Casablanca in 9 Days - Hassan II Mosque (Casablanca)
In Collaboration with Sahara Holiday Tours. Updated on March 18, 2026.
Multi-day road trip from Casablanca through Chefchaouen, Meknes and Fes, into the Sahara (Merzouga Erg Chebbi) and back via Todra Gorges, Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou, finishing in Marrakech. Includes desert overnight, sunrise and sunset time in the dunes, daily breakfast and most dinners as listed.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Sahara Holiday Tours, inspired by the tour Casablanca Desert Tour. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Hassan II Mosque (Casablanca)
- Blue medina of Chefchaouen
- Historic sites of Meknes & Volubilis
- Fes medina and royal quarter
- Erg Chebbi dunes, Merzouga (sunset & sunrise, sandboarding possible locally*) - see exclusions for details on paid extras* (not included here).**
More than 15 itineraries in Casablanca.
Itinerary
Day 1
Pickup in Casablanca, visit Hassan II Mosque, transfer via Rabat to Chefchaouen; evening in the blue medina. Overnight in Chefchaouen (breakfast included).
Casablanca - Rabat - Chefchaouen
Driver picks up from your hotel or airport in Casablanca, visit Hassan II Mosque, drive to Rabat for a short city introduction and then continue to Chefchaouen. Short walk at Ras El Ma and free time in the blue medina. Overnight in Chefchaouen with breakfast.
Tips from local experts:
- Have your hotel or flight pickup location confirmed the night before; drivers typically arrive within a 30–45 minute window from the scheduled 08:00 start.
- At Hassan II Mosque wear modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered) and bring a light scarf; guided internal visits follow set entry times—arrive early to avoid queues.
- Chefchaouen’s alleys are cobbled and often steep—pack comfortable shoes and plan short walking blocks; carry cash for small crafts and local cafes.
Day 2
Chefchaouen to Meknes, visit Meknes historic highlights and Volubilis ruins, then transfer to Fes. Overnight in Fes (breakfast included).
Chefchaouen - Meknes - Fes
Depart Chefchaouen for Meknes, enter the city walls to see main monuments (Bab El Mansour, Sahrij Souani) then continue to Volubilis via Moulay Idriss Zerhoun to visit the Roman ruins. Drive on to Fes for overnight with breakfast.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring a lightweight jacket for the morning; mountain weather in Chefchaouen can be cooler than coastal Casablanca.
- At Volubilis wear sun protection and comfortable walking shoes; archaeological sites have uneven ground and limited shade.
- Carry some small change for local vendors at Meknes and Moulay Idriss; restroom facilities at larger stops are available but not guaranteed at smaller viewpoints.
Day 3
Guided discovery of Fes: royal palace area, mellah, gardens, medina highlights, madrasas and tanneries. Overnight in Fes (breakfast included).
Fes City Tours
Morning Moroccan breakfast then guided exploration of Fes: Royal Palace exterior, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), Jnan Sbile Gardens, the old medina streets including Bab Boujloud, Al-Qarawiyyin area, the medieval madrasas and Chouara tannery. Return to hotel/riad for overnight.
- Monday12:30 – 10:30 PM
- Tuesday12:30 – 10:30 PM
- Wednesday12:30 – 10:30 PM
- Thursday12:30 – 10:30 PM
- Friday12:30 – 10:30 PM
- Saturday12:30 – 10:30 PM
- Sunday12:30 – 10:30 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Fes medina is a labyrinth—follow your guide and keep small valuables close; pick a visible meeting spot before separating for photos or shopping.
- Wear breathable clothing and carry a bottle of water; medina walking involves many short staircases and narrow alleys.
- Expect craftsmen to offer demonstrations; if you plan to shop, compare a few stalls and carry local currency for small purchases.
Day 4
Drive from Fes across the Middle Atlas via Ifrane, Azrou and Ziz Valley, reaching Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Overnight near the dunes with dinner and breakfast.
Fes – Azrou – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga Erg Chebbi
Early departure through Middle Atlas cedar forests (Ifrane, Azrou), lunch in Midelt, continue via Ziz Valley and Erfoud to Merzouga. Check in to hotel near the dunes; evening options include a sunset walk on the dunes and sandboarding (local providers; not included). Dinner and overnight near Erg Chebbi.
Tips from local experts:
- This is a long driving day with multiple stops; bring snacks and motion-sickness remedies if needed and expect periodic short rest breaks.
- Cedar forests can be cooler—layer clothing for temperature changes from mountains to desert.
- For dune activities at sunset bring a headlamp or flashlight for the return to the hotel, and secure loose items against sand.
Day 5
Sunrise in the dunes, return to Merzouga for breakfast, then visit Rissani, continue to Todra Gorges and onto Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight in Dades Valley.
Merzouga – Rissani – Todgha Gorges – Dades Valley
Pre-dawn wake for sunrise over the dunes (camel handlers or local guides manage mounts), return for breakfast and shower, travel to Rissani to see its souks, then continue to Todra (Todra) Gorges for panoramic walks and scenic viewpoints before arriving at Dades Valley for the night with dinner.
- MondayOpen 24 hours
- TuesdayOpen 24 hours
- WednesdayOpen 24 hours
- ThursdayOpen 24 hours
- FridayOpen 24 hours
- SaturdayOpen 24 hours
- SundayOpen 24 hours
Tips from local experts:
- Sunrise requires an early wakeup (often before 06:00); bring a warm layer—temperatures can be much cooler before dawn in the desert.
- At Todra Gorges wear sturdy shoes for short walks; shaded rest areas are limited, so carry sunscreen and water.
- If you plan to ride camels at sunrise confirm arrangements the evening before and wear clothing that protects against sun and sand (long sleeves, sunglasses).
Day 6
Drive from Dades Valley via Skoura and Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou, then across the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech. Overnight in Marrakech (breakfast included).
Dades Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
After breakfast depart Dades, stop in Skoura, brief visit around Ouarzazate (film studios area exterior), visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (walking around the village and viewpoints), have lunch in a local restaurant, then continue over Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech for hotel drop-off.
Tips from local experts:
- Tizi n'Tichka is a mountain pass with many switchbacks; if sensitive to motion, choose a seat near the front and plan for brief comfort stops.
- Ait Ben Haddou involves uneven paths and some short climbs—bring comfortable shoes and water; shade is limited during midday.
- If you want to visit inside film studio sites in Ouarzazate, confirm opening times in advance; exterior viewpoints are accessible without tickets.
Day 7
Morning sightseeing in Marrakech (Bahia Palace, Koutoubia, Menara Gardens), afternoon/evening in Jemaa el-Fna then transfer to requested airport/flight departure point.
Marrakech Tour Guide - Casablanca Airport
Breakfast then guided visit of Marrakech highlights: Bahia Palace, Koutoubia mosque (exterior), Menara Gardens and exploration of the souks. Evening in Jemaa el-Fna square with its evening performers and food stalls. At the agreed time the team will drop you off at your requested airport or departure point.
Tips from local experts:
- Bahia Palace and many palaces have strict opening hours—visit these first in the morning to avoid peak crowds and heat.
- Jemaa el-Fna becomes very lively after sunset; keep small valuables secure and agree on a clear meeting point with your guide if you split up.
- If you require airport transfer after the tour, confirm the airport (Marrakech Menara or Casablanca Mohammed V) and pickup time with the operator the day before.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 9 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Couples |
| Transfers | 4 |
| Restaurants | - |
| Total Activities | 3 |
| Total Places | 3 |
| Activities Types | Transfer, Culture, Outdoor |
Why this experience
This 9-day road trip is Morocco in full—a journey that moves you from Atlantic coast through mountain towns steeped in history, into the Sahara's vast golden dunes, and back through valleys carved by ancient trade routes. You'll start in Casablanca, climb into the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, explore the medinas of Meknes and Fes where time moves differently, then cross the Middle Atlas into the desert where stars dominate the night sky. The Merzouga Erg Chebbi dunes offer the iconic Sahara experience—a sunrise or sunset camel trek, nights under canvas, and the kind of silence that recalibrates how you see the world.
The return journey winds through equally dramatic landscape: the Todra Gorges, where canyon walls rise 300 meters on either side, the Dades Valley with its terraced villages, and Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-protected ksar (fortified village) where centuries of architecture and storytelling are written into mud brick. You finish in Marrakech, giving you the option to extend or depart refreshed. Daily breakfasts and most dinners are included, anchoring your days with good food and communal meals that bring travelers and guides together.
This itinerary is designed for couples seeking immersion—not a rushed checklist, but a genuine relationship with Morocco's geography, people, and rhythms. You'll experience mountain ranges, desert silence, oasis towns, and the hospitality of guides and riads who make this journey feel less like tourism and more like travel.
Before you go
- Best time: Autumn and spring are ideal—daytime temperatures are warm (22–28°C) and nights are cool but not freezing. Winter can be cold in mountains and deserts; summer heat in the Sahara exceeds 40°C and is intense for trekking.
- Budget: Premium for a 9-day journey. Check the booking widget for current tour pricing. Daily breakfast and most dinners are included; budget for lunches, snacks, tips, and any optional activities (camel trekking, hammam sessions).
- Difficulty: Moderate. You're in a vehicle most days (typically 6–7 hours of driving), which handles the physical demands. The camel trek in the Sahara is easy—even first-timers manage. Desert nights in camps are basic but authentic. Overall fitness: comfortable for most travelers.
- What to bring: Layers for dramatic temperature swings (warm days, cold mountain/desert nights), sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, a scarf for sun and cultural respect, a headlamp or flashlight for the desert, camera, and cash for personal expenses and tips.
- Getting there: Your guide picks you up in Casablanca on day one. The 9-day itinerary concludes in Marrakech, where you'll arrange your own onward travel or extension.
- Accessibility: This journey involves long days in a vehicle and overnight desert camping. If you have mobility concerns or prefer easier sleeping arrangements, discuss adaptations with your operator—some offer alternative lodging or shorter segments.
Frequently asked questions
What's the desert camp like? You'll sleep under stars in a traditional Berber tent or basic camp, with a mattress and blankets. Toilets are basic (often composting or portable), and showers are limited (usually a bucket and privacy screen). It's rustic, not luxury, but the experience of waking to the Sahara makes up for it.
How physically demanding is the camel trekking? Very easy. You'll ride for 1–2 hours (typically at sunrise or sunset), and the camels are accustomed to tourists. Even people who've never ridden before manage comfortably. More of a spiritual moment than a physical challenge.
Are meals good quality? Yes. Most operators prioritize food—expect hearty tagines, fresh bread, couscous, salads, and shared plates that reflect Moroccan home cooking. Vegetarian options are available if you request ahead.
Can I shorten this to 6 or 8 days? Yes. The 6-day version follows a similar route with fewer stops, and longer 8-12 day tours offer variations in itinerary. Check with your operator about flexibility.
What if I'm nervous about sleeping in the desert? The experience is safer and more comfortable than it sounds. Camps are organized, guides are experienced, and the magic of the Sahara tends to ease concerns once you're there. Many nervous travelers call it the highlight of their trip.
Is this better private or small-group? Both work. Private tours offer intimacy and customization; small groups (4–10 people) create shared adventure and often lead to friendships. Choose based on your travel style.
Complete your trip in Casablanca
This 9-day tour can stand alone or extend further. Consider the 8-day Tangier-to-Marrakech journey for a different starting point and routing, or return to Casablanca with the 6-day desert tour for a faster-paced version. Browse all Casablanca itineraries for other combinations.
*Last updated: April 2026*
