DESRT TOURS
8-Day Fes to Casablanca via Desert Tour
About this tour
Experience Morocco’s diverse landscapes and rich culture on this 8-day journey from Fes to Casablanca. Explore the Middle Atlas Mountains, wander through cedar forests with playful monkeys, cross golden Sahara dunes, marvel at dramatic gorges and valleys, and enjoy the charm of Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Visit historic kasbahs, bustling medinas, and vibrant cities, while enjoying camel rides, desert sunsets, cultural encounters with nomads, and the relaxed coastal atmosphere of Essaouira.
Highlights
Discover Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital, with its lively medina
Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in Ifrane and Azrou’s cedar forests
Camel trekking and overnight stay in a luxury desert camp
Explore the Sahara Desert with camel trekking and overnight under the stars
Explore scenic Middle Atlas towns and cedar forests with Barbary macaques
Visit Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, and the fragrant Rose Valley
Flexible itinerary that can be adapted to your pace and interests
Itinerary
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert
Depart Fes and journey south through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, Morocco’s “Switzerland,” for a stroll and photos. Continue to Azrou’s cedar forests to spot monkeys in their natural habitat. After lunch, traverse the lush Ziz Valley lined with palm trees, then arrive at the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. Enjoy a desert sunset and spend the night in a camp or desert hotel with traditional music under a starry sky.
Day 2: Sahara Desert Exploration – Nomads – Camel Trekking
Wake early to catch the sunrise over the dunes. Explore the desert by 4×4, visiting volcanic rocks, fossil sites, and local nomad villages. Meet a desert family, enjoy mint tea, and learn about their lifestyle. Visit a village renowned for Gnaoua music and experience live performances. After lunch, stroll through palm groves and desert oases before a late afternoon camel trek to a remote desert camp for dinner under the stars.
Day 3: Sahara Sunrise – Erfoud – Tinejdad – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Watch another spectacular desert sunrise and ride camels back to Merzouga. Travel toward Todra Gorge, stopping at a traditional market town with colorful souks and artisan workshops. Explore lush palm groves before reaching Todra Gorge, with towering canyon walls ideal for photography and short hikes. Descend into the Dades Valley and marvel at its unique rock formations before overnighting in a valley guesthouse or hotel.
Day 4: Dades Valley – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Marrakech
Drive through the fragrant Rose Valley, learning about rose cultivation and local products. Pass through Skoura’s palm groves before reaching Ouarzazate, Morocco’s “Hollywood of Africa,” with film studios and historic kasbahs. Visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a centuries-old fortified village. Continue across the High Atlas Mountains, pausing at scenic viewpoints, and arrive in Marrakech by evening.
Day 5: Marrakech – Full-Day Guided Exploration
Spend the day discovering Marrakech with a local guide. Explore the bustling medina, souks, squares, historic palaces, tombs, mosques, and beautiful gardens. Learn about Moroccan culture, crafts, and history while wandering narrow streets. Afternoon free for personal exploration of markets, cafés, and hidden gems.
Day 6: Marrakech – Essaouira (Coastal Day Trip)
Take a day trip to Essaouira, a picturesque Atlantic coastal city. Explore the medina, artisan workshops, and markets. Visit the fishing port, observe goats climbing Argan trees, and learn about Argan oil production. Enjoy fresh seafood for lunch and stroll along the seaside promenade before returning to Marrakech.
Day 7: Essaouira – El Jadida – Casablanca
Depart Essaouira and travel south along the Atlantic coast. Stop in El Jadida, a historic Portuguese city with fortified walls and underground cisterns. Explore the old town and enjoy a short break before continuing to Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city. Depending on timing, enjoy a brief city tour before checking into your hotel for the night.
Day 8: Casablanca Airport Transfer
Transfer to Casablanca airport according to your schedule, concluding your 8-day Moroccan adventure filled with desert, mountains, coast, and cultural experiences.
What to Know Before Your 8-Day Fes to Casablanca via Desert Tour
What to Bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes for medina streets, mountains, and dunes
- Light clothing with a warm layer for cooler desert nights
- Sunglasses, sunscreen & hat for sun protection
- Small backpack for essentials and day trips
- Camera for dunes, kasbahs, gorges, medinas, and coastal scenery
Tips for First-Time Travelers:
- Carry cash for remote villages, markets, and desert excursions
- Dress modestly in traditional and Berber areas
- Stay hydrated, especially in the desert and mountains
- Mountain roads and desert routes may take longer due to winding paths
- Always ask before photographing locals
Climate Overview:
- Fes & Marrakech: Hot summers, mild winters
- Middle Atlas Mountains: Cool, possible snow in winter
- Sahara Desert: Hot days, cold nights
- Todra Gorge & Dades Valley: Warm days, cooler nights
- Ouarzazate & Ait Ben Haddou: Dry, sunny, warm
- High Atlas Mountains: Cool, scenic
- Essaouira & Atlantic Coast: Mild, breezy, fresh sea air
- Casablanca: Moderate, coastal
Main Distances:
- Fes → Middle Atlas → Ziz Valley → Merzouga Desert: 460 km (~8h)
- Merzouga → Erfoud → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley: 200 km (~4–5h)
- Dades Valley → Rose Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech: 220 km (~5h)
- Marrakech → Essaouira → Marrakech: 370 km round trip (~6–7h)
- Essaouira → El Jadida → Casablanca: 360 km (~5–6h)
