5 day tour of Morocco from Casablanca

Explore Morocco in adventure travel.

• Duration: 5 days
• Destination: Casablanca to Marrakech via desert
• Accommodation: Desert camp and hotels

Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat – Fes

Today we start of our private Moroccan desert tour by exploring Casablanca. Then we head to Rabat and after a stop there, to Fes. In Fes, the oldest city in Morocco we will explore the most important cultural places: the Royal Palace, the Jewish quarter and other cultural and historical sites. This tour also includes a visit to the Al Qaraouine University, the famous tanneries and the Idriss mausoleum. We will spend the night in a local riad where dinner and breakfast will be provided.

Day 2: Fes – Azrou – Midelt – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga

Today we cross the spectacular Atlas mountains to reach Azrou and the nearby cedar forest. After exploring Azrou we drive to Midelt, a town famous for its minerals and apples. We will then continue through the Ziz valley to reach the city of Erfoud, famous for its fossil products. After that we will drive to Rissani and visit the local Souk. Finally we will arrive in the Merzouga desert where we will stay overnight in a desert hotel with dinner and breakfast.

Day 3: Merzouga Desert

Today we will explore the Merzouga desert. We will start by visiting the village of Khamlia, famous for musicians originally from Sudan and Mali. We will then have lunch with a Berber family living in the desert before preparing for a camel ride in the Sahara desert with an experienced and knowledgeable guide. We will watch the sunset over the Merzouga desert tonight. On arrival at our desert camp we will enjoy Berber dinner and drum music at a campfire. We will sleep in tents in the Merzouga desert.

Day 4: Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Gorge

Our private tour continues today as we ride camels back from the Merzouga desert camp to the nearby village where we will have breakfast. After breakfast we will drive towards Rissani to visit the local souk and then on to Todra Gorge. We will hike into the narrow canyon and experience the beauty of the gorge. In the afternoon we will continue on to Dades Gorge where we will stay overnight in a local hotel with dinner and breakfast.

Day 5: Dades Gorge – Ouarzazate – Ait-Ben-Haddou- Marrakech

We begin the final day of our tour with a visit to a local movie studio in Ouarzazate. Then we will drive the highest road pass in morocco, Tizni Tichka to arrive in Marrakech where we will say our goodbyes. This private tour can be modified based on your interests and requirements.

Quick overview :

This tour includes travel through the Atlas Mountains, A camel trek and a night spent in the desert camp of Merzouga, visits to Midelt, Erfoud, Rissani, Ourazazate, Ait-Ben-Haddou and Marrakech, and a chance to Explore the Todra and Dades Gorges.

Good to know before you go :
● If you plan on shopping, have Dirham (the local currency) on hand. There are plenty of ATMs in the larger cities, try to look for the ones attached to the banks. The conversion rate is currently roughly 10 Dirhams to 1 Euro. Local ATMs can occasionally run out of money, so exchange when you have the opportunity
● Dress modestly, especially as a female. Although you will see tourists in spaghetti straps and mini skirts, Morocco is a muslim country and it is polite to dress conservatively. Additionally it can help you avoid unwanted attention. Bringing a loose long sleeve shawl that can be thrown over any outfit is an easy way to do this. It is also a good idea for women to bring a scarf with which to cover your hair if you would like to enter a Mosque
● Be careful of the water and some of the food. The water and on occasion, the food, might not be what your stomach is used to. Just to be safe, it is a good idea to drink bottled water or have your own bottle with a filter, and avoid uncooked food while eating out. If all else fails, be sure to pack some imodium
● Hiring a guide is a great way to get the most out of your Moroccan experience. They can be a wealth of local knowledge, and help you see the parts of Morocco that are off the beaten track. If you’re on this page you’re already off to a good start!
● Local Languages. Your guide and some of the locals will speak english, but the primary languages in Morocco are Arabic, Berber and French.
● Be aware of local holidays at the time of your trip. Many holidays in Morocco can alter day-to-day activities. For example: during Ramadan, in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, lunch options may be limited. Your guide will be able to help you navigate the local culture, but it can be nice to have an idea of what to expect beforehand.
● Ask before taking a photo of someone. It’s polite. Some may ask for money in exchange or say no, it’s good to be respectful.

What you need for traveling  ?

● Hiking/walking shoes. Good arch and ankle support are important when doing lots of walking
● Sandals or sneakers. After a long day of walking it can be nice to have something lighter and more breathable to slip on and off at the end of the day.
● A sun hat. The sun here is hot and strong, a sun hat is a good way to avoid a sunburn.#
● Warmer layers. Days in the can be very hot, you’ll want to think light and loose. But when the sun goes down, you’ll be glad to have a warmer layer, such as a hoodie or a lightweight fleece to throw on.
● Lightweight long sleeves. Not only are they respectful to the local culture, they are also a great way to keep the sun off your arms.
● Long pants. Again, respectful and good for sun protection.
● A comfortable day pack. Great to fill with your water, snacks, an extra layer and whatever else you might need. This can also double as an overnight bag for your camel trek to the Merzouga desert camp.
● Personal medication and toiletries. This one is more for the overnight trek, but it is a good idea to have any necessary medications on hand, as well as some imodium (just in case)
● Insect repellant. Especially valuable in the mornings and evenings. This is something that can be cheaper to buy at home and bring with you.
● Hand sanitizer. An essential. A lot of meals are served with bread, which is easiest to eat by pulling apart with your hands.
● Travel insurance. It is always important to be prepared in the event of an emergency.
*If you forget anything there are stores in the larger cities where you can buy anything you might need