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Ready for an adventure that weaves together Morocco's grand imperial history with the raw magic of the Sahara? This 6-day private tour from Casablanca is the perfect introduction to a country where ancient medinas, Roman ruins, and Atlantic breezes collide with golden dunes and star-filled desert skies.
Over six unforgettable days, you'll stand beneath the towering minaret of the Hassan II Mosque, wander the blue-washed alleys of Chefchaouen (on select itineraries), explore all four imperial cities — Rabat, Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech — and ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night in a luxury desert camp. You'll cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, feed wild Barbary macaques in ancient cedar forests, and walk between the 300-meter walls of Todra Gorge.
With a private English-speaking driver, handpicked riads and hotels, and all the logistics handled, you get the perfect balance of guided discovery and personal freedom. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to dig deeper, this tour delivers the Morocco you've been dreaming of.
Explore Morocco's imperial cities, the Sahara Desert, and the stunning landscapes on this 6-day journey.
Your Moroccan adventure begins in Casablanca, where your driver meets you at the airport, port, or hotel. Our first stop is the magnificent Hassan II Mosque — the largest in Africa and one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. Its 210-meter minaret towers over the Atlantic, and the intricate marble, cedar wood, and zellige tile interiors are breathtaking.
From there, we head north to Rabat, Morocco's elegant capital. Stroll through the Kasbah of the Udayas, a 12th-century fortress with whitewashed walls and blue shutters perched above the ocean, then visit the Hassan Tower and the marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After lunch, we continue to Meknes, the "Versailles of Morocco" under Sultan Moulay Ismail. Walk through the monumental Bab Mansour gate, visit the royal stables, and explore the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum before driving to Fes for the evening. Settle into a beautiful riad in the heart of the medina.
After breakfast, your local guide meets you for a full-day immersion into Fes el-Bali, the oldest medina in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter through the iconic Blue Gate (Bab Bou Jeloud) and navigate the labyrinth of over 9,000 alleyways where craftsmen still work leather, copper, and ceramics as they have for centuries.
You'll visit the Royal Palace gates, the Jewish quarter (Mellah), and the South Borj for a panoramic view over the ancient city. Highlights include the University of Al-Qarawiyyin — the oldest continuously operating university in the world — and the famous Chouara Tanneries, where hides are dyed in vibrant stone pits. Stop at the exquisite Bou Inania Madrasa, a masterpiece of Marinid architecture, and the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts. After lunch in a traditional restaurant, visit the Merenid tombs for a sunset view over the medina before returning to your riad.
The landscape transforms today as we leave Fes and climb into the Middle Atlas Mountains. First stop: Ifrane, nicknamed "Little Switzerland" for its alpine architecture, clean streets, and cool climate. Continue through the cedar forests near Azrou, where Barbary macaques roam freely — they're friendly, and you can feed them while taking photos.
We cross through Midelt, Morocco's apple capital, with views of snow-capped Mount Ayachi in winter, then descend through the spectacular Ziz Valley, where thousands of palm trees create a lush green ribbon through the desert. Passing through Errachidia and Erfoud — famous for fossils and its annual dates market — we reach Merzouga by late afternoon. Here, your camel awaits. Ride into the towering Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun begins to set, painting the sand in shades of gold and violet. Arrive at your luxury desert camp in time for mint tea, a traditional dinner, and Berber music around the campfire. Sleep in a comfortable private tent beneath a canopy of stars.
Rise early for a breathtaking Sahara sunrise — the dunes shift from deep purple to rose to brilliant gold in a matter of minutes. After breakfast at camp, camel-trek back to meet your driver.
We visit Rissani, a historic town that was the first capital of the Alaouite dynasty, and explore its traditional souk if it's a market day (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday). Continue to Erfoud to visit a fossil workshop, then drive to the Todra Gorges, Morocco's highest and narrowest canyon, where 300-meter red cliff walls rise dramatically from the riverbed. Enjoy lunch here and take a stroll through the canyon before driving to the Dades Valley, famous for its bizarre rock formations nicknamed "monkey fingers." Dinner and overnight in a charming hotel overlooking the valley.
After breakfast, we follow the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" through the Valley of the Roses, stopping in Kelaat M'gouna to see how locals distill rose water and craft cosmetics — especially vibrant during the May Rose Festival. Continue through the palm groves of Skoura and visit the 17th-century Kasbah Amridil.
In Ouarzazate — Africa's Hollywood — you can optionally visit the Atlas Film Studios and the Taourirt Kasbah. Then comes the crown jewel: Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified ksarah and UNESCO World Heritage site that has starred in Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and Lawrence of Arabia. Walk its ancient mud-brick alleys and enjoy lunch with panoramic views before crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m). Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon and check into your riad in the medina.
After breakfast, spend the morning discovering Marrakech with a local guide. Visit the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, the opulent Bahia Palace, the serene Saadian Tombs, and the legendary Jemaa el-Fna square, where snake charmers, storytellers, and food stalls create an unforgettable sensory experience. Wander the souks and visit the Majorelle Gardens if time permits.
In the afternoon, depending on your flight or travel plans, your driver transfers you back to Casablanca (approximately 2.5 hours) or drops you at your Marrakech accommodation. Your 6-day imperial cities adventure ends here — but the memories will last a lifetime.
Find answers to the most common questions about our 6-day Morocco Imperial Cities tour.
The tour includes private pick-up in Casablanca and drop-off in Casablanca or Marrakech, a private air-conditioned 4x4 or minibus, an experienced English- or Spanish-speaking driver/guide, 4 nights in handpicked hotels and riads with breakfast and dinner, 1 night in a luxury desert camp with dinner and breakfast, a guided tour of Fes medina, camel treks in Merzouga, and all fuel and parking fees.
Entrance fees to monuments and museums (approximately €15–25 total), lunches, drinks, personal expenses, travel insurance, and gratuities for your driver, guides, and camp staff.
This is a fully private tour. You'll travel only with your own family, friends, or group in a private vehicle with your own driver. Your schedule, stops, and pace can be adjusted to your interests — something impossible on a shared bus tour.
Yes, the sunset camel trek is included. The ride takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, with a stop on top of a high dune to watch the sunset and take photos. A sunrise camel trek is also available the next morning. If you prefer not to ride a camel, we can arrange a 4x4 transfer to the camp instead at no extra cost.
Our luxury desert camp features comfortable private tents with proper beds, mattresses, blankets, and pillows. Luxury tents include en-suite private bathrooms and hot showers. Standard camps provide clean shared facilities nearby. All camps include a dining tent, traditional Berber music around the campfire, and dinner/breakfast. The camp has electricity from solar panels.
Pack comfortable layered clothing — days are warm, but desert nights can be surprisingly cool, especially from October to February. Essentials include: sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 50+), a wide-brimmed hat or scarf, closed-toe shoes or sneakers for walking in the medinas and camel riding, a warm fleece or jacket for the evening, a portable charger, and a camera. For the camel trek, bring only a small soft backpack with overnight essentials; your main luggage stays with the vehicle.
Yes. Our luxury camps feature private en-suite bathrooms with hot showers inside each tent. Standard camps provide clean shared facilities with warm water available in the evenings. We'll confirm your exact camp setup before booking so you know exactly what to expect.
Absolutely. The tour is private and fully adaptable. Camel rides are slow and guided, and 4x4 transfers are available for anyone who prefers not to ride. We've hosted travelers from ages 5 to 85. If you have specific mobility concerns, just let us know in advance and we'll adjust accordingly.
Yes. Since this is a private tour, we can add extra nights in any city, upgrade accommodations, include a visit to Chefchaouen, or adjust the pace. Want to spend more time in Fes or add a cooking class in Marrakech? Just send us a message and we'll craft your perfect trip.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most pleasant temperatures across all regions. Summer (June to August) is very hot, especially in Marrakech and the desert, but tours still run with adjusted schedules for early mornings and late afternoons. Winter (December to February) brings cold desert nights but beautiful clear skies, fewer crowds, and lower prices.
Yes. Moroccan cuisine is naturally accommodating — tagines, couscous, and salads can easily be prepared vegetarian or vegan. Please inform us of any dietary requirements when booking, and we'll ensure the riads and camps are prepared. Gluten-free options are also available with advance notice.
Travelers from the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and many other countries do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your travel date. Please check with your local Moroccan consulate if you are unsure.
The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the local currency. Euros and US dollars are widely accepted for exchange, and ATMs are available in all major cities on the route (Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech). We recommend carrying some cash for lunches, tips, and small purchases in the medinas.
Real reviews from our happy travelers who experienced the 6-day Morocco Imperial Cities tour.
May 15, 2025
This 6-day tour was the perfect introduction to Morocco. Starting from Casablanca airport, we saw the Hassan II Mosque, explored Rabat's beautiful kasbah, and got wonderfully lost in the Fes medina with our incredible guide. The Sahara sunset camel ride was magical, and the luxury camp far exceeded our expectations — hot showers, real beds, and the most delicious tagine. Crossing the Atlas to Marrakech on day 5 was the perfect finale. Six days, zero wasted time. Merci!
April 22, 2025
We flew into Casablanca and wanted to see as much as possible in a week. This tour delivered — from the imperial cities to the Sahara dunes, every day was completely different. Our driver was exceptional, always stopping for the best photo viewpoints and never rushing us. The Fes medina day with the local guide was a highlight — we never would have found those hidden corners on our own. The kids loved feeding the monkeys in Azrou and the camel ride. Already planning our return!
March 8, 2025
Traveling with our teenage kids, this was the ideal balance of culture and adventure. They loved the Barbary apes, the camel ride, and the campfire drumming in the desert. We loved the history in Fes and Meknes, and the riads were absolutely charming — especially the one in Fes with its intricate tilework. Ending in Marrakech meant we could explore the souks at our own pace. A perfect family trip.