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Tour overview: 11 Days Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour from Casablanca

If you want to experience a vacation that combines exploring the Sahara Desert, Imperial cities, Atlantic coastal beaches, and Moroccan culture and heritage, this 11 days Casablanca Morocco tour is the perfect choice for you. Highlights include cultural visits to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat, and Meknes’ historic sites. In Fes and Marrakech, you’ll explore the old medina, Madrassas, leather tanneries, stunning palaces, and bustling souks.

Discover Berber villages and Morocco’s most famous Kasbahs: Ait Ben Haddou, Telouet, and Amredhil, showcasing traditional Berber lifestyles and architecture. The UNESCO World Heritage Roman ruins of Volubilis provide a glimpse into Morocco’s ancient history, while the geological wonders of the Dades and Toudgha Gorges reveal its prehistoric past.

Experience the majesty and magic of the Sahara of Erg chebbi by riding camels to a luxury camp, witnessing breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, and enjoying Berber music after a traditional dinner. A full-day camel trek across the highest dunes of the Sahara Desert is a unique and unforgettable adventure.

The coastal town of Essaouira and the scenic drive along the Atlantic Ocean showcase another side of Morocco’s diverse landscapes, offering a perfect end to your journey.

Itinerary : 11 Days Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour from Casablanca

Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat

Our frist day of our 11 Days Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour from Casablanca trip start here, arrival at Casablanca airport, where you will be picked up and driven through the scenic Moroccan landscape to the city center. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, a grand structure built in 1993 for King Hassan II's 60th birthday, boasting the second-largest religious building in Africa and the second-highest minaret in the world. Afterwards, continue to Rabat to explore the historic Chellah, a beautiful 14th-century necropolis built on Roman foundations. Spend the night in a riad in Rabat.

Day 2: Rabat – Volubilis – Fes

After breakfast, visit the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a tribute to the king who passed in 1961, with his son Hassan II also entombed here. We then travel via motorway to Meknes, detouring to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Volubilis, known for its expansive Roman ruins and scenic views. Continue to Fes for dinner and an overnight stay in a riad.

Day 3: Fes Sightseeing

Enjoy a full day exploring Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s Imperial Cities. Visit the University of Al Kairaouine, founded in 859 by Fatima al Fihri, and the medieval city of Fes El Bali, home to the exotic Bou Inania Medersa, the Medina, and the Kairaouine Mosque. In the afternoon, explore Fes El Jdid and the Museum of Moroccan Arts. Spend the night in a riad.

Day 4: Fes – Merzouga

Depart Fes at 8 AM, passing through Ifrane and the cedar forests near Azrou, home to Barbary apes. Drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in Midelt for lunch, then continue through the Ziz Valley, known for its palm trees and ksars (villages). Arrive in Merzouga, where you’ll take a camel ride to a luxury camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Enjoy dinner and a night under the stars.

Day 5: Merzouga – Ouzina Desert

After an unforgettable night in our berber camp, if you get up early enough, you will be able to admire the other charming postcard of our 6 days Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech, the impressive image of the sunrise in the Sahara and the sunrise between the dunes.

After living this magical experience in the desert, we will get back on the back of our camels to return to the lodge.

We will continue our route around 10 am, we will make the panoramic tour of the dunes of Erg Chebbi and then continue to the village of Mifis where we will visit the mines of lime and barytes, until we reach the village of Khamlia, between Merzouga and Taouz. In the area it is known as "the village of the blacks".

A village where the inhabitants are called Gnawas, musicians of sub-Saharan origin, who will delight us with music and dances, while we savor a mint tea, where in addition to enjoying their Gnawa music, originally from Sub-Saharan Africa, we will have the opportunity to taste the famous Berber pizza.

For lunch, we will head to the village of Khamlia. Then we will continue to Taouz, where we will enter to begin our journey through the famous track of the old Dakar Rally, a journey in which we will enjoy breathtaking views where we will also have the opportunity to see some wonderful rock engravings. We will go to the village of Jdaid and in the afternoon we will arrive at the Ouzina desert.

Accommodation  in berber Kasbah with dinner and breakfast

Day 6: Ouzina – Dades Valley

After breakfast, our journey continues through the town of Rissani, once the thriving center of the ancient Sahara caravans. We'll traverse a semi-desert landscape until we reach the oasis of Tinghir, a truly stunning location in Morocco. Following the Todra River, we'll arrive at the awe-inspiring Todra Gorges, towering over 300 meters high. Take some time to explore the village and soak in the breathtaking scenery.

Continuing our 11 Days Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour from Casablanca adventure, we'll embark on the route of the Thousand Kasbahs, arriving at the picturesque Dades Valley, where we will spend the night in Kasbah or Hotel.

Day 7: Dades Valley – Ouarzazate

After breakfast, visit the Dades Gorges and then travel off-road along the Boutarar piste to meet Berber nomads in their caves. Continue through the Valley of the Roses, visiting Kasbah Amredhil in Skoura.  In the afternoon, we'll reach Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Morocco." Here, we'll visit the Taourirt Kasbah, considered one of the most beautiful kasbahs in the country. Enjoy dinner and spend the night at a charming riad.

Day 8: Ouarzazate – Marrakech

After breakfast, we'll head to Kasbah Ait ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s seven World Heritage sites and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters. This is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco, with some buildings dating back to the 17th century. From there, we drive through the stunning Ounila Valley, a route filled with twists and turns, vibrant rock and soil hues, Berber villages, gardens, and smaller Kasbahs.

We continue to Telouet, nestled in the mountains and once the seat of the last Pasha of Marrakech, El Glaoui, who controlled the highest pass in Africa, Tizi-n-Tichka. Though the Kasbah has been abandoned and weathered by the elements after the Pasha's property was confiscated for conspiracy against the King, its traditional interior decoration still offers pleasant surprises.

Unfortunately, the entire Kasbah is currently closed due to damage from the September 2023 earthquake. However, you can still explore its exterior with a local guide to learn about its fascinating history. In the late afternoon, after crossing the Tichka pass, we will arrive in Marrakech.

Day 9: Marrakech Sightseeing

Spend the day exploring Marrakech. Visit Djemaa el Fna, the Majorelle Garden, the Koutoubia Mosque, el Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Medersa, the Saadian tombs, and the Mellah. Experience the vibrant culture, colors, and history of the city. Overnight in a riad.

Day 10: Marrakech – Casablanca

You will have a free morning in Marrakech to explore at your leisure.

In the evening, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Casablanca via the highway. The trip duration is approximately 3 hours.

Day 11:  Casablanca Airport

Transfer from your Hotel to Casablanca airport for your departure flight, concluding your 11 Days Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour from Casablanca & captivating journey through Morocco's landscapes, cities, and deserts.