9 Days Tour from Marrakech to Imperial Cities & Desert
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This is our 9 days tour from Marrakech, a private loop that ties the desert together with the old imperial cities in one trip. You travel with your own driver in an air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan, going south over the Atlas to the Merzouga dunes first, then up to Fes and back through Meknes and Rabat. Nine days gives you the sand, the gorges and the medinas without rushing any of them.
Trip highlights
- Private trip with your own driver and an air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- Explore the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the mud-brick ksar from the films
- Walk into the Todra gorge, where the cliffs rise close to 300 metres
- Drive the twisting Dades valley past its old kasbahs
- Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep in a desert camp
- Sunrise over the big dunes at Merzouga
Day 1: Marrakech to Ouarzazate
We pick you up after breakfast and climb the Tizi n’Tichka over the Atlas, stopping at Ait Ben Haddou to walk up through the old kasbah. From there it’s a short run to Ouarzazate, with a look at the Taourirt kasbah before the night.
Route: Marrakech, Tizi n’Tichka pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate. Night in a kasbah hotel.
Day 2: Ouarzazate to the Dades valley
We take the road of a thousand kasbahs east, through the palm oasis of Skoura and the Valley of Roses. The day ends among the red rock of the Dades valley, near the twisting gorge.
Route: Ouarzazate, Skoura, Valley of Roses, Dades valley. Night in a Dades guesthouse.
Day 3: Dades to Merzouga
We drive to the Todra gorge, where the cliffs rise close to 300 metres over the river, then carry on past Tinghir and Rissani to Merzouga. A camel takes you over the dunes to camp for the sunset.
Route: Dades, Todra gorge, Tinghir, Rissani, Merzouga. Sunset camel ride, night in a desert camp.
Day 4: A day in the dunes
After the sunrise you have the day around Erg Chebbi: a 4×4 loop past the nomad tents and the salt lake, and the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia in the afternoon. You spend a second night close to the sand.
Route: Merzouga, Khamlia, Erg Chebbi. Night in a desert lodge or camp.
Day 5: Merzouga to Midelt
We head north through Erfoud, known for its fossils, and follow the green Ziz valley up between the palms and the hills. The night is in Midelt, the mining town at the foot of the High Atlas.
Route: Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Ziz valley, Midelt. Night in a Midelt hotel.
Day 6: Midelt to Fes
We cross the Middle Atlas past the cedar forest near Azrou and the alpine-looking town of Ifrane. By afternoon you reach Fes, the oldest of the imperial cities, ready for the medina the next day.
Route: Midelt, Azrou, Ifrane, Fes. Night in a Fes riad.
Day 7: Fes medina
A full day on foot with a local guide through the walled medina, the tanneries, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and the old Jewish quarter. The evening is yours in the same riad.
Route: Fes medina walking tour. Night in a Fes riad.
Day 8: Fes to Rabat
We stop at Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis on the way west, then reach the capital, Rabat. There’s time for the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas before the night.
Route: Fes, Meknes, Volubilis, Rabat. Night in a Rabat hotel.
Day 9: Rabat to Marrakech
We drive down the coast through Casablanca, with a stop at the Hassan II mosque, and carry on to Marrakech in the evening. We drop you wherever you’re staying.
Route: Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech.
Included
- Private 4×4 or minivan with air-conditioning and an experienced driver
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation
- Camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga
- Eight nights in kasbah hotels, riads, guesthouses and a desert camp
- Breakfasts and dinners as per the itinerary
Not included
- International flights and airport taxes
- Lunches and drinks
- Monument and site entrance fees
- Tips for the driver and guides
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Hotels, standing and route match our operated tour; the exact accommodation and the full list of what’s included are confirmed when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour?
Yes. You travel with just your own group, your own driver and vehicle. Nobody else joins, so the stops and the pace are yours to set.
Where do we sleep along the way?
You spend a night in a desert camp in the dunes, reached by camel, plus nights in kasbah hotels or guesthouses on the road. The standing is the same as our operated tour, and we confirm the exact places when you book.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable. Summer days get very hot and winter nights in the desert are cold, so bring layers whatever the season.
Can we change the itinerary or the pick-up point?
Yes. Because it is private, we can add nights, swap stops, or start from a different city or airport. Tell us what you have in mind and we will adjust the plan.
Book the trip
Price on request. Send us a message on WhatsApp for dates and a quote, or hold your spot online with a deposit.