9 Days tour from casablanca to the desert via chefchauen , fez

Nine days across Morocco, with desert highlights. This private route moves fast in the best way, linking Casablanca and Rabat to blue Chefchaouen, the old craft streets of Fez, and finally the Merzouga luxury desert camp with camel rides and stargazing. When I looked at it closely, what sold me was how much you get for the money, plus the human touch people associate with guides like Moha and Ahmed.

I also like that the itinerary mixes Morocco’s big icons with real neighborhoods. You get a hands-on-feeling Fez day with a local guide, then a Dades and Todra section built around canyon walks and valley views. The one thing to consider is the pace, long driving days and an 8:00 am start mean you will spend a lot of time on the road between stops.

Key reasons this 9-day route works

• Private transportation throughout means fewer hassles and a smoother day-to-day flow
• Chefchaouen and Fez are handled with the right kind of time for wandering and getting your bearings
• Merzouga desert night includes a luxury camp stay and a camel ride (1 hour)
• Dades and Todra add a more dramatic change of scenery after Fez
• Guided Marrakech Medina focuses on the major sights without losing your bearings in the souks

Casablanca and Rabat, starting with Hassan II and the Rabat medina

Day one is all about orientation, comfort, and a big Moroccan statement. You’re greeted at Casablanca airport, then you’re on your way to see the Hassan II Mosque. It’s the kind of stop that instantly tells you Morocco isn’t just a beach-and-cafe trip, it’s architecture, scale, and pride.

From there you continue to Rabat, Morocco’s capital. The mix of highway driving plus a first-night base is a practical setup, especially if you want your trip to feel planned rather than chaotic.

The Rabat portion continues the next morning with a guided-feeling walk around the Oudaia area and Hassan Tower. You get to enjoy the capital’s royal vibe, with views tied to the city’s historic layout. And yes, the mosque ticket is listed as not included here, so plan on paying the entry fee directly if you want it.

Chefchaouen by way of the Rif Mountains, riad nights and the blue factor

Chefchaouen is the place people picture when they think of Morocco’s famous colors, but the real win is how it fits into the drive. You leave Rabat, move toward Chefchaouen through the Rif Mountains, and arrive with a sense that the country is changing under your feet.

Once you’re in town, you’ll spend the evening in a riad or similar. That matters because Chefchaouen’s magic is partly your surroundings. Even if you only have a short window to wander, staying right in the thick of it makes it easier to walk around at the gentler times of day.

This day also has a practical “travel rhythm” advantage. You don’t just teleport between places. You get a scenic transfer, then enough time to reset before the next cities. The tradeoff is that you’re still on the move, so pack for comfort and keep your day bag light.

Volubilis and Meknes before Fez, switching from Roman ruins to imperial walls

The trip begins to deepen on day three with a long, rewarding shift in eras. You drive toward Volubilis first, where you’ll see Roman ruins and get a real sense of Morocco as a crossroads of civilizations.

Then you continue to Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. The big value here is the combination of UNESCO-style heritage and street-level atmosphere. You’ll spend time in the Medina, loop by major landmarks like Bab El Mansour, and also visit Moulay Ismail’s shrine.

After lunch, the day ends with a drive into Fez. That means you arrive in the right mindset for tomorrow’s Medina day, not still tired from checking out and packing. And the day lists admission tickets for the Meknes stop as included, so you’re not guessing about what you still need to pay.

Fez Medina with a local guide: tanneries, mellah, and the craft co-op

Fez is where this itinerary earns its keep. On the Fez day, you get a local guide and a structured route through major parts of the Medina, not just a vague “good luck” free-for-all.

You’ll cover a smart mix of spots:

• Royal Palace Gate
• The Jewish quarter
• The Mellah
• Al Qarayyin University
• The tanneries
• Attarine Museum
• Moulay Idriss mausoleum
• A stop at a tiles cooperative
• A panoramic view from a tower over the Medina

If you care about how Morocco works day to day, this is the best kind of guided day. You’re not only looking at old stones, you’re learning the layered geography of Fez. And the tiles cooperative is a nice balance to the bigger monuments, because it connects heritage to living craft.

Your day ends back at a riad in Fez. The practical benefit is that a Medina evening is always easier when you’re not scrambling for transport after dark. One note to keep in mind, entry is listed as included for this day, but “all fees and taxes” are listed as not included overall, so if you’re budgeting tightly, keep some extra cash aside for anything not covered.

Merzouga desert day: cedar forest, Ziz Valley views, camel ride, starry camp

The desert day is the heart of the whole circuit. You start with pickup from your riad or hotel at 8:00 am, then the drive becomes a slow reveal of Middle Atlas scenery.

You pass through Ifrane, known as the Switzerland town of Morocco, then head to the cedar forest where you may see Barbarian apes (monkeys). From there, you travel via the Tizi n talghamt pass toward Midelt, then into the Ziz Gorges and Ziz Valley. It’s a full-on road story, and that’s important because desert trips feel dramatic only if the journey builds contrast.

Arriving in Merzouga, you’re treated to the classic desert rhythm:

• mint tea
• a 1-hour camel ride
• stops to watch the sunset from a dune

Then you reach a luxury desert camp for the night with private shower and bathroom. Dinner is included, and the camp is built for that one thing people travel for, a quiet, open sky feel. If you’re the type who enjoys simple moments, like sitting with tea and no schedule, this is where you’ll breathe again.

Dades Gorges and Todra Valley: fossils first, then cliff walks

Day six keeps the momentum but changes the mood. You start with a drive toward Erfoud, described as a fossils capital. You get time to discover fossils and minerals from the area, including ammonites, trilobites, and star fishes. Even if you’re not a geology person, this stop is a fun way to make the landscapes feel earned instead of just passed through.

Next comes Tinghir, tied to Morocco’s Jewish history. From there, you reach the Todra valley for panoramic views, then Todra gorge, where you do a walking visit inside cliffs that can rise around 300 meters. This is where the scenery turns from wide-open to vertical and dramatic.

Finally, you head to Dades Valley for the night, with dinner listed as included for this segment. The payoff here is that the day isn’t only driving. It’s built around walking in a place that looks like it should be part of a movie set.

Road of a Thousand Kasbahs: Rose town, Ouarzazate, High Atlas passes, Ait Ben Haddou

The next day feels like a Morocco road trip movie trailer, with kasbahs, mountain scenery, and landmark villages.

You drive toward Kalaa M’gouna and Ouarzazate via the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. Your first major stop is Kelaat Mgouna in the Rose’s town area, connected to an annual festival that happens each May. Even if you aren’t traveling during the festival, it’s a great cultural anchor for why people live this way and keep traditions alive.

Then you reach Ouarzazate, often called the HollyWood of Africa, because it has hosted major international film productions. After that, you visit Ait Ben Haddou, the famous kasbah village.

The day also includes crossing the High Atlas Mountains. You’re guided through elevated mountain terrain, with stops to view Berber villages and shifting landscapes. The practical value is that you get a sense of scale and geography, not just names on a map.

At night, you move to Marrakech. That end point is smart because Marrakech is busy, so you want a night base in place before you tackle the Medina.

Marrakech Medina private tour: Koutoubia, souks, and the gardens day

Marrakech can overwhelm you if you show up without a plan. This itinerary solves that by giving you a private guided tour of the Medina with a local guide.

You’ll see:

• Koutoubia Mosque
• The Medina and souks
• Ben Youssef Madrassa
• Saadian tombs
• Bahia Palace
• Majorelle Gardens

Then you sleep in a riad in the Medina. That last detail is key. Marrakech is the kind of place where night wandering feels different, and a riad location helps you step out without losing time.

Dinner in Marrakech is listed as not included, so you’ll want to budget for meals that day. Lunch is not included elsewhere either, so if you like to eat well while you’re moving, cash and a flexible plan will make the days feel easier.

Price and value check for $791, what is included and what you pay for

At about $791 for roughly 9 days, the value comes from the parts you would otherwise have to piece together: private transportation, a professional driver guide, WiFi on board, and a structured route through the big Moroccan highlights.

Where the money shows up most:

• Desert night in a luxury camp with private bathroom plus dinner
• Camel ride during the desert experience (1 hour)
• Dinners covered in Fez, in Dades Valley, and at the desert camp
• A guided Fez Medina day and a guided Marrakech Medina day
• WiFi on board, which sounds small until you’re doing long transfers

Where you should plan extra:

• Lunches are not included
• Some dinners are not included (Chefchaouen and Marrakech dinners are listed as not included)
• Entry fees vary. The Hassan II Mosque ticket is listed as not included, while Fez and certain Medina entries list admission as included on those days. Because “all fees and taxes” are listed as not included overall, it’s smart to keep a buffer budget for anything that falls outside the ticket categories.

The best way to think about it: you’re paying for convenience and guided time, not for every meal and every entry fee. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes clear boundaries and hates surprise add-ons, this tour aligns well.

Who this trip suits best

This is a strong fit if you want:

• a first-time Morocco route that hits Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fez, the desert, and Marrakech without getting lost in logistics
• a private car setup for comfort and timing
• guided days when cities get complex, especially Fez and Marrakech

It’s also a good choice for couples and small groups, since reviews attached to the company often highlight that private arrangements and flexibility make a difference. People have mentioned guides such as Rachid for professionalism and warmth, and Hassan for being careful and culturally aware. The booking contact Moha is also repeatedly described as fast to respond, which matters when you’re coordinating pickup and details.

If you hate long drives, this might feel like too much. You will be in transit between regions, and day structure is centered on covering distance plus key stops.

Final call: should you book this 9-day Morocco circuit?

I’d book it if you want Morocco as a single story, Casablanca to the Sahara to Marrakech, without making your trip a spreadsheet. The best part is the way the desert day and the guided city days connect, so you’re not only driving through places, you’re also understanding them.

I would pause if you’re on a tight meal budget, because lunches and some dinners are not included. I’d also consider your energy level, since the 8:00 am start plus long transfers is part of the trade for covering so much ground.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 8:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and you are greeted at the airport at the beginning of the trip.

Is this a private tour?

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

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included (listed as breakfast for 8 days). Dinner is included on 4 occasions, including dinners in Fez, dinner in Dades Valley, and dinner at the luxury desert camp.

Are entry tickets included for all stops?

Not all. Hassan II Mosque admission is listed as not included, while other parts like specific Medina visits list admission as included. Also, all fees and taxes are listed as not included overall, so expect some extra costs.

What desert experience is included?

The itinerary includes a camel ride of 1 hour, plus a luxury desert camp night with dinner, and time to enjoy sunset from a dune.

Where will we stay during the trip?

You’ll stay in riads or similar for the city nights (like Chefchaouen, Fez, and Marrakech) and in a luxury desert camp for the Sahara night.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If canceled less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded. The experience also notes it may be canceled due to poor weather, with a different date or full refund offered, and it requires a minimum number of travelers.