Morocco — Casablanca to Marrakech via the Sahara

Day 1

Casablanca

Casablanca — arrive. Visit Hassan II Mosque and, depending on flight time, the Corniche and central Casablanca.

Day 2

Rabat

Casablanca to Rabat — drive to Rabat. Explore the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the medina.

Day 3

Chefchaouen

Rabat to Chefchaouen — drive north through the Rif foothills. Afternoon and evening wandering the blue-painted lanes of Chefchaouen.

Day 4

Fes

Chefchaouen to Volubilis to Meknes to Fes — morning departure. Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, continue through Meknes and arrive in Fes.

Day 5

Fes

Fes — full day with a specialist guide: Fes el-Bali, the tanneries, madrasas, artisan quarters, souks and historic fondouks.

Day 6

Sahara / Merzouga

Fes to Ifrane to Azrou to Midelt to Erfoud and Merzouga — cross the Middle Atlas through Ifrane and the cedar forests around Azrou. Continue via Midelt and the Ziz Valley to Erfoud and the edge of the Sahara.

Day 7

Sahara / Merzouga

Sahara — a full desert day rather than arriving and leaving immediately. Explore the Erg Chebbi dunes and surrounding desert communities. Late afternoon camel or 4x4 journey into the dunes for sunset.

Day 8

Dades / Boumalne

Merzouga to Tinghir to Todra Gorge to Dades — leave the Sahara for Tinghir and walk through spectacular Todra Gorge. Continue through the Valley of the Roses towards Dades.

Day 9

Ouarzazate

Dades to Kelaat M’Gouna to Skoura to Ouarzazate — explore the dramatic Dades landscapes, Kelaat M’Gouna, the Rose Valley and Skoura’s palm groves before continuing to Ouarzazate.

Day 10

Marrakech

Ouarzazate to Aït Ben Haddou to the High Atlas to Marrakech — visit the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, then cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka road to Marrakech.

Day 11

Marrakech / depart

Marrakech — full day for the medina, Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, the souks and gardens. Either depart late or, ideally, add another night.