Sahara Discovery Journey — 7 Days Morocco
Sahara Desert
Desert & Imperial Cities · 7 Days

Sahara
Discovery
Journey

Casablanca Fes Ifrane Merzouga Dades Ouarzazate Marrakech
7
Days
8
Highlights
2–8
People

About This Journey

From the Atlantic
to the edge of the Sahara

Seven days that connect Morocco's most iconic landscapes and cities into one seamless private adventure. Beginning in Casablanca and ending with an immersive guided tour of Marrakech, every day reveals a new, unforgettable face of this extraordinary country.

All transport in air-conditioned 4×4 vehicles. Accommodation in handpicked riads and a luxury desert camp. A private licensed guide accompanies you throughout, in English, French or Arabic.

01

What's Included

Tour Highlights

01
Fes Medina & Tanneries
Full guided day in the world's largest car-free city
02
Ifrane — Switzerland of Morocco
Alpine town and cedar forests with Barbary macaques
03
Sahara Sunrise & Camel Trek
Dawn ascent of Erg Chebbi dunes, camp overnight
04
Ziz Valley & Palmeries
Dramatic gorge descent into a sea of date palms
05
Dades & Todra Gorges
Rose-red rock formations along the Road of Kasbahs
06
Ait Benhaddou
UNESCO ksar — location of Gladiator & Game of Thrones
07
Marrakech Guided Tour
Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden, Djemaa el-Fna
08
Draa Valley & Ouarzazate
Atlas Film Studios and the Hollywood of Africa
02

Day by Day

Your Itinerary

Day01

Casablanca → Fes

Arrival & the Road to the Imperial City

Meet your guide at Casablanca and set off north-east toward Fes. A brief stop at the spectacular Hassan II Mosque — one of the world's largest, dramatically set over the Atlantic. Roll through fertile plains before arriving in Fes at dusk. Check into your riad in the medina. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Drive ~5hHassan II MosqueRiad
Day02

Fes

Full Day in the Labyrinthine Medina

A full guided day in Fes el-Bali, a 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage medina. Visit the Chouara tanneries with their vivid dye vats visible from rooftop terraces above, wander Al-Qarawiyyin — the world's oldest university — browse the souks of leather, spices and brass. Afternoon visit to the Merenid Tombs for sweeping views over the city.

Guided WalkChouara TanneriesAl-QarawiyyinUNESCO Site
Day03

Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Merzouga

Across the Atlas to the Edge of the Sahara

Head south through the Middle Atlas, stopping in the alpine surprise of Ifrane — a town of red-roofed chalets and a famous stone lion, dubbed the "Switzerland of Morocco." Continue through cedar forests roamed by Barbary macaques. Cross Midelt's high plateau and descend through the dramatic Ziz Gorge and its vast palmeries. Arrive in Merzouga as Erg Chebbi's dunes blush orange at dusk.

Drive ~7hIfraneCedar ForestZiz Gorge
Day04

Merzouga — Erg Chebbi

Sunrise, Camels & a Night Under the Stars

Wake before dawn to climb the great dunes of Erg Chebbi for a Sahara sunrise — one of the most breathtaking sights on earth. Morning free to explore or visit Khamlia village to hear Gnawa music. Late afternoon: mount camels for a 90-minute trek into the dunes to your luxury desert camp. Dinner under a canopy of stars with traditional Berber music by the fire.

Sunrise DunesCamel TrekDesert CampGnawa Music
Day05

Merzouga → Dades → Ouarzazate

The Gorges Road & Kasbah Country

Return from the desert camp on camelback at sunrise. Drive the legendary "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" west — stopping at the soaring rose-tinted walls of Todra Gorge, then climbing the dramatic Dades Valley switchbacks. Arrive in Ouarzazate, the "Hollywood of Africa," where the Atlas Film Studios hosted Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones. Evening in town.

Todra GorgeDades ValleyAtlas Film Studios
Day06

Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Marrakech

UNESCO Kasbah & Over the High Atlas

Morning at Ait Benhaddou — the fortified ksar of sun-baked earth towers, a UNESCO World Heritage site of extraordinary beauty. Continue north, crossing the High Atlas via the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260m. Descend to the ochre plains and arrive in Marrakech. Check into your riad in the medina.

Ait BenhaddouUNESCOTizi n'Tichka Pass
Day07

Marrakech

Guided Tour of the Red City

A full guided day in Marrakech. Visit the Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and the extraordinary Majorelle Garden created by Yves Saint Laurent. Walk the historic souks — metalwork, spices, lanterns, leather — with your guide bringing each craft to life. As the sun sets, join the theatre of Djemaa el-Fna: storytellers, musicians, acrobats, and food stalls. Farewell dinner.

Bahia PalaceMajorelle GardenMedina SouksDjemaa el-Fna
03

Practical Information

Included & Excluded

Included

  • Private licensed guide throughout (7 days)
  • All transport in air-conditioned 4×4 vehicles
  • 6 nights accommodation — handpicked riads & desert camp
  • Daily breakfast at all accommodations
  • Camel trek to the desert camp & return at sunrise
  • Luxury Sahara desert camp — dinner & Berber music included
  • All entrance fees to monuments & sites on itinerary
  • Atlas Film Studios visit, Ouarzazate
  • Airport pickup in Casablanca & drop-off in Marrakech
  • Tour conducted in English, French or Arabic
  • 24/7 support throughout the journey

Not Included

  • International flights to/from Morocco
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Lunches and dinners (except desert camp dinner)
  • Personal expenses, tips & gratuities
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Moroccan visa (if required for your nationality)
  • Drinks and beverages at restaurants
  • Room upgrades or single supplements

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