8 day Morocco itinerary at a glance
Eight days is the point where a Casablanca to Marrakech loop stops feeling rushed. Compared with a one-week route, you gain a car-free day in Fes and a full day in the desert, so the long transfer days are always followed by a slower one.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen | Hassan II Mosque, Hassan Tower, Rif Mountains | Riad in Chefchaouen |
| 2 | Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes | Roman mosaics, Bab Mansour gate | Riad in Fes |
| 3 | Fes guided day | Fes el-Bali, Chouara tannery, Bou Inania, Al Quaraouiyine | Riad in Fes |
| 4 | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga | Cedar forests, macaques, palm canyon | Hotel at the edge of the dunes |
| 5 | Erg Chebbi | Nomad visit, Khamlia Gnawa music, sunset camel trek | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 6 | Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dadès Valley | Sahara sunrise, gorge walk | Kasbah hotel in the Dadès |
| 7 | Dadès – Kelaat M'Gouna – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech | Valley of Roses, UNESCO ksar, Tizi n'Tichka | Riad in Marrakech |
| 8 | Marrakech guided visit – departure | Bahia Palace, Koutoubia, Saadian Tombs, souks | – |
Who the 8 days tour from Casablanca is for
This route suits travellers who land in Casablanca, leave from Marrakech and want a complete picture of Morocco without changing hotel every single night. Two nights in Fes and two at Merzouga give you a base twice during the week. It works well for couples, families with children who can handle a few long days, and small groups of friends.
Choosing between 7, 8 and 9 days
- 7 days: the same regions with one desert night and less time in Fes; see the 7 day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca.
- 8 days (this tour): a full Fes day, a full desert day and guided time in Marrakech.
- 9 days: extra breathing space; compare the 9 day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca.
All of our routes from the airport are listed on private tours from Casablanca. Because this is a private tour, you can also return to Casablanca at the end, or add an extra night in Marrakech.
Driving times and pacing over 8 days in Morocco
- Day 1: about 5 hours of driving, with the Hassan II Mosque and Rabat on the way.
- Day 2: about 4 hours, with stops at Volubilis and Meknes.
- Day 3: no driving; a walking day in Fes.
- Day 4: the longest leg, about 7 to 8 hours with stops, from Fes to Merzouga.
- Day 5: only short 4x4 tracks around the dunes.
- Day 6: about 5 hours via the Todra Gorge.
- Day 7: about 6 to 7 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka (2,260 m), with Aït Benhaddou on the way.
- Day 8: city sightseeing and airport transfer.
All roads are paved. The mountain sections are winding, so anyone prone to travel sickness should sit in front. Your driver-guide adjusts photo and tea stops to your energy levels.
Two nights at Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi camel trek
On day four you arrive at Merzouga and sleep in a comfortable hotel near the dunes. Merzouga itself has comfortable, clean, well-serviced hotels rather than a luxury tier, so this night is the same in both categories.
Day five is entirely in the desert: a morning by 4x4 to visit a nomad family and Khamlia for Gnawa music, then a camel ride of about an hour and a half to watch sunset from a dune before reaching camp. The camel ride depends on camel availability that day; if none are free, you go to camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes and ride camels the next morning on the way back.
In the comfort camp, private tents, normally for two, have their own bathroom and toilet; a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used, and the luxury category upgrades the camp. Erg Chebbi has many camps, so we do not organise isolated wild bivouacs. Read about camel trekking in the Merzouga desert for more detail.
Inclusions, seasons and practical tips
Included: pick-up in Casablanca and drop-off in Marrakech, a private air-conditioned vehicle and driver-guide for eight days, seven nights' accommodation with daily breakfast, dinners in the Sahara and the Dadès Valley, the camel trek and private walking guides in Fes and Marrakech. Not included: international flights, lunches, dinners in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech, entrance tickets (for example Volubilis), tips and travel insurance. Prices start from €950 per person for 4 to 6 travellers; smaller parties receive an adjusted quote.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Summer is very hot in Fes and the Sahara, while winter brings cold desert nights, rain in the Rif and possible snow on the Atlas passes. Pack layers, modest clothing for medinas and mosques, a scarf for sand and sun, and good walking shoes. The dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so take cash from an ATM on arrival. Driver-guides work in English, French, Spanish or Italian, with Spanish and Italian subject to availability. Read our Moroccan culture and etiquette guide before you go.