A circular Sahara, Fez, Meknes, Rabat and Casablanca tour starting and finishing in Marrakech.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Marrakech – transfer to the riad
On arrival, our team meets you at Marrakech airport or the exact agreed location. The transfer to your accommodation is provided in a comfortable private air-conditioned vehicle. Viajes Almoravid assistance is available from this moment and throughout the circuit.
After check-in at the selected medina riad, the remaining programme depends on arrival time. When there is sufficient time, the included Marrakech visit with an official Spanish-speaking local guide may take place on this first day. If the schedule does not allow it, the visit moves to day 8 before departure.
When no visit is scheduled, the rest of the day is free for rest or a first introduction to Jemaa el-Fna square and the souks. Overnight is in Marrakech with breakfast; dinner is at your own expense.
Day 2
Marrakech – High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Rose Valley – Dades Valley
After breakfast, our Spanish-speaking driver collects you from the riad and the journey heads south. We cross the High Atlas through the Tizi n’Tichka pass at more than 2,200 metres, stopping at viewpoints and near Amazigh villages for scenery and photographs.
Beyond the mountains we visit the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, an impressive fortified adobe settlement. Paid entrances are optional. After lunch at your own expense, we continue towards Ouarzazate, with a possible view of Taourirt Kasbah according to the available time.
The route follows the Skoura palm grove, Rose Valley and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. In the late afternoon we arrive in Dades Valley for dinner and an overnight stay in a selected riad or hotel.
Day 3
Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Tinghir – Tinjdad – Touroug – Erfoud – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi
After breakfast we travel through Dades Valley to Todra Gorge. There is time to walk beneath rock walls that rise to around 200 metres in places and experience the canyon shaped by the river.
We continue through Tinghir and the palm groves of Tinjdad and Touroug, where green farmland contrasts with the increasingly arid landscape. Farther south we reach Erfoud, known for fossils and stone workshops. Lunch is at your own expense.
In the afternoon we arrive in Merzouga at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. We exchange the vehicle for camels, normally one per traveller, to enjoy sunset and reach camp. Guests who prefer not to ride may request a 4x4 transfer in advance, subject to the confirmed package. Dinner, traditional music when scheduled and a night beneath the Sahara sky complete the day. The tent category and availability of a private bathroom and shower will be clearly stated in the quotation.
Day 4
Merzouga – Rissani – Ziz Valley – Middle Atlas – cedar forest – Ifrane – Fez
Guests who wish may rise early to watch sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast and time to freshen up, we return to Merzouga by camel or 4x4 according to the booked service and rejoin the private vehicle.
The route passes Rissani, the former capital of Tafilalet, and follows the Ziz Valley through palm groves, mountains and viewpoints. We then cross the Middle Atlas and cedar-forest landscapes. When conditions allow, there may be time to observe Barbary macaques without feeding or disturbing them.
We also stop in Ifrane, known for its mountain architecture. At the end of the day we arrive in Fez and drop you at the selected riad in or near the medina. This is a long travelling stage and timing may vary because of stops, traffic and weather. Breakfast is included; dinner is at your own expense.
Day 5
Fez – guided city visit
After breakfast, an official Spanish-speaking local guide leads the visit of Fez. The day explores the historic medina, monumental gates, souks, artisan quarters and viewpoints, with explanations about the history and everyday life of one of Morocco’s great Imperial Cities.
Depending on opening times and the group’s preferences, the route may include Bou Inania Madrasa, Nejjarine Fountain, the exterior of Al Quaraouiyine Mosque and University, the Moulay Idriss mausoleum and the famous tanners’ quarter. There may also be time to see the golden gates of the Royal Palace. Admission fees are optional and paid directly.
After the guided visit, there is free time for further exploration, shopping or rest. The second Fez night is in the same selected riad, with breakfast included and dinner at your own expense.
Day 6
Fez – Meknes – Rabat
After breakfast we leave for Meknes, approximately 60 km from Fez. This former imperial capital preserves an important legacy from the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail. According to opening times, we discover principal exterior and monumental sites such as Bab Mansour, El Hedim square and the mausoleum area. Admission fees are optional.
After lunch at your own expense, we continue west to Rabat, Morocco’s present capital. The afternoon visit covers its most representative landmarks, including the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and other panoramic sites according to the available time.
At the end of the day, the driver drops you at a selected Rabat riad. Breakfast is included; dinner is at your own expense, allowing you to choose among restaurants in the city.
Day 7
Rabat – Casablanca – Marrakech
After breakfast we follow the Atlantic coast to Casablanca, approximately 90 km from Rabat. A panoramic city drive takes in the Corniche before reaching Hassan II Mosque, one of Morocco’s great contemporary monuments.
The mosque interior visit is optional, subject to its official schedule and paid directly. After lunch at your own expense, we continue by road to Marrakech.
Arrival in Marrakech is expected in the late afternoon, although traffic and stops may affect the time. The final night is in a selected medina riad, with breakfast included and dinner at your own expense.
Day 8
Marrakech – remaining visit and airport transfer
After breakfast and check-out, the day is arranged around departure time. If the Marrakech guided visit could not take place on day 1, an official Spanish-speaking local guide will accompany you to landmarks such as Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia area, the souks and Jemaa el-Fna square. Admission fees are not included.
If the visit was completed on arrival, there is free time for final shopping, a walk through the medina or an optional visit. The programme is always adjusted to guarantee timely airport arrival.
At the agreed time, our driver provides the private transfer to Marrakech airport or the confirmed departure point. This service completes eight days through the Atlas, Merzouga desert and the Imperial Cities. The Viajes Almoravid team wishes you a pleasant journey home.
Included services
- Private pickup and transfers from and to Marrakech airport or the agreed location
- Comfortable private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the circuit
- Professional Spanish-speaking driver
- Viajes Almoravid assistance before and throughout the tour
- Two nights in a selected Marrakech riad, with breakfast
- One night in a selected Dades Valley riad or hotel, with dinner and breakfast
- One night in a selected Merzouga desert camp, with dinner and breakfast
- Two nights in a selected Fez riad, with breakfast
- One night in a selected Rabat riad, with breakfast
- Return camel ride, normally one camel per person
- 4x4 transfer available instead of camels when requested in advance and included in the booked package
- Official Spanish-speaking local guide for the Fez visit
- One Marrakech visit with an official Spanish-speaking local guide, scheduled on day 1 or day 8 according to flight times
Not included
- International flights
- Dinners in Marrakech, Fez and Rabat
- Lunches and drinks
- Museum and monument tickets and optional visits
- Additional local guides not listed among the included services
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance unless expressly stated as included in the quotation
Would you like to adapt this tour?
Tell us your dates, number of travellers and preferred travel style. We will prepare a personalised proposal with all services and the final price clearly confirmed.