Casablanca – Deserto – Marrakech

Overview

A fascinating 3-day journey from Casablanca to the Sahara desert ending in Marrakech. Day one departs Casablanca via Rabat then heads south through the Atlas Mountains to the Merzouga dunes. Day two is spent experiencing the magic of the desert. Day three crosses the Drâa Valley, Ait Ben Haddou and arrives in Marrakech.

Highlights

• Casablanca and Hassan II Mosque
• Imperial capital Rabat
• Atlas Mountains
• Merzouga Dunes (Erg Chebbi 150m)
• Desert bivouac night
• Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO
• Drâa Valley
• Marrakech the red city

Itinerary

• Day 1 Casablanca → Rabat → Midelt → Merzouga (580 km). 07:00 AM: departure from Casablanca with air-conditioned 4x4. 07:00-09:00 AM: transfer to Rabat, capital of Morocco. 09:00-11:00 AM: visit Rabat – Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum, Oudaïa Kasbah with Atlantic Ocean view. 11:00 AM-01:00 PM: departure south through Gharb plains. 01:00-02:00 PM: free lunch in Kenitra or Sidi Kacem. 02:00-04:00 PM: crossing Middle Atlas Mountains, panoramic stop Ifrane "Morocco's little Switzerland". 04:00-05:00 PM: Azrou millennial cedar forest, Barbary macaque spotting. 05:00-07:00 PM: descent to Midelt through Ziz Valley. 07:00-09:00 PM: arrival Merzouga, bivouac check-in, traditional Berber dinner with music around bonfire, overnight in private tent with bathroom.
• Day 2 Merzouga – Desert day (0 km). 05:30-07:00 AM: optional dawn on dunes (15 min walk), purple-orange-red color spectacle. 07:00-08:00 AM: complete Moroccan breakfast (msemen, baghrir, amlou, olives, cheese, mint tea). 08:00-11:00 AM: desert excursion of your choice: 4x4 ride (200-300 DH), sandboarding on dunes, nomad village Hassi Labied visit. 11:00 AM-12:00 PM: Khamlia village visit, gnawa music (UNESCO heritage 2019). 12:00-01:00 PM: free lunch in Merzouga. 01:00-04:00 PM: visit Rissani (local market if Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday), Sijilmassa museum, Moulay Ali Cherif tomb. 04:00-07:00 PM: second sunset on Erg Chebbi dunes, Berber dinner, bivouac overnight.
• Day 3 Merzouga → Drâa Valley → Ait Ben Haddou → Tichka Pass → Marrakech (560 km). 07:00-08:00 AM: breakfast and departure. 07:00-10:00 AM: crossing desert toward Ouarzazate, Agdz panoramic stop. 10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Drâa Valley with thousands of date palms and historic red-earth kasbahs, photo stop. 12:00-01:00 PM: free lunch in Ouarzazate. 01:00-03:00 PM: visit Ksar Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO heritage 1987), famous film set (Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia), ksar exploration (1h). 03:00-05:00 PM: ascent Tichka Pass (2260m), panoramic stop over Atlas Mountains. 05:00-07:00 PM: descent to Marrakech through Ourika Valley. 07:00-08:00 PM: arrival Marrakech, hotel/riad check-in, evening visit Jemaa el-Fnaa square. End of tour.

What's Included

• Air-conditioned 4x4 transport
• Experienced driver
• 2 nights (1 desert bivouac + 1 Marrakech riad)
• Dinner and breakfast in desert
• Rabat visit

What's Not Included

• Lunches
• Drinks
• Tips
• Monument entrance fees