PRIVATE TOUR — 5 DAYS MOROCCO ITINERARY FROM CASABLANCA TO MARRAKECH

OVERVIEW

Five days gives you just enough time to see Morocco’s headline spots without rushing through every one. This private tour starts in Casablanca and loops down through Chefchaouen’s blue-washed alleys, Fes and its medieval medina, across the Middle Atlas to the Sahara at Merzouga, then back through the Todra and Dades gorges, Ait Ben Haddou, and the High Atlas to Marrakech.

Each day lands you somewhere different — a blue city in the Rif Mountains, a medieval walled medina, a night in a desert camp, a canyon walk, a Hollywood-famous Kasbah — so the trip doesn’t start feeling repetitive.

Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.

DURATION: 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
START: CASABLANCA
END: MARRAKECH
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE

HIGHLIGHTS

– Wandering the blue streets of Chefchaouen, Morocco’s blue city
– Exploring the historic medina of Fes
– Camel trekking across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– Sunset and sunrise over the Sahara
– A night under the stars in a desert camp
– A walk through the Todra Gorge
– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains
– The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CASABLANCA → CHEFCHAOUEN

The tour starts with a pick-up at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport or your hotel in town. From there it’s a long drive north to Chefchaouen, a small town in the Rif Mountains famous for its blue-painted buildings.

You’ll check in at your hotel or riad on arrival and have free time to wander the old town. The narrow streets and alleys, all washed in varying shades of blue, are the draw — easy to lose an afternoon with a camera. There are cafés and small restaurants scattered throughout, good for a relaxed dinner. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Approximate driving distance/time: 341 km / 4 hours 53 minutes

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN → FES

After breakfast, we drive south to Fes. When you arrive, a local guide will meet you to show you the medina — the medieval heart of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see the famous Chouara tanneries, the landmark university and madrasas, and get a feel for the souks. Lunch can be in the medina if you want to try traditional Moroccan food in its natural setting.

Overnight in a riad in the old city.

Approximate driving distance/time: 197 km / 3 hours 38 minutes

DAY 3: FES → IFRANE → MIDDLE ATLAS → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA

A long driving day, but a scenic one. After breakfast we head south, with a first stop in Ifrane, an unusual-looking mountain town sometimes called the Switzerland of Morocco. From there we cross the Middle Atlas, stopping at a cedar forest where Barbary macaques often appear at the roadside. Lunch is at a roadside restaurant along the way.

The route then drops down through the Ziz Valley — a long ribbon of palm groves — and continues to Merzouga at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes.

In the afternoon you’ll meet your camels and ride across the dunes to camp, pausing on a high ridge for sunset. Dinner at camp is followed by drumming around the campfire and a sky full of stars. Overnight in your private tent.

Approximate driving distance/time: 500 km / 7 hours 30 minutes

DAY 4: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → TODRA GORGE → DADES GORGE

Early wake-up for sunrise over the dunes — worth it. After breakfast at camp, you’ll return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4.

If the day falls on a Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday, we can stop at the traditional souk in Rissani, one of the oldest market towns in the region. From there we drive to the Todra Gorge, a deep slot carved by the Todra river, and take a walk under its high cliffs.

Continuing toward Dades, you’ll see the famous “monkey fingers” rock formations and enjoy panoramic views over the valley before checking in at your hotel. Overnight in Dades.

Approximate driving distance/time: 310 km / 5 hours

DAY 5: DADES → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → HIGH ATLAS → MARRAKECH

Final day. We drive to Ouarzazate — often called the Hollywood of Africa — where there’s an optional visit to Atlas Studios, the largest film studio in Morocco.

From there we continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village that’s been used as a set for Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia, among other films. You’ll have time to explore the kasbah and its earthen architecture.

Lunch at a local restaurant, then the drive back to Marrakech — a long but beautiful route over the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation marks the end of the tour.

Approximate driving distance/time: 353 km / 6 hours 30 minutes

IMPORTANT NOTES

– Driving times don’t include stops for lunch and sightseeing.
– This itinerary can start from Tangier instead of Casablanca, or be run in reverse from Marrakech.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Quad biking or buggy activity can be added in the Erg Chebbi dunes — let us know during the tour.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 can take you into and out of the camp instead.
– Three accommodation categories are available — standard riads/hotels, mid-range, or luxury (Palais Faraj, Desert Luxury Camp, etc.) — let us know your preference when booking.
– Longer versions of this trip are available — 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 days, or 2 weeks.