7-Day Morocco Itinerary: Casablanca to Marrakech via the Sahara

Casablanca to Fez via Rabat, Meknes and Volubilis

We pick you up at Casablanca airport or your accommodation and drive first to Rabat, where we see the unfinished Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Oudaya Kasbah above the Bou Regreg estuary. At Volubilis, a UNESCO-listed Roman city, a local guide shows you the mosaic floors, the triumphal arch of Caracalla and the old olive presses. We stop at Meknes for the Bab Mansour gate before arriving in Fez for the evening.

About 4.5 hours on the road, roughly 360 km, plus stops

Riad Fez Mahal or similar, Fez medina

Full Day in the Fez Medina

A licensed guide takes you through Fez el-Bali, the world's largest car-free medina. The day takes in the brass gates of the Royal Palace, the carved stucco of the Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 and often described as the oldest continuously operating university in the world, and the Nejjarine woodworking museum. We also look down on the Chouara Tanneries from a rooftop, walk through the Mellah, and visit the potters at the Pottery Village.

No driving today

Riad Fez Mahal or similar, Fez medina

Fez to Merzouga via the Middle Atlas

We head south through Ifrane, a mountain town of alpine-style chalets, and the cedar forest at Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques come up to the roadside. The route drops through the Ziz Gorges and along the Ziz Valley, a 70-kilometre palm oasis between ochre canyon walls, to Merzouga. At sunset you ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes to a Berber camp, with a tagine dinner and drumming around the fire.

About 7.5 hours on the road, roughly 460 km, plus stops

Tiziri Desert Camp or similar, Erg Chebbi

Sahara Sunrise, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley

We climb a dune before dawn to watch the Sahara sunrise, then return to camp for a nomad-style breakfast. We drive west to Todra Gorge, where 300-metre limestone walls narrow to around 10 metres over a cold, clear river, and walk the canyon floor. The road continues into the Dades Valley, past the Monkey Fingers rock formations and old earthen kasbahs, to our riad.

About 4.5 hours on the road, roughly 280 km, plus stops

Dades Paradise or similar, Dades Valley

Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Benhaddou

We drive west through the rose-growing valley of Kelaat M'Gouna and the Skoura palm oasis, with a stop at the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate. At Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO ksar used as a set for Gladiator and Game of Thrones, you cross the river and climb through the kasbahs. We then cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 metres and descend to Marrakech.

About 6.5 hours on the road, roughly 320 km, plus stops

Riad Aslal or similar, Marrakech medina

Full Guided Day in Marrakech

With a licensed local guide we spend the day in the Marrakech medina. We visit the Bahia Palace, a 19th-century complex of carved cedar ceilings and zellige courtyards, the Saadian Tombs, and the Koutoubia minaret, the city's tallest landmark. We then work through the souks of copper, spices, leather and carpets, and end the day at Jemaa el-Fna as the storytellers, Gnaoua musicians and food stalls come out.

No driving today

Riad Aslal or similar, Marrakech medina

Marrakech Departure

A private transfer takes you to Menara Airport at the time you need, with plenty of margin for check-in.

Airport transfer only