9 Days in Morocco:
Imperial Cities, Chefchaouen & the Sahara
The essentials of Morocco and a little more — from the blue streets of Chaouen to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, in premium comfort throughout.
Both sides of the Atlas Mountains in one seamless journey — culture and history to the north, wild desert nature to the south.
Would you like to discover the essentials of Morocco… and a little more? This 9-day circuit reaches Chaouen in the north and the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga in the south, with countless highlights in between — all with the finest accommodation and a private chauffeured vehicle for a truly premium experience.
We cross the Atlas range twice — once via the Middle Atlas, once via the High Atlas — taking in imperial cities, Roman ruins at Volubilis, the cinematic kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, the Todra Gorges and a night under the stars in the Sahara.
Your 9-day itinerary
Day1 Casablanca → Rabat Arrival & the Atlantic capitals
Welcome to Morocco. Our team greets you at Casablanca airport and, schedules permitting, you'll visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque — one of the few mosques in the world open to visitors — before driving to Rabat to see the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower.
- Arrival & welcome at Casablanca airport
- Visit of the Hassan II Mosque (schedules permitting)
- Drive to Rabat & free time to explore
- Overnight in a hotel in Rabat
Day2 Rabat → Chaouen The blue village of the Rif
We leave the capital for one of Morocco's most picturesque towns: Chaouen, nestled in the Rif Mountains and famous for its blue-washed houses. Wander the medina, Uta el Hammam Square and the 14th-century Kasbah, then climb to a viewpoint for a sweeping panorama.
- Breakfast & road trip to Chaouen (~250 km)
- Free time in the blue medina & viewpoints
- Night in a charming riad in Chaouen
Day3 Chaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fez Roman ruins & imperial Meknes
Today blends ancient history and imperial grandeur. Explore the Roman city of Volubilis with its Temple of Jupiter and superb mosaics, then the imperial city of Meknes — shaped by Moulay Ismail — before arriving in Fez for the night.
- Visit the Volubilis archaeological site
- Free visit of Meknes & its monumental gates
- Drive to Fez · night in a charming riad
Day4 Fez A full day in the spiritual capital
Fez deserves a full day. A licensed local guide leads a half-day tour of the labyrinthine medina — the Karaouine mosque, the Bou Inania and Attarine madrasas, the tanneries, the Jewish quarter and the golden gates of the Royal Palace. The afternoon is free for shopping in Morocco's craft capital.
- Guided tour of the Fez medina with an official guide
- Free afternoon for crafts & museums
- Second night in your riad in Fez
Day5 Fez → Ifrane → Erfoud → Merzouga Cedar forests to the Sahara dunes
History gives way to nature. Cross the Middle Atlas via the cedar forests of Ifrane National Park (home to Barbary macaques) and the alpine town of Ifrane, then descend into the desert toward Erfoud and Merzouga. By camel or 4×4, reach the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night in a Berber tented camp under the stars.
- Visit Ifrane National Park (the "Monkey Forest")
- Drive to Erfoud & Merzouga
- Camel or 4×4 ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Overnight in a tented camp in the Sahara
Day6 Merzouga → Todra → Dades → Ouarzazate Gorges & valleys of the south
Watch the sunrise over the dunes, then journey through the south's most dramatic landscapes: the market town of Rissani, the towering walls of the Todra Gorges, and the palm groves and kasbahs of the Dades Valley, ending in Ouarzazate.
- Sunrise in the desert & visit to Rissani
- Todra Gorges & Dades Valley
- Kasbah of Taourirt (schedule permitting)
- Overnight in a hotel in Ouarzazate
Day7 Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech Cinematic kasbahs & the High Atlas
The highlight is Aït Ben Haddou, a fortified ksar famed as a film location for Game of Thrones and a masterpiece of Berber earthen architecture. Visit the kasbah of Telouet, then cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass down to the Red City of Marrakech.
- Visit the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
- Kasbah of Telouet & the Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Arrival in Marrakech · free afternoon
- Night in a charming riad in the medina
Day8 Marrakech The Red City at leisure
A guided morning tour takes in Jemaa el-Fna square, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs and the Bahia Palace. The afternoon is free for shopping or museums — the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, the House of Photography and more.
- Guided tour of historic Marrakech
- Free afternoon for shopping & museums
- Final night in your riad in Marrakech
Day9 Marrakech → Airport Departure
After breakfast, we transfer you to Marrakech Menara Airport at the agreed time for your flight home — until the next journey.
- Breakfast at the riad
- Private transfer to Marrakech airport
- End of our services
Moments from this journey
Erg Chebbi Dunes
Marrakech Medina
Aït Ben Haddou
Fez Medina
ChaouenWhat's included
- Airport transfers (Casablanca & Marrakech)
- Private vehicle with chauffeur throughout
- 1 night riad in Rabat (B&B)
- 1 night riad in Chaouen (B&B)
- 2 nights riad in Fez (B&B)
- 1 night desert camp in Merzouga (half board)
- 1 night hotel in Ouarzazate (half board)
- 2 nights riad in Marrakech (B&B)
- Camel excursion in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Certified local guides in Fez & Marrakech
Not included
- International flights to & from Morocco
- Dinners in Rabat, Fez, Marrakech & Chaouen
- Midday lunches
- Beverages
- Entrance fees to museums & monuments
- Free-day activities
- Tips & gratuities
Make this journey your own
Tell us your travel dates, group size and the comfort level you'd like — we'll send a free, no-obligation quote and adjust every detail to suit you.