10 Day Morocco Grand Tour Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH⌄

   Pickup from Marrakech Menara Airport or your hotel with a name sign at arrivals • Check in to your riad or hotel in the heart of Marrakech • Evening guided walk through the legendary Djemaa el-Fna square , street food stalls, and live Gnawa musicians

   Overnight in Marrakech

2. 2MARRAKECH CITY TOUR⌄

   Visit Bahia Palace 19th-century masterpiece of Moroccan architecture

   Explore the Saadian Tombs — royal necropolis dating back to the 16th century

   Walk through the historic Marrakech Medina souks spices, leather, ceramics, and Berber carpets

   Visit the stunning Koutoubia Mosque exterior the largest mosque in Marrakech

   • Afternoon at leisure: optional visit to Majorelle Garden (extra cost)

   • Overnight in Marrakech

3. 3MARRAKECH → AIT BEN HADDOU → DADES GORGE⌄

   • Depart Marrakech at 8:00 AM in a private air-conditioned vehicle • Scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains via the iconic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m) photo stops at Berber mountain villages

   • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (1.5 hrs) the ksar that appears in Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and Lawrence of Arabia

   • Drive through Ouarzazate stop at Kasbah Taourirt

   Continue through the stunning Rose Valley of Kelaat Mgouna

   Arrive at the dramatic Dades Gorge evening walk to see the famous rock formations

   • Overnight in Boumalne Dades mid-range guesthouse or luxury riad (your choice)

4. 4DADES GORGE → TODRA GORGE → MERZOUGA (SAHARA)⌄

   Breakfast at accommodation • Morning scenic walk deeper into the Dades Gorge at sunrise

   Visit the breathtaking Todra Gorge walk through towering 300-meter canyon walls

   Drive through the Tinghir oasis and Tafilalt palm plain • Stop at Erfoud fossil artisan workshops

   Visit Rissani market birthplace of Morocco's Alaouite royal dynasty

   Arrive Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) late afternoon • Sunset camel trek into the golden Sahara dunes Overnight in the desert standard Berber camp or luxury private camp (your choice)

5. 5MERZOUGA DESERT DAY → DRAA VALLEY⌄

   • Wake before dawn for a spectacular Sahara sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes • Optional morning activities: sandboarding, quad biking (extra cost)

   Drive west through the legendary Draa Valley Morocco's longest river valley lined with ancient kasbahs and lush palm oases • Stop along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs (1 hr)

   Overnight in Zagora or Agdz mid-range hotel or luxury kasbah (your choice)

6. 6DRAA VALLEY → OUARZAZATE⌄

   • Morning scenic drive through Agdz Kasbah and the ancient Tamnougalt village • Visit the extraordinary Tinfou sand dunes a hidden mini Sahara off the tourist trail

   • Arrive Ouarzazate midday • Visit Atlas Film Studios the largest film studios in the world, used in Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Prince of Persia (1.5 hrs)

   • Explore the historic Kasbah Taourirt in depth (1 hr)

   • Overnight in Ouarzazate mid-range hotel or 4-star luxury property (your choice)

7. 7OUARZAZATE → FEZ (VIA MIDELT & IFRANE)⌄

   • Depart Ouarzazate north through the Middle Atlas mountains

   • Stop at Midelt — the apple capital of Morocco, gateway between the Sahara and the north

   • Visit the beautiful cedar forests of Azrou spot wild Barbary macaque monkeys (30 min)

   • Pass through Ifrane Morocco's charming Alpine style mountain town, nicknamed "Little Switzerland"

   • Arrive Fez late afternoon • Check in to your riad in the heart of the Fez medina • Overnight in Fez

8. 8FEZ MEDINA FULL DAY⌄

   • Full-day guided tour of Fes el-Bali with a local expert guide (UNESCO World Heritage) • Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University founded in 859 AD, the world's oldest continuously operating university

   • Explore the famous Chouara Tanneries the oldest leather tannery in the world, with spectacular views from the surrounding balconies (1 hr)

   • Visit Bou Inania Madrasa the finest example of Marinid architecture in Morocco

   • Walk through the Nejjarine Fountain and woodwork museum • Explore the vibrant souk labyrinth spice markets, carpet sellers, and artisan workshops • Overnight in Fez

9. 9FEZ → CHEFCHAOUEN → RABAT⌄

   • Morning drive north to Chefchaouen Morocco's magical Blue City nestled in the Rif Mountains • Explore the famous blue-washed streets, the Kasbah Museum, and the central plaza

   • Drive south along the Atlantic coast to Rabat Morocco's elegant capital city • Visit the iconic Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum

   • Stroll through the ancient Kasbah des Oudayas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (45 min) • Overnight in Rabat mid-range hotel or luxury property (your choice)

10. 10RABAT → CASABLANCA → DEPARTURE⌄

    • Morning drive south to Casablanca Morocco's largest and most cosmopolitan city • Visit the awe-inspiring Hassan II Mosque Africa's largest mosque and the world's 5th largest, dramatically positioned on the Atlantic Ocean (1.5 hrs)

    • Walk through the Art Deco architecture of the Ville Nouvelle district • Lunch at Rick's Café or a seafood restaurant on the Corniche • Transfer to Casablanca Mohammed V Airport or Casablanca train station • Tour ends