We’ve packed a lot into this 10 days from Marrakech, you will check into a riad for the first three nights of your visit before embarking on journey which will inspire photographers throughout the trip.
After enjoying the delights of Marrakech – and the beautiful coastal city Essaouria – we journey inland, taking in the views over the High Atlas Mountains. There are abundant opportunities for photographers exploring the magnificent Dades Valley and driving along the famous “road of the Thousand Kasbahs”.
By the sixth day the environment will have changed completely: you’ll travel by camel to an overnight camp in the Sahara Desert. This will be followed by a two night stay in the medieval city Fes, experiencing the best of what this unique city has to offer.
The final part of the tour will take us towards the coast, with some fascinating stops on the way to Rabat, for your final overnight stay before we drive you to Casablanca for your flight home.
Upon arrival, we will pick you up and drive you to your hotel or riad in the Medina. Overnight at hotel or riad.
After breakfast in the hotel or riad , you can start exploring Marrakech “the red city of Morocco”. Your guide will ensure that you see the most important places of historical and cultural interest, including the Saadian tombs; the Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Coranique school.
Today, you will also walk the souks and enjoy the fascinating colours and the wonderful smells. Lunch at a restaurant near the square, then in the afternoon you will visit the Majorelle Gardens, and the Koutoubia Tower. Overnight accommodation will be in your hotel or riad as above.
After breakfast in your hotel or riad, you will start travelling to Essaouira, “Mogador”. Just before you get to Essaouira and since this is the land of the “Argan culture”, you will see herds of goats climbing the Argan trees looking for better food they can’t find on the ground.
Here you will have the opportunity to visit the women’s co-operative of Argan oil where they extract the oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medical properties. Get to Essaouira around 11 am and then start our exploration of the city; You’ll visit the Skala Fortress; see Thuya wood carved by artisans; walk through the alleys of the medina and view hundreds of handicrafts.
Essaouira knew many civilisations – including the Portuguese occupation, which affects much of its architecture – however, it remains a small village with much history. Because of its size and its characteristic blue doors and washed walls, it is also regarded as Morocco’s “Jewel of the Atlantics”. Our visit includes the Mellah – the Jewish headquarter, and the beach.
There is an annual festival of “Gnawa music”, where many musical groups come from different parts of Africa and the world. Today you will have lunch in a Moroccan way: bought fishes cooked to order, a very authentic experience. After that you will have some free time before we drive you back to Marrakech. Overnight at your hotel or riad as above.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 176 Km / 109 Miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 2 h 47 min
After breakfast in your hotel or riad, you will start travelling to Ouarzazat and the Dades Valley via the Tichka Pass and over the High Atlas Mountains. Today you will enjoy travelling through the dramatic road of the pass and the fascinating views over the Berber villages and the amazing landscape changing as the day progresses.
Your first stop will be at the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. Built by the last Berber chieftain El Glaoui Et-Hami in the late 19th century, it is now a UNESCO matrimonial historical site, which today still houses many Glaoui family members. Lunch by the Kasbah and continue to Ouarzazat, “the Hollywood of Africa”.
After lunch, travel to the Dades Gorge through the road of “the Thousand Kasbahs”, which offers many fine photo opportunities of nature and people. We’ll get to Kalaat Mgouna – famous for roses and its annual festival during the roses harvest in May – visit the Berber Souk of Kalaat Mgouna, then continue to Bouthaghrar along the Rose valley. On to the Dades Valley where you will enjoy seeing the amazing rock formation famous as “the monkey toes”. Overnight at hotel or riad.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 313 Km / 194 Miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 5 hrs
After breakfast in the hotel, you will start travelling to Merzouga via the Todra Gorge and the small towns of Erfoud and Rissani. In Todra valley you will enjoy the panoramic views of the old mud Berber villages overlooking the valley. At Todra Gorge, You will have the opportunity to walk under the 300m high red cliff, popular with many rock-climbers. Here you will have time for an hour’s hiking within the valley.
Afterwards, you will continue our trip to Erfoud and Rissani where we have lunch; afterwards, we leave for the village of Merzouga – After a welcoming glass of mint tea, you will check in to your hotel or riad. Overnight accommodation at hotel or riad.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 246 Km / 152 Miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 3 h 44 minutes
After breakfast in your hotel or riad, you will start an explorative journey of the area before you camel trek and spend the night at the desert camp. Today, you’ll visit the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their music and culture.
Not far away there’s the lake of Merzouga, with its bird populations, depending on the season. You will also visit the authentic souk of Rissani, an area that was famous for the caravans trading as far as Timbouctou in Mali. Here you will walk the souks , viewing vegetable , dates, crafts and animals.
If time permits, you may also visit the nomad wire house where many Berber handicrafts are priced lower than in the big cities. In the afternoon, you will mount your camel and trek within the sand sea of Merzouga, in time to enjoy the sunset before you have dinner in the camp where you spend the night.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 15 Km / 9 Miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 3 h 10 minutes
Rise early to watch what may be the best sunrise of your life over the sand dunes. After breakfast at the camp, you will transfer back to the village of Merzouga either by 4-wheel vehicle or camels to meet your driver. You couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes, changing with the light as the day progresses.
Commence your journey by traveling to Fes via the Ziz Valley and Ifrane. You will enjoy the fascinating landscape along the magnificent Ziz Gorges, carved through volcanic rock, and through the Tizi n’Talghamt Pass to Midelt.
Stop in Zaida to enjoy a barbecue and refreshments with a glass of mint tea, then continue our journey to Fes. You will stop at the Cedar Forest, in the Middle Atlas Mountains, where you will see the Barbarian apes in the wild. Pass by Ifrane city, known as the Moroccan Swiss, get to Fes at the end of the day, and check in to your hotel or riad.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 460 Km / 285 Miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 7 h 10 minutes
Most of the morning will be spent visiting the medina (the old city) and its alleys. You will start with a walking tour within the narrow labyrinth streets, visiting the famous old Tanneries , and then the Quaraouine Mosque and University , the Attarin Medersa and the Najjarin Fountain.
After lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant in the Medina, we will pick you up and drive to the old Jewish quarter and the Royal palace gate yard, where you will learn about the Jewish history in Morocco. Your visit includes the tile art factory and then a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. Overnight accommodation will be at your hotel or riad as above.
After breakfast in your hotel or riad, you will start travelling to Rabat via Volubilis and Meknes. Your journey will be over the Rif Mountains and the foothills of Zgouta. You will get to Volubilis, the well preserved Roman Empire in North Africa, dating to 25BC, where you will see the most beautiful Mosaics in Morocco dating back to 3rd century BC. Here you will learn a lot about the Roman occupation and culture in Morocco.
Afterwards, your journey continues to Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco; here you will see the fascinating gate Bab Mansour built by the sultan My Ismail, the royal granary and the Sahrij Souani basin used for irrigation and plantation. After some free time wandering in the Lahdim square , you will continue to Rabat via the highway. Overnight accommodation at hotel or riad.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 215 Km / 133 miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 2 hrs 30 minutes
After breakfast in your hotel or riad, we will drive you to Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier or Marrakech airport for your departure flight.
Once you book your 10 days Morocco tour from Marrakech with us, you should expect to stay at authentic hotels and luxury camps in the Sahara desert, including private rooms and ensuite tents with essential amenities, complete with private showers and flush toilets, ensuring a comfortable and private stay. Our guests can choose from various accommodation options, from luxurious suites to all-inclusive resorts. We have narrowed down the best accommodation options to suit all preferences, budgets, services, decorations, and locations. We gathered the top-rated hotels and desert camps in Morocco based on our deep experiences and we’ve organized them by luxury, mid-range, and budget to help you choose the best hotel for your group.
All our accommodations are decorated in Moroccan style. The rooms are clean and well-maintained, providing a truly outstanding experience such as complimentary breakfast, and guests praise the helpful staff, which is the perfect place to unwind after an exploration day full of activities. We constantly allow our guests to match between Our best-selected accommodations also. In case, these accommodations are not available on your requested dates, we’ll book the alternative ones in the same category and let you know in advance. If you have a preferred alternative accommodation in mind, just let us know and we’ll be happy to accommodate your request, ensuring it aligns with your travel plans and preferences. Your comfort and convenience are our priority! We invite you to get in touch with us, selecting the accommodation level and our local team will share the accommodation links.
The price of our 10-day desert tour from Marrakech & Kasbah trail varies depending on several factors, including accommodations, the size of your group, and the season of your travel. The more participants in your group, the lower the cost per person, making it ideal for larger groups seeking affordability.
For those who prefer to travel in October, April or the end of December, we highly recommend contacting us in advance. This will not only help you avoid peak season fees but also provide a greater chance of securing your preferred accommodations during these popular travel periods.
For a pricing quote, we invite you to get in touch with us as soon as you know your dates. Our expert team shall provide the best price that meets your requirements and budget.
I had an unforgettable 12 day trip with Traverse Morocco! Every detail was perfectly organized, and Mohammed was very quick in replying to our emails, from the first inquiry until the end of the tour. All our daily journeys amazed us from the stunning landscapes of the Sahara to the vibrant cities and hidden gems. Our guide Said was knowledgeable, friendly, and went above and beyond to make the experience personal and immersive. I felt safe, welcomed, and truly connected to Moroccan culture. Highly recommend Traverse Morocco for anyone seeking an authentic and seamless adventure!
Yes, Morocco is generally safe for tourists, but like any destination, it’s essential to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.
The best time to visit the Sahara Desert is during the cooler months, from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for exploring.
Visitors from many countries can enter Morocco visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. However, it’s essential to check visa requirements based on your nationality before traveling.
Moroccan cuisine is diverse and flavorful, known for dishes such as tagine (slow-cooked stews), couscous, and pastilla (a savory pastry). It often features a blend of spices like cumin, saffron, and cinnamon.
Tipping is appreciated for good service in Morocco, especially in restaurants, hotels, and for tour guides. Around 10% of the bill is usually considered appropriate.
Do not hesitage to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
+212 663 606 413
contact@traversemorocco.com
