Morocco Imperial Cities, Blue City and Sahara Group Trip
Duration
9 Days 8 Nights
Pickup
Casablanca Mohammed V Airport
Drop
Marrakech Menara Airport
Type
International (long-haul)
Overview & Highlights
This fixed-departure trip follows Morocco's classic route, from the Atlantic coast to the edge of the Sahara. You begin in Casablanca and Rabat, then head north to the blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen and on to Fez, where two nights give you time to explore the medieval medina properly. From Fez you cross the Middle Atlas to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride on the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a desert camp. The return takes in the Todra Gorge, the kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and the High Atlas before two nights in Marrakech. A trip captain travels with the group throughout, and Indian meal options are available on request.
- Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and the Hassan Tower in Rabat
- Chefchaouen, the blue-painted Blue City of the Rif mountains
- Two nights in Fez with a guided tour of its medieval medina
- Camel ride at sunset on the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga
- Night in a Berber-style desert camp under the Saharan sky
- Ait Benhaddou kasbah and the High Atlas crossing to Marrakech
- Full day in Marrakech with Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace and Djemaa el-Fna
- Small group with a trip captain and Indian meal options on request
Itinerary
1Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca | Hassan II Mosque
- Arrive at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport and meet your trip captain.
- Transfer to your hotel and check in.
- In the afternoon, visit the Hassan II Mosque and drive along the Corniche.
- Meet your fellow travellers at a welcome dinner.
- Overnight stay in Casablanca.
2Day 2: Rabat | Chefchaouen
- After breakfast, drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
- Visit the Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Kasbah of the Udayas.
- After lunch, continue by road towards the Rif mountains to reach Chefchaouen in the evening.
- Dinner at the hotel.
- Overnight stay in Chefchaouen.
3Day 3: Chefchaouen Blue City | Drive to Fez
- After breakfast, walk through the blue-painted lanes of the Chefchaouen medina with your trip captain.
- See Plaza Uta el-Hammam and the Kasbah, and enjoy free time for photographs and shopping.
- Drive to Fez after lunch.
- Dinner at the hotel.
- Overnight stay in Fez.
4Day 4: Fez Medina Full-Day Tour
- After breakfast, set out with a local guide to explore the medieval medina of Fez.
- Visit Bab Boujloud, the Karaouine Mosque exterior, Medersa Bouanania and Place Nejjarine.
- See the leather tanneries from a viewing terrace, then enjoy free time in the souks.
- Dinner at the hotel.
- Overnight stay in Fez.
5Day 5: Fez to Merzouga | Sahara Camel Ride
- After an early breakfast, begin the long scenic drive south through the cedar forests of Ifrane and the Middle Atlas.
- Stop for lunch along the way before descending into the Ziz valley.
- On arrival in Merzouga, ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset.
- Dinner and music at the desert camp.
- Overnight stay in a desert camp in Merzouga.
6Day 6: Merzouga to Ouarzazate | Todra Gorge
- Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then have breakfast at the camp.
- Drive west through the oasis towns of the Tafilalet and Tinghir.
- Stop at the Todra Gorge for a short walk beneath its rock walls.
- Continue to Ouarzazate in the evening.
- Overnight stay in Ouarzazate.
7Day 7: Ait Benhaddou | High Atlas to Marrakech
- After breakfast, visit the fortified kasbah village of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas with photo stops.
- Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon and check in.
- Free evening to try the food stalls of Djemaa el-Fna, with dinner as arranged.
- Overnight stay in Marrakech.
8Day 8: Marrakech City Tour
- After breakfast, begin a guided tour of Marrakech with the Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace.
- Visit the Majorelle Garden and walk through the souks.
- Spend the late afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner with the group.
- Overnight stay in Marrakech.
9Day 9: Departure from Marrakech
- After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
- Transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport for your flight home.
- Depart Morocco with memories of the medinas and the dunes.
Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.
Inclusions
- Hotel and desert camp stay on twin sharing for 8 nights
- Daily breakfast and dinner, with lunches as noted in the itinerary
- Welcome dinner in Casablanca and farewell dinner in Marrakech
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Comfortable air-conditioned coach or minibus for all inter-city transfers
- Sunset camel ride at Merzouga
- Guided tours of Fez and Marrakech
- Entry tickets for the sightseeing listed in the itinerary
- A trip captain accompanying the group throughout
- Indian meal options on request
- Assistance from our travel experts
Exclusions
- International and domestic airfare
- Visa fees and processing
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
- Optional activities and excursions
- Local city or tourism taxes payable at the hotel where applicable
- Anything not listed under inclusions
- GST and TCS as applicable
Other Info
Must carry
- Passport and visa copies
- Return air tickets
- Travel insurance copy
- Forex or international card
- Power adapter (Type C and E plugs, 220V)
- Warm layers for the desert nights
- Scarf and sunglasses for the dunes
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Small overnight bag for the desert camp
Notes
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the travel date.
- Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon.
- The order of the itinerary may change with weather, road, flight or operational conditions, without reducing the sights covered.
- Rates and availability are confirmed at the time of booking.
- Cancellation and refund are as per our Terms and Conditions.
- This is a small-group departure, and each departure runs on minimum numbers.
- A trip captain accompanies the group from arrival to departure.
- Days 5 to 7 involve long drives, so carry water, snacks and motion-sickness medication if needed.
- Nights in the Sahara are cold, and the desert camp has simple facilities.
- Dress modestly at mosques and religious sites; some are not open to non-Muslim visitors.
See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.