Join our glorious 9 day Morocco tour from Casablanca to experience our signature grand tour of the Imperial Cities, the perfect journey for travelers who want the complete story of our country’s rich history.
We’ve designed this adventure to be a seamless story. It begins on the modern Atlantic coast in Casablanca and Rabat, then dives deep into the ancient heartland of Meknes and Fes before taking you to the timeless Sahara desert.
This is our most definitive Morocco Itinerary 9 Days. We’ve perfected this Casablanca to Marrakech itinerary 9 days to connect all the highlights, ensuring this grand journey unfolds at a comfortable pace so you can savor every moment.
Approximate Driving Time: 1 Hours
Your Grand Tour of Morocco begins the moment you arrive! We will be there to give you a warm welcome at the airport in Casablanca and transfer you comfortably to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we’ll then introduce you to our country’s vibrant economic capital.
Our first stop together will be the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque, the largest in all of Morocco, which stands magnificently right on the Atlantic coast. Afterwards, we’ll take you for a scenic drive along the famous Corniche and stop for a few photos at iconic spots like Rick’s Café and Mohammed V Square.
Accommodation: Oum Palace Hotel & Spa
Approximate Driving Time: 6 Hours
Today, we journey north along the coast to our first Imperial City, Rabat, the modern capital of Morocco. Here, we’ll explore the city’s key historical sites together, including the impressive Hassan Tower, the beautiful Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the charming, blue-and-white walled Kasbah of the Oudayas.
After our visit, we’ll continue our scenic drive, heading inland and up into the green Rif Mountains.
Our destination for the night is the magical blue city of Chefchaouen, where you’ll settle into your lovely riad and enjoy the peaceful mountain atmosphere.
Accommodation: Riad Tassili
Approximate Driving Time: 4 Hours
After you have some free time to enjoy Chefchaouen’s peaceful blue alleys in the morning, our journey takes us back in time. Our first major stop is the incredible Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can walk among ancient mosaics and pillars that tell stories of a long-lost empire.
From there, we will proceed to the mighty Imperial City of Meknes, the former capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail. We’ll stop to see the magnificent Bab Al-Mansour gate and the grand Moulay Ismail Mausoleum before we complete our journey to the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco, Fes.
Accommodation: Riad Sara
Approximate Walking Time: 3 Hours
Prepare for a deep dive into Morocco’s spiritual capital! Today, we’ve arranged for one of our expert local guides to lead you on a full-day tour to uncover the secrets of Fes. We’ll start with a short driving tour to see the iconic Royal Palace Gate and to get a stunning panoramic view of the entire medina from the Borj Sud fortress.
Then, you’ll enter the ancient, labyrinthine medina on foot. Your guide will lead you to discover wonders like the Al-Quaraouiyine University (the oldest in the world) and the famous Chouara Tanneries, where you can see leather being processed just as it has been for centuries.
Accommodation: Riad Sara
Approximate Driving Time: 7 Hours
Get ready for a day of dramatic scenic shifts as we drive you south towards the Sahara Desert. We’ll ascend into the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in the clean, alpine-style town of Ifrane, which we affectionately call the “Switzerland of Morocco.” Our next stop is the famous Cedars Forest, where you can see the playful Barbary apes.
You’ll watch the landscape transform as we travel through the vast, palm-filled Ziz Valley. It’s here that you will finally see the first golden dunes of the Merzouga desert rising up on the horizon.
As we reach the edge of the sand. Here, you will trade our vehicle for a camel and begin your iconic sunset trek into the heart of the desert. After the ride, we will welcome you to our comfortable desert camp with a warm glass of mint tea. You’ll have time to settle into your private tent before we serve a delicious traditional dinner.
The evening is truly magical, spent under a vast, starry sky, often with the gentle rhythm of Berber drums around a campfire before you drift off to sleep.
Accommodation: Imperial Glory Lodges
Approximate Driving Time: 4 Hours
After you wake up to a beautiful Sahara sunrise and enjoy breakfast at the camp, our journey continues west. We’ll stop in the historic market town of Rissani, the ancient capital of the Tafilalet region. If we are lucky and our visit falls on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, as the souk comes alive, and later, you’ll have a chance to visit a fascinating fossilized marble workshop in Erfoud.
The day’s scenic highlight is the magnificent Todra Gorges. We’ll stop here to give you plenty of free time for a peaceful walk between the towering, 300-meter-high canyon walls.
Our day ends in the beautiful Dades Valley, where we will take you to see the famous and unique rock formations known as the ‘monkey fingers‘ before you settle into your welcoming hotel for the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Babylon Dades
Approximate Driving Time: 6 Hours
Today, we’ll travel the famous “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.” You’ll see the beautiful Rose Valley and the lush palm groves of Skoura as we make our way to Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Desert,” where you’ll have the option to visit the famous Atlas Film Studios.
The main event of the day is a full exploration of the incredible Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified UNESCO Kasbah made famous by films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Afterward, we’ll take you on the spectacular drive over the High Atlas Mountains, arriving in the vibrant city of Marrakech in the evening.
Accommodation: Riad Tassili Marrakech
Approximate Walking Time: 3 Hours
Today, we dedicate our time to exploring the legendary “Red City,” the last of our four Imperial Cities on this grand tour. We’ve arranged for your expert local Marrakech guide to show you the city’s many treasures, from the stunning Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs to the ancient Ben Youssef Quranic Mosque.
Your guide will help you navigate the bustling, colorful souks and introduce you to the incredible spectacle of the Djemaa El-Fna square, the true heart of the city. To end our day, we’ll also visit the peaceful and beautiful Majorelle Garden.
Accommodation: Riad Tassili Marrakech
Approximate Driving Time: 3 Hours
Your Grand Tour of Morocco comes to a close today. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping in the Marrakech medina.
At the appropriate time, your guide will transfer for you comfortably directly to the Casablanca Airport (CMN) for your flight home, making sure you leave with a lifetime of unforgettable memories.
(Please note: We can also arrange for this tour to end in Marrakech if that is more convenient for your travel plans).
The price for this journey is calculated for your private group, ensuring a personal and flexible experience just for you. The cost reflects the incredible value of this itinerary, our most complete Grand Tour, which includes all four of Morocco’s Imperial Cities, a full Sahara desert experience, and a seamless journey from the coast to the mountains.
The great news is that the price per person becomes more economical as more friends or family join your private tour.
To get started, simply get in touch and let us know your group size and your preferred travel dates. We will be happy to send you a detailed, transparent quote with no commitment needed for this unforgettable adventure.
The Perfect Pace for a Grand Journey
We believe that nine days is the ideal amount of time to experience a journey of this grand scale. This timeframe allows us to comfortably connect the Atlantic coast, the ancient imperial heartland, and the vast Sahara desert, all without you ever feeling like you’re rushing from one place to the next. It’s the luxury of having enough time to truly breathe in and absorb your incredible surroundings.
The Complete Imperial Story: All Four Royal Cities
This is our most historically complete tour, designed as a special journey to take you through all four of Morocco’s legendary Imperial Cities. You won’t just read about them in a guidebook; you’ll experience them with us. We’ll explore the modern capital of Rabat, the historic grandeur of Meknes, the ancient spiritual soul of Fes, and the vibrant, beating heart of Marrakech.
From the Modern Coast to the Timeless Sahara
We love the beautiful story this particular itinerary tells. Your adventure begins in Casablanca, the face of modern Morocco, with its grand mosque right on the Atlantic Ocean. From there, we journey inward and back in time, traveling through ancient cities until we reach the timeless, ancient landscapes of the Sahara desert. It’s a route that really shows you the complete evolution of our country.
A Grand Tour, Made Entirely Yours
While the scope of this journey is grand, the experience we create for you is incredibly personal. Because this is your private tour, everything moves at your pace and is shaped by your interests. You have the freedom to be curious, to ask your guide endless questions, and to linger just a little longer when a place truly captures your heart. We handle all the complex logistics behind the scenes so you can simply relax and enjoy the adventure.
At Morocco Glory Travel, we believe that where you rest and recharge each night is a huge part of the story. That’s why we personally select every hotel and riad for your journey, not just for its comfort, but for its unique character, its warm and genuine hospitality, and its perfect location. We want to ensure that each evening, you feel truly connected to the special destination you’re in.
The accommodations below are examples of our preferred, high-quality places that we love and trust to take great care of our guests.
Because this is your private tour, you have complete flexibility. The accommodations we’ve suggested are our trusted favorites that our guests love, but if you have different preferences, a specific hotel in mind, or a particular budget, please just let us know. We are always happy to customize the lodging to create your perfect trip.
Please note that all accommodations are subject to availability at the time of booking, especially during peak seasons. Any substitutions will always be of a similar or higher quality and character.
Yes, absolutely! From our experience, nine days is the perfect amount of time for a comprehensive ‘Grand Tour’ like this. It allows us to guide you through all four Imperial Cities and the Sahara Desert at a comfortable, unhurried pace, giving you the time you need to truly absorb the culture and the incredible landscapes.
Of course! That is the biggest advantage of taking a private tour with us. The itinerary you see is a well-loved template that we know works beautifully, but it is completely flexible. If you dream of having more time to explore the Sahara desert, we can easily adjust the plan to make that happen for you.
This is a wonderful question. We find that being a thoughtful traveler is about a few simple things. It’s always best to ask for permission before taking a close-up photo of someone, and it’s customary to use your right hand for eating or shaking hands. Also, dressing a little more modestly, especially in smaller towns, is a lovely way to show respect for the local culture.
That’s like asking to choose a favorite child! They have completely different personalities. Casablanca is the modern, economic heart of Morocco, with a grand, coastal feel. Marrakech is its vibrant, historical, and cultural soul, full of ancient energy. The great thing about this Grand Tour is that you don’t have to choose—we show you the best of both.
That’s the impossible question, and every traveler we host leaves with a different answer! Some fall in love with the peaceful blue alleys of Chefchaouen, others are completely mesmerized by the endless golden dunes of the Sahara, and some are captivated by the rugged, raw beauty of the Atlas Mountains. We designed this tour to show you all of these incredible faces of Morocco so you can decide for yourself.
You are in for a treat! You must try a classic Tagine, which is a delicious slow-cooked stew, and of course, Couscous. Accepting a glass of sweet mint tea is a gesture of friendship you’ll experience often. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a Pastilla, a unique sweet and savory pie. Don’t worry, our guide will help you find the best, most authentic places to eat every day.
The camel trek is a classic Sahara experience, but it is completely optional. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities. If you’d prefer not to ride, we will be happy to take you to and from our desert camp in a comfortable and modern 4×4 vehicle instead. You won’t miss out on the magical desert camp experience at all.
