9 Days tour from casablanca to the desert via chefchauen , fez

This kind of 9-day route is interesting because it keeps changing your setting. One day you are looking up at Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque, the next you are walking through maze-like old streets in Fes, then you are sleeping under stars in the dunes near Merzouga. It’s a fast-moving “real Morocco” sampler, without cutting the desert part short.

I love the fact that this is private, so you travel with your own car and your own driver guide. I also like that the trip is built around Morocco’s big contrasts, from royal Rabat and UNESCO Meknes, to Berber valleys and kasbah country.

One thing to consider is the pace. You spend a lot of time in the vehicle moving between regions, and the medina days come with walking, plus you’ll want to plan for lunches and some dinners that are not included.

Key highlights at a glance

• Airport pickup and private transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle and WiFi on board
• Rabat and Chefchaouen via the Rif Mountains, with a night in a beautiful riad
• Guided Fez medina visit including major sights like the Mellah, tanneries, and Moulay Idriss mausoleum
• Middle Atlas to Merzouga through Ifrane, a cedar forest, and Tizi n Talghamt pass
• Merzouga luxury desert camp with private shower and bathroom, plus camel riding and sunset viewing
• Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, ending in Marrakech

Casablanca to Rabat: Hassan II Mosque and royal Morocco basics

Day 1 starts with an airport greeting and then a road trip into Casablanca. The headline stop is Hassan II Mosque, one of Morocco’s most famous landmarks and a strong first photo moment. Just note the mosque ticket is listed as not included, so you should be ready to pay entry if you want to go inside.

After Casablanca, the itinerary shifts to Rabat, Morocco’s capital, and you overnight there (the plan is one highway drive night). This matters because it gives you a calmer launch into the trip. You get a modern city landmark first, then you build toward medina time and the mountain and desert stretches.

A practical tip for day 1: keep a light daypack. When you switch cities, it’s easier to grab what you need quickly for entrances, water, and small purchases.

Rabat Medina to Chefchaouen: Oudaia, Hassan Tower, and Rif Mountains views

Day 2 begins with sightseeing in Rabat: Oudaia and the Hassan Tower area. This is royal Morocco at a human scale, with architecture and viewpoints that help you understand how the capital frames itself. You then drive toward Chefchaouen through the Rif Mountains.

Chefchaouen is a very different vibe from Casablanca and Rabat. Expect a mountain medina feel, narrow lanes, and that instantly recognizable blue-and-white character. The plan includes a night in a riad, which is one of the best ways to experience the town without feeling like you are just passing through.

Keep your expectations realistic: blue streets are great, but the real charm is how you navigate them. Give yourself time to wander after dinner, or at least take your time to get your bearings before the light fades.

Meknes and Volubilis, then into Fes: UNESCO walls and Roman ruins

On Day 3 you drive toward Volubilis first, where you visit the Roman ruins. Even if Roman history isn’t your main obsession, this stop helps you see Morocco as a crossroads, not just a single cultural chapter.

Then you head to Meknes, one of the imperial cities, and its medina is UNESCO-listed. You’ll also visit big medina landmarks like Bab El Mansour, have lunch there, and see Moulay Ismail’s shrine. This is a good day for anyone who likes structure and clear “this is what to see” moments, because the sites are easier to understand than inside a maze of stalls.

From Meknes you continue on to Fes for the night. Arriving in Fes at the end of the day helps, because the next day is a long guided medina block.

Fes Medina with a local guide: Mellah, tanneries, and rooftop-style views

Day 4 is the heart of Fes. After breakfast, you start a guided visit with a local guide, and the list of stops is specific, not vague. You’ll cover the Royal Palace Gate, the Jewish quarter, the Mellah (noted as the first Mellah built in Morocco), Al Qarayyin University, and you’ll see the tanneries and places like the Attarine museum. The route also includes Moulay Idriss mausoleum.

One detail I really like here is the mix of faith, craft, and education. Fes isn’t only about old walls. It’s also about how people worked, studied, and lived, all packed into one old footprint. After lunch, you’ll visit a tiles cooperative, then you finish with a panoramic view over the medina from a tower.

Wear comfortable shoes. The medina involves standing and walking, and you’ll want your feet to be happy. Also, keep your pace flexible. A guided day works best when you don’t rush the small moments like doorways, mosaic patterns, and the way lanes funnel movement.

The itinerary also calls out a riad mention (a specific riad link appears), which suggests you’ll be sleeping inside the medina rhythm rather than far outside.

Ifrane, cedar forest monkeys, and Merzouga camel sunset

Day 5 is the day that turns the trip toward the desert. You start with pickup from your riad or hotel around 8:00 AM. Then you drive toward Ifrane through the Middle Atlas Mountains. The route includes a stop at a big cedar forest to see Barbarian Apes.

Next comes the Tizi n Talghamt pass and travel through changing scenery toward Midelt, followed by the Ziz Gorges and then the Ziz Valley. This is a long day on the road, but it is also one of the most visually varied segments in the whole plan.

When you reach Merzouga, the experience shifts from engine heat to slow desert time. The itinerary includes mint tea, then you cross sand dunes by camel ride for 1 hour, with stops to enjoy sunset from the top of a dune. That’s a very classic desert feel, but here it’s paired with a camp setup that makes it feel comfortable rather than rough.

Overnight is in a luxury desert camp with a private shower and bathroom. Dinner is included, and you spend the night under the stars. If you care about comfort and you still want the real desert drama, this is the part that earns its reputation.

Pack for temperature swings. Even in warmer months, desert nights can feel cooler than expected.

Fossils near Erfoud, Todra Gorge walking, and Dades Valley dinner

Day 6 continues the desert-to-mountains transition. First you drive toward Erfoud, described as a capital of fossils, and you have the chance to discover fossils and minerals found in that area. If you like hands-on nature history, this can be a fun pause in the middle of driving days.

Then you head to Tinghir, connected to Moroccan Jewish heritage in the itinerary, and you enjoy the Todra Valley from panoramic views. After that you reach Todra Gorge, where you do walking inside cliffs that rise around 300 meters high.

This day is for hikers-in-training. It’s not described as an extreme trek, but it is real walking in a gorge setting, so bring shoes with grip. Also bring water and take breaks when the sun is strong.

Finally you head to Dades Valley for the night, and the plan includes dinner in Dades Valley. This works well because after the gorge, you want an evening that feels restful, not another “drive, check in, rush out” cycle.

Road of a Thousand Kasbahs: Kelaat Mgouna, Ouarzazate, and Ait Ben Haddou

Day 7 is a classic Moroccan road trip day, centered on the route often called the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. You go toward Kelaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate, with a first stop in Kelaat Mgouna, known as a rose town where an annual festival happens each May.

Then you arrive in Ouarzazate, nicknamed the Hollywood of Africa because many international films have been shot there, including titles like Gladiator, The Mummy, and Kingdom of Heaven. After that, you visit Ait Ben Haddou, described as the largest and famous kasbah village in Morocco.

From there, you cross the High Atlas Mountains. The itinerary includes altitude notes, and it also includes stops to see Berber villages and shifting landscapes as you go up and down. This is a great day for anyone who likes the travel itself, not only the destinations. You’re seeing how Morocco changes with altitude.

You end the night in Marrakech or a similar accommodation.

Marrakech Medina tour: Koutoubia, souks, and a riad night inside the maze

Day 8 brings you to Marrakech for a private guided tour of the Medina. You’ll see Koutoubia Mosque, the Medina and souks, Ben Youssef madrassa, Saadian tombs, Bahia Palace, and Majorelle Gardens.

You also sleep in a riad in the Medina. That’s a good pairing because Marrakech is one of those cities where being inside the old center changes your experience. You get the late-day atmosphere, and the next morning starts with real neighborhood energy.

One practical note: dinners in Marrakech are not listed as included. Lunch and dinners can add cost on top of your tour price, so it’s smart to set aside budget for meals on days when the itinerary doesn’t spell them out.

If you want to shop, go with a plan. The souks are active and you’ll be offered everything from spices to leather to souvenirs. Having a short list helps you enjoy it without spending the whole day negotiating.

Price and value: what you get for about $791, and what you should budget

This tour is priced at $791 for a 9-day private experience that includes a lot of the big “spend your time and stress on someone else” parts. You’re getting air-conditioned transport, WiFi on board, a professional driver guide, and private transportation for the full route.

Value really shows in the desert segment. Your Merzouga night includes a luxury camp, dinner, and the camel riding plus sunset viewing. You also get private shower and bathroom at the camp, which is rare on many budget-focused desert trips.

Fes is another value anchor. The itinerary includes admissions for the guided medina block, including major stops and a tiles cooperative. Marrakech also includes a guided Medina tour with specific sights.

What you should budget for:

• Lunches are not included.
• Some dinners are not included, including in Chefchaouen and in Marrakech.
• All Fees and Taxes are listed as not included, even if several admission tickets are marked as included for specific days. Translation: entry costs can still pop up depending on what you choose to do.

If you’re the type who likes structured days, this price can feel like a bargain. If you’re the type who plans to sit back and snack all day, you might feel the pace and the extra meal costs more.

Also, consider group size. This is private, so $791 tends to make more sense when shared between people. If you’re traveling solo, you may want to check whether the price is per person in your booking.

Who this private Casablanca to desert route fits best

This tour is a good fit if you want a clear “see it all” path across Morocco without personally coordinating hotels, drivers, and day-to-day logistics.

It also suits travelers who care about:

• Comfort upgrades like a luxury desert camp with a private bathroom
• Guided city time in Fes and Marrakech
• Mountain and gorge stops like Todra, not only big-city monuments

From the review vibe you can take a hint about how the service works. People talk about fast responses from the owner Moha, and they mention guides and drivers like Ahmed, Rachid, and Hassan being warm, professional, and safe on the roads. In other words, this is the kind of tour where the human factor matters, especially when you’re moving across regions quickly.

Who might choose another style: if you hate early starts, or if you want long unstructured days in just one city, this route can feel like too much. It’s designed to move.

Should you book this 9-day Casablanca to desert tour?

If your ideal Morocco trip includes Casablanca landmarks, blue Chefchaouen, a full guided day in Fes, and a real desert night in Merzouga, then yes, this plan is worth serious consideration.

Book it if you want:

• Private transport with WiFi and air-conditioning
• A desert experience that includes comfort, not just a camp with a sleeping bag
• Guided sightseeing where it counts, especially Fes and Marrakech

Hold off if:

• You already have your own desert camp and riad plans and want to travel slower
• You are sensitive to long drive days and lots of daily walking

One last thought: get your packing right for temperature swings and comfortable shoes. Do that, and the route starts to feel less like a schedule and more like a story with real chapters.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 8:00 AM.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. The tour offers pickup, and the trip description notes greeting you at the airport.

Do I ride camels in the desert?

Yes. Camel riding is included for 1 hour, with sunset viewing time in the dunes.

What meals are included?

The inclusions list breakfast (8) and several dinners: dinners in Fes, dinner in the luxury desert camp, and dinner in Dades Valley. Lunches are not included, and dinners in Chefchaouen and Marrakech are not listed as included.

Which cities and key places are part of the route?

The itinerary includes Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, and Marrakech.

Is WiFi available during the drive?

Yes. WiFi on board is included.

Are admission tickets included?

Some admission tickets are marked as included for specific stops, but the list also says all fees and taxes are not included. So you may still pay for certain entries depending on what you do.

What happens if weather is poor or the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If a minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you are offered a different experience or a full refund.