Private Morocco Tour
16 Days Morocco Grand Tour — Cities, Desert & Ocean
From the Atlantic coast to the Sahara dunes and back — experience the full depth of Morocco’s imperial cities, desert landscapes, and coastal charm in one epic journey.
Duration
16 Days / 15 Nights
Departure
Casablanca
Destination
Rabat, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Essaouira
Tour Type
Private Morocco Tour
Accommodation
Hotels, Riads & Desert Camp
Tour Gallery
Overview
This private 16-day Morocco grand tour is the most complete way to experience the kingdom. Beginning in Casablanca, the route winds north through Rabat and Tangier before climbing into the Rif Mountains to the blue medina of Chefchaouen. From there, the ancient imperial city of Fes awaits — two full days to explore its medieval lanes, tanneries, and timeless souks.
The second half of the journey heads deep into the Sahara, with camel treks across the Erg Chebbi dunes and nights under desert stars. The route home traces the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou before arriving in Marrakech. A final escape to the windswept Atlantic town of Essaouira brings this unforgettable journey to a close.
Tour Highlights
- Explore Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque and Rabat's imperial landmarks
- Walk the blue cobblestone lanes of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains
- Two full days discovering the UNESCO medieval medina of Fes
- Camel trek across the golden Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset in Merzouga
- Overnight in a traditional Sahara desert camp under a sky full of stars
- Visit the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and cinematic Ouarzazate
- Explore the souks of Marrakech and the Atlantic charm of Essaouira
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Casablanca
Arrive in Casablanca and settle into your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque — one of the largest mosques in the world, built dramatically over the Atlantic Ocean. Stroll the elegant Corniche, explore the art deco architecture of Mohammed V Square, and enjoy your first taste of Moroccan cuisine in the city’s vibrant restaurant scene. Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 2 — Casablanca to Rabat via the Atlantic Coast
Depart Casablanca and head north along the Atlantic coast to Rabat, Morocco’s refined royal capital. Visit the Oudayas Kasbah overlooking the estuary, the iconic Hassan Tower, and the beautifully ornate Mohammed V Mausoleum. Stroll the wide boulevards of the ville nouvelle and explore the compact but charming medina. A city of quiet elegance rarely seen on shorter tours. Overnight in Rabat.
Day 3 — Rabat to Tangier via the Northern Coast
Travel north along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline toward Tangier, Morocco’s legendary gateway between two continents. Arrive in the afternoon and explore the atmospheric old medina, the Kasbah Museum with its sweeping sea views, and the famous Café Hafa overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. Feel the unique energy of a city where Africa and Europe face each other across the water. Overnight in Tangier.
Day 4 — Tangier to Chefchaouen via the Rif Mountains
Depart Tangier and head east into the dramatic Rif Mountains, winding through forested ridges and Berber hillside villages before descending into the valley of Chefchaouen. Arrive in the early afternoon and step into the iconic blue medina — a maze of cobalt lanes, flower-draped doorways, and mountain light unlike anywhere else in Morocco. Explore freely at your own pace. Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Day 5 — The Blue City of Chefchaouen
A full day to soak in the magic of Chefchaouen. Wander deeper into the medina’s quieter quarters, visit the central Plaza Uta el-Hammam and its ancient kasbah, and browse the local craft shops for handwoven blankets and regional pottery. In the afternoon, take a short walk above the town for panoramic views over the blue rooftops and the surrounding Rif peaks. Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Day 6 — Chefchaouen to Fes via Meknes and Volubilis
Leave the Blue City and travel southeast through the Rif foothills. Stop in Meknes to visit the monumental Bab Mansour gate and stroll the historic imperial medina. Continue to Volubilis, Morocco’s finest Roman archaeological site, where mosaic floors and triumphal arches still stand in open countryside. Arrive in Fes by early evening and check into your riad in the heart of the medina. Overnight in Fes.
Day 7 — The Ancient Medina of Fes
A full day inside Fes el-Bali with your guide. Visit the Chouara tanneries, explore the ornate Bou Inania Madersa, and lose yourself in the layered souks of spices, leather, and brass. This is one of the world’s greatest medieval cities — dense, alive, and endlessly fascinating. No itinerary can capture it fully; today you simply walk, discover, and absorb. Overnight in Fes.
Day 8 — Fes to Merzouga via the Middle Atlas
Depart Fes and travel south through the cedar forests of Azrou, where Barbary macaques roam freely, and across the dramatic Middle Atlas plateau. Descend through the Ziz Valley and the golden oasis of Erfoud before reaching Merzouga at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Settle into your hotel as the desert light fades and the dunes glow amber in the evening stillness. Overnight in Merzouga.
Day 9 — Desert Life in Merzouga
A full day to experience the soul of the Sahara. In the morning, visit a nomadic family in their traditional tent and discover the quiet rhythms of desert life. Explore the Khamlia village, known for its hypnotic Gnawa music, and walk the edge of the great dune sea. As the sun begins to set, mount your camel and ride across the Erg Chebbi into the heart of the dunes. Dinner and live music at your desert camp. Overnight in the Sahara.
Day 10 — Canyons and Desert Valleys
Wake to a sunrise over the dunes before departing south Merzouga. Pass through Rissani and travel through dramatic desert and oasis landscapes toward the towering walls of the Todra Gorges. Walk the canyon floor between 300-metre rock faces carved by millennia of water. Continue into the lush Dades Valley for an overnight stay in a kasbah-style guesthouse. Overnight in Dades Valley.
Day 11 — The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
Travel west along one of Morocco’s most scenic drives, passing ancient earthen kasbahs rising from the valley floor in every direction. Stop to explore the elegant Kasbah Amridil in Skoura, one of the finest preserved fortresses in the south. Continue through the palm-lined landscapes of the Draa region before arriving in Ouarzazate — Morocco’s cinematic desert capital. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 12 — Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou
Begin the morning at the legendary Atlas Film Studios, where productions from Gladiator to Game of Thrones have been filmed. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — an ancient fortified village of towering pisé towers rising above the dry riverbed. Take time to climb to the summit for panoramic views over the surrounding landscape. Overnight in Ouarzazate or continue to Marrakech.
Day 13 — Across the High Atlas to Marrakech
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with sweeping views over Berber villages, terraced hillsides, and mountain ridges stretching to the horizon. Descend into the warmth of Marrakech and check into your riad in or near the medina. Spend the afternoon exploring Djemaa el-Fna square, the souks, and the Koutoubia Mosque at your own leisure. Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 14 — The Red City of Marrakech
A full day to explore Marrakech with your guide. Visit the Bahia Palace, the ornate Saadian Tombs, and the serene Majorelle Garden. Wander the spice souks, leather market, and the hidden fondouks of the old medina. As evening falls, return to Djemaa el-Fna as the square transforms into an open-air theatre of storytellers, musicians, and street food. Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 15 — Marrakech to Essaouira
Depart Marrakech in the morning and head west through argan tree forests and rolling Atlantic plains toward Essaouira. Arrive in this enchanting UNESCO-listed port town by midday. Spend the afternoon exploring the whitewashed medina, the blue fishing harbour, and the windswept ocean ramparts. Browse the woodcraft and argan oil souks before a fresh seafood dinner by the Atlantic. Overnight in Essaouira.
Day 16 — Essaouira to Casablanca Airport or Hotel
Wake to the sound of Atlantic waves and enjoy a final Moroccan breakfast in Essaouira. Take a last stroll along the ramparts or the beach before your guide transfers you north along the Atlantic highway toward Casablanca. Drop-off at Mohammed V International Airport or directly at your Casablanca hotel — whichever suits your onward travel plans. Your Morocco grand tour ends here, with memories to last a lifetime.
Included
Private transport in comfortable vehicle- English-speaking driver/guide
- 15 nights accommodations
- Camel trek in Merzouga
- Daily breakfast
- Dinners in selected locations
- Local certified guides in Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech, and Essaouira medinas
Private transport in comfortable vehicle
Suggested Accommodations
Casablanca — Odyssée Hotel or Similar A modern and well-located city hotel in central Casablanca, offering comfortable rooms, easy access to the Hassan II Mosque, the Corniche, and the main commercial boulevards.
Rabat — Riad Shaan or Similar A beautifully designed riad in the heart of Rabat’s medina, blending traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with contemporary comfort, just steps from the city’s finest imperial landmarks.
Tangier — Marina Bay Hotel or Similar A stylish hotel with views over Tangier Bay, offering modern amenities, a central location, and easy access to the medina, the kasbah, and the Strait of Gibraltar waterfront.
Chefchaouen — Vanci Hotel or Similar A charming boutique hotel in the blue medina of Chefchaouen, with elegant rooms, rooftop terrace views over the cobalt rooftops, and warm Rif Mountain hospitality.
Fes — Riad Ahlam or Similar A refined and intimate riad nestled within the ancient medina of Fes, with traditional courtyard design, hand-crafted décor, and genuine Moroccan warmth at the heart of the city.
Merzouga — Auberge du Sud or Similar A welcoming desert retreat at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, with comfortable rooms, traditional atmosphere, and stunning golden-hour views over the sand sea.
Merzouga Desert Camp — Saharasky Camp or Similar An elegant luxury camp nestled among the Erg Chebbi dunes, offering private furnished tents, a traditional Berber dinner, and live Gnawa music around the fire under a blazing Saharan sky. Luxury en-suite upgrades available on request.
Dades Valley — Dar Bluse or Similar A charming kasbah-style guesthouse in the heart of the Dades Valley, with panoramic terrace views over the gorge, warm home-style cooking, and a peaceful mountain atmosphere.
Ouarzazate — Riad Dar Daif or Similar A refined riad-style retreat in Ouarzazate, blending traditional southern Moroccan architecture with modern comfort, and ideally placed for an early morning visit to Ait Ben Haddou and the film studios.
Marrakech — Riad El Houma or Similar A beautifully restored riad in the heart of the Marrakech medina, with traditional zellige tilework, intimate courtyard gardens, and warm Moroccan hospitality steps away from Djemaa el-Fna.
Essaouira — Côte Ocean Mogador or Similar A charming Atlantic-facing hotel in the heart of Essaouira, combining whitewashed coastal design with warm comfort, and perfectly located for walks along the ramparts, the harbour, and the windswept ocean beach.
The accommodations listed below are suggested examples and may be replaced with similar options of the same standard depending on availability.
Meals
- Breakfasts included — served each morning at your accommodation throughout the tour
- Dinner included in Merzouga — Night 1 — served at your hotel or auberge at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dinner included in Merzouga — Night 2 — traditional Berber dinner with live Gnawa music under the Saharan stars at your desert camp
- Dinner included in Dades Valley — served at your kasbah or guesthouse on the night of your stay
- Dinner included in Ouarzazate — served at your riad or hotel on the night of your stay
- All other dinners not included — your guide will recommend the best local restaurants each evening
- Lunches not included — enjoy local eateries and roadside stops along the route
Excluded
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
Lunches and drinksFrequently Asked Questions
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Morocco?
Yes. This grand tour is designed to give first-time travellers the most complete and rewarding experience of the country.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. As a fully private tour, any day, stop, or accommodation can be adjusted to suit your preferences and pace.
Is this tour suitable for families with children?
Yes. The pace is flexible and the variety of experiences makes it engaging for travellers of all ages.
What should I bring for the desert?
Bring comfortable clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a small bag for the overnight desert stay.
How physically demanding is the tour?
The tour is relaxed and mostly vehicle-based. The camel trek and medina walks are gentle and suitable for all fitness levels.
How many people does this tour accommodate?
This is a private tour — it runs exclusively for your group, whether you are travelling as a couple, family, or small group of friends.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures across all destinations on this route.
Your Ultimate Morocco Journey Awaits
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