summary of the day
- Arrival at Marrakech airport
- Transfer to the riad in a private vehicle with a driver
- Free time or guided tour of Marrakech (depending on your arrival flight time)
- Night in a charming riad
Day 2
On the second day of the Imperial Cities tour, the road trip begins. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the riad in Marrakech, we’ll set off in a private vehicle heading south. Our route takes us across the majestic High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which sits at 2,260 meters above sea level. Along the way, we’ll pass traditional Berber villages and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views.
Once we’ve crossed this impressive natural barrier, our next stop is the famous ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. We’ll take time to explore this iconic Berber fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich history, striking architecture, and role in major film productions like Game of Thrones. A short drive away, near Ouarzazate, we’ll also visit the well-preserved Taourirt Kasbah.
These remarkable sites serve as a perfect introduction to what lies ahead on the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs—a scenic corridor dotted with palm groves, adobe fortresses, and lush valleys. We’ll continue through the Skoura palm grove, the fragrant Valley of the Roses, and finally into the Dades Valley. There, we’ll check into a beautiful riad where dinner will be served, and where we’ll spend the night surrounded by the tranquility of the region.
Summary of the day
- Breakfast at the riad in Marrakech
- High Atlas Pass in Tizi n’Tichka
- Visit of the ksar Ait Ben Haddou
- Visit of the Kasbah of Taourirt
- Driving tour through the Skoura palm grove, the Thousand Kasbahs, the Valley of the Roses and the Dades Valley
- Dinner and overnight stay in a charming riad in the Dades Valley
Day 3
After a hearty breakfast at the riad, we’ll continue our journey through the scenic Dades Valley toward the awe-inspiring Todra Gorges. This natural wonder features towering rock walls reaching up to 200 meters, forming one of Morocco’s most impressive canyon landscapes.
Our route then takes us through a series of lush palm groves that offer a striking contrast to the arid surroundings Tinghir (or Tinerhir), Tinjdad (or Tinejdad), and Touroug all adding vibrant greenery to the journey.
We’ll then arrive in Erfoud, a town renowned for its rich fossil deposits and its skilled marble craftsmanship, which we’ll explore during a visit to one of the local workshops.
In the final stretch of the day, we reach the southernmost point of our Imperial Cities and desert tour: Merzouga. Here, we’ll trade our 4×4 vehicle for a more traditional mode of transport camels, lovingly referred to as “8x8s” of the desert. These gentle creatures will take us across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. As the sun sets over this vast expanse of sand, we’ll arrive at our tented camp where a traditional dinner awaits, followed by a peaceful night’s rest beneath a sky filled with stars.
Summary of the day
- Breakfast in a riad in the Dades Valley
- Road route by:
- Todra Gorges
- Palm groves of Tinghir, Tinjdad and Touroug
- Erfoud
- Sunset camel ride from Merzouga to the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dinner and overnight stay in a tent camp
Day 4
With memories of the desert sunset and star-filled sky still vivid, we’ll rise early to witness another unforgettable moment: sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast at the camp, we’ll mount our camels once more for the return ride to Merzouga. Depending on your travel package, you’ll also have time for a refreshing shower—either at the camp or at a nearby hotel.
From there, a new leg of the journey begins as we board our private vehicle and continue on. We’ll pass through the historic town of Rissani, travel along the scenic Ziz Valley, and cross the Middle Atlas Mountains. Along the way, we’ll stop in the beautiful Cedars National Park, often called the “Monkey Park” thanks to its lively population of Barbary macaques.
Next, we’ll arrive in Ifrane, often referred to as the “Moroccan Switzerland” for its Alpine-style architecture and clean, green surroundings. From here, we make our way to Fez—one of the most iconic stops on our Imperial Cities tour. In the heart of the historic center, a welcoming riad will be ready to host you for the night.
Summary of the day
- Sunrise and breakfast at the tent camp
- Camel ride to Merzouga
- Shower at camp or hotel, depending on the package purchased
- Road route by:
- Rissani
- Ziz Valley
- Middle Atlas Mountains
- Cedars National Park
- Ifrane
- Night in a charming riad in Fez
Day 5
Fez’s rich heritage and cultural significance make it deserving of a full day of exploration, which is precisely what awaits on the fifth day of our Imperial Cities tour. After a hearty breakfast at your riad, you’ll meet with an official guide to begin a comprehensive visit of the city’s historic center.
The tour focuses on the medina, home to many of Fez’s most iconic landmarks. You’ll discover sites such as the Bou Anania Medersa, the Nejjarine Fountain, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, and the Karaouine Mosque an important Islamic cultural center that also houses one of the world’s oldest universities. The medina’s artisan quarters, still organized by traditional guilds, will also be part of the experience, with special attention to the famous tanners’ district. Additionally, there will be time to admire the Royal Palace with its impressive gilded bronze doors.
At the end of the day, you’ll return to the same charming riad within the medina to relax and spend another night in the heart of Fez.
Summary of the day
- Breakfast in riad
- Visit of Fez with a local guide
- Night in a riad
Day 6
After enjoying another breakfast at the riad in Fez, we’ll set off toward the second historic capital featured in our tour of Morocco’s Imperial Cities: Meknes. Located just 60 km away, the journey takes us through a landscape of olive groves and fertile plains. Though smaller in size, Meknes impresses with its rich architectural and cultural heritage, much of which dates back to the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made the city his capital and was later buried there. His mausoleum continues to captivate visitors with its exquisite craftsmanship, including fine porcelain, colorful stonework, and intricate stucco designs. Our visit also includes Meknes’s monumental gates, like Bab Mansour, and the vast Aghal reservoir.
After exploring Meknes, we’ll continue our journey westward to Rabat, the third and current capital of Morocco since 1912. We’ll spend the afternoon discovering its key historical sites, including the Dar el Makhzen Royal Palace, the Oudaias Kasbah, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, among other significant landmarks. At the end of the day, you’ll check in to a new, charming riad where you can relax and unwind for the night.
Summary of the day
- Breakfast at a riad in Fez
- Road trip and visit to Meknes
- Road trip and visit of Rabat
- Night in a charming riad in Rabat
Day 7
After enjoying your included breakfast at the riad in Rabat, we’ll continue our journey with an 80-kilometer drive along the Atlantic coast to Casablanca. As Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca is renowned worldwide thanks to the classic film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Our visit will include a stroll along the scenic Boulevard de la Corniche, a picturesque seaside promenade that leads to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks the Hassan II Mosque. This architectural masterpiece is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors.
Following an optional visit to this remarkable 20th-century structure, we’ll head inland to Marrakech, where a beautifully appointed riad will welcome you for your final overnight stay of the tour.
Summary of the day
- Breakfast in a riad in Rabat
- Road trip and visit to Casablanca
- Road trip to Marrakech
- Night in a charming riad in Marrakech
Day 8
After enjoying breakfast at the riad and completing check-out, the remainder of your time in Marrakech will be arranged according to your flight schedule. You might use these final hours for some last-minute shopping in the city center, a visit to any monuments you may have missed, or even a guided tour with a local expert if you didn’t have the chance earlier. Highlights like the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, and the Ben Youssef Medersa are all excellent choices to round out your visit.
At the scheduled time, our driver will meet you for your private transfer to Marrakech Airport. This marks the end of our services, but we part with warm wishes and the hope of seeing you again on a future Moroccan adventure.
Summary of the day
- Breakfast at a riad in Marrakech
- Free time or city tour, depending on the return flight time
- Transfer to Marrakech airport
- Photos
- Map
- FAQ
Morocco Turism offers an extensive selection of tours, from explorations of the imperial cities to thrilling journeys through the Sahara Desert. For more information, check out our tours page.
Tour durations vary, ranging from quick weekend escapes to extended trips of over a week. You can select the option that best fits your schedule and interests.
The cities you’ll visit depend on the tour you select, but options often include Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, Chefchaouen, and more. Each tour features a detailed itinerary available on our website.
Definitely. Your safety is our highest priority. We partner with professional guides and skilled drivers to provide you with a secure and unforgettable travel experience.
Our tours feature a variety of accommodations, including boutique hotels and traditional riads. Each option is thoughtfully chosen to provide both comfort and an authentic Moroccan experience.
Yes, at Morocco Turism, we recognize that every traveler is different. Reach out to us to tailor your tour according to your preferences and specific interests.
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