Overview of your 1 week private tour from Casablanca
This 7 days tour from Casablanca shows you the best of Morocco in one week. You visit the Hassan II Mosque, Rabat and the blue town of Chefchaouen, then the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the old medina of Fes. As a 7 days desert tour from Casablanca, it takes you across the Middle Atlas to a night in the Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi, before the return through the Todra Gorge, Ait Benhaddou and Marrakech. It is a private tour with a local driver-guide, from your first morning in Casablanca to your drop-off at the end.
Why this tour is unique
In one week you see Morocco’s imperial cities, the mountains and the Sahara on a single loop, with no backtracking. A full day in Fes breaks up the driving, and the route ends back in Casablanca, close to the airport.
Tour highlights
- Hassan II MosqueVisit Casablanca’s landmark on the Atlantic, with a 210-meter minaret.
- RabatSee the Hassan Tower and the blue and white lanes of the Kasbah of the Udayas.
- ChefchaouenSpend the evening in the blue town of the Rif Mountains.
- Volubilis & MeknesWalk among Roman mosaics, then stop in a quieter imperial city.
- FesSpend a full day in the tanneries, madrasas and souks of Morocco’s oldest imperial city.
- Middle Atlas Cedar ForestLook for Barbary macaques near Azrou and pass through Ifrane.
- Sahara Camel Trek & Desert CampRide a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep under the stars.
- Todra Gorge & Dades ValleyWalk between 300-meter canyon walls.
- Ait Benhaddou & the High AtlasVisit the famous clay Kasbah, then cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
- MarrakechSpend an evening in Jemaa el-Fna square and a morning in the medina.
Route map
You will depart Casablanca and drive north through Rabat to Chefchaouen. From there you head south to Volubilis and Fes, then cross the Middle Atlas through Midelt to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. The return goes west through the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Benhaddou, over the High Atlas to Marrakech, and back to Casablanca.
Your 7 days Morocco itinerary from Casablanca, day by day
Day 1: Start of your 7 day tour from Casablanca, to Rabat and Chefchaouen
5 hours driving
Your driver will pick you up at 8:00 am from your Casablanca hotel or Mohammed V Airport. We start with the Hassan II Mosque (opens in a new tab), built over the Atlantic and one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours. We then drive to Rabat to see the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas, before continuing north into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, in time for an evening walk through its blue streets.
Day 2: Chefchaouen to Volubilis, Meknes and Fes
4.5 hours driving
Enjoy a quiet morning in Chefchaouen, founded in 1471 at the foot of the Rif Mountains, before we drive south to the Archaeological Site of Volubilis (opens in a new tab), the best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, known for their mosaics. After a stop in the imperial city of Meknes, we continue to Fes.
Day 3: Discover the medina of Fes
No driving
Today is for the Medina of Fez (opens in a new tab), one of the largest and best preserved old cities in the Arab world. Walk its narrow lanes to the Chouara tannery, the Bou Inania Madrasa and the craft workshops of the souks. The afternoon is free to rest or keep exploring.
Day 4: Fes to Ifrane, Midelt and the Merzouga dunes
8 hours driving
We leave Fes at 7:30 am and climb into the Middle Atlas through Ifrane, stopping in the cedar forest near Azrou to look for Barbary macaques. After lunch in Midelt, we follow the palm groves of the Ziz Valley until the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi (opens in a new tab) appear, about 1.5 hours before sunset. Trade your vehicle for a camel and ride into the desert at sunset to reach your camp.
Day 5: Merzouga to Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
5 hours driving
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then ride your camel back to meet your driver after breakfast. We drive west through Erfoud to the Todra Gorge, where you’ll have free time to walk between the massive 300-meter-high canyon walls. In the afternoon we continue to our hotel in the Dades Valley.
Day 6: Dades Valley to Ait Benhaddou and Marrakech
7 hours driving
After breakfast, we drive through the Valley of Roses to Ouarzazate and on to Ait Benhaddou (also spelled Ait Ben Haddou), the clay kasbah famous for Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Learn more about the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (opens in a new tab). We then cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass and arrive in Marrakech in the evening, in time to see Jemaa el-Fna square come to life.
Day 7: Marrakech to Casablanca
2.5 hours driving
Spend the morning in the Medina of Marrakesh (opens in a new tab), with time for the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace or the souks. In the afternoon, we drive back to Casablanca, about 240 km on the motorway, and your driver drops you at your hotel or at Mohammed V Airport.
Prices and packages
We offer three tier levels to suit your travel style. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
- Private transportation
- 4-star hotels or traditional riads
- Standard desert camp
- Excellent 4-star to luxurious 5-star hotels
- Upgraded luxury desert camp
- Comfortable private car
- Hand-picked 5-star and high-end boutique hotels
- Premium VIP desert camp
- Entrance fees included
Prices may vary depending on travel dates and final accommodation choice. Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free.
Hotels and camps where you’ll stay
Choose a package to see the hotels and camps we use on this tour.
- Riad Hicham
- Casa Hassan
- Hotel Riad Cherifa
- Dar Echchaouen
- Palacio Al Andalus
- Riad Alhambra Chaouen
- Riad Sayeda Al Hora
- Riad La Perle de la Medina
- Riad Al Makan
- Riad Zawiyat Fes
- Riad Fes Nass Zmane
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Riad Bahammou Hotel
- Grand Canyon Lodge
- Dar Ahlam Dades
- Ksar Sultan Dades
- Riad Aslal
- Riad Tassili Boutique
- Riad Challa
- Riad Cologne
- Riad Croix Berbere
- Grand Plaza Hotel
- Lina Ryad & Spa
- Dar Jasmine
- Taj Chefchaouen Luxury Hotel
- Riad Salam Fes
- Riad Bensouda
- Riad Grand Alcazar Fes
- Marriott Hotel Jnane Palace
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Tents with air conditioning
- Riad Dar Blues
- Hotel Xaluca Dades
- Palm Hotel Dades
- Riad Atlas Palace
- Riad Anya & Spa
- Riad Diamond of Marrakech
- Palais Des Princesses
- Riad Les Remparts De La Kasbah
- Kenzi Menara Palace
- Hotel Es Saadi
- Suite at Lina Ryad & Spa
- Suite at Dar Jasmine
- Suite at Taj Chefchaouen Luxury Hotel
- Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa
- Suite at Riad El Amine
- Suite at Riad Dar Lys
- Royal or Ambassador Suite at Riad Salam Fes
- Merzouga Luxury Desert Camps
- Desert Luxury Camp
- Eden Boutique Dades
- La Maison Arabe
- Les Jardins de la Koutoubia
- Les Jardins de la Medina
- Es Saadi Palace
- Radisson Blu Carre Eden
- Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi
Every desert camp tent has a private washroom with a shower. We confirm your exact hotels when you book, depending on availability.
What’s included and excluded
Included
- Private, air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- English-speaking driver/guide
- 6 nights accommodation (as per selected package)
- Private washroom with shower at the desert camp
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (6 breakfasts, 2 dinners)
- Sunset and sunrise camel treks in Erg Chebbi (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp, if you prefer)
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Casablanca hotel or Mohammed V Airport
Excluded
- Lunches and daytime drinks
- Dinners in the cities
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums (included in the Luxury Package)
- Local city guides in Fes and Marrakech (available on request)
- Tips and gratuities
What travelers say about this trip
Reviews from our sister company, Morocco Top Trips
A group of friends on an 8-day trip through Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech. They thank their guide Said and say the planning was careful and every need was met, which made the trip comfortable and stress-free.
A tailor-made private trip through the imperial cities, Chefchaouen, the Atlas Mountains and the desert, with a night in a luxury bivouac. They praise the organization, the comfortable hotels, a professional driver and a patient guide, and note that the drive to Chefchaouen is long but the Blue City is worth it.
A senior couple on an 8-day private tour, staying in small hotels in several towns. They praise the tailored route, the clean hotels and their driver-guide Mohamed, who knew the roads well and looked after them with care. They note two long driving days.
Good to know before you go
Pick-up and start
Pick-up is usually at 8:00 am from your Casablanca hotel or Mohammed V Airport. If the time changes, your driver will message you on WhatsApp with the time and meeting point.
Distance and driving
On the 7 days desert tour from Casablanca, the roads over the Rif, the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas are winding, so bring motion-sickness tablets if needed. The full day in Fes gives you a break before the longest drive to the desert.
Best time to go
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months, with warm days and cooler evenings. In summer, daytime temperatures in Merzouga often pass 40°C. In winter, nights near the dunes can get close to freezing, and snow can fall in the Middle Atlas around Ifrane, so the route may change with the weather.
The camel trek and the camp
The sunset camel ride into camp lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. If you prefer not to ride a camel, you can be transferred to the camp by 4×4 instead. Your bags travel to the camp by SUV, and anything you leave in the vehicle is safe.
What to pack
Layers are crucial. The desert is hot during the day, and both the desert nights and the mountains can be cold. Bring a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a scarf (for sand and sun protection), sunglasses, and sunscreen. For mosque visits, cover your shoulders and knees.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While hotels and larger restaurants take cards, you should carry cash for small purchases, lunches, and tips in rural areas.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco. Expect to tip guides, drivers, and camp staff if you are happy with the service. A general rule is 10% in restaurants and a lump sum for your driver at the end of the trip.
Connectivity
Most hotels and riads along the route have free WiFi. The desert camp has limited to no connectivity, so enjoy the chance to unplug and look at the stars.
Frequently asked questions about the 7 days tour from Casablanca
How much does the 7 day tour from Casablanca cost?
Prices start from €950 per person for the Comfort package. The Superior package is €1330 and the Luxury package €1710 per person, based on two travelers. The difference is the level of accommodation, and prices may vary with your travel dates. The pricing section above shows what each package includes.
Do infants and children pay?
Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free. For older children, tell us their ages when you send your request, and we will confirm the price for your group.
How long are the drives on a 1 week private tour from Casablanca?
The full loop is about 1,900 km. The longest day is Day 4, about 8 hours from Fes to Merzouga, followed by Day 6, about 7 hours from the Dades Valley to Marrakech. Day 3 in Fes has no driving. Those are driving times, and you also stop for photos, meals and visits along the way. Arriving a day early? See Best Things to Do in Casablanca (opens in a new tab).
Should I choose 7 days or 10 days?
Both follow the same loop. The 7-day tour spends one night each in Chefchaouen, the desert and Marrakech. Our 10 days tour from Casablanca adds a full day in Chefchaouen, a second night in the Sahara and a full day in Marrakech, so the pace is slower. If you only have one week, the 7-day tour covers all the main sights. To make the most of your evening in the blue town, see 7 Best Things to Do in Chefchaouen (opens in a new tab).
Can we go inside the Hassan II Mosque?
Yes. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors, on guided tours that run several times a day. Tour times change with the season and during Ramadan, so we plan Day 1 around them. Cover your shoulders and knees. The ticket is included in the Luxury Package.
Are there local guides in Fes and Marrakech?
Your driver-guide is with you for the whole trip. For the medinas of Fes and Marrakech, we can arrange a licensed local city guide on request, which is the best way to find your way through the old lanes. For ideas for your morning in Marrakech, see 10 Best Things to Do in Marrakech (opens in a new tab).
Can we change the 7 days Morocco itinerary from Casablanca?
Yes. This is a private tour, so we can add a night, swap a stop or end the tour in Marrakech instead of Casablanca. Tell us what you would like when you send your request, and we will adjust the route and the price.
Is it safe to travel around Morocco and the Sahara?
The route on this tour follows the most traveled tourist roads in Morocco. You travel in a private vehicle with a local driver-guide who knows the roads, the stops and the camps. As anywhere, keep your valuables with you in busy places, and check your own government’s travel advice before you go. You can also read Is Morocco Safe? What Travelers Should Know (opens in a new tab).
What is the best time of year for this tour?
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months. See the “Good to know” section above for what to expect in summer and winter.
How does payment work?
We ask for a 30% deposit to confirm your booking, and the remaining balance is paid on the first day of the tour. Send us your dates and group size through the form on this page or on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the details for your dates.
Is the 8-hour drive on Day 4 too difficult?
It is a long day on the road, but the scenery changes all day, from cedar forest to palm valleys to desert, and we stop for coffee, photos and lunch in Midelt. We leave Fes at 7:30 am so you reach Merzouga about 1.5 hours before sunset, after a full rest day in Fes.
What happens to my luggage during the camel ride?
We take your bags to the camp by SUV, so you can ride the camel with nothing to carry. If you would rather leave something behind, it is safe in the vehicle.
Can I skip the camel ride?
Yes. The camel ride is optional. If you prefer not to ride, we transfer you to the desert camp by 4×4 instead, and you still enjoy the sunset and sunrise over the dunes. Just let us know when you book or tell your driver on the day.
Are there toilets and showers in the desert camp?
Yes. All our packages include a private washroom with a shower at the desert camp.
Ready to book this route?
We usually reply within 24 hours.