10 days tour from Casablanca
Morocco’s best-customized itinerary for a 10 days tour from Casablanca via the Imperial cities and Merzouga Sahara desert.
Note: This tour can be customized under your needs, feel free to contact us!
Main info:
Departure location:
Casablanca
Return location:
Casablanca/Marrakech
Departure time:
08:00 AM
Itinerary duration
10 days/ 9 nights
Highlights of our tour:
- Camel rides and camping in Merzouga
- Morocco's Imperial cities
- The blue pearl, Ifrane and cedar forest
- Ait Benhadduo and Todra gorges
- Ouarzazate, atlas studios
Tour overview:
10 days tour from Casablanca across the Sahara desert of Merzouga. Your unique itinerary for a full visit to the main attractions in Morocco. This tour will take you to visit, the famous four Moroccan imperial cities; Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, and Rabat. In addition, you will cross the High, Middle, and some of the Anti Atlas mountains. Not to mention that you will visit the highlight of all Morocco tours, the desert of Erg Chebbi. There, you will ride camels and spend a night with the Berber locals under the starry sky. Finally, you will take another different way heading to Marrakech, passing by Todra Gorges, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou, Skoura, and many more.
As mentioned above, this tour is customized by our team using our last clients’ preferences and requests. If this tour itinerary does not fit your needs, please contact us and we would gladly help you plan the best tour that covers your needs.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Casablanca to Rabat
Welcome to Morocco! The first day of our 10 days tour from Casablanca starts with picking you up from the hotel. Depends on your arrival time, we would stop in Casablanca to discover the Hassan 2 mosque, the main attraction in the city. If we arrive late, then we would head directly to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
As you can read, the plan for today depends on your flight details. So, it would be planned after we know your arrival time. Contact us and book your tour now and let us plan your tour!
Day 2: Rabat to Chefchaouen
The second day of our 10 days tour from Casablanca has arrived. Today, we are going to spend some time in the capital of Morocco and discover its main attractions. We would, for example, go on a visit to the Hassan Tower, a minaret that was built to be the largest and the tallest in the world. However, the idea did not complete because its owner, Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, passed away. Further, we would head to the fortified Kasbah of Udayas, one of the Moroccan world heritage sites. If we have more time, we could go to discover the Chellah. It was at first occupied by Phoenicians before it turned to be a Roman site.
After visiting Rabat, we will travel to one of the main destinations on our tour. Chefchaouen or the blue pearl of Morocco is located on the Rif mountains in the North. Concerning the blue color that covers most of the cities walls doors and streets, there two main stories. Firstly, and the most common one is that the Jews who lived there in the past used to paint their houses Blue in order to get closer to heaven and god. Because for them, the color represents the sky which is closer to god. Secondly, some people say that the ancient citizens of the city painted it that way in order to get rid of mosquitoes. Above all, this tradition is still alive, and the current citizens still paint their walls blue almost every year.
When we arrive there, you will have the chance to walk around the city, discover its main attractions. Here, we can mention the square of Utath-Lhmam, the Kasbah mosque, and the traditional souks. Besides, the whole city is an attraction itself and full of amazing spots for pictures.
Day 3: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes
After having breakfast in Chefchaouen. We would spend more time in the city to take some pictures and explore other places that we did not visit yesterday. Further, we will hit the road towards Meknes. Firstly, we will go on a visit to the Roman ruins in Volubilis. Here, you will discover another UNESCO world heritage in Morocco that was once the capital of the Mauritanian Kingdom.
Further, we will travel to Meknes, another imperial city of Morocco. It was built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. He did an amazing job in the city and surrounded it by great walls that are still alive telling the great history of the city. Firstly, when we arrive in Meknes, we would start our visit by discovering Qara prison. People say that this piece of art goes underground the whole Meknes, even more, some say that it reaches Fes. Afterward, we would head to explore Lhdim Square. Next, we will visit Bab Mansour, one of the greatest gates in the world. After that, we would head to Shrij and Lhri Souani. The first one is a lake and the other is a place where they used to keep seeds and food.
Finally, in the evening, we will travel to Fes and spend the night there.
Day 4: Full day in Fes
The fourth day of our 10 days tour from Casablanca is going to be all spent in Fes. Of course, for better exploration, it is better to hire a local guide. That is why we included it in this tour as a special offer.
Fes as mentioned is one of the historical and very important cities in Morocco. It is one of the oldest in the country and was the capital for more than 400 years. With this in mind, you figure out that it has a lot to offer. Clearly, with our tour, you will discover the main attraction of the city. Starting from the oldest existing university in the world that was actually built by a woman. Also, you will visit Chouara tannery, where you will discover the old way of making leather products. So expect that the place will be a bit smelly.
Further, you will visit the King’s Palace, one of the well-equipped Palaces of all 12 that the king has in Morocco. It has 7 gates that are made of gold, a unique place to discover, read about, and take pictures. Not to mention that you will visit the Bab Boujloud or Boujeloud gate. In the past, this gate was used only for people who want to leave but inaccessible for those who want to enter.
Lunch, dinner and the night will be all in Fes.
Day 5: Fes to Merzouga desert
Finally, the highlight of the 10 days tour from Casablanca. After having breakfast, we will hit the road towards the Erg Chebbi desert. The first destination on the way is Ifrane. Situated on the Middle Atlas mountains, Ifrane offers one of the best atmospheres and has one of the best climates. It is called the Little Switzerland of Morocco, because of its weather, Landscapes, and ways of building. We will have a small walk around the city to discover the Atlas lion statue as well as the city.
Further on the tour and not very far from Ifrane, we will stop by the cedar forest in Azrou. Here, we would spend some time to relax, wander, and spend some time feeding the Barbary macaque. Thereafter, we will hit the road again and pass by Zaida (we usually stop here to have lunch), Midelt, Errachidia, and Erfoud.
The final destination is Merzouga. Here you will ride a camel, cross the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi and spend the night in a Berber camp. A beautiful night that starts with a traditional meal and ends with the Berber instruments under the starry sky.
Day 6: Full day in Merzouga
The sixth day of our 10 days tour from Casablanca is special. Today, we are going to take the 4×4 and discover the desert surroundings. Of course, there is another choice that you might need to consider, it is to discover the desert by camels. However, if you book the camels do not expect to visit many places as the 4×4 plan.
In general, the discovery tour starts from the camp with a drive to the Berber Nomads. Here, you will explore the simple life of these people that are still living under tents with a number of goats, sheep, and camels. Further, we will head to the mine of kohl in Mifiss. Thereafter, we would head to the panoramic place of Galb-Nass in order to enjoy the dunes’ views and take unique pictures. Next, we will travel to a small village called Khamlia to discover another lifestyle. The Gnaoua people are some tribes that came from countries like Mali, Gabon, Niger, and settled in Morocco. Though they became Berbers, they still keep some unique traditions that make them special. With this tour, you will learn and visit them, listen to their music and why not dance by their instruments.
You will also visit The Moroccan National Auto Museum and Oases in Hassi Labied if we have time. Finally, you will have the choice of whether to sleep in a hotel or take the camels and spend a night in the Berber camp again.
Day 7: Merzouga to Gorges Dades
The seventh day of our journey is an excursion to Gorges Dades. If you have chosen to spend the night in the camp, then you can wake up early, watch the sunrise, take a shower, and then have breakfast.
We will hit the road towards Rissani. The capital of the Tafilalt region and the starting point of the Alaouite dynasty. Here, we will stop for a while and walk around the main places such as the traditional souk and the donkeys’ park. Afterward, we will drive again and pass by Tinjedad and Tinghir. In this latter, we are going to visit Todra canyons. What makes these canyons amazing is that they are about 300 meters and separated by a river. You can also find small shops, in case if you want to buy a souvenir. Finally, we will head to the last destination of today, Gorges Dades, where we will spend the night.
Day 8: Gorges Dades to Marrakech
On the eighth day of our 10 days tour from Casablanca, we are going to travel to Marrakech. However, before that, we will pass by many different and special places. Firstly, there is the Ouallywood of Morocco and Africa, Ouarzazate. Here, we will stop to learn about the city that was and still a destination for film-makers and directors all over the world. Secondly, there is the famous Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou that is without any doubt a piece of art. For this reason, it is listed as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites in Morocco.
Thirdly, we will pass the 100 Kasbahs road where we will stop by the Rose valley, Skoura and Amridil Kasbah. Finally, we will drive through Tizi Ntichka pass that is about 200 km. For sure we would make some stops on the way to relax. For instance, we will stop at the highest point of the road that is about 2260m.
Arrive in Marrakech, check-in, spend the night, and get ready to tour the city.
Day 9: Full day in Marrakech
Also called the red city because of its red walls that are of sandstones, Marrakech is the capital of tourism in Morocco. With millions of tourists coming every year, Marrakech gained a very important position in the whole country. It is one of the four imperial cities and was founded by Almoravids in 1070. There is plenty of information about the city that you might be interested to know. As a result, our travel agency includes a local guide for better exploration.
In general, you will have the chance to tour the city and discover its main attractions. For example, you will start by visiting the gardens; Menara, Majorelle, and the Secret Garden. Then head to visit Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and Mellah Quarters. Afterward, when the evening comes, you can head to the Koutoubia Mosque and the Square of Jamaa El-Fna, the beating heart of Marrakech.
Day 10: Transfer to the Airport
The last day of our 10 days tour from Casablanca depends on your flight details. As mentioned, you can end this tour whether in Marrakech or Casablanca. If you fly in the evening, we would spend more time discovering other sites in Marrakech. However, if you want to end the tour in Casablanca, then we will have to take the High way.
Tour includes:
- Pickup and drop off from accommodation.
- Camel for each in Merzouga
- Berber tent accommodation.
- Vehicle with gasoline
- Dinner and Breakfast
Tour excludes:
- Monuments fees
- Lunches
- Tips
- Soft drinks
Testimonials:
Breathtaking experience!
We are a couple with a 13 year old boy and we spent 10 magical days in the South of Morocco thanks to Hassan, our guide and driver.
Hassan is great as a guide: he speaks good English, offers various visits along the way, and adapts to our desires. He knows very well the culture and history of his country and the different provinces we crossed. He is also an excellent driver with whom we feel safe.
We were able to discover incredible landscapes. The Imperial cities, Atlas Mountains, the Dades Valley, the Roses Valley, and the Todra Gorges, with many stops for visits of kasbahs, viewpoints, walks in hidden gardens, … The highlight is for sure the camel ride and the camping in the Sahara Desert (Erg Chebbi) in Merzouga. An unforgettable memory that these sunsets and sunrises on the dunes, as well as the songs around the fire. From a practical point of view, the accommodations and meals provided were very good, and the air-conditioned 4×4 very comfortable. Highly Recommended!
Louis R
Unforgettable!
The trip was unforgettable. It went beyond the experiences we could have dreamed of. My sister and I booked a 10 days tour from Casablanca with a well-organized itinerary. We discovered and enjoyed the beauty of the Moroccan cities and desert. Delicious food and amazing Berber drum performances that made the experience joyful. wIthout any doubt, what made our trip unique was our guide, Hamid. It’s hard to explain in a few words how lucky we were to be with him. He made us feel safe, kept things interesting, was very knowledgeable about local history and culture, played amazing African songs on drums in the car, adapted the tour to our preferences, advised us on where to buy quality products, and made sure we got the best prices wherever we went.
He was very humble, so we only found that he went a long way in ensuring that we enjoyed the tour for our lifetimes. We were very relieved to be able to call him our friend. One suggestion I have is to stay two nights in the desert. We were only there for one night and we would have loved to stay longer. The trip was so well organized and there was so much to see. Honestly, the longer you stay the better.
Fin L
10 days tour from Casablanca
From the moment we were picked up by Ibrahim in the Riad, Casablanca, who was our amazing, charming, trustworthy, knowledgeable, expert driver, until we said goodbye in Marrakech, our entire Morocco experience was amazing! We loved every minute of this trip because we felt like we were traveling with family. The experience at Sahara Desert Camp was even better than we could have imagined! Very magical! We loved the camel trekking, the luxury camping, the stargazing, the Moroccan food, but most of all the Berber people here are so kind and generous. Everyone there did their best to make our trip a safe and memorable one. Many thanks Shukran to Youssef, Hassan, Hamid, Muhammad, Idire and many more!
James H
Good job travelling in Morocco!
At the end of April we booked a trip from Casablanca to Marrakech via the Merzouga desert. The initial contacts and organization were perfectly done through our driver Youssef, a wonderful, affable and helpful man (our car broke down badly on the first day, a situation that would have been much more difficult if we had been traveling with a group), who was also happy to give us very in-depth explanations on the sites we visited. It’s safe to say he loves Morocco and his passion is infectious :-). The accommodation in the desert was much more luxurious than we expected (much better than many of the riad hotels we stayed in the city) and the food provided was plentiful. All in all, I would recommend this trip in any case and, compared to traveling with a group, it is definitely worth the little bit more expensive price.
Monica D
Book your 10 days desert tour from Casablanca now!
To book your 10 days tour from Casablanca, please fill in the name of the tour in the subject field. Also, if you have any customizations concerning our itinerary, please let us know! Our team will be more than happy to receive your message and get in touch with you.
Related Morocco tours:
Besides the 10 days tour itinerary from Casablanca, our team has customized other Tour itineraries from different destinations. Feel free to have a look at them! Also, don’t forget that these tours are customizable at any time you want.
Highlights overview:
Travelling In Morocco has customized the and the most suitable 10 days tour in Morocco from Casablanca. It allows you to visit the main places in the country that anyone could include in 10 days visit. Down Below is a brief overview of the destinations that you will visit.
Casablanca, the starting point of our 10 days tour
Casablanca is one of the main cities in Morocco and is worth a visit. This great Moroccan city became known worldwide with the movie Casablanca, but it has much more to explore. The city is very modern and cosmopolitan, despite preserving its culture and history. Next to some modern buildings, we can see other traditional buildings in Art Deco style, characteristic of the city. One of the places to visit is the margin or the surroundings, with dozens of bars and restaurants to enjoy the landscape or even the beach. But, one of the most visited tourist spots of Casablanca is, without a doubt, the Hassan II Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in the world. It was built partly on the sea, and its 200 meters minaret can be seen from the horizon.
Marrakech
The red city is listed as a World Heritage of UNESCO. Full of monuments everywhere, Marrakech is a Moroccan city that receives more tourists.
Djemaa el-Fna Square is one of the main points of the place. There, visitors can find the traditional snake charmers and history tellers. For those who like to stroll through the local commerce of the cities they visit. It is worth discovering the souks (traditional markets/fairs) and the great variety of handicrafts available. With a little bit of luck, it may be possible to find craftsmen making their products at the time of the visit. With products ranging from wrought iron to textiles, do not forget to put into practice your negotiating power to ensure a good price.
The lovers of architecture and history, have to visit the Bahia Palace, in the Madrassa Ben Youssef (old Koranic school), Majorelle, Menara, secret gardens, and the Saadian Tombs. All in all, Marrakech is a full plate waiting to be visited.
Fes
The homeland of the world’s first and oldest existing university, Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities. Because it is the most well-preserved in the Islamic world. It is the perfect place to learn more about this culture. A visit to the oldest and most historic part is a very enriching experience that allows you to visit several traditional streets and open-air markets, for example. One of the places you can’t miss in Fes is the Royal Palace. Although the visit is not allowed, it is worth enjoying the facade with its huge bronze doors and colorful ceramic tiles.
Another must-see spot is the Chouara Tannery. It is a place full of several tanks that contain liquids colored by natural products (such as saffron), where the dyeing of the leathers is done. The look is beautiful, however, prepare yourself for the bad smell of leather preparation!
Although its strong point is the most traditional part of Islamic culture, the city has a new and modern part that is worth visiting. The division between the two parts of the city is made by the so-called Blue Door. In this region are located several restaurants and hotels.
Just like Marrakech, Fez is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ait Benhaddou:
Ait Benhaddou is a fortified village located between the old route from Marrakech to the Sahara, on the tip of the High Atlas mountains. It is another world heritage site in Morocco, why not and it represents a glimpse to the great history of the Moroccans. Ait Benhaddou is surrounded by great walls and high towers.
Currently, the place is not very inhabited and only about eight families still live there. Most of the population has moved to a nearby, more modern village. Thanks to its peculiar look originated by the construction with earthen bricks, the place has already served as the setting for the recording of several movie classics, such as the movie “Gladiator”.
Chefchaouen
Known as “Blue City”, Chefchaouen is a small town whose main characteristic is the presence of white wall constructions and blue doors and details. The contrasts of colors seem to illuminate the city in shades of blue and violet, thus composing a beautiful setting for a beautiful photo session.
The streets are very narrow and therefore it is not possible to drive around the city. However, the walking tour is worth it not only to enjoy the city but to visit the various handicraft stores.
Depending on the season of the year, it is common to see laundresses near the waterfall that comes down from the Rif mountains, washing their clothes in the stone washers (stone tanks for washing clothes). Two tourist attractions that cannot be missed out on the visit to Chefchaouen are the castle, which is in the central square, and the mosque, the only octagonal in the world.
Todra gorges
Todra’s gorges are large canyons located only 25 km from the city of Tinghir.
The access road is already a show apart because it offers beautiful landscapes along the way, especially the views of a majestic palm tree. Every year the place is visited by tourists from all over the world who seek, besides the walks through the gorges and relaxing baths in the watercourses of the region, adventures like climbing and hiking.
Atlas mountains
The Atlas Mountains are the main mountains in the country and offer opportunities to escape the confusion of the big cities. In this 10 days tour from Casablanca, you will have the chance to pass by these beautiful mountains and their landscapes. Firstly, on the way to the desert, we will pass by the Middle Atlas, where we will stop by Ifrane. Secondly, on the way back to Marrakech and Casablanca, we will cross part of the Anti and the High Atlas. On the High Atlas, we will drive on the Tizi Ntichka Pass, the only way to get to Marrakech from the desert Through the High Atlas.
It is important to plan the visitation because sometimes the access road is cut off. Those who visit the Atlas Mountains have the unique opportunity to meet the Berbers, people who constituted the original population of Africa before the arrival of the Arabs.
Rabat
Rabat is the capital of Morocco and the second-largest city in the country. Second only to Casablanca, which in terms of tourism is not very relevant.
It is divided in two completely different halves. On one side a very modern big city with tall buildings, and where it is even possible to ride the modern metro. On the other side, a more traditional historical part surrounded by walls, still well preserved, where you can find the traditional Moroccan markets. One of the main visits that you can make in Rabat is to the Hassan Tower. In the courtyard of its mosque is located the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the first independent king of Morocco. It is a place of great importance for the Moroccans and worth the visit.
Also there is the Chellah (the archaeological site where the ruins of a Roman city and a medieval necropolis) and the Cathedral of Rabat. Rabat also has a good offer of beaches and it is something common, for example, to see people walking with surf beaches around the city.
Merzouga, the Highlight of our Casablanca 10 days tour
Merzouga the name of the small city next to the Golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. The real origins of this name are unknown. Some say that it came from the Merzoug Family, and the old Nomad family who first lived in the desert area. Others say that it came from an Arabic word, Merzouqa which means the wealthy land that is full of prosperity.
The Erg Chebbi Dunes are in the Moroccan part of the Sahara Desert, one of the mandatory stops on a tour in Morocco. Although the immensity of sand gives an idea of isolation, access to the dunes is quite easy. A very interesting fact is that those who want to live a full experience in the place can choose to stay in a tent in the desert itself instead of going to one of the hostels or hotels around.
The 4×4 tours are a good request for those who want to enjoy a little more adventure! Also, you can go renting a quad or Buggy and cross the dunes with a local guide.