7 Days Tour Imperial Cities , Sahara Desert From Casablanca

Blue streets and desert nights, all in one week. This 7-day Morocco circuit links Casablanca with Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fez, and the Sahara dunes near Merzouga, with guided time in the big medinas and a camel ride over Erg Chebbi at sunset. I like how the route gives you that rare combo of imperial-city walking plus real desert time, not just a quick stop.

The biggest tradeoff is the pace: you’ll spend a lot of hours in the car between regions, especially after Fez and on the long stretch toward the desert. Also, meal inclusions are a bit mixed, since breakfast is included but lunches and multiple dinners are not.

Quick hits

• Erg Chebbi at sunset by camel, then sleep close to the dunes in a Berber tent
• A full local-guided day in Fez, including Jamaa Al-Karaouine and Medersa Bouanania
• Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, with that signature blue medina and quiet cobbled streets
• Rabat’s major monuments, from the Royal Palace to the Hassan Tower linked to Yaacoub al-Mansour
• Marrakech highlights packed in, from Majorelle Gardens to Bahia Palace and the Saadian tombs

Casablanca to Rabat to Chefchaouen: mosques, royal tombs, and blue streets

This tour starts in Casablanca, then quickly turns inland to Rabat before dropping you into Chefchaouen for the evening. You start with a visit to Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, then it is straight to the capital for a guided sweep that takes in several big-name sights. If you like seeing Morocco’s layers in one day, this opener does it well.

In Rabat, you focus on the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Hassan Tower, the unfinished minaret tied to the Almohad ruler Yaacoub al-Mansour. Even if you have seen grand monuments elsewhere, Morocco’s blend of architecture and power stories makes these stops feel specific, not generic sightseeing.

Then comes the switch to Chefchaouen. You arrive for dinner and the night in a hotel, and the next morning you get a dedicated walk. The payoff is that you are not rushing through Chefchaouen as a one-hour photo break. You get time to slow down, notice the cobbled lanes, and see how the town’s look shapes the mood.

One practical note: Day 1 is long. It is a lot of driving plus guided walking, so keep your first-day outfit comfy for warm weather and a little hill climbing in the medina areas.

Chefchaouen and Moulay Idriss: blue medina mornings and Roman ruins near Volubilis

Chefchaouen is scheduled for about three hours in the morning, which is a sweet window. Early is when the streets feel more manageable and you can actually read the rhythm of the place, not just chase snapshots. You’ll notice the town’s famous blue-washed buildings, plus everyday details like men wearing wool djellabas and women wearing colorful straw hats.

After that, you shift from mountain color to history close to Volubilis with the drive toward Moulay Idriss. The itinerary gives you time to explore the Roman ruins and then visit the sacred town of Moulay Idriss. This is a smart move because it gives you a break from medina lanes, while still keeping the day culturally anchored.

The drawback on this kind of stop is that Roman ruins are weather-dependent. If it is hot, you will want water and a hat. The upside is that this is a very different kind of heritage from what you’ll see later in Fez and Marrakech, so it keeps the trip from feeling repetitive.

If you like heritage that is easy to picture, Moulay Idriss and the ruins give you a clear story arc: ancient settlement, sacred local identity, and the way both remain part of daily life.

Fez full day in the medina: Karouine, Bouanania, tanneries, and artisan streets

Fez is where this tour turns up the cultural volume. You get a full day city tour with a local guide, and the plan calls out a set of anchor stops that matter.

You’ll visit Jamaa Al-Karaouine, described as the world’s first established university, and the Medersa Bouanania. Those two stops help you understand Fez beyond postcards. They signal that this city was built around learning and religious education long before tourism came along.

Then you spend time in the busiest, most sensory parts of the medina: tanneries, clay workshops, artisan quarters, and the souks. The itinerary does not treat Fez as a museum. It treats it like a living city where craft and trade are still the point. For you, that means the best moments often happen on side streets, where a workshop is open and you can watch a process at work.

A consideration here is simple: Fez’s medina areas can feel crowded and winding. A strong local guide makes that easier by helping you move through the right streets at the right time, and by translating what you’re seeing into plain context.

Tip from how this itinerary is built: wear shoes you can trust for lots of walking and uneven stone. Plan to be out for most of the day, then sleep well, because the next driving day toward the desert can be tiring.

Middle Atlas to Merzouga: cedar forests, Ziz gorges, Erfoud, then Erg Chebbi by camel

Day 4 is a long travel day, and that is part of the desert magic. You start from Fez and head through the Middle Atlas, with a stop that passes by Ifran and Azrou, including mention of a typical Zayan Berber village. There’s also a nod to the cedar forests and how cedar wood was used from Phoenician and Roman times, which gives the scenery extra meaning if you like historical context.

You then cross the valley of Ziz and the Ziz gorges, continuing toward Erfoud. From there, you take a rock desert trail onward to reach Merzouga, and then the day’s main event arrives: the camel ride at sunset across the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

This is one of the most praised pieces of the trip’s structure. It is not just the camel ride. It is the timing: sunset makes the light softer, and it makes the dunes feel bigger. The overnight setup is also part of why this works. You sleep in a Berber tent in the heart of the dunes, with dinner and the night in the camp described as luxury.

The drawback is that desert nights can feel chilly once the sun drops, even if the day is warm. Bring a layer you can sleep in comfortably, and plan for sand in your shoes and pockets. It happens to everyone.

For practical comfort, remember that you are switching from city rhythm to desert conditions in one day. If you pack like you are going from one place to another, not like you’re going on one continuous trip, things feel easier.

Merzouga to Marrakech: sunrise dunes, sandboarding, shower time, and the long ride back

You start early on Day 5 for sunrise. This is a common desert theme, but it matters because it is scheduled as a planned moment, not an optional extra. You then have time at camp to enjoy sandboarding if you like, eat breakfast, and use a shower before heading back.

After that you ride camels back to the Merzouga area, then meet your driver and travel to Marrakech. The itinerary includes a stop for lunch on the way back, and you arrive around 7:00 pm, which gives you a real chance to rest before a full day of Marrakech sightseeing.

The balance here is good. You are not spending the entire day in transit without a payoff. You get sunrise and desert fun early, then you move back toward city energy before things get too late.

What to watch for: after a desert night, you’ll probably be tired. Plan to keep your dinner light in Marrakech and save your big energy for Day 6, when the sights are concentrated.

Marrakech day packed right: Majorelle, Koutoubia, Saadian tombs, Bahia Palace, then souks

Marrakech is presented in a classic way: “big names, guided time, then freedom.” After breakfast, you explore Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, and the Bahia Palace. This is a logical cluster because it mixes gardens, landmark views, royal burial sites, and palace architecture.

Then there’s lunch at a restaurant near the square, followed by a walk through the souks with time to see handicrafts. That is exactly the kind of planned shopping you want on a tour, because you have a guide context for what you’re seeing, but you still get to wander.

In the afternoon, you get free time to explore parts of the city on your own. This is important. Marrakech can feel overwhelming if you only have a schedule, so the itinerary leaves space for you to breathe, eat what you like, and explore a lane or two without being herded.

One small drawback is that you might feel “tourled out” by the end of Day 6 if you are sensitive to packed days. The fix is easy: on the free-time stretch, pick one goal, not five. For example, choose a viewpoint area, or pick one souk zone to focus on.

Your money and value: what $2,093.83 covers, and what to budget for

At $2,093.83 per person for about 7 days, this tour is not a budget “hitch a ride and go” style trip. It is priced more like a supported circuit with private transportation, guided time in the medinas, and a desert night with camp arrangements.

Here’s what the inclusions suggest about the value:

• You get private transportation with A/C, which matters in Morocco where distances add up.
• You get English-speaking driver and local guides in Fez and Marrakech, which is where orientation makes a huge difference.
• You get the centerpiece desert experience, including camel riding at Erg Chebbi and an overnight camp setup with dinner and the night.
• You get breakfast (6), plus at least one included dinner is implied by the way meals are listed, while 5 dinners and lunches are listed as not included.

That meal mix means you should budget extra for daily lunches and multiple dinners. If you are the type who wants to eat every meal in a restaurant, this will add up. If you are flexible, it stays manageable.

One more value clue: the tour is often booked about 56 days in advance, and that’s usually a sign people find the timing and routing practical. Also, you’ll get a mobile ticket, which makes check-in days simpler.

Practical tips that match this itinerary (not generic advice)

This route is a “cities plus desert” plan, so your packing and expectations should match both halves.

• Plan for long drives. Day 4 is especially heavy, with the transition from Fez through the Middle Atlas and Ziz region to Merzouga. Bring something for comfort, and plan a light day-to-day schedule for your body.
• Wear footwear you can handle for Fez. The medina includes tanneries, artisan areas, and lots of cobbles. Shoes with grip help more than you’d expect.
• Bring layers for the desert night. The plan promises a Berber tent at the dunes and camp time plus early sunrise. Even without exact temperature data, desert evenings commonly feel cooler.
• Keep cash for meals. Since lunches and several dinners are not included, have a small buffer for simple meals while you’re on the move.
• Use the guide power. The itinerary is strongest when you follow the local guide’s lead in Fez and Marrakech. That is where you get context quickly and save time wandering.
• Watch your timing in Chefchaouen. Blue medina streets are best in a planned window, and you’ll get that morning slot.

Also, this is marketed as a private experience for your group. That often makes everything feel calmer because the itinerary can be held to your pace, and you are not constantly tracking other people.

Should you book this tour?

I’d recommend this tour if you want a full Morocco hit without doing the heavy lifting yourself. It is a strong choice for first-timers who want imperial cities (Rabat, Fez, Marrakech) plus a real Sahara night near Erg Chebbi, not a rushed day-trip.

It may not be your best match if you dislike long driving days or if you expect every meal to be included. The meal structure is not fully all-inclusive, and the schedule moves through multiple regions in a week.

One more reason to feel confident: the tour provider has a consistent reputation for smooth coordination and responsive communication. In particular, you’ll see praise for quick, helpful interaction with the owner and for drivers and guides who were patient and attentive, including names like Rachid, Lotfi, Abdul, Adnane, Adnan, and Chouaybe. That kind of consistency matters when your trip includes both dense medinas and the desert logistics.

FAQ

Which cities does this 7-day tour include?

The itinerary includes Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fez, Merzouga (Sahara desert area), and Marrakech.

How long is the tour and how many nights are included?

It is listed as 7 days (approx.) with 6 nights of accommodations.

Does the tour include airport transfers in Casablanca?

Yes. You meet on arrival in Casablanca, and on the final day you are transferred to the Casablanca airport for your return flight.

Are there English-speaking guides?

Yes. The tour includes an English speaking driver, and local guides are included for the city tours in Fez and Marrakech.

Is a camel ride part of the itinerary?

Yes. You get a camel ride in the Merzouga Erg Chebbi dunes.

Where do you sleep during the Sahara portion?

You sleep in a Berber tent in the heart of the dunes, and dinner and the night are in the camp described as luxury.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included for 6 days. Dinner is listed as included, but 5 dinners and lunches are listed as not included, so you should budget for several meals.

What are some major sights in Rabat and Marrakech?

In Rabat you visit the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Hassan Tower. In Marrakech you visit Majorelle Gardens, Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, and Bahia Palace.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.