Imperial Cities and Sahara
7-Day Morocco Tour: Casablanca to Marrakech
Casablanca to Marrakech through the north, Fes and the Sahara
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Casablanca → Marrakech
- About 30 hours over 7 days. driving
Travel from Casablanca through Rabat, Chefchaouen, and Fes before crossing towards the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Continue through Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, then visit Ait Ben Haddou on the way to Marrakech. This is a varied week with several long driving days: an overnight stay in Chefchaouen, a full day in Fes with a local guide, and a night at a desert camp.
Why I run it this wayI drive the main route myself, with a local guide in Fes and a specialist driver for the desert sections. The longest day is Fes to Merzouga, about 8 hours — the day-by-day itinerary below shows the driving involved, so you can decide whether the pace suits you. An extra night in Fes or the desert makes the week noticeably easier.
The things worth stopping for
- Hassan II mosque and the Kasbah of the Udayas
- Chefchaouen with an overnight, not a midday photo stop
- Volubilis in late afternoon light
- A guided day in the Fes medina
- Erg Chebbi by camel with a night at camp
- Todra, Dades and Ait Ben Haddou on the way south
Where this trip takes you
Straight lines between stops, not the exact roads — the driving is the winding version of this.
How the trip goes
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Day 1: Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat
Driving: About 6 hoursAirport pickup, the Hassan II mosque, then Rabat for the Udayas and the Mohammed V mausoleum. North into the Rif, arriving in the blue town late afternoon.
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Day 2: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis
Driving: About 4 hoursThe blue lanes at first light while they are still empty, then Volubilis for the mosaics in low sun, and into Fes.
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Day 3: Fes, guided
Driving: No drivingA full day with a licensed Fes guide: Bab Boujloud, Bou Inania, the tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin and the Mellah. Evening free.
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Day 4: Fes to Merzouga
Driving: About 8 hoursThe long day, flagged in advance. Ifrane, the cedars and the macaques, Midelt, the Ziz gorges. 4x4 at the dunes, camel to camp for sunset.
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Day 5: Merzouga to Dades
Driving: About 5 hoursSunrise on the crests and a short 4x4 run to Khamlia, then west through Tinghir and Todra, up into the Dades.
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Day 6: Dades to Ait Ben Haddou
Driving: About 3 hoursTissdrine, the Rose Valley, Skoura and Amridil, Ouarzazate and its film studios if you want them. Overnight below the ksar.
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Day 7: Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech
Driving: About 4 hoursFirst light at the ksar, the Tichka, into Marrakech around midday.
I'll email you this itinerary — every day, what's included, what it costs — so you can think it over and share it.
One email with the itinerary. No account, and I don't pass your address to anyone — see the privacy policy.
What's included
Included
- Private van with me driving
- 4x4 and local desert driver for the dune sections
- 6 nights including 1 desert camp
- Licensed guide in Fes
- Breakfast daily, half board outside the cities
- Camel ride
- Casablanca pickup, Marrakech drop-off
- Written drive times before deposit
Not included
- Flights
- Most meals
- Entry fees
- Tips
Read more about where you'll be
A closer look
Other routes worth a look
2 Days · 1 Nights2-Day Zagora Desert Tour from Marrakech
Two Days to Zagora$230–$310 per person · accommodation included
3 Days · 2 Nights3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Marrakech
Three Days to the Dunes$390–$530 per person · accommodation included
3 Days · 2 Nights3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour via Merzouga
The High Atlas Crossing$420–$580 per person · accommodation includedTell me when you're coming
Every route bends: more time somewhere, a different start, a night added. Send your dates and I'll plan it around you.