Planning a 7 day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca means choosing carefully, because the Sahara is a long way from the Atlantic coast. One week is enough for a first look at Morocco if the route is planned carefully. This private 7 day Morocco itinerary starts in Casablanca and ends in Marrakech. Along the way you see the capital Rabat, the blue town of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a full guided day in Fes, a night in the Sahara at Erg Chebbi, Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Aït Ben Haddou.
Your guided day takes you through the Medina of Fez, which UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site.
We built this week so that only one day is very long — the crossing from Fes to the Sahara. Every other day has a clear rhythm: a few hours of driving, then time on foot.
Your 7 day Morocco itinerary at a glance
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Start | Casablanca — airport (CMN) or your hotel, morning |
| Finish | Marrakech — hotel or airport (RAK) on Day 7 |
| Style | Private tour — your own vehicle and English-speaking driver |
| Transport | Air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus |
| Overnights | Chefchaouen (1) · Fes (2) · Merzouga desert camp (1) · Dades Valley (1) · Marrakech (1) |
| Meals | Breakfast daily; dinner on tour nights [CONFIRM dinners in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech]; lunches not included |
| Guided visits | Full day in Fes with a licensed local guide [CONFIRM included in price] |
| Main experiences | Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Fes medina, camel ride and desert camp, Todra Gorge, Aït Ben Haddou |
| Price | €940 per person for 2 travellers (€1,880 in total) — less per person in larger groups |
How this 7 day Morocco itinerary is paced
A common problem with one-week Morocco tours is that they try to fit too much in, so every day is spent in the car. We did it differently:
| Day | Main drive (approx., before stops) | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen, about 4.5–5 h | Long, but broken by Casablanca and Rabat |
| 2 | Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Fes, about 4–5 h | Medium, with a ruins visit |
| 3 | No long drive | Day on foot in Fes |
| 4 | Fes → Merzouga, about 7.5–8.5 h | The one very long day |
| 5 | Merzouga → Todra → Dades, about 5 h | Medium, with a gorge walk |
| 6 | Dades → Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech, about 6–7 h | Long, but with two good stops |
| 7 | No long drive | Free in Marrakech, then departure |
Days 1 and 6 are long too — we will not pretend otherwise. But they are split by visits, so you are rarely more than two or three hours in the vehicle without a proper break.
Highlights of the week
- Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, if timing allows
- An evening and an early morning in Chefchaouen, when the blue lanes are quiet
- Walking among the mosaics of Volubilis, a UNESCO Roman site
- A full day in the Fes el-Bali medina with a licensed guide — tanneries, madrasas and craft workshops
- Sunset and sunrise in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a private en-suite tent
- Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
- Aït Ben Haddou and the High Atlas crossing
- A free last morning in Marrakech
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen
Approx. driving: about 1 hour to Rabat, then 3.5–4 hours to Chefchaouen.
We pick you up at Casablanca airport or your hotel in the morning [CONFIRM pick-up time]. If time allows, start at the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours. Tours run at set times only [CONFIRM visit times, days and whether the entry ticket is included]. If the timing does not work, we stop outside for photos.
Drive up the coast to Rabat for a short visit: the Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Kasbah of the Udayas [CONFIRM which stops are included]. Then head north through farmland into the Rif foothills. You reach Chefchaouen in the early evening.
- Lunch: in Rabat (not included)
- Overnight: Riad or guesthouse in Chefchaouen [CONFIRM name(s)]
- Meals: [CONFIRM dinner included]
Day 2: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Fes
Approx. driving: about 4–5 hours in total.
Use the early morning to walk Chefchaouen before day-trippers arrive. Climb to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint, or just wander the blue lanes. This is free time on your own [CONFIRM — or with a local guide, optional].
Late morning we drive south to Volubilis — visit. The site holds the remains of a Roman town with well-kept floor mosaics. Entrance fee and local guide [CONFIRM included or extra]. Continue to Fes, about an hour away, and check in to your riad.
- Lunch: near Volubilis or Moulay Idriss (not included)
- Overnight: Riad in Fes [CONFIRM name(s)]
- Meals: Breakfast [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 3: Fes guided day
Driving: short transfers only.
This is the day many travellers remember most. A licensed local guide [CONFIRM included in the tour price] walks you through Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage medina since 1981 and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world.
A typical day covers the Bou Inania or Al-Attarine madrasa, the outside of Al-Qarawiyyin, the Chouara tannery seen from a terrace, and workshops for brass, weaving or ceramics. Your guide adjusts the pace to you. Craft shops may be part of the walk; you are never obliged to buy. In the afternoon, your driver can take you to the Royal Palace gates and the Merenid tombs viewpoint [CONFIRM].
Your driver is not a city guide — Moroccan rules require a licensed guide inside the medina, which is why we arrange one for this day.
- Lunch: in the medina (not included)
- Overnight: Same riad in Fes
- Meals: Breakfast [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 4: Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Merzouga (camel ride and camp)
Approx. driving: around 460 km, 7.5–8.5 hours before stops.
This is the long one. We leave Fes early and climb into the Middle Atlas: a photo stop in Ifrane, a short stop in the cedar forest where Barbary macaques often appear (please do not feed them — they are endangered), and lunch in Midelt. In the afternoon the road drops into the Ziz Valley, with its long palm groves, and on to Merzouga.
At the edge of the dunes you leave your big luggage in the vehicle and ride a camel into Erg Chebbi, about [CONFIRM camel ride duration]. Travellers who prefer not to ride can go to camp by 4×4. At Mouhou Luxury Camp each party has a private tent with its own shower and toilet. Dinner, then a campfire with Berber drums.
- Overnight: Mouhou Luxury Camp, Erg Chebbi
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5: Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Approx. driving: around 280 km, about 5 hours before stops.
Sunrise on the dunes, then the camel ride back and breakfast [CONFIRM location]. Optional short stop in Khamlia, a village known for Gnawa music [CONFIRM — optional, tip expected], then west through Rissani (pass-through) and the oasis villages to Tinghir.
At Todra Gorge you walk along the river under walls about 300 m high (visit). Lunch nearby. In the afternoon you drive to the Dades Valley. If light allows, your driver can take you up the hairpin road at Tissadrine for the view, or past the “Monkey Fingers” rock formations [CONFIRM — optional, time-dependent].
- Overnight: Riad or hotel in Dades Valley — such as Riad Gabsi or Ksar Sultan, or similar [CONFIRM]
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6: Dades → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech
Approx. driving: around 320–350 km, 6–7 hours before stops.
Follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Kalaat M’Gouna (pass-through) and the Skoura palm oasis (photo stop). Pass through Ouarzazate, home of Atlas Studios, then visit Aït Ben Haddou, the earthen ksar listed by UNESCO in 1987. After lunch, cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass (approx. 2,260 m, photo stop) and descend to Marrakech by early evening.
- Lunch: near Aït Ben Haddou (not included)
- Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech [CONFIRM name(s) and whether this night is included]
- Meals: Breakfast [CONFIRM dinner]
Day 7: Marrakech and departure
Your morning is free. You can explore the souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa on your own, or book an optional half-day guided tour of Marrakech with a licensed guide [CONFIRM price and availability]. At the agreed time your driver takes you to Marrakech airport [CONFIRM]. If you are flying from Casablanca, we can drive you back there instead [CONFIRM price; about 3 hours — estimate].
- Meals: Breakfast
Route note: visited, passed or optional
- Visited (time on foot): Hassan II Mosque (if timing allows), Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Fes medina, Erg Chebbi, Todra Gorge, Aït Ben Haddou, Marrakech
- Photo stops: Ifrane, cedar forest, Ziz Valley, Skoura, Tizi n’Tichka
- Passed through: Midelt (lunch), Rissani, Tinghir, Kalaat M’Gouna, Ouarzazate
- Optional: Khamlia music stop, Dades hairpin viewpoint, Marrakech guided tour
[INSERT ROUTE MAP — Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen → Fes → Merzouga → Dades → Marrakech]
Where you sleep
| Night | Place | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chefchaouen | Riad/guesthouse [CONFIRM] |
| 2–3 | Fes | Riad [CONFIRM] |
| 4 | Erg Chebbi | Mouhou Luxury Camp — private tent, own shower and toilet |
| 5 | Dades Valley | Such as Riad Gabsi or Ksar Sultan, or similar [CONFIRM] |
| 6 | Marrakech | Riad/hotel [CONFIRM] |
Two nights in the same riad in Fes means you unpack once in the middle of the week.
Price and how it is calculated
Every quote is built for your group. The main factors are:
- Number of travellers — one private vehicle and driver costs the same for two people or six, so the per-person price falls as the group grows.
- Accommodation level — standard riads or upgraded rooms [CONFIRM options].
- Guided visits — Fes guide [CONFIRM included]; optional Marrakech guide.
- Season — peak periods (spring, autumn, Christmas/New Year, Easter) may cost more [CONFIRM].
- Where you finish — Marrakech airport or a transfer back to Casablanca.
| Travellers | Per person — standard | Per person — upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | €940 | On request |
| 3–4 | €590–€707 | On request |
| 5–6 | €474–€520 | On request |
| 7+ | On request | On request |
| Solo | €1,640 | On request |
Children: [CONFIRM child pricing]. Deposit and payment methods: [CONFIRM]. Cancellation: CONFIRM — see booking terms.
Included
- Pick-up in Casablanca (airport or hotel) and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel or airport)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, fuel and road taxes, English-speaking driver
- 6 nights’ accommodation: riads/hotels and one night in a private en-suite tent at our desert camp
- Breakfast every day; dinner on the desert night and in Dades [CONFIRM other dinners]
- Licensed local guide for the Fes day [CONFIRM]
- Camel ride in Erg Chebbi (or 4×4 transfer), campfire with Berber drums
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees (Hassan II Mosque, Volubilis, madrasas) [CONFIRM]
- Optional guides (Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Marrakech) [CONFIRM]
- Tips, travel insurance, flights
Is this week right for you?
Good fit: first-time visitors who want a bit of everything — a coastal city, a mountain town, the great medina of Fes, the desert and Marrakech — without changing hotels every night.
Less suitable: travellers who want a slow trip, more than one night in the Sahara, or time at the beach. For those, the 10-day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca adds a second desert night and a full day in Chefchaouen. If you only have four days, see the 4-day Casablanca to Marrakech desert tour. Arriving by ferry or flight in Tangier? The 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour gives you two nights in the Sahara.
Practical tips
- Clothing: you will visit a mosque (Day 1) and walk in conservative towns. Bring clothing that covers shoulders and knees; women may need a scarf for the mosque.
- Shoes: Fes and Chefchaouen are steep and cobbled. Comfortable walking shoes matter more than anything else you pack.
- Desert bag: for Day 4, pack a small bag with a warm layer, toothbrush and torch. Main luggage stays in the vehicle.
- Temperatures: expect cool evenings in Chefchaouen and Ifrane even in spring, and heat in the south from June to September.
- Cash: dirhams for lunches, entry tickets and tips. ATMs are easy to find in cities, less so after Midelt.
- Food: vegetarian and vegan meals on request.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is the hardest?
Day 4, from Fes to Merzouga. It is around 460 km with 7.5–8.5 hours of driving before stops. We break it with Ifrane, the cedar forest and lunch in Midelt, and you finish with the camel ride, which most people find makes up for the long day.
Is the Fes guide included in the price?
Our standard version includes a licensed local guide for the Fes day [CONFIRM]. Your quote will state this clearly. Entrance tickets to madrasas are usually small and paid on the day [CONFIRM].
Can we add a second night in the desert?
Yes. That turns this into an 8-day trip. If you can spare a few more days, the 10-day itinerary already includes two desert nights plus a full day in Chefchaouen.
Do we have enough time in Chefchaouen?
You have the evening of Day 1 and the morning of Day 2 — enough to walk the medina and the viewpoint, but not to hike. If Chefchaouen is a priority, choose the 10-day version, which has a full free day there.
Does the tour end at Marrakech airport, or can we fly home from Casablanca?
The standard plan ends in Marrakech, at your hotel or the airport. If your return flight is from Casablanca, we can drive you there on Day 7 [CONFIRM price]. It is roughly a 3-hour drive, so allow plenty of time before your flight.
Is this itinerary suitable for children?
Yes for most families, especially with children who travel well by car. The only very long day is Day 4. Children usually love the camel ride. Tell us their ages so we can plan car seats [CONFIRM availability] and family rooms.
Is Marrakech on Day 7 guided?
No, it is free time by default. A half-day guided walk with a licensed guide can be added [CONFIRM price]. If your flight is in the morning, you may prefer to add an extra night.
Related itineraries
- All Morocco tours from Casablanca
- 10-day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca — two desert nights, slower pace
- 4-day Casablanca to Marrakech desert tour — the shortest version
- 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour — if you start in the north
- Private Morocco tours and multi-day itineraries
Making the week your own
Because the tour is private, small changes are easy. Here are the ones travellers ask for most.
Arriving late? Add a night in Casablanca before day one. Your 7 day Morocco itinerary then starts fresh the next morning, and you can visit the Hassan II Mosque without rushing.
Want a slower Fes day? Ask for a half-day with the guide and a free afternoon. Fes is busy and intense, and some travellers prefer to explore the rest of the day at their own pace.
Short on energy? Skip the Rabat stop on day one, or keep Volubilis to a short visit. Each change shortens a 7 day Morocco itinerary by an hour or more, without removing the main highlights.
Want more of the north? Add a second night in Chefchaouen. It turns your 7 day Morocco itinerary into eight days, but gives you a full free day for the medina and the hills around the town.
Flying home early on day 7? Add a night in Marrakech at the end. If you build your 7 day Morocco itinerary around an early flight, you lose the free morning in the city.
Tell us these wishes when you ask for a quote, and we will adjust the route and price before you confirm [CONFIRM price changes]. Small changes like these rarely change the overall shape of the week. Bigger ones, such as a second night in the Sahara, are covered in the questions below the itinerary.
Plan your week with us
Send us your arrival and departure flights, the number of travellers and any must-sees. We will reply with an adjusted itinerary and a fixed quote — no payment is taken online.
- WhatsApp / phone: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time)
- Contact form: our online enquiry form — Check availability & get a quote [CONFIRM button links to the /contact/ form]
- Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
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Morocco Desert Excursions is a local company founded by Sahara natives from Merzouga.
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