Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour 9 Days from Casablanca to Marrakech

Upon your arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN), your private driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Begin your Moroccan adventure with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, perched over the Atlantic Ocean—one of the few active mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. Spend the rest of your evening relaxing along the oceanfront Corniche

• Hassan II Mosque tour, coastal Corniche stroll

Depart Casablanca in the morning for Rabat, Morocco's political capital. Tour the 12th-century Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the oceanfront Kasbah of the Udayas.

In the afternoon, travel north through the scenic Rif Mountains via Ouazzane, arriving in Chefchaouen by late afternoon. Walk through its cobalt-blue medina, exploring Plaza Uta el-Hammam and taking in panoramic views from a local Riad terrace

• Hassan Tower, Kasbah of the Udayas, Chefchaouen blue medina

Depart Chefchaouen after breakfast, driving south through the fertile northern plains to Volubilis, North Africa's best-preserved UNESCO Roman site, famous for intact mosaic floors and triumphal arches.

Continue to the imperial city of Meknes to marvel at the monumental Bab Mansour gate and Moulay Ismail Mausoleum before arriving in Fes in the late afternoon to check into your boutique Riad

• Volubilis Roman ruins, Bab Mansour gate in Meknes, Fes arrival

Join a licensed local guide for an in-depth walking tour of Fes el-Bali, the world's largest car-free urban area and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visit the golden bronze doors of the Royal Palace, the historic Jewish Quarter (Mellah), the 14th-century Bou Inania and Attarine Medersas, and watch leather artisans working at the famous Chouara Tannery. Finish with a panoramic sunset view over Fes from the Merenid Tombs

• Chouara Tannery, Bou Inania Medersa, Al-Qarawiyyin, Merenid Tombs

Travel south through the Middle Atlas range, stopping in alpine-style Ifrane and the ancient cedar forest of Azrou to observe native Barbary macaques.

Pass through Midelt for lunch, then descend along the palm-lined canyon of the Ziz Valley toward Erfoud. Arrive in Merzouga by late afternoon, mounting camels or riding in a 4WD vehicle into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi for a luxury desert camp stay featuring traditional Berber dinner and campfire drumming under the stars

• Azrou macaques, Ziz Valley canyon drive, Erg Chebbi luxury camp

Wake early to capture the sunrise across the Sahara sand ridges. After breakfast at camp, drive to Rissani to explore its traditional desert market.

Continue to Todra Gorge, taking a guided walk along the riverbed beneath vertical 300-meter limestone cliffs. Drive into the Dades Valley, admiring unique geological formations and winding mountain road passes before settling into your hotel

• Erg Chebbi sunrise, Rissani market, Todra Gorge walk, Dades rock formations

Drive along the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs," passing through the fragrant Rose Valley in Kelaat M'Gouna and the Skoura palm grove.

Explore the famous UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, feature location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Visit the historic Telouet Kasbah before crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the panoramic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260 m), descending into Marrakech

• Rose Valley, Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, Telouet Kasbah, Tizi n'Tichka Pass

Explore the "Red City" with your private local guide. Tour the architectural marvels of Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Ben Youssef Medersa.

In the afternoon, stroll through the vibrant artisan souks and visit the serene cobalt-blue Majorelle Garden. Spend your final evening enjoying the lively storytellers, musicians, and food stalls at Jemaa el-Fnaa Square

• Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Majorelle Garden, Jemaa el-Fnaa Square

Enjoy breakfast at your Riad before your dedicated driver provides a comfortable private transfer directly to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) or Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN) according to your departure flight schedule