12 Days Morocco Tour Itinerary from Casablanca
The trip of a lifetime: imperial cities, the Sahara, the saffron country of Taliouine, Taroudant and the Atlas village of Imlil.
- Duration12 days / 11 nights
- StartCasablanca
- EndCasablanca
- Tour typePrivate tour
- Desert nights1
- DepartureDaily, 8:00 am (flexible)
About this tour
Twelve days to see a side of Morocco most tours miss. Beyond the imperial cities and the Sahara, this route continues west through the saffron fields of Taliouine to the walled city of Taroudant, then up into the High Atlas to Imlil at the foot of Mount Toubkal.
You finish with a day in Marrakech and return to Casablanca — a complete portrait of the country, from the Rif to the Anti-Atlas.
Tour highlights
- Rabat, Chefchaouen and Meknes
- Guided day in Fes
- Camel trek and night in Erg Chebbi
- Dades Gorges and Aït Ben Haddou
- Taliouine saffron and Taroudant's ramparts
- Imlil and the Toubkal National Park
Your route
- Casablanca
- Rabat
- Chefchaouen
- Fes
- Merzouga
- Dades
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Taroudant
- Imlil
- Marrakech
- Casablanca
Itinerary
Day1 Casablanca → Rabat
Pick-up in Casablanca and a visit to the Hassan II Mosque. Drive to Rabat and spend the afternoon at the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas, with its Andalusian garden overlooking the river.
Day2 Rabat → Chefchaouen
Head north through the countryside and into the Rif mountains. Arrive in Chefchaouen in the early afternoon and explore its blue alleys, the Kasbah and the lively main square, then watch sunset from the Spanish Mosque.
Day3 Chefchaouen → Meknes → Fes
Drive south to Meknes, the imperial city of Moulay Ismail, to see Bab Mansour and the royal granaries. Continue to Fes and settle into your riad for two nights.
Day4 Guided tour of Fes
A full day with a local guide in the medina of Fes: the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque, the tanneries and the craftsmen's souks. End the day with the view from the Merinid Tombs.
Day5 Fes → Middle Atlas → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Through Ifrane and the cedar forest, lunch in Midelt, then the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. Ride a camel into Erg Chebbi at sunset and spend the night at our desert camp with dinner and Berber music.
Day6 Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Watch the sunrise over the dunes, then drive via Rissani and Alnif to Tinghir. Walk inside Todra Gorge and continue to the Dades Valley for the night.
Day7 Dades → Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou
An easy day along the kasbah road via the Valley of Roses and Skoura to Ouarzazate, then Aït Ben Haddou. Sleep beside the ksar and watch its earthen towers glow red at sunset.
Day8 Aït Ben Haddou → Taliouine → Taroudant
Drive south-west through the Anti-Atlas to Taliouine, Morocco's saffron capital, and visit a saffron cooperative to learn how the precious threads are harvested. Continue to Taroudant, a market city wrapped in seven kilometres of ochre ramparts.
Day9 Taroudant → Tizi n'Test → Imlil
Cross the High Atlas by the spectacular Tizi n'Test pass, one of Morocco's most dramatic mountain roads, and visit the 12th-century Tinmel Mosque. Arrive in Imlil, a Berber village at the foot of Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak.
Day10 Imlil → Marrakech
Morning walk with a local mountain guide through walnut groves, terraced fields and Berber villages in the Toubkal National Park. After lunch, the short drive down to Marrakech.
Day11 Marrakech sightseeing
Explore Marrakech's palaces, gardens and souks — the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Majorelle Garden — then enjoy the evening show on Jemaa el-Fna.
Day12 Marrakech → Casablanca
Free morning, then the drive back to Casablanca for drop-off at your hotel or Mohammed V airport, the end of your twelve-day journey.
Price includes & excludes
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or minivan) with fuel
- English-speaking driver-guide for the whole journey
- Pick-up in Casablanca and drop-off in Casablanca (hotel, riad or airport)
- 11 nights of accommodation in hotels, riads and kasbahs
- 1 night in our desert camp in Merzouga
- Camel trek into the dunes at sunset
- Breakfasts and dinners as shown in the itinerary
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Local city guides (optional — we can arrange them)
- Optional activities such as quad bikes or sandboarding
- Tips for your driver and camp staff
- Flights and travel insurance
Where you sleep
- Night 1Riad, Rabat
- Night 2Riad, Chefchaouen
- Night 3Riad, Fes
- Night 4Riad, Fes
- Night 5Desert camp, Merzouga
- Night 6Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley
- Night 7Kasbah hotel, Aït Ben Haddou
- Night 8Riad, Taroudant
- Night 9Guesthouse, Imlil
- Night 10Riad, Marrakech
- Night 11Riad, Marrakech
Good to know
Private & flexible
Only your group travels in the vehicle. Ask your driver to stop for photos whenever you like, and tell us if you want to change the route or add days.
Your desert camp
Our camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes has comfortable tents with real beds and blankets. Your big luggage stays in the 4x4 — take a small bag for the night.
What to pack
Sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf for the wind, comfortable shoes and a warm layer: desert nights are cold from November to March.
Best time to travel
October to May is ideal. In summer we start early and rest at midday to avoid the heat. Every season has its own beauty.
Food & diets
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are possible. Just tell us when you book or let your driver know on day one.
How to book
Send us your dates and number of travellers. We reply with a price for your group. A small deposit confirms the tour; the balance is paid in cash on the first day (euros, dollars or dirhams).
Frequently asked questions
Which vehicles do you use?
Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles adapted to your group: 4x4 Land Cruisers or minivans for small groups, and Mercedes Sprinter minibuses for groups of 8 or more.
How far in advance should we book?
As early as possible, especially for spring, autumn and holiday periods. Last-minute requests are welcome too — contact us and we will do our best.
How do I pay for the tour?
We ask for a small deposit when you book. The balance is paid in cash to your driver on the first day of the tour, in euros, dollars or Moroccan dirhams.
What happens to my luggage in the desert?
Your suitcases stay safely in the vehicle or are brought to the camp by 4x4. You only need a small backpack for the camel ride.
I don't want to ride a camel. Can I still sleep at the camp?
Of course. We can take you to the camp by 4x4 instead of camel.
Can we change the itinerary?
Yes. All our tours are private, so we can add nights, change hotels, include activities or adjust the route to your wishes.
Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes. We adapt the pace, the stops and the accommodation for families and for travellers who prefer an easier rhythm.
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