7 Days Desert Trip from Marrakech to Imperial Cities and Chefchaouen
Overwiev of the 7 Days Desert Trip from Marrakech to Imperial Cities
This 7-day Morocco tour from Marrakech offers a captivating journey through imperial cities, breathtaking mountains, and the golden sands of the Sahara Desert. Starting in Marrakech, the adventure leads you through Morocco’s cultural and historical heartlands, including Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, and Fes. Travelers will explore iconic sites such as the Hassan II Mosque, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and the blue-painted streets of Chefchaouen.
The trip also takes you deep into Morocco’s natural beauty, from the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas with their playful Barbary macaques, to the towering dunes of Merzouga where you can experience the magic of the desert. Scenic routes wind past oases, valleys filled with roses, dramatic gorges, and the legendary Ait Benhaddou Kasbah before returning to vibrant Marrakech. With a blend of history, culture, landscapes, and desert adventure, this tour is ideal for travelers seeking an authentic Moroccan experience.
Overwiev of the 7 Days Desert Trip from Marrakech to Imperial Cities
Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the world.
Explore Rabat, Morocco’s capital city, including Hassan Tower and Chellah Kasbah.
Discover the magical blue city of Chefchaouen, nestled in the Rif Mountains.
Walk through history at Volubilis, Morocco’s best-preserved Roman archaeological site.
Guided tour of Fes, home to the world’s oldest university and Morocco’s spiritual heart.
Scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping at Ifrane and the cedar forests of Azrou.
Experience the Sahara Desert in Merzouga, with camel rides and stunning sand dunes.
Admire the dramatic landscapes of Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley.
Travel along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, through Skoura’s palm groves and Kalaat M’gouna’s rose valley.
Visit the cinematic city of Ouarzazate and the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, famous for its film sets.
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass before returning to Marrakech.
Detailed Itinerary of the 7 Days Desert Trip from Marrakech to Imperial Cities
DAY 1: MARRAKECH - CASABLANCA - RABAT (275KM)
At 9am you will be picked up from your accommodation in Marrakech. Then we will start our journey from Marrakech to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Before that, we will make a stop in Casablanca, where we will visit the Hassan II Mosque (the largest and most famous mosque in Africa). After lunch, we continue our first day in Rabat, where we visit the Hassan Tower and the Chellah Kasbah. Overnight stay in a riad.
DAY 2: RABAT-KENITRA-SOUK LARBA-CHEFCHAOUEN (215KM)
After breakfast we will drive towards Chefchaouen, crossing the fantastic Rif mountains and passing through many Rif villages. Arrival in Chefchaouen, the Blue City, in the early afternoon.
Overnight stay will be in a riad/hotel.
DAY 3: CHEFCHAOUEN-OUAZAN-FEZ (190KM)
On the 3rd day of this trip from Marrakech, we will leave Chefchaouen towards Fez City. During our trip you will be guided to visit some places and sights. We will drive through the city of Ouazan, stop in Meknes for lunch and visit some sites of this imperial city such as Bab Mansour Gate and Lahdim Square. We will then visit Volubilis, the most important Roman ruins in Morocco and a valuable archaeological site that has survived for centuries. We will then continue our journey to Fez. Overnight and dinner in a riad/hotel in Fez.
DAY 4: HISTORICAL VIST FEZ
You will have breakfast before your authorized and experienced tour guide will take you on a discovery tour. You will be guided to explore Fes, which is the oldest and first imperial city in Morocco. It has also been a religious, intellectual and cultural center for centuries.
On this day you will visit sites such as Al Qaraouine University (the first university founded in the world), Fes El Bali, the Royal Palace, the beautiful fountains and much more. Then you will have lunch at a local restaurant in the medina of Fes. Afterwards, you will take a short walk through the new town of Fes (modern Fes). Overnight stay in a riad/hotel.
DAY 5: FEZ - IFRAN - AZROU - MERZOUGA (450KM)
Today we leave Fes towards Merzouga and drive through several beautiful places to enjoy the views and landscapes offered by the Middle Atlas Mountains. This day we will stop in the famous and beautiful cedar forest, where you will have the opportunity to take some wonderful photos of the panoramic views and the monkeys playing. The day continues until we stop for lunch at a restaurant in Midelt. Then we continue our tour and drive to our destination. Overnight stay in a hotel.
DAY 6: MERZOUGA - TOUDRA GORGE - SKOURA - OUARZAZAT (350KM)
After breakfast and shower, we drive via Gorge Dades past oases and palm trees of Tinjdad city, way towards gorge Toudra is a gorge in the eastern part of the high Atlas Mountains in Morocco, you will have this opportunity to take your lunch.
After lunch, we continue our way to Ouarzazat and pass through the rose town of Kala Mgouna, a beautiful town where thousands of roses are harvested every year on the first weekend of May in the valleys of Mgouna in the Dades Valley and where a festival is traditionally celebrated. Then continue to Skoura, along the road of 1000 kasbahs and palm oases. Arrival in Ouarzazat. Overnight stay in your riad.
DAY 7: OUARZAZAT - AIT BENHADOU - MARRAKECH (210KM)
After breakfast at your riad, we take road via Marrakech, arriving in Ait benhadou Kasbah, is a fortified city, located on a hill along the Ounilla River, now is known, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1987, and several films have been made there (Gladiator, Babel…) after the visit take our way through the important pass of the caravans in High Atlas Mountains Tizi’nt Tichka pass (2260 meters high). We stop for lunch in a typical restaurant, after lunch continue to Marrakech.leave at your accommodation. End of the trip from Marrakech.
- Included services
- Private transport AC minibus with English speaking guide/driver
- We will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation
- 1 night in a desert camp in private tents
- Camel trekking in the Sahara Merzouga
- Dinner and breakfast
- Excluded services
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Entrance fees, other personal expenses and pocket money
Map - 7 Days Desert Trip from Marrakech to Imperial Cities
FAQs about the 7 Days Desert Trip from Marrakech to Imperial Cities
The tour usually includes transportation in a comfortable vehicle, English or French-speaking driver/guide, accommodation along the route, breakfast and some dinners, and a desert camel trek with an overnight stay in a Sahara camp.
Yes, it’s recommended to bring light clothes for the day, warm layers for the cold desert nights, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes.
The camel trek typically lasts 1 to 1.5 hours each way, allowing you to enjoy sunset and sunrise over the dunes.
Yes, most tours can be tailored depending on your interests, whether you want to shorten the camel ride, add 4×4 transport in the desert, or extend your stay in Marrakech.
Yes, families are welcome. Many agencies offer shorter camel rides or alternative 4×4 options for children or older travelers who may find riding camels difficult.
Accommodation varies between traditional riads, guesthouses, and desert camps. In Merzouga, you can often choose between standard and luxury desert camps.
The tour is moderately easy. The only physically demanding activity is the camel trek, but alternatives like 4×4 transfer are available.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal, with pleasant temperatures. Summer can be extremely hot, while winter nights are very cold in the desert.
Breakfast is usually included daily, while some dinners (especially in the desert camp) are also provided. Lunches and drinks are usually not included.
Yes, most accommodations and desert camps can prepare vegetarian or special meals upon request if notified in advance.
Wi-Fi is available in most riads and hotels, but in the desert camp the connection is limited or unavailable, making it a perfect digital detox experience.
