12 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and Imperial Cities

Upon arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport, your driver will be waiting to welcome you and transfer you to your riad or hotel in the medina. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to take a walk in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, where snake charmers, food stalls, and musicians bring the city to life in the evening. Overnight stay in Marrakech.

After breakfast, embark on a guided city tour of Marrakech, a vibrant city rich in history and culture. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, known for its elegant 77-meter-high minaret. Explore the ornate Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and stroll through the intricate alleys of the medina, packed with spice sellers, artisans, and hidden riads. End your day in the animated Jemaa el-Fnaa, a UNESCO site full of storytellers, dancers, and street food. Overnight in Marrakech.

After breakfast, leave Marrakech and head toward the desert through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m). Stop at panoramic viewpoints and visit Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Sahara” and home to Atlas Studios, the largest film studio in Africa. Pass through Skoura Oasis, with its impressive palm groves and ancient kasbahs, and then through the Valley of Roses before reaching the Dades Valley. Here, unique rock formations and traditional Berber villages create a magical setting. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in the gorge.

Enjoy breakfast with views over the Dades Valley, then set off toward the spectacular Todra Gorge, a deep canyon carved by the Todra River. Walk along its towering rock walls, a favorite for climbers and photographers.

Continue south past Erfoud, famous for its fossil workshops and marble carvings. Arrive in Merzouga, where the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi rise majestically from the desert. Switch from 4x4 to camels and ride into the heart of the dunes while watching the sun set behind the sands. Spend the night in a luxury desert camp, enjoying a traditional dinner, music by the fire, and stargazing under a clear sky.

Wake up early for a stunning desert sunrise, then return to the village by camel. After breakfast, explore the region in a 4x4 tour: visit the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music, and meet nomadic families who live in tents around the dunes. Visit Tissardmine oasis, known for fossils, and climb to a viewpoint over the desert. Return to your hotel near the dunes to relax or enjoy a sunset walk on the dunes. Dinner and overnight in Merzouga.

Depart from the desert and travel north through the Ziz Valley, stopping at panoramic viewpoints of the palm groves. Pass through Errachidia and stop for lunch in Midelt, nestled between the High and Middle Atlas Mountains.

Continue through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas near Azrou, where you can see Barbary macaques in their natural habitat. Stop in Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”, for its alpine-style architecture and clean streets. Arrive in Fes by evening. Overnight in a riad in the medina.

Explore Fes, one of the oldest and most spiritual cities in Morocco, with a professional local guide. Visit the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), and panoramic viewpoints over the old city.

Wander through the labyrinthine medina of Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO site, where artisans still practice traditional crafts. Visit Al Quaraouiyine University (the oldest university in the world), the famous tanneries, and beautiful madrasas like Bou Inania. Overnight in Fes.

Leave Fes and travel west to Meknes, one of Morocco’s imperial cities. Visit Bab Mansour, Moulay Ismail’s Mausoleum, and the city’s granaries and stables.

Continue to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, where you’ll see stunning mosaics and learn about Morocco under Roman rule. Head north to the Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen, Morocco’s famous Blue City, nestled in the hills. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Chefchaouen, wandering its blue-washed streets and taking photos of its picturesque corners. Then, depart for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Visit the Kasbah of the Udayas, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Hassan Tower.

Continue to Casablanca, Morocco’s modern economic hub. Overnight stay near the city center or by the ocean.

In the morning, visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco, set on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. After the visit, head back to Marrakech via the highway. Enjoy free time in the city in the evening or visit a hammam to unwind. Overnight in a Marrakech riad.

Enjoy a full-day excursion to the coastal city of Essaouira. Drive through the Argan tree region, where you might spot goats climbing trees. In Essaouira, visit the historic Skala, the Jewish Quarter, and the vibrant fishing port. Walk along the beach or explore the white-washed medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Marrakech in the evening. Overnight stay.

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy breakfast and transfer to the Marrakech airport. Your 12-day tour ends with unforgettable memories of Morocco’s desert, mountains, coast, and imperial cities.