Riads, kasbahs and hotels
Traditional houses with private room and bathroom, in the medinas or overlooking the valley.
- Private room
- Dinner and breakfast
Morocco Itinerary 10 Days from Casablanca with Sahara Desert
10 days from Casablanca to the desert
Ten days to travel Morocco from end to end: the four imperial cities, the Sahara and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
From €750 per person Book now
Highlights
- Hassan II Mosque
- Rabat
- Volubilis and Meknes
- Fez medina
- Khamlia
- Camel trekking
- Night in Erg Chebbi
- Todra Gorges
- Ait Benhaddou
- Marrakech with a guide
Trip overview
With ten days the trip takes on a different scale. There is time to visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the Hassan Tower in Rabat, and the Roman ruins of Volubilis and Meknes on the way to Fez; to spend two days in the Merzouga desert, with a visit to Khamlia and a night in the dunes; and to travel unhurriedly through the Todra, the Dades and Ouarzazate to Marrakech.
The tour starts and ends in Casablanca, so it fits any return flight. You will sleep in riads and characterful hotels, enjoy home cooking every evening and always travel privately, with the same driver from start to finish.
Ideal for: travellers with around ten days who want a complete trip, well balanced between cities, nature and desert.
- Duration
- 10 days / 9 nights
- Home
- Casablanca
- End
- Casablanca
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- Every day
- Language
- English / Spanish
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day1
Arrival in Casablanca
We collect you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for a first stroll along the Corniche or through the Habous quarter. Dinner and overnight stay.
- Airport pick-up
- Transfer to the hotel
- Free time
-
Day2
Casablanca → Rabat → Volubilis → Fez
We begin at the Hassan II Mosque, built out over the ocean. In Rabat, the capital, we see the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the walls of the Kasbah of the Udayas. The afternoon takes us to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman city in Morocco, and to Meknes before reaching Fez.
- Hassan II Mosque
- Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- Kasbah of the Udayas
- Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Bab Mansour, Meknes
-
Day3
Fez city tour
Fez is the cultural and spiritual capital of the country, and its medina seems frozen in time. We visit the Chouara tannery, the largest of the four traditional ones; the Karaouine Mosque from the outside; Bab Boujloud; the golden doors of the Royal Palace; Seffarine Square, home of the coppersmiths; and one of the old madrasas.
- Chouara tannery
- Karaouine Mosque and University
- Bab Boujloud
- Royal Palace (exterior)
- Seffarine Square
- Madrasa
-
Day4
Fez → Ifrane → Azrou → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
We leave Fez and head south. Ifrane, high in the Middle Atlas, looks like a Swiss village; the cedar forest is home to its most famous resident, the Barbary macaque. After Midelt we descend through the Ziz Valley to Erfoud and Merzouga.
- Ifrane
- Azrou cedar forest
- Midelt
- Ziz Valley
- Arrival in Merzouga
-
Day5
Merzouga → Khamlia → Erg Chebbi
We set out into the desert to see how local people live and share a glass of tea with them. In Khamlia we listen to Gnawa music, and in the afternoon we ride camels into the great Erg Chebbi. Dinner and overnight in the camp.
- Nomad families
- Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Camel trekking
- Sunset in the dunes
- Night in a desert tent
-
Day6
Erg Chebbi dunes → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley
Sunrise in the desert, then back to the hotel for a shower and breakfast. We take the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through villages of stone, wood and clay. The Todra Gorges open up as a canyon with 300-metre red walls; then come the Tinghir palm grove and the Dades Valley.
- Sunrise in the dunes
- Todra Gorges
- Tinghir palm grove
- Dades Valley
-
Day7
Dades Valley → Ouarzazate
The Dades has gorges and canyons even more varied than the Todra. We explore it in the morning and continue via Kelaat M’Gouna and Skoura, past mud-brick fortresses, to Ouarzazate.
- Dades Gorges
- Valley of Roses
- Skoura palm grove
- Ouarzazate
-
Day8
Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Marrakech
We visit the Taourirt Kasbah, former residence of the Glaoui pasha, and see the film studios. Ait Benhaddou, on a hill above the river, once stood on the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. We cross the Tizi n’Tichka at 2,260 metres and descend to the Red City.
- Taourirt Kasbah
- Film studios
- Ksar of Ait Benhaddou
- Tizi n’Tichka
-
Day9
Marrakech with a local guide
An official guide takes you through the medina: the Koutoubia, the palaces, the Saadian Tombs and the largest souk in Morocco. Amid the scent of fresh mint and the sound of musicians, finish with an orange juice on Jemaa el-Fna.
- Koutoubia
- Bahia Palace
- Saadian Tombs
- Souks
- Jemaa el-Fna
-
Day10
Marrakech → Casablanca
Return to Casablanca, the country’s economic capital, by motorway. We drop you at your hotel or straight at the airport, depending on your flight. End of the trip.
- Transfer to Casablanca or the airport
Timings and the order of visits may be adjusted according to the season, road conditions and your preferences.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
- Accommodation every night
- Dinners and breakfasts
- One camel per person in the desert
- Night in a camp with private tent
- Turban and sandboarding in the dunes
- Photo stops whenever you like
What’s not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Tips
Accommodation
We choose small places with character, where a home-cooked dinner is part of the experience. In the desert you can choose between two types of camp.
Standard camp
Private tent with beds, blankets and shared bathrooms. The simplest and most authentic option.
- Private tent
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
Luxury camp
Spacious tents with a large bed, private bathroom and shower, electricity and dinner served at the table.
- Private bathroom
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
A tip from our team
The Hassan II Mosque only admits non-Muslim visitors on guided tours at set times, mostly in the morning: that is why we start the second day there.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
It is completely private: the vehicle, the driver and the itinerary are just for you and your companions. You will not share the trip with strangers, so we can stop wherever you like and adapt the timings.
Can I change the itinerary of “10 days from Casablanca to the desert”?
Yes. What you see is our standard proposal. We can add a night, change the start or end point, include a guided visit or adjust the stages to your flights. Tell us what you need and we will send you a tailor-made version.
What is the difference between the standard and the luxury camp?
In both you have a private tent, dinner, breakfast and an evening of drums by the campfire. The luxury camp adds a private bathroom with shower inside the tent and more refined décor; in the standard camp bathrooms are shared and you shower in the morning at the hotel in the village.
How long is the camel trek?
About an hour and a half each way, at a gentle pace and accompanied by a camel handler. We set off a couple of hours before sunset to arrive in good light. If anyone cannot or would rather not ride, let us know and we will find an alternative.
How do I book and how do I pay?
Send us the form or write to us and we will confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours. We accept online payment (Visa, MasterCard and PayPal), as well as cash or card in person.
When is the best time of year for this tour?
You can travel all year round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) have the mildest temperatures. In winter the days are sunny but desert nights are cold, and in summer it is best to start early and make the most of the vehicle’s air conditioning.
Other tours you may like
Tours from Casablanca
8 days from Casablanca to Marrakech
Tour with airport pick-up: Fez, Midelt, a night in Merzouga, the gorges, Ait Benhaddou and Marrakech.
From €450 / persona
View details12-day tour from Casablanca to the desert
All of Morocco: imperial cities, Merzouga, Marrakech and a seaside finale in Essaouira and Oualidia.
From €750 / persona
View details
2-day trip from Marrakech to Zagora
Cross the High Atlas, visit Ait Benhaddou and sleep in a camp in the Zagora desert, a day’s drive from Marrakech.
From €100 / persona
View details