12-Day Morocco Imperial Cities & Desert Tour from Casablanca
Starts inCasablancaEnds inCasablanca Airport
Morocco’s four imperial cities, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, and the golden Sahara dunes shape this 12-day private Morocco tour from Casablanca. Spend two nights in Chefchaouen and two in Fes, visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and cross the Middle Atlas Mountains toward Erfoud and the Erg Chebbi dunes for a camel experience and an overnight desert camp stay. Continue through Todra Gorge, the Rose Valley, and Ait Ben Haddou to the High Atlas village of Imlil. A guided visit to Marrakech and a final night in coastal Essaouira complete the journey before your private transfer to Casablanca Airport. Travel with a professional private driver and licensed local guides for scheduled cultural visits.
For your own party · Flexible departure dates
01 / Overview
Your tour at a glance
Your 12-day, 11-night private Morocco journey begins with a pickup in Casablanca and a visit to Rabat, with guided sightseeing arranged around your arrival time. Continue north to Chefchaouen for two nights, allowing a full day to explore its blue-painted medina with a licensed local guide. Travel through the Roman archaeological site of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes before reaching Fes for two nights, including a guided exploration of its historic medina, traditional workshops, and architectural heritage. Beyond Fes, cross the Middle Atlas Mountains through Ifrane, the cedar forests, Midelt, and the scenic Ziz Valley to Erfoud. Continue through Rissani to Merzouga for a camel experience among the Erg Chebbi dunes and an overnight stay at a Sahara desert camp. The southern route leads through Todra Gorge, the Rose Valley, Ouarzazate, and Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to Imlil for an overnight stay. Continue to Marrakech for a guided city visit, followed by a final night in Essaouira on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Your journey concludes with a private transfer to Casablanca Mohammed V Airport.
Designed and organized by Aisha Morocco Tours, a licensed Moroccan tour operator operating since 2010, this itinerary combines local expertise with private transportation, licensed local guides for scheduled sightseeing, and eleven nights in selected riads, hotels, guesthouses, and a Sahara desert camp. Eleven breakfasts and eleven dinners are included, while the itinerary and accommodation arrangements can be tailored to your travel preferences, subject to confirmation.
- Tour type
- Private · your own party
- Departures
- On request, subject to availability
- Transport
- Private A/C vehicle & driver
- Local guides
- Licensed local guides · see included visits below
- Accommodation
- Riads · Hotels · Desert camp · Guesthouses
- Included meals
- 11 breakfasts & 11 dinners
Your route
- Casablanca
- Rabat
- Chefchaouen
- Volubilis & Meknes
- Fes
- Ifrane & Cedar Forest
- Midelt & Ziz Valley
- Erfoud
- Rissani
- Merzouga & Erg Chebbi
- Todra Gorges
- Rose Valley
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Imlil
- Marrakech
- Essaouira
- Casablanca Airport
Tour highlights
- Morocco’s four imperial cities
- Two nights in Chefchaouen
- Roman Volubilis and the Middle Atlas
- Erfoud, Rissani and the Sahara
- Todra Gorges, kasbahs and Imlil
- Essaouira on the Atlantic coast
Like all our private Morocco tours, this journey can be adapted to your interests and preferred pace.
02 / Day by day
Your 12-day itinerary
Open each day for the full program, accommodation and included meals.
Distances & driving times: All driving figures are approximate and refer to time in the vehicle, not the length of the day’s visit. Sightseeing, meals, rest stops, camel rides, and camp transfers take additional time.
Day 01Casablanca → Rabat
Meet your private driver at Casablanca Airport or your agreed accommodation. If your arrival time allows, stop at Hassan II Mosque to see its oceanfront setting, with an interior visit arranged around the visitor schedule. Continue to Rabat, where a licensed local guide leads your visit to Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the Bou Regreg estuary. We adapt today’s visits to your flight and complete any remaining planned Rabat sightseeing tomorrow. Settle into your riad in Rabat and enjoy dinner there.
- Distance
- Approx. 100–150 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 1.5–2.5 hours
- Accommodation
- Riad Kika Salam or similar · Rabat
- Included meals
- Dinner
Day 02Rabat → Chefchaouen
After breakfast, complete any remaining planned visits in Rabat with a licensed local guide before heading north toward the Rif Mountains. Check into your riad in Chefchaouen and take a first walk through its blue-painted medina. Explore the shops and small squares around Outa el Hammam, or pause at a café with views of the town. With a full day here tomorrow, there is time to settle in without rushing. Return to your riad in Chefchaouen for dinner.
- Distance
- Approx. 245–270 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 4–4.5 hours
- Accommodation
- Riad El Palacio & Spa or similar · Chefchaouen
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 03Discover Chefchaouen
Explore Chefchaouen on foot with your licensed local guide, from the blue-painted medina and craft shops to Outa el Hammam Square and the area around the historic kasbah. Continue to Ras El Maa at the edge of the old town, then enjoy time to browse or relax at a café. If you enjoy walking and the weather allows, take the optional path to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint for views over the town and Rif Mountains. Return to your riad in Chefchaouen for dinner.
- Driving distance
- 0 km — walking visit
- Driving time
- No scheduled driving
- Accommodation
- Riad El Palacio & Spa or similar · Chefchaouen
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 04Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes
After breakfast, travel south to Volubilis to explore its Roman mosaics, columns, and ancient streets with a licensed local guide. Continue to Meknes for a visit with a licensed local guide, taking in Bab Mansour Gate, El Hedim Square, and an introduction to the medina and the city’s imperial history. Visit order follows the opening arrangements. Reach Fes in the afternoon and check into your riad, with time to relax before dinner there. Your full guided visit of Fes takes place tomorrow.
- Distance
- Approx. 260–280 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 4.5–5 hours
- Accommodation
- Riad Ghita Palace or similar · Fes
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 05Guided Tour of Fes
Discover Fes with your licensed local guide after breakfast. Walk through Fes el-Bali’s narrow streets and artisan quarters, see Al Quaraouiyine from outside, and visit Bou Inania Madrasa and the Chouara Tanneries. Explore the Jewish Quarter and Nejjarine Museum, with time to watch craftspeople working in leather, pottery, and other traditional trades. Your guide arranges the visits around opening times and makes time for a lunch break. Return to your riad in Fes for dinner.
- City driving distance
- Approx. 5–10 km
- City driving time
- Approx. 30–45 minutes
- Accommodation
- Riad Ghita Palace or similar · Fes
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 06Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Erfoud
Leave Fes early after breakfast and stop in Ifrane before continuing to the cedar forest near Azrou. If Barbary macaques are present, watch them from a distance without feeding them. Cross the Middle Atlas toward Midelt, allowing time for lunch and rest stops, then follow the Ziz Valley’s palm groves south. Reach Erfoud, known for its fossil heritage, and check into your hotel in Erfoud for dinner. Your camp stay follows tomorrow.
- Distance
- Approx. 410–440 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 6.5–7.5 hours
- Accommodation
- Kasbah Tizimi or similar · Erfoud
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 07Erfoud → Rissani → Merzouga Sahara Desert
After breakfast, drive from Erfoud to Rissani to explore its traditional trading streets and market area, whose activity varies by day. Continue to Merzouga and take time to relax beside the Erg Chebbi dunes before your camel trek, arranged around the season and weather. At your camp near Merzouga, settle into your tent and enjoy a Moroccan dinner, followed by local drumming and time beneath the stars when the sky is clear.
- Distance
- Approx. 60–80 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 1–2 hours
- Accommodation
- Sahara Desert Camp or similar · Merzouga · Erg Chebbi
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 08Merzouga → Todra Gorges → Rose Valley → Ouarzazate
Watch sunrise over the dunes if the weather is clear, then have breakfast and leave early for Tinghir. Walk beneath the limestone cliffs of Todra Gorge before continuing through Kalaat M’Gouna and the Valley of Roses, where the rose bloom is seasonal. Pass villages and the palm groves of Skoura on the way to Ouarzazate. Reach your riad in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon or evening and enjoy dinner there.
- Distance
- Approx. 370–410 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 6–7 hours
- Accommodation
- Riad Chay Boutique or similar · Ouarzazate
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 09Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Imlil
Leave Ouarzazate early after breakfast and explore the earthen lanes and viewpoints of Ait Ben Haddou. Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka Pass, then continue through the foothills and Asni to Imlil. Settle into your mountain guesthouse in Imlil, surrounded by village terraces and High Atlas scenery. If time allows, take a short stroll before dinner at your guesthouse. This is a village stay; tell us in advance if you would like to arrange a guided mountain hike.
- Distance
- Approx. 250–280 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 5–6.5 hours
- Accommodation
- Tagra Imoula or similar · Imlil
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10Guided Tour of Marrakech
After an early breakfast in Imlil, drive through the High Atlas foothills to Marrakech and meet your licensed local guide. Visit Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, see the Koutoubia Mosque from outside, and explore the medina’s spice stalls, artisan workshops, and souks on foot. Your guide arranges the visits around opening times and explains the city’s history and traditions. Finish around Jemaa el-Fnaa Square before checking into your riad in Marrakech for dinner.
- Local driving distance
- Approx. 75–90 km
- Local driving time
- Approx. 2–2.5 hours
- Accommodation
- Riad Bahia Salam or similar · Marrakech
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 11Marrakech → Essaouira
After breakfast, drive west through argan-growing countryside to Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. Spend the afternoon exploring independently: walk through the white-and-blue medina, follow the sea-facing ramparts, and watch the fishing boats around the harbor. Take time for lunch, browse craft shops and small galleries, or stroll along the beach. Check into your hotel in Essaouira and enjoy dinner there.
- Distance
- Approx. 180–200 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 2.5–3.5 hours
- Accommodation
- Art House Hotel or similar · Essaouira
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 12Essaouira → Casablanca Airport
Your driver collects you from your hotel in Essaouira for the private transfer to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, with time for a rest stop and airport check-in. A late-afternoon or evening flight best suits this journey; an earlier flight may require changing the final-night arrangements. We confirm the pickup with your flight details, and breakfast is served before departure when the schedule allows. Your tour ends at the airport.
- Distance
- Approx. 360–390 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 4.5–5.5 hours
- Accommodation
- None — tour ends today
- Included meals
- Breakfast
03 / Accommodation
Where You’ll Stay
Eleven nights across nine stops, including two nights each in Chefchaouen and Fes, a Sahara camp night and an overnight stay in Imlil.
| Nights | Destination | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rabat | Riad Kika Salamor similar |
| 2–3 | Chefchaouen | Riad El Palacio & Spaor similar |
| 4–5 |  Fes | Riad Ghita Palaceor similar |
| 6 | Erfoud | Kasbah Tizimior similar |
| 7 |  Merzouga · Erg Chebbi | Sahara Desert Campor similar |
| 8 | Ouarzazate | Riad Chay Boutiqueor similar |
| 9 | Imlil | Tagra Imoulaor similar |
| 10 |  Marrakech | Riad Bahia Salamor similar |
| 11 | Essaouira | Art House Hotelor similar |
| Total | 11 NightsCheck-out on day 12. | |
Your written proposal confirms property names, room categories and camp arrangements before booking. Night 9 is in Imlil, followed by a transfer to Marrakech on day 10. Day 12 ends at Casablanca Airport, with no additional overnight stay.
Rooms that suit your party
Tell us if you need double, twin, single or family rooms. Connecting rooms and particular room preferences depend on availability. We show any single-room supplement in your quote.
Riad, mountain & camp access
Medina riads and mountain guesthouses may involve walking, stairs or uneven paths. Desert stays require travel over sand. Tell us about mobility needs, luggage assistance and preferred facilities so we can confirm suitable accommodation and access.
For a journey with upgraded accommodation, explore our Morocco luxury tours and discuss your preferred stays with our team.
04 / What your tour covers
Included & not included
Included
- Casablanca pickup & final airport transferPickup at Casablanca Airport or your agreed Casablanca accommodation on day 1, and the transfer from Essaouira to Casablanca Mohammed V Airport on day 12.
- Private transport & driverAir-conditioned road transport with a professional driver for your party, including the Imlil–Marrakech transfer on day 10.
- 11 nights’ accommodation1 night in Rabat, 2 in Chefchaouen, 2 in Fes and 1 each in Erfoud, a Sahara desert camp near Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Imlil, Marrakech and Essaouira.
- 11 breakfasts & 11 dinnersBreakfast on days 2–12 and dinner on days 1–11 at your overnight accommodation. Final-day breakfast depends on pickup time.
- Licensed local guidesLicensed local guides lead the scheduled visits in Rabat on days 1–2, Chefchaouen on day 3, Volubilis and Meknes on day 4, Fes on day 5, and Marrakech on day 10. The Rabat visits are arranged around your arrival time. Your private driver handles road transport. Your written quotation confirms any other local guided visits. Essaouira on day 11 is explored independently.
- Sahara camel experienceA camel experience in the Erg Chebbi dunes as part of your day 7 Merzouga camp stay, with timing coordinated around daylight and weather.
- Visits along your routeTime for the listed imperial-city, archaeological, forest, valley, gorge, kasbah and coastal stops, subject to opening arrangements and the agreed schedule.
Not included
- FlightsInternational and domestic flights.
- Lunches & drinksAll lunches, drinks and meals outside those expressly listed in the itinerary.
- Entrance feesPaid monument, palace, museum, garden and archaeological-site admission, including Hassan II Mosque and Volubilis, unless expressly included in your proposal.
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses & tipsShopping, gratuities and other personal purchases.
- Optional activities & extra nightsGuided mountain hikes, summit trekking, quad biking, optional film studio visits, extra nights and other services outside the agreed proposal.
Visits & admission tickets. The program includes the listed accommodation, meals, private road transport, Sahara camel experience and licensed local guides for the guided visits specified in the daily program. Paid admission is separate unless expressly included in your proposal. Airport pickup and the final transfer are coordinated with your confirmed flights.
05 / Price & booking
Your price & how to book
Price on request
We price this private tour for your own party. Share your dates, number of adults and children, preferred rooms and accommodation style, and we will prepare an itemized proposal.
- Your price is based on
- Group size, children’s ages, travel season, room occupancy, chosen accommodation and any itinerary changes.
- Single rooms & supplements
- Single-room costs, peak-season supplements and optional extras are shown separately when they apply.
- Before you confirm
- We state the total price, currency, inclusions and any payment fees in writing. Availability is checked for your dates.
Booking in 3 steps
- Tell us your plansSend your dates, number of travelers and room preferences. We prepare your personalized proposal.
- Agree the details & make your paymentReview the itinerary, stays, total price and conditions. Pay a 30% deposit when booking more than 30 days before the tour begins, or 100% when booking within 30 days of arrival. Reservations are subject to availability and our written confirmation after payment.
- Pay the remaining 70%If you paid a deposit, the remaining 70% is due at least 15 days before arrival. Bookings within 30 days require full payment at confirmation.
Payment options: credit/debit card, PayPal or bank transfer. See our booking guide for the complete process.
Changes & cancellation
Email us to request a change or cancellation. Changes are subject to availability; we explain additional costs before making changes. Cancellation charges depend on when we receive your email. See our cancellation policy for the rates, refund calculation and group-size changes. If we must cancel your tour, you can choose a full refund or an alternative date, subject to your agreement.
06 / Before you travel
Essential travel information
Airport transfers, vehicle & driver
Arrival & departure in Casablanca
Share your flight details before booking so we can plan the day 1 visits and your final transfer. On day 12 you travel from Essaouira directly to Casablanca Mohammed V Airport. Choose a departure late enough to allow approximately 4.5–5.5 hours of driving, breaks and airport check-in. An early flight may require revised final-night arrangements.
Your driver, city guides & mountain stay
Travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle selected for your party and luggage. Licensed local guides lead the guided visits specified in the daily program. You stay in Imlil on night 9 and transfer to Marrakech the next morning. Tell us before booking about mobility needs, child seats or a preferred 4×4 alternative to camel riding.
The journeys from Fes to Erfoud on day 6, Merzouga to Ouarzazate on day 8 and Ouarzazate to Imlil on day 9 require early starts and time for stops. Day 10 includes the Imlil–Marrakech transfer before the guided visit. Day 12 has a substantial road transfer from Essaouira to Casablanca Airport.
Walking & accessibility
Medinas, archaeological sites and kasbahs involve walking and uneven ground; Imlil accommodation may have steps and sloping access, while the desert includes sand. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can review properties, visits and transfers.
Weather & packing
Bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and layers for the mountains, desert and Atlantic coast. Imlil and the desert can be cool in the evening. Pack a small overnight bag for camp and check the forecast close to departure.
Meals & special requests
Eleven breakfasts and eleven dinners are included. Lunches and drinks are separate. Tell us about allergies, dietary preferences and arrival or departure times that affect meal service.
Visits & local arrangements
Paid admission is separate unless included in your proposal. Hassan II Mosque interior visits follow the visitor schedule; Koutoubia and Al Quaraouiyine are exterior visits. Rose flowering and wildlife sightings are seasonal or variable. Licensed local guides lead the guided visits specified in the daily program.
Documents & insurance
Check passport, visa and entry requirements with the appropriate official government or consular service. Travel insurance is excluded; consider suitable cancellation, medical and baggage cover.
Help during your tour
Keep our telephone and WhatsApp details with you. Tell your driver and our local team promptly if a problem arises or your flight changes, so we can review the arrangements with you.
Personalize the route, stays & guide language
Add a night, choose a different riad or slow down the city visits. Tell us your interests and preferred pace so we can explain the options and any price difference.
Local guides can be requested in English, Italian, French or Spanish, subject to availability. We agree language requirements before confirmation.
For a shorter journey focused on the Sahara, browse our Morocco desert tours.
For currency, clothing and connectivity, read our Morocco travel preparation advice.
07 / Frequently asked questions
Questions about this tour
Is this 12-day imperial cities and desert tour private?
Yes. Your transport, driver and itinerary are arranged for your own party, with licensed local guides for the guided visits specified in the daily program. The riads, hotels, mountain guesthouse and camp may host other travelers.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts at Casablanca Airport or your agreed Casablanca accommodation on day 1. It finishes at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport on day 12, after a private road transfer from Essaouira.
Which imperial cities does the tour visit?
The itinerary visits Morocco’s four imperial cities, with licensed local guides in Rabat on days 1–2, Meknes on day 4, Fes on day 5, and Marrakech on day 10. Licensed local guides also lead the visits in Chefchaouen on day 3 and Volubilis on day 4. The Rabat visits are arranged around your arrival time. It also includes Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, the Sahara, the High Atlas and Essaouira.
Where are the 11 overnight stays?
There is 1 night in Rabat, 2 in Chefchaouen, 2 in Fes and 1 each in Erfoud, a Merzouga desert camp, Ouarzazate, Imlil, Marrakech and Essaouira. Property names and room categories are confirmed in your proposal.
Which meals are included?
Dinner is included on days 1–11 and breakfast on days 2–12, making eleven dinners and eleven breakfasts. Lunches, drinks and other meals are separate. Breakfast on departure day depends on pickup time.
Do we sleep in Erfoud or in the desert?
Both are included on separate nights. Night 6 is in a hotel in Erfoud. On day 7 you travel through Rissani to Merzouga for a camel experience and a Sahara desert camp night with dinner and breakfast.
Is the overnight stay in Imlil followed by Marrakech?
Yes. Night 9 is in a guesthouse in Imlil. After an early breakfast on day 10, your driver takes you to Marrakech for the guided city visit and your overnight stay. Mountain trekking is not included.
How much driving is involved?
The longer road journeys include approximately 6.5–7.5 hours from Fes to Erfoud, 6–7 hours from Merzouga through Todra Gorges to Ouarzazate and 5–6.5 hours from Ouarzazate via Ait Ben Haddou to Imlil. Visits, meals, rest breaks and camp access take additional time.
What flight time works for departure from Casablanca?
A late-afternoon or evening flight is best suited to the final transfer from Essaouira. Allow approximately 4.5–5.5 hours on the road plus breaks and airport check-in time. Early flights may require changing the final-night arrangements; confirm your flights before booking.
What is the price, and are entrance fees included?
The price is on request and depends on your dates, party size, room choices and accommodation. Paid attraction admission and optional activities are separate unless expressly included in your written proposal, which confirms the total price and services.
Your journey starts here
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12-Day Morocco Imperial Cities & Desert Tour from Casablanca
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For a general question, call, email or message us. For a trip proposal, use the inquiry form.
Our offices in Casablanca & Marrakech
Casablanca
12 Rue M Kamal Casablanca, Morocco
Aisha Morocco Tours · Casablanca on Google Maps
Marrakech
Bureau 8 Étage 1, Jardine dabrar Imm. GH1, Marrakesh
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