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10 day desert tour from Casablanca: 10 Day Desert Tour from Casablanca
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10 days · Desert, round trip

10 Day Desert Tour from Casablanca

Fly in and out of Casablanca and give the Sahara the time it deserves: three nights at Merzouga, two of them in desert camps with a camel trek between, and the imperial cities on the way back.

See the day-by-day route
10 days / 9 nightsStarts in CasablancaEnds in CasablancaPrivate tour
Casablanca→Marrakech→Aït Benhaddou→Ouarzazate→Skoura→Dades Valley→Todra Gorge→Merzouga→Midelt→Fes→Meknes→Rabat→Casablanca

About this 10 day desert tour from Casablanca

Our 10 day desert tour from Casablanca gives the Sahara the time it deserves. You fly in and out of Casablanca and spend three nights at Merzouga.

First, you drive to Marrakech and cross the Tichka pass to Aït Benhaddou. Then you cycle in Skoura and walk in the Dades and Todra gorges. After that, you ride camels deep into Erg Chebbi and sleep in a desert camp. The next day, you walk with the caravan to a second camp. Finally, you return north through Fes, Meknes and Rabat to Casablanca. In short, this 10 day desert tour from Casablanca is a private round trip on your dates.

Highlights of this 10 day desert tour from Casablanca

  • Jemaa el-Fna at night
  • Aït Benhaddou
  • Cycling in Skoura
  • Dades & Todra gorges
  • Camel trek between two camps
  • Sandboarding & nomad families
  • Guided Fes medina
  • Volubilis & Meknes
  • Rabat & the Hassan II Mosque

10 day desert tour from Casablanca: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Casablanca to Marrakech

    We meet you at Casablanca airport and drive to Marrakech, for an evening among the food stalls of Jemaa el-Fna.

    On the road: about 3 hStay: Riad in Marrakech
  2. 2day
    Day 2

    High Atlas & Aït Benhaddou

    Cross the Tichka pass, walk through the ksar of Aït Benhaddou and continue to Ouarzazate.

    On the road: about 4–5 h with stopsStay: Riad in Ouarzazate
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Skoura & the Dades Valley

    Cycle among the palm trees and kasbahs of Skoura, then follow the Valley of Roses to the Dades.

    On the road: about 3 h with stopsStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Dades canyon & Todra Gorge to Merzouga

    A walk in the Dades canyon and the Todra Gorge, then the road east to the edge of Erg Chebbi.

    On the road: about 5–6 h with stopsStay: Riad in Merzouga
  5. 5day
    Day 5

    Camel trek into Erg Chebbi

    Ride camels in the afternoon light deep into the dunes, to a camp far from the road.

    Stay: Desert camp
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    A day walking with the caravan

    Walk with a desert guide and the camels, tea with a nomad family, sandboarding, and a second camp under the stars.

    Stay: Desert camp
  7. 7day
    Day 7

    Sunrise & north to Fes

    Sunrise from the dunes, back to Merzouga, then the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the Middle Atlas to Fes.

    On the road: about 8–9 h with stopsStay: Riad in Fes
  8. 8day
    Day 8

    The Fes medina

    A guided day in the medina of Fes, its madrasas, tanneries and souks.

    Stay: Riad in Fes
  9. 9day
    Day 9

    Volubilis, Meknes & Rabat

    The Roman ruins of Volubilis and Bab Mansour in Meknes, then west to Rabat.

    On the road: about 4 h with visitsStay: Riad in Rabat
  10. 10day
    Day 10

    Rabat, Casablanca & departure

    The Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, then the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca before your flight.

    On the road: about 1.5 h

What’s included in this 10 day desert tour from Casablanca

Included

  • 9 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
  • Breakfast every morning
  • Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
  • Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
  • Pick-up in Casablanca and drop-off in Casablanca (hotel, riad, airport)
  • Camel ride as described in the programme
  • Mountain guide and mule for the luggage
  • Local guide for the guided visits

Not included

  • International flights
  • Lunches and drinks
  • Entrance fees to monuments and museums
  • Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for drivers and guides

Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.

Where you stay

  1. Night 1Riad in Marrakech
  2. Night 2Riad in Ouarzazate
  3. Night 3Riad in Dades Valley
  4. Night 4Riad in Merzouga
  5. Night 5Desert camp
  6. Night 6Desert camp
  7. Night 7Riad in Fes
  8. Night 8Riad in Fes
  9. Night 9Riad in Rabat

Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.

Best time for this trip

October to April is the time for walking in the dunes, with cool mornings and mild days. From June to August the Sahara is far too hot for a camel trek.

  • JanGood
  • FebGood
  • MarBest
  • AprBest
  • MayPossible
  • JunAvoid
  • JulAvoid
  • AugAvoid
  • SepPossible
  • OctBest
  • NovBest
  • DecGood

What to bring for this trip

  • Light walking shoes or trail sandals for sand
  • Gaiters or socks to keep sand out
  • Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
  • Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
  • High-factor sun cream and lip balm
  • Warm jacket for two nights in camps
  • Headtorch
  • Overnight bag for the camel trek
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the cities
  • Refillable water bottle

Booking & payment

How to book
Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
Payment
A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
Cancellation
Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
Weather & changes
If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.

10 Day Desert Tour from Casablanca: your questions

How many nights in the Sahara on this 10 day desert tour from Casablanca?

Three nights at Merzouga: one in a riad at the edge of the dunes and two in desert camps, with a camel trek between them.

Is the 10 day desert tour from Casablanca a round trip?

Yes. It starts and ends at Casablanca, so you can book a return flight. The route goes south through Marrakech and comes back north through Fes and Rabat.

How hard is the day walking with the caravan?

You walk a few hours in the cooler morning and late afternoon, at the pace of the camels, with a long rest at midday. You can ride a camel for part of the way.

Which days are the longest drives?

Merzouga to Fes (Day 7) is about 8 to 9 hours with stops. Casablanca to Marrakech is about 3 hours, and the other days are split with visits.

When is the best time for a desert tour?

From October to April the days in the dunes are pleasant. In June, July and August it is too hot to walk in the Sahara.

Local team in MoroccoYour trip is planned and run by our own team on the ground.
Private, on your datesOnly you and your travel companions, starting when you want.
Every day can changeAdd a night, an activity or a slower pace – the plan adapts to you.
Answers on WhatsAppAsk us anything before you book: +212 600 643 098.

What our travellers say

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Moroccan Active Adventures on Tripadvisor
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A holistic experience

Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
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Activities on this trip

Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.

Camel & horseback treksCamel & horseback treksDay 5 – Camel trek into Erg ChebbiDetails →Desert camping & stargazingDesert camping & stargazingDay 6 – A day walking with the caravanDetails →Cycling & mountain bikingCycling & mountain bikingDay 3 – Skoura & the Dades ValleyDetails →Hiking & trekking adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresDay 2 – High Atlas & Aït BenhaddouDetails →Authentic culinary experiencesAuthentic culinary experiencesDay 1 – Casablanca to MarrakechDetails →A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in FesCultural explorationDay 3 – Skoura & the Dades ValleyDetails →

Optional activities

Add one or more of these to your 10-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.

Hot air balloon rideOptional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →Quad & buggy ridesOptional · extraQuad & buggy ridesQuad or buggy in the Agafay desert or the palm groveSee the activity →4x4 & off-road safarisOptional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →Faith & spiritual journeysOptional · extraFaith & spiritual journeysSpiritual and heritage visitSee the activity →Wellness and relaxationOptional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Atlas zipline adventureOptional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →
Quick request

Request this 10-day trip

Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.

  • No payment to send a request
  • Private tour on your dates
  • Or write to us: +212 600 643 098

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10 days in Morocco: Bab Bou Jeloud gate and the old medina of FesOur signature tourMorocco Itinerary 10 Days: All-Around Morocco ExperiencePrivate tour · Casablanca to Marrakech · Desert & imperial citiesOur complete tour of the country: Casablanca and royal Rabat, the blue city of Chefchaouen, Roman Volubilis and Fes, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, camels at sunset in the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs of the south, and Marrakech to finish. 10 days in Morocco: Desert, Atlas & Ocean from Marrakech10 Days in Morocco from Marrakech: Desert, Atlas & OceanPrivate tour · Round trip from Marrakech · Desert, mountains & coastA loop from Marrakech that fits in the three big landscapes: the Sahara at Merzouga with a camel ride and a camp, two days in the High Atlas villages, and the windy port of Essaouira for a morning on the waves. 10 days in Morocco: Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara10 Day Morocco Tour from Tangier to MarrakechPrivate tour · Tangier to Marrakech · North, cities & desertFor travellers arriving by ferry from Spain or flying into Tangier: two nights in Chefchaouen with a waterfall hike, Volubilis and Fes, the Sahara at Merzouga, the gorges and kasbahs of the south, and Marrakech to finish.

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Camel & horseback treks
Land adventure

Camel & horseback treks

On this trip: Day 5 – Camel trek into Erg Chebbi

Camel trekking Morocco’s Sahara is the slow, quiet way into the desert: a line of camels led by a guide on foot, swaying over the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga as the light turns soft. Most of our guests ride at sunset to a camp in the dunes and come back at sunrise. It is calm, not sporty – anyone who can sit on a saddle for an hour can do it.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), Agafay desert, Marrakech palm grove
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Easy, no experience needed for camels
Minimum age
Children ride with an adult; ask us for small kids
  • The classic Sahara moment
  • Local camel men
  • Slow travel
See the full activity page
 Desert camping & stargazing
Land adventure

Desert camping & stargazing

On this trip: Day 6 – A day walking with the caravan

Sahara desert camping in Morocco is about one evening you will not forget: arriving at a camp hidden between the dunes of Erg Chebbi, climbing a ridge for sunset, eating tagine by the fire while drums play, then lying on a rug under more stars than you thought possible. Our camps near Merzouga range from simple nomad-style tents to comfortable tents with real beds and private bathrooms.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes), Agafay desert near Marrakech
Duration
1 to 3 nights
Level
Easy, for all ages
Camp types
Nomad-style, standard and luxury tents
  • Real dunes
  • A sky full of stars
  • Choose your comfort
See the full activity page
 Cycling & mountain biking
Land adventure

Cycling & mountain biking

On this trip: Day 3 – Skoura & the Dades Valley

Mountain biking Morocco’s High Atlas means riding mule paths between Berber villages, rolling down terraced valleys and stopping for tea where the trail meets a walnut grove. Our guides know the tracks around Marrakech, the Ourika and Imlil valleys and the Agafay hills, and pick routes that fit your level – from easy dirt roads to longer climbs and technical descents.

Where
Agafay desert, Ourika and Imlil valleys (High Atlas), Dades and Todra gorges
Duration
Half day to multi-day tours
Level
Easy to challenging – routes chosen for you
Bikes
Mountain bikes and e-bikes, helmet included
  • Mountains near the city
  • Village trails, not empty parks
  • Huge variety
See the full activity page
 Hiking & trekking adventures
Land adventure

Hiking & trekking adventures

On this trip: Day 2 – High Atlas & Aït Benhaddou

Hiking Morocco’s High Atlas is a walk through a lived-in landscape: terraced fields, walnut trees, flat-roofed Berber villages built from the same red earth as the mountains, and mule paths that people still use every day. Our local mountain guides grew up around these valleys. They choose the route, set a steady pace and arrange lunch or a night in a village house.

Where
High Atlas (Imlil, Ourika, Toubkal), Dades & Todra gorges, Merzouga dunes
Duration
Day hikes to 5-day treks
Level
Easy valley walks to challenging summit treks
Minimum age
Valley walks for families; Toubkal for fit teens and adults
  • Real mountains near Marrakech
  • Toubkal, the big one
  • Village life on the trail
See the full activity page
 Authentic culinary experiences
Moroccan experience

Authentic culinary experiences

On this trip: Day 1 – Casablanca to Marrakech

A Morocco food tour is the quickest way into the country’s heart. With one of our local guides you taste fresh msemen pancakes at breakfast, follow the smell of cumin through the spice souk, try harira and grilled meat at the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna, and learn why a tagine needs time. We take you where locals actually eat, not where the menus are in five languages.

Where
Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
3-hour food walk to full-day class
Level
Easy – come hungry
Diets
Vegetarian options on request
  • Street food you would not find alone
  • Markets as a lesson
  • Cooking with real cooks
See the full activity page
 A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes
Moroccan experience

Cultural exploration

On this trip: Day 3 – Skoura & the Dades Valley

Our Morocco cultural tours are built around people, not just monuments. You walk the medinas of Fes and Marrakech with a guide who grew up there, drink mint tea in a Berber village in the Atlas, watch craftsmen cut zellige tiles or dye leather, and share a meal with a family. The aim is simple: to understand how Moroccans live today, and where those traditions come from.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day city walk to 10+ day tours
Level
Easy – mostly walking
Group
Private or small group
  • Living medinas
  • Amazigh heritage
  • Crafts you can watch being made
See the full activity page
 Hot air balloon ride
Air adventure

Hot air balloon ride

Optional extra: Sunrise flight before or after your trip

A hot air balloon Marrakech flight is the quietest way to see Morocco wake up. You leave the city in the dark, watch the burners light up the envelope, and lift off just as the sun climbs over the Atlas Mountains. Below you, red-earth villages, olive groves and dry riverbeds turn gold, and on clear winter mornings the snow on the High Atlas shines on the horizon.

Where
Countryside outside Marrakech (launch site set by the pilot each morning)
Duration
About 1 hour in the air, 4-5 hours door to door
Start time
Very early pick-up, before sunrise
Level
No experience needed
  • Sunrise over the Atlas
  • Silent, slow flying
  • Rural Morocco from above
See the full activity page
 Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

Optional extra: Quad or buggy in the Agafay desert or the palm grove

Quad biking Marrakech style means leaving the city noise behind in minutes: dusty palm grove tracks, Berber villages and the rocky hills of the Agafay desert, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. Our guides ride in front, set the pace to the slowest rider and stop for photos and mint tea. You do not need any experience – we show you the controls and do a short practice loop before we leave.

Where
Marrakech palm grove (Palmeraie), Agafay desert, Merzouga dunes
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Beginner friendly, no experience needed
Minimum age
Drivers usually 16+; younger children ride as buggy passengers
  • Desert right next to the city
  • Quad or buggy, your choice
  • Real landscapes, not a track
See the full activity page
 4x4 & off-road safaris
Land adventure

4x4 & off-road safaris

Optional extra: 4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad families

A 4x4 tour Morocco style takes you where normal cars cannot go: around the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, across the black stone plains near Merzouga, up rough mountain tracks in the Atlas and down into dry riverbeds where nomads still water their flocks. You sit back with an experienced local driver who knows the pistes, the weather and the best places to stop.

Where
Merzouga & Erg Chebbi, High Atlas tracks, Dades & Todra gorges, Agafay
Duration
Half day to multi-day private tours
Level
Easy – you are a passenger, no driving needed
Group
Private vehicle for your family or group
  • Reach the hidden places
  • Drivers who know the pistes
  • Private and flexible
See the full activity page
 Faith & spiritual journeys
Moroccan experience

Faith & spiritual journeys

Optional extra: Spiritual and heritage visit

A Morocco spiritual tour follows the faiths that shaped this country over centuries. Muslim scholars studied in the medersas of Fes, Sufi brotherhoods still gather in their zawiyas to chant and pray, and Jewish families lived in the mellahs of Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira for generations. Our local guides tell these stories with knowledge and respect, whatever your own beliefs.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira, Meknes, Merzouga
Duration
1 day to 10+ days
Level
Easy – walking and visits
Group
Private, family or faith groups
  • Islamic heritage you can enter
  • Sufi music and zawiyas
  • Jewish heritage of Morocco
See the full activity page
 Wellness and relaxation
Moroccan experience

Wellness and relaxation

Optional extra: Traditional hammam and spa time

A Morocco wellness retreat with us is built around your rhythm, not a fixed timetable. Start with a traditional hammam in Marrakech, rest in a riad courtyard with only the fountain for company, stretch on a yoga mat facing the Atlantic, and end with a night in the Merzouga desert where the silence is almost total. We plan the logistics so you can simply let go.

Where
Marrakech, Agafay, Atlas valleys, Essaouira, Taghazout, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day hammam to 7+ day retreat
Level
Easy – all fitness levels
Group
Solo, couples, friends or private groups
  • The hammam ritual
  • Riads made for rest
  • Yoga with a view
See the full activity page
 Atlas zipline adventure
Air adventure

Atlas zipline adventure

Optional extra: Zipline in the Atlas foothills

A zipline Marrakech day takes you out of the hot, busy city and into the cool air of the Atlas foothills, where adventure parks stretch long cables across valleys and over trees. You clip in, step off the platform and fly above the red earth, olive terraces and small Berber villages, with the High Atlas peaks behind you. It is one of the easiest ways to feel the mountains without a long trek.

Where
Adventure parks in the Atlas foothills, about an hour from Marrakech
Duration
Half day or full day with transfers
Level
Beginner friendly – no climbing skills needed
Minimum age
Set by each park, often with a minimum height for children
  • Escape the city heat
  • Atlas views from the air
  • More than one ride
See the full activity page
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