The best 8-day tour from Marrakech to the imperial cities and the Sahara desert of Morocco! Explore the busy souks of Marrakech, the ancient city of Fes, and the golden sands of Merzouga. Drive across the majestic Atlas mountains and ride camels to spend a magical night under the stars. See famous sites in Casablanca and Rabat. This trip has it all, contact us today to get a free quote to start planning your Moroccan Vacation.
Here are the tour highlights:
Welcome to Marrakech! The first day of the 8-day tour from Marrakech starts with pick-up service from the airport! When you land, our driver will be waiting at the airport with a sign showing your name. They will take you straight to your riad to check in. After you settle in, take some time to relax and sip some cool mint tea on the rooftop terrace looking out over the city. If you arrive early, you can walk to the square of Jamaa El Fna and get into the Moroccan vibes. You might wanna go up the terrace of one of the cafes to get a wide view of the square.
After a good night’s sleep at your riad, you are all set for a guided tour of Marrakech’s famous historical spots today. Since most of the attractions are in the old borrow streets of the Madina, we will hire a friendly local guide to show us around. First, we can start with the Saadian Tombs. They were hidden behind walls until 1917, which makes them even more special. Here, you will see some amazing tile designs and learn about the Saadian dynasty from your guide.
Next, you will visit the Bahia and Badi palaces. These places are a real show-stopper with their detailed mosaic tiles and beautifully carved wooden ceilings. In addition, these palaces have big gardens that are perfect for taking a break from the busy city. Moreover, you are going to have a walk through the Jamaa El Fna square to see the colorful markets, storytellers, snake charmers, and more. Not to mention that you will also have the chance to see the Biggest mosque in Marrakech, the Koutoubia, and learn about its long history.
After a delicious lunch, you can go back to relax at the hotel after a long walk in the Medina, or we can drive to the modern side of Marrakech to visit Majorelle Garden. Finally, you will have a free evening to discover more of the city on your own.
We will pick you up from the hotel in the morning to start our journey from Marrakech to Dades Gorges. Along the way, we can stop at a place where they make argan oil. Here, you can see how this special oil is made, which is very popular, especially among women. Then, we will drive over the High Atlas Mountains on the Tichka Pass, the quickest path to the Sahara Desert. We will be driving up the mountains until we reach an altitude of 2260m where we make a quick stop to enjoy the mountain views and stretch a leg.
Next, we will visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This old fortress has appeared in many movies, like Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. It was also once an important trading spot for the Touareg Berbers on their way to the Moroccan coastal cities.
Then, we will go to Ouarzazate, which people often call the city of cinema in Morocco. Here, we will check out the Oscar Studio, where they have the sets for making movies. As we keep going, we will pass many old fortresses until we get to the Valley of Roses. Here, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and visit a place that makes rose products.
Finally, we will arrive at Dades Gorges and check in at the hotel.
On Day 4 of the 8-day desert trip from Marrakech, you will travel south to Tinghir, and make a special stop to visit the Grand Canyons of Todgha. This peaceful place features a river winding through high mountains. Moreover, you will have free time to do some hiking through the gorges and admire the views.
Afterward, we drive to a very old watering system that helps keep the nearby oases of Fzna green and lush. By the late afternoon, you will arrive in Merzouga, ready for an exciting camel ride over the Erg Chebbi dunes. Imagine watching a stunning sunset from the top of these golden dunes! Afterward, you will spend the night at a Berber camp under the stars, listening to traditional music and stories about the desert.
Start your day by waking up early for the sunrise over the dunes, then, head back to the camp for breakfast. Next, you can get to choose between taking the 4×4 or camel back to the village of Merzouga to meet your driver.
Today, we will travel from Merzouga to Fes with a scenic drive through the breathtaking High and Middle Atlas Mountains. Your adventure starts in Erfoud, a town famous for its delicious dates. Dive into the local culture at the bustling market and try different types of dates right from their source.
Next, we will drive through the Ziz Valley and make sure to stop at a viewpoint to see the vast stretches of date palm trees. This beautiful sight shows how important dates are to the area. As you travel further, you will enter a cedar forest which is home to the adorable Barbary macaques. These monkeys are rare, and you will have a chance to feed them and enjoy a special moment with them as they are very friendly.
Your final stop before reaching Fes is the charming town of Ifrane. Do not miss taking a photo with the famous Atlas lion statue, a symbol of the majestic wildlife in the region. Finally, we will drop you off at your hotel/Riad to relax.
On the 6th day of our journey, you will explore the historic city of Fes with a local guide for the first half of the day. After your tour, you will travel to Rabat to spend the night.
Your adventure in Fes begins at the King’s Palace, a stunning place with seven shiny golden gates. It is a perfect spot to feel like royalty! Next, you will wander through the Mellah, which is one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in Morocco. This area has a special feel, with lots of history to soak in. Then, your guide will take you to the North Borj, where you can see all of Fes El Bali from above.
If you like handmade items, you will enjoy the next stop at a pottery cooperative. There, you can see how local artisans create beautiful ceramics, which Fes is famous for. Afterward, your walking tour starts at Bab Boujloud, the blue gate that is the main entrance to the old Medina, Fes El Bali. Inside, you will visit Al Karaouien University, the oldest university in the world, and see the beautiful Madrassa Al Bou Inania. The smells of different spices are incredible, and it is a great place to take photos.
The day ends with a visit to the Chouara Tannery. Here, you can watch how leather is made in the traditional way using spices, get ready for a strong smell! After the Fes guided tour, you will head to Rabat on the highway. On the way, we will pass by Meknes, one of the imperial cities.
Start your morning with breakfast at your place in Rabat, then get ready to see some amazing spots in the city. First, you will visit the Royal Palace, where leaders have lived for centuries. Next, you will see the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a beautiful and important tomb. Lastly, explore the ancient Kasbah of the Udayas, a fortress with a lot of history.
After Rabat, your next stop is Casablanca. Here, you can visit Hassan II Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in the world. It is built right by the Atlantic Ocean and is famous for its beautiful design, including a very tall tower and a huge space for prayer. After visiting the mosque, we will drive to Marrakech through the highway.
Our 8-day desert tour from Marrakech ends, and our driver will take you to the airport to catch your flight.
“Just want to say our 8-day tour from Marrakech was awesome thanks to our tour guide Youssef! We visited many interesting places; like the imperial cities, Marrakech, Fes, Rabat! The desert was for sure the highlight of our trip. We also had plenty of time to take more pics with the camel and try sandboarding while waiting for the sun to set. A worthwhile experience! Thank you again, Morocco Vacations’ team and Youssef, for such a fun and memorable trip!”
“First off thank you very much. Aziz was an excellent driver, very knowledgeable of the road and towns but very educated in many aspects of life. The 8-day tour to the desert from Marrakech and then to Fes was incredible and all the logistics and accommodations were up to very good standards. Everything was very nice and worth the price of our tour ( the car, the hotels, etc). I highly recommend this experience with Morocco Vacations! “
To book this tour, use the contact form above, email, WhatsApp, or our social networks, and provide us with your chosen tour, number of travelers, type of accommodation (standard, luxury, etc.), and your tour date (if known). To confirm your tour, we require a deposit. The rest of the payment is paid in cash when you meet your driver.
The cost of the 8-day tour from Marrakech varies depending on the number of participants and your chosen accommodation type. Generally, larger groups benefit from a more economical price per person. Request a complimentary quote today to determine your personalized rate!
Your money will be refunded only if you cancel the tour 20 days before your arrival. (20-day money-back guarantee). If the tour is postponed, your deposit will still be available for future use.
