10-Day Private Morocco Tour: Imperial Cities and South Desert Exploration

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Embark on a 10-day Moroccan adventure, exploring imperial cities, captivating blue streets, and the Sahara desert. Immerse yourself in rich history, vibrant markets, and breathtaking landscapes.

Duration: 10 days

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

We meet you at a starting point - Any Airport/Hotel or Ferry in Morocco

Casablanca - Depending on the airport or port of arrival, the first days may vary, but the overall activities remain similar. Upon arrival at Casablanca’s Mohammed V airport, we will greet you and drive you to your hotel in the heart of Morocco’s economic capital.
NOTE:
Contact us for any preferences or customizations in the tour. This tour is private, so the itinerary can be adjusted to your preferences:

More or fewer days in the itinerary.
Accommodation type (3-4 stars).
Extra Activities.
Excursions.
Arrival or departure location around Morocco.
Other preferences.

Casablanca ⇨ Rabat ⇨ Chefchaouen

Hassan II Mosque - After breakfast at your hotel, we will start our tour by visiting the spectacular Hassan II mosque — the second largest religious building in the world open to non-Muslims. We then set off to the administrative capital of Morocco, Rabat.

Hassan Tower - In Rabat, you will visit: The magnificent Kasbah of Oudayas, Hassan Tower with its incomplete minaret, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Hassan II (father of the current king).

Chefchaouen ⇨ Volubilis ⇨ Meknes ⇨ Fes

Chefchaouen Medina - After breakfast, we will start exploring Chefchaouen (known as the blue city). It is a small, charming, clean, and fresh town. You’ll stroll around the old Medina with its restored kasbah, Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the square at the heart of the town, which is an ideal place to relax. With its steep, narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed walls, blue doors, windows, and mountains as a backdrop, Chefchaouen is a wonderful place for fascinating pictures. Afterward, you will see the natural spring water of Ras El Ma. Unlike other parts of Morocco, this town was occupied by Spain, so there is much influence from Spanish and Moorish culture. You will have an opportunity to meet locals, wander in the souks (markets), and enjoy this amazing town.

Volubilis - We leave Chefchaouen and cross the Rif mountains to arrive at the ancient Roman town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will discover its mosaic floors, basilica, temple, and triumphal arch. We then head to the holy town of Moulay Idriss (a pilgrimage site for Moroccans).

Meknes Medina - After lunch in the town, we continue our journey to Meknes where you will explore: The huge gate of Mansour, the Granary, The Swani basin, the old medina with its souks, and El Hedim square where you can relax in one of its cafes. In the late afternoon, we set off for Fes. Overnight in a traditional riad in the Medina.

Fes Sightseeing

Fes el-Bali - After breakfast, you will meet a local guide with whom you will start your city tour by first visiting the outside part of the Medina (old city) including: The Royal Palace Gate, the Jewish Quarter “Mellah” — dating back to the 14th Century. You will also visit the ceramics cooperative to see traditional Moroccan crafts. Afterwards, you will cover the most important sites inside the medina with cultural and historical interest including the superb architectural masterpiece of Bou Inania Medersa, Blue Gate, the Karaouiyine Mosque, The Big Chouara Tanneries, Medersa Seffarine where people work on metal and make beautiful items (lamps, teapots, etc.), and other decorated architectural masterpieces like Attarine Medersa and the Nejjarine Fountain. In the afternoon, we will take you to the tombs of the Merenids to admire a beautiful panoramic view over the medina. Overnight in a Riad.

Fes ⇨ Ifrane ⇨ Cedar Forest ⇨ Midelt ⇨ Ziz Valley ⇨ Sahara Desert

Ifrane National Park - After breakfast, we will travel through the Middle Atlas mountains. On the way, we will stop at Ifrane, a small, charming, clean town known as the “Switzerland of Morocco” because of its similarity to a Swiss alpine resort. We continue south passing through the largest cedar forest in North Africa, home to Barbary monkeys. We will have a chance to take fascinating pictures and feed the monkeys.

Midelt - After lunch in Midelt, we head south via Talghomt pass, admiring the beautiful views and landscapes that nature offers us. We arrive at the region of Ziz Valley where we will stop for a breathtaking panoramic view of this hidden oasis filled with palm groves. Within around one hour, we will arrive at the Sahara desert where your camels are waiting for you. After a rest, accompanied by a guide, you will ride the camels and cross the high dunes of Erg Chebbi desert, see a magnificent sunset on top of a high dune, then continue trekking towards your camp where you will sleep (tents like the nomads use). After dinner, you’ll enjoy Berber music played by nomads around a fire and under a starry sky.

Tour of The Dunes ⇨ Visit Nomad Families ⇨ Merzouga

Merzouga - Waking up early in the morning is “a must” to see what could be the most beautiful sunrise of your life. After breakfast, we will begin our desert excursion in the Sahara desert to explore the different parts of the desert. First, we will see the lake of Merzouga that is home to exotic birds, then head directly to the middle of the Sahara desert where nomads with their animals still live a traditional life. We will sip a cup of tea with them and see how they live. Afterward, we take the route where the Paris-Dakar Rally used to race, then we get to Mifis mines that were once exploited by France. Time to visit them. We continue our journey by heading directly to Khamlia village, inhabited by black Berber people originally from Mali, Niger, etc. We will have a chance to listen to their music and dance. Lunch in the village (Berber Pizza). Then, we set off to visit an impressive oasis on the edge of the sand dunes before we end our day at your hotel.

Merzouga ⇨ Rissani ⇨ Arfoud ⇨ Todra Gorges ⇨ Dades Valley

Rissani Market - After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll leave the immense desert and travel towards the city of Rissani, once a major stopping place for the Saharan caravan route. If it coincides with the market days which take place on: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, we will have an opportunity to visit the souk — the largest one in the region.

Todgha Gorge - We then continue our journey to Dades Valley passing through villages such as: Mellab, Tinjdad, and Touroug to arrive later at Todra Valley, which is a green one surrounded by mud villages and mountains. Driving around 30 minutes, we get to Todra Gorges: a narrow vertical passage with vertical cliffs 300m high rising dramatically on each side. They are a popular destination for climbing lovers. Lunch in the town.

Dades Gorges - Continue to Dades Valley where you will see the fascinating rock formation known locally as “monkey fingers” as well as beautiful mud kasbahs. Overnight in a hotel overlooking the valley.

Dades Valley ⇨ Rose Town ⇨ Ouarzazate ⇨ Ait Benhaddou ⇨ Marrakech

Kasbah Amridil - Today, we travel to El Kelaa M’gouna or Rose Town where over 400 tonnes of rose petals are picked every spring to be processed into rosewater or exported to perfume industries. The festival of roses is held here every May. As we travel from Rose Town to Skoura, you will see many kasbahs among the greenery of Dades Valley. The small town of Skoura is surrounded by thousands of palm groves and the most beautiful kasbahs in southern Morocco are found here.

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou - Continue our journey to Ouarzazate “Hollywood of Africa” — with the biggest cinema studios in Morocco — then to the most famous, filmed, and photographed kasbah of Ait Benhaddou — a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll have free time to visit it and have lunch in the village. After, we head to Marrakesh via the High Atlas mountains (2260m), admiring the impressive mountainous views and special Berber villages on the mountain’s sides. Arrive in Marrakesh in the evening.

Koutoubia Mosque - Overnight in a hotel in the heart of Marrakesh.

Exploring Marrakesh

Medina of Marrakesh - After breakfast, you will start your city tour exploring Marrakesh (the red city of Morocco). The guide will ensure that you see the most important spots with historical and cultural interest including: The Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs, Ben Youssef Koranic school, as well as the largest traditional souk in Morocco. After lunch in one of the local restaurants near the main square, you can visit the Koutoubia tower and the Majorelle gardens.

Jemaa el-Fnaa - Overnight in a hotel in the heart of Marrakesh.

Back Home ⇨ Transfer to Airport

Jardin Majorelle - After breakfast, we’ll pick you up from your riad and drive you to the airport either in Marrakech or Casablanca for your flight. End of 10 Days tour from Casablanca.

What's Included

Camel Ride in Desert Golden Sand Dunes
Accommodation 9 Nights at Hotels or Traditional Riads
Fresh Bottled Mineral Water on Board While Touring
Dinner
Airport Arrival and Departure or Hotel Pickup and Drop-off
Breakfast
Local Guide in Fes & Marrakech Medina
Fuel for the Vehicle
Private Transportation
Driver/Guide
One Night Camping in Desert Luxury Nomad Berber Tent with Dinner (private tent with toilet & shower)

What's Not Included

drinks, lunches and some dinners
Tip to driver, local guides, hotel and restaurant staff
Personal Expenses
Entrance fees for monuments

Additional Information

Discover The Highlights Vibrant of Morocco and Colorful Landscapes.
Embark on a 10-day Moroccan adventure, exploring imperial cities like Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech, along with the captivating blue streets of Chefchaouen. as well as several days in the Sahara desert, wander through mud-brick cities, and conquer the rugged peaks of the Atlas Mountains. Immerse yourself in the rich history, vibrant markets, and breathtaking landscapes that define the essence of Morocco. ride a camel over shifting sands in the Sahara desert, This journey promises an unforgettable fusion of colors and landscapes, from bustling medinas to the serene beauty of the sahara desert.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(132 Ratings)

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Thomasaz3621ip

Jun 26, 2024

I loved Morocco and This Magical 10 day Tour!!! - Thank you to Khalil and DesertTrips for planning a perfect holiday in Morocco for us. Everything was so perfectly organized, and personalized and was a better experience than we ever possibly could have had any other way. From the start of planning, Med gave us options and suggestions on places to visit and helped to set our itinerary for our 10-day stay in Morocco. He was able to adjust the itinerary to make sure we visited all the areas of the country that we wanted to see. The result was exactly what we had hoped for. We booked the tour about eight months in advance. Also, Khalil, our driver/guide, is our favorite person and has become family. He had great connections and was generous, knowledgeable, flexible, and personable, he filled our car with excellent tunes, non-stop laughs, and friendship. He shared so much information about his country with us as we traveled, showed us hidden gems that we would have never seen on our own, as we experienced the beautiful landscapes, valleys, architectural features, and Berbers of the Atlas Mountains and farm products that we see on the road....etc. He gave us cultural, historical, and social experiences that we would not have had without him, and engaged in wonderful conversations throughout our trip. He made sure that we were safe and comfortable at all times. He looked like one of the family!! Traveling with Khalil made us feel safe and well looked after. He made our 10 day together one of the best experiences of our lifetime!! And it was difficult to say goodbye at the end of our trip! The trip into the desert and the luxury camp was a highlight. I experienced one of the best evenings of my life sitting under the stars around a fire in the Sahara desert as our Berber hosts sang traditional folk songs, we had never seen as many stars as the night we spent in Erg Chebbi. It’s a moment I will never forget. The first city we visited was Casablanca. As we approached the city with it is picturesque beauty and amazing vistas, we were thrilled. We experienced the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world. This started with the staff of our hotel and continued throughout the Median (old quarter) in all the shops and restaurants. Another captivating and memorable experience was our guided spectacular Hassan II mosque. was a wonderful guide who was quick to share and point out numerous points of interest. Our next stop was Fes. Along the way, we also toured the Roman ruins. We were able to do this without a guide and found it very easy to navigate. Once in Fes, we were greeted by the Riad staff. The entire staff was welcoming. Our room was extremely beautiful, large, and well-appointed. Our stay in Fes was highlighted by a day-long guided tour with Hassan. He was very funny and enthusiastic. We fully enjoyed Morocco and all the sights and wonders that it provides. Our guided tour was professional and very enjoyable. Shopping in the Souks (market) was an amazing experience. We capped off our trip with a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech, it was the best experience of our lifetime! Thank you DesertTrips family for making this an amazing and memorable vacation. I honestly can't say enough good things about our trip! I highly recommend working with this team if you're planning a trip to Morocco!!!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Elaine_n

May 12, 2024

Beautiful Morocco 🇲🇦 - We had the most wonder time in Morocco! Now that we’re home we just want to go back. This tour was fantastic for our family. Our guide was kind, helpful, well informed, well organized and fun to spend the days with. We were absolutely confident in his driving and navigating and didn’t have one thing to worry about. He took care of everything including our heavy bags. He was a hundred and ten percent dependable. The van we travelled in was spacious, clean and very comfortable. We missed him terribly when he dropped us off because we had enjoyed our time with him so much. Our accommodations with enchanting. We ate beautiful fresh food the entire trip and never lacked for anything. Now that we have been to Morocco, we can’t wait to go back!

Review provided by Viator

Maryanne

May 11, 2024

Best Moroccan Road Trip - The most amazing road trip around Morocco. Learning about the culture, experiencing the different landscapes, from a hike in the Rif Mountains to a camel trek in the Sahara Desert. Moha was a really good safe driver that I felt comfortable with for the 11 days, along with being pleasant and fun. All the accommodation was good, comfortable and safe. It's going to be very hard not to come back to Morocco and do it all again.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Waden458

May 7, 2024

A wonderful visit to Morocco - The trip around Morocco was FABULOUS! Our guide and driver was Adi and he took care of everything on the schedule and those extra things that we wanted to see and do. There were four of us in our party so the van was plenty large enough to allow each of us our own space (no bus here!) Our trip was a 9 night, 10 day loop starting and ending in Casablanca. We got to see so many different locations throughout the country and always had plenty of time to visit areas of interest. The rooms were always clean and the beds were comfortable. Some of the rooms were renovated from historic times and were covered in original ceramic tiles. We visited a traditional Berber camp, rode a camel, and slept very comfortably in the desert. I have nothing but praise for this excursion.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Chappyg2024

May 2, 2024

Birthday in morocco - This is a review of our 11 days tour of Morocco with Desert Trips. We are lucky enough to have our fantastic driver/guide, Khalil for the entire time. This excellent private tour was one of the best vacation I ever had. My cousin and me travelled across the country, following a route that includes Casablanca, Chefchaouen, fes, Rabat, merzouga and Marrakech. It was an incredible experience and the scenery on the drive out there was amazing. I highly recommend booking with desert trips for your future travel in Morocco. The company deliver a level of service that simply be described as above and beyond. Lastly, I want to thank Khalil for helping my cousin planned the surprise birthday dinner. I appreciate you going out of your way to make me feel celebrated. Your the best and a great photographer 😊

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Lesleyanne2024

Apr 21, 2024

Itinerary to a T with Khalil! Best private experience ever. - We were initially coordinating with Med and then **blessed** to be assigned Khalil as our driver at first then guide/companion/main man at the end of the trip :) The thing with multi-day tours such as this is first and foremost: safety, and I am grateful that Khalil is a driver first, then guide and buddy after. It's such a comfortable ride for the two of us, we rode a Japanese camel called Toyota Land Cruiser Prado ;) and the off-road desert sandy hikes were just taken in stride. Pick up was always on time, (even minutes earlier) so we always have free time even if the itinerary provided to us appear to be jam-packed. We always hit all the checklist of our itinerary, which I really appreciate how Med have prepared, regardless of multiple revisions and requests made. For our itinerary, (we greatly appreciate the extra requests BTW and understand that this will cost extra), I need to take a moment to discuss Med's level of considerate thought, attention to detail and his perceptive ability to make them be granted in the most optimal way where in the end his suggested options always lead to the best choice. Because of it we are happy with our days, if ever there is a need to veer from the itinerary it was always discussed, and sometimes new suggestions come up that always end up being the highlight of the experience! Med drafted the itinerary but it was Khalil who executed it and this tandem was the best because our the last day was SO FUN!! Yes we paid for the tour but the experience we got was more than what we paid for!! I'm very happy everything the tour posted is what you will get. Not only that but we were also able to do/felt the following: - Felt safe and felt like we are getting the best bang for our buck - Be taken to the most scenic view of Ait Ben Haddou - Saw an authentic belly dancer in one of the restaurants in Casablanca - Tried other local Moroccan experience :) - Our IG was on fire because of Khalil's exquisite editing skills - Had photos taken that we are going to blow up on print back home because the desert shots were just striking. That's Khalil's forte. If you want the Berber Saharan experience go with Khalil. He's the desert man. Ladies, if you want nice edits on your social media I recommend you request for Khalil; Gentlemen - if you want "experience" might as well go with Khalil he's what we had he hooked up. I am sure there are other drivers out there from MoroccoDesertTrips.net who are just as competent like Khalil, I am only reviewing from my experience and what I can say is it was the best private tour I have had. EVER.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Lesleyann_e

Apr 21, 2024

Itinerary to a T! Best private experience ever. - We were initially coordinating with Med and then **blessed** to be assigned Khalil as our driver at first then guide/companion/main man at the end of the trip :) The thing with multi-day tours such as this is first and foremost: safety, and I am grateful that Khalil is a driver first, then guide and buddy after. It's such a comfortable ride for the two of us, we rode a Japanese camel called Toyota Land Cruiser Prado ;) and the off-road desert sandy hikes were just taken in stride. Pick up was always on time, (even minutes earlier) so we always have free time even if the itinerary provided to us appear to be jam-packed. We always hit all the checklist of our itinerary, which I really appreciate how Med have prepared, regardless of multiple revisions and requests made. For our itinerary, (we greatly appreciate the extra requests BTW and understand that this will cost extra), I need to take a moment to discuss Med's level of considerate thought, attention to detail and his perceptive ability to make them be granted in the most optimal way where in the end his suggested options always lead to the best choice. Because of it we are happy with our days, if ever there is a need to veer from the itinerary it was always discussed, and sometimes new suggestions come up that always end up being the highlight of the experience! Med drafted the itinerary but it was Khalil who executed it and this tandem was the best because our the last day was SO FUN!! Yes we paid for the tour but the experience we got was more than what we paid for!! I'm very happy everything the tour posted is what you will get. Not only that but we were also able to do/felt the following: - Felt safe and felt like we are getting the best bang for our buck - Be taken to the most scenic view of Ait Ben Haddou - Saw an authentic belly dancer in one of the restaurants in Casablanca - Tried other local Moroccan experience :) - Our IG was on fire because of Khalil's exquisite editing skills - Had photos taken that we are going to blow up on print back home because the desert shots were just striking. That's Khalil's forte. If you want the Berber Saharan experience go with Khalil. He's the desert man. Ladies, if you want nice edits on your social media I recommend you request for Khalil; Gentlemen - if you want "experience" might as well go with Khalil he's what we had he hooked up. I am sure there are other drivers out there from MoroccoDesertTrips.net who are just as competent like Khalil, I am only reviewing from my experience and what I can say is it was the best private tour I have had. EVER.

Review provided by Viator

Branchout09

Apr 20, 2024

A worry-free, magical experience with a reliable, talented guide - We did a nine night, ten day trip through Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, the desert and Marrakech. We had not one worry or concern the entire time and one delight after another. We were met on the first day and every day by our punctual, reliable, friendly, helpful, patient, flexible, fun, knowledgeable guide, Addi. He was in touch in advance with accommodation and local guides so we would be met and so very well taken care of. We barely carried a suitcase the entire time; everywhere we went, he had help organized for this. He drove a large, clean, comfortable Ford van so there was ample space for our family and the luggage. Bottles of water were provided every day in the van. There was some driving time when we enjoyed looking at the changing landscape go by, singing to Addi’s playlist, telling jokes, hearing about Morocco’s history or explanations of what we were seeing and learning a few words in Arabic or Berber so we could get along. He knew when we needed a stop and where to find bathrooms. The accommodation was carefully curated; we were so happy and delighted with the comfort and beauty of the places we stayed. Included in our trip was daily breakfast which, although similar place to place, was varied and delicious. Our guide knew of great places to stop for lunch; lunch was not included but also was not expensive. Dinners were included in the desert and at our overnight in the mountains; all were fabulous. Our guide helped us buy fresh oranges and beautiful dates from roadside stands and in the market. In our family, there are those who love a long walk and can do a lot of stairs and those who are less interested in that; our guide adjusted everything so each person would be happy and comfortable. He was so kind and went above and beyond to make our desert experience fill our senses and our hearts. We felt safe and happy the entire time. Addi, tennemiert azul di canool (probably not spelled right but it means thank you from the heart in Berber). Morocco was an extraordinary place to visit, made all the more so by your talents and skill as a guide. I would not hesitate to recommend a trip planned by this company. It’s hard to book something where the outcome is unknown, however, based on our experience with Addi, this was something I would be totally comfortable with, were I to do it again. A few notes: Try to change money at your hotel as exchanging money is expensive at ATMs and some currency exchanges. If you have dietary requirements, keep in mind that breakfasts often feature wheat and dairy products, along with fruit, olives, coffee, jam, etc. Our guide stopped at a grocery store for us so I had my own gluten free bread for breakfast. There are frequent opportunities to purchase souvenirs and products (tile, argan oil, carpets, rose cosmetics, fossils, dishes, etc.). There is no requirement to purchase things and you can politely move on. In most places bargaining was acceptable. Souvenirs were often identical from one stall/town/city to the next so watch for better prices. Keep coins and small bills for the bathrooms and tips, just in case ; )

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Johnsm5944um

Apr 4, 2024

11 out of 10 - It was truly an amazing experience! We saw so many beautiful places and things. Our driver/tour guide Abraham was the absolute best! If you have the opportunity to do this tour, definitely take it! This trip gave me memories I will treasure forever.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Joselyn_d

Apr 4, 2024

Abraham Tour Guide- ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! - We had the pleasure to tour with Abraham for 10 days. He was EXTREMELY ACCOMMODATING, kind, humble, honest and very very hospitable. He was always on time, patient, and never rushed us to actually explore and take in all the beauties of Morocco. He took us to the most amazing places to see and always had water available for us all the time. The vehicle was always clean and impecable too! We would absolutely do the tour all over again with Abraham. We have already recommended him to our friends because he TRULY made the experience IMPECABLE. THANK YOU ABRAHAM FOR TRULY BEING A PART OF OUR EXPERIENCE IN MOROCCO. INSHALAH WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN.

Review provided by Viator

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