10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech

TOUR ROUTE:

Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Todra Gorge – Merzouga – Midelt – Ifrane – Fes – Meknes – Rabat – Casablanca.

 

10 days desert tour from Marrakech features classical and historical Moroccan sites including old medinas, which are ancient towns, along with the UNESCO Heritage Sites such as famous squares and monuments in the Kingdom. 

In addition to historical sites, we will pass by and enjoy many classical Moroccan landscapes such as the Sahara desert, Atlas Mountains, palm groves, and agricultural area which includes valleys with olive trees and wineries. Above all, it’s worth mentioning that the Sahara desert will be one of the highlights of the tour because of its mystical unworldly environment. This tour will take you to explore the Sahara, and show you beautiful desert landscapes with golden rolling dunes like you have not seen before.  

In conclusion, in this 10-day definitive tour of Morocco, we have compiled a route of all the places most appreciated by visitors. You will discover beautiful Morocco by taking a tour of all its celebrated cities!  The classic Morocco tour is a guided tour, which begins in Marrakech and ends in Casablanca. The 10-day journey includes scenic road trips, off-road desert drives, mind-blowing landscapes, and traditional Moroccan villages. Additionally, it features getting acquainted with Berber culture, Bedouin camping, desert camel rides, hikes, and visiting kasbahs, just to mention a few activities. 

By the end of the tour, you’ll know that you’ve experienced all that classical Moroccan sites has to offer. Importantly, seeing classical features such as old medinas to wild landscapes like the Sahara, and ancient archeological sites, this tour includes all you must see turning the visit to Morocco. 

Tour Highlights

  • Viewing picturesque High Atlas Mountains.
  • Exploring the beauty of fortified Ait Benhaddou kasbahs.
  • Touring Ouarzazate city, visiting a kasbah.
  • Desert camel rides, camping in the desert, and off-road desert drives.
  • Cedar forest with its Barbary macaque monkeys, Berber villages.
  • Exploring the medieval city of Fes.
  • Exploring the Roman ruins at Volubilis.
  • Strolling the streets of Meknes.
  • Exploring the Imperial City of Rabat.

Additional information:

    • We offer both standard and luxury accommodations. Please let us know what your preferences are and we will send you the available options.
    • All Sahara tours include camel rides to the sunset in the Sahara Desert & delicious dinners at a beautiful campsite along with the bonfire and Berber music.
    • In addition to first-class services, we have free wifi, water, pillows, and a wide variety of music in our vehicles for your amazing journey.
    • Please contact us for the desired tour, pricing, and more information: [email protected]

Good to Know

This classic Morocco tour from Marrakech doesn’t necessarily have to strictly follow the path we laid down here. In other words, you can customize your desert tour from Marrakech the way you want it. If you have any suggestions, we’re happy to include them in the itinerary.  Also, if you’re not very familiar with Morocco, feel free to contact us so we can help you. Our customer service is super-friendly and always ready to hear from you as well as help you make your decisions. This 10 days desert tour from Marrakech will increase your album to the adventurous diary.

 

  • Included

    Accommodations during the tour
    Breakfast
    Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
    English or Spanish speaking driver
    Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodations
  • Not Included

    Dinners
    Drinks
    Entry fees
    Lunch
    Some complementary dinners
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Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou

10 Days Morocco Itinerary from Marrakech starts early in the morning at Marrakech. After breakfast, we will pick you up from your riad or hotel and set off in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle towards Ait Benhaddou village. The drive offers a scenic view on the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. We will be making several stops along the way to enable you to take pictures of these snowcapped peaks and the breathtaking landscape along Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260m in attitude). At Ait Benhaddou, we will visit the Ait-Ben-Haddou Kasbah, which is one of the most popular kasbahs in the country. This fortified red-earthen village is one of the most impressive historic landmarks in Morocco. The village is about 1200 years old, and most of the structures built centuries ago are still intact to this day. Roaming the beaten passageways of this historical kasbah feels like walking in the medieval world. Its authentic vibe of the past is why the city has been featured in many of the Hollywood movies such as Gladiator, Sahara, and Game of Thrones TV series.
We will get to take pictures and learn more about the local tribes in the region. At lunch, you will get an experience of the local cuisine, eating at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will take a tour of the Kasbah of Tamdaght, 6 km from Ait Benhaddou. And in the evening hours, we will climb the fortress of Ait Benhaddou to experience a magical sunset there. Our driver will take you to your riad or hotel for the night.
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Day 2: Exploring Ouarzazate

Rising early will let us witness and capture the images of the spectacular sunrise at Ait Benhaddou. After breakfast, we will be on a scenic journey towards Ouarzazate. Approaching the city, the climate becomes more desertlike, paving the way for an amazing desert landscape. On our way are several Berber villages we will be stopping at.
Unlike the village of Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate offers a vaster range of attractions. The Atlas Film Studio is located in this town and we will make a stop there to take photos and learn about the films made there. Finished taking the pictures, we head downtown to explore the city. Ouarzazate is popular because of its incredible Old World features, including the architecture of the city. This is why it has been the shooting location for many popular movies like Black Hawk Down, Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy, and the Game of Thrones series among others.
We will also go to the Kasbah of Tifoultout and finish with a visit to the Ouarzazate’s Main Square. The square is home to a host of shops and restaurants selling local food and produce. It is also a good place for viewing the sunset. In the evening, our guide will take you to the hotel or riad for the night. Here the second day of our 10 Days Morocco Itinerary from Marrakech comes to the end
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Day 3: Todra Gorge - Merzouga

After breakfast, we will take a road drive towards Todra Gorge. The scenic road passes through Kalaat M’Gouna, Boumalne, and Tanghir (TINGHIR??) en route to Todra Gorge. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by massive canyons that are about 400 meters deep. We will walk around the Todra Valley and tour major oases found alongside it. You will have fun hiking the Todra River gorge. The site is a perfect spot for photographing as well. We will be having our lunch at a restaurant serving local cuisine.
Having finished lunch, we're going on a road trip towards Merzouga, where camels will be waiting for us. You will get to enjoy one of the best desert camel rides in Morocco, of about an hour and thirty minutes to Berber camp. We will climb giant sand dunes of Erg Chaabi among others. You will see a beautiful sunset over the dunes. The night will be spent at a Berber nomad camp, where traditional food will be served. You will be entertained by classical Berber music and dancing around the campfire.
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Day 4: Exploring Merzouga

We will wake up early in the morning to experience the magical view of the sunrise on top of the dunes in the Merzouga desert. Our tour guide will wake you up to ensure you don’t miss the desert sunrise. You need to bring a camera if you want to capture this moment. A camel ride will take you back to your riad or hotel. At the hotel, our driver will be ready to take you on an immersing drive into the Merzouga desert.
 
After freshening up, an air-conditioned 4x4 off-road vehicle is at your service for a ride to Hassilabied and Khamlia villages. We will meet nomads encamping in the desert on the way. We will also have an opportunity to get acquainted with live Gnawa music by the Gnawa tribe. The off-road trip will head deeper into the Sahara to Lake Dayte Sarje, to several oases near the dunes, and a visit to see black volcanic rocks. We will then stop by Rissani, exploring its souks and bazaars for the best part of the afternoon. In the evening, we will drive you back to your riad or hotel in Merzouga.
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Day 5: Merzouga - Midelt

Our 10 Days Morocco Itinerary from Marrakech continues today to see other beutiful attractions. After breakfast, we have a long road trip ahead of us: more than 470 km from Merzouga to Midelt. There are several stops along the way to see the most popular attractions. One of the popular cities on the way to Midelt is Erfoud. It is referred to as the fossil city of Morocco due to its rich fossil deposits. So, we will visit a local craft workshop to see how the fossil is extracted from bedrock. The city also boasts many restaurants where you can have a bite of local food. Other places we will visit are Erfoud, Aoufous, the Ziz Valley and Errachidia. You will get a chance to visit Berber villages along the way, and take pictures. Then the oasis of Aoufous. It is another must-see place. The panoramic views of the oasis is part of what make it so popular. By the afternoon we should be at Midelt.
We will be exploring Midelt for the remaining part of the day. Some of the key attractions to visit are Aguelmous, Eglise de Midelt, Notre Dame de l’Atlas monastery, and the spectacular Gorges d’Aouli. In the evening, we will get to relax to the view of the sunset in Midelt.
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Day 6: Azrou - Ifrane – Fes

After breakfast we will set off towards the city of Fes. A number of popular tourist spots are on the route. We will pass through such significant towns as Zaida and Timahdte before arriving at a cedar forest near Azrou. This forest is known for its amiable Barbary macaque monkeys. We will be making a longer stop here to enjoy forest fruits and berries, and play with the monkeys.
From Azrou, we will take a spectacular road drive to Ifrane. The city is also known as the Moroccan Switzerland because of its clean environment. In fact, it has been recognized as the second cleanest city in the world. You will detect the change in the envoronment immediately after entering the city. The first settlement of the area was in the 16th century.
We will see both the recent and older parts of Ifrane. Next up is a drive to the city of Fes. We will have a leisurely stroll in the medieval town before retiring to the riad or hotel for the night.
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Day 7: Exploring the Medieval City of Fes

In the morning, we will pick you up from your riad or hotel and set off to explore the city of Fes. Fes is the oldest of the four imperial cities of Morocco. For over 1200 years since it was founded, the city has remained untouched. Therefore, its ancient features are still intact. A stroll on the streets of Fes is like living in the ancient world, walking the streets truly feels like being in medieval Morocco.
We will start with medieval Fes. Our first visit will be to the two medina quarters where we will get to marvel at the centuries-old streets there. Fes el Bali is one of the popular medinas in Fes and the largest intact medina in the world. From here, you can see a breathtaking sight of the minaret of the famous Medersa Bou Inania. We will visit Medersa el-Attarine before going to lunch.
In the afternoon we will see more sites, including the medieval Quaraouiyine Mosque built in AD 857. Its prayer hall can hold up to 20,000 worshipers and the mosque hosts the world’s oldest library. In the library's collection is a Qur’an from the 9th century. We go on to visit the old Mellah (Jewish Quarter) in Fes el Jedid as well as the site of the Royal Palace right next to it. Other attractions of the day are Bab Bou Jeloud, Chouara Tannery, and the Ibn Danan synagogue.
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Day 8: Fes - Meknes

If you love photographing and want to capture the empty streets of Fes’ medina, waking up early in the morning is important. Then you will also be part of a spectacular sunrise above Fes. After breakfast, there will be more of the modern and medieval Fes to explore, for example, Bou Jeloud gardens and Jnan Sbil Park. We will visit Ville Nouvelle, home to many attractions, including striking fountains, shopping locations, mosques, and cultural venues. The different architecture of the Ville Nouvelle will blow your mind away.
After lunchtime we'll be on an exciting road trip to Meknes. The imperial city of Meknes has much in common with Fes when it comes to blending ancient and modern qualities of civilization. Among the major attractions of the city are the Imperial City and the bustling medina of locals. As the city's roots stretch back to the 9th century, there are a lot of historical attractions like centuries-old ruins to explore. Meknes has vibrant souks which we will also go see during the day. In the evening, our driver will take you back to your riad or hotel.
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Day 9: Meknes - Rabat

We will spend the entire morning exploring 2000-year-old Roman ruins and other ancient sites at Volubilis. Having origins going back 5000 years, Volubilis has fascinating things to teach about history and the Roman Empire. With its architecture and other features, it is definitely one of the most striking places to visit en route to Meknes. If you want to capture the sight of the temple remains and other ancient ruins don't forget to bring your camera. We will return to Meknes for lunch before taking a road drive to the Imperial City of Rabat.
Along the way we will pass several towns, including Khemisset, Tiflet, Ait Malek, Sidi Allal el Bahraoli, and Sale. Quick stops for taking pictures are provided. Every one of these towns has something unique to offer. Many tribal villages can also be found along the way. The route is hilly, forming a spectacular mountainous landscape. It makes for an amazing road trip. We will spend the night in Rabat.
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Day 10: Exploring Rabat

Breakfast in the morning, then our driver will pick you up from your riad or hotel and we will set off to tour Rabat. Being one of the imperial cities, it has a beautiful mixing of modern and ancient qualities. Founded in the 12th century, Rabat remains a gem for tourists coming to Morocco. We will start with Oudaias Kasbah situating the oldest mosque of the city. We get to walk the beaten streets of the medieval medina and see the nearby attractions. On to the ancient settlement of Chellah and then having lunch at local cafés.
In the afternoon we will visit the iconic Hassan Tower, a minaret left half-finished, and other remnants of what was once to be the world's largest mosque. We will also go to the medina of Rabat before heading over to the Ville Nouvelle or the new city. Ville Nouvelle, like its name would suggest, offers a wealth of French architecture. We'll make sure not to forget the vibrant souks of Rabat before taking our last road trip, heading to Casablanca. This is where the classic Morocco tour ends. The road trip traverses fantastic landscapes, and provides a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Sea. Our driver will drop you off at your riad or hotel. Here our 10 Days Morocco Itinerary from Marrakech comes to the end.