12 days Sahara desert tour from Casablanca

This 12 days desert tour from Casablanca goes first on a journey southward to Marrakech, the « Red City, » famous for its lively souks, majestic palaces and riads, and rich cultural heritage.

You arrive in Marrakech around noon, just at time to enjoy lunch on one of the rooftops in the medina.

After lunch, you go for a guided tour including the medina, the Majorelle Gardens, the Bahia Palace or the Medersa Ben Youssef.

In the evening, you will have free time to visit the Jemaa el-Fnaa square. The square comes alive with snake charmers, storytellers, musicians, and street food stands offering local meals like harira soup, grilled meats, and fresh orange juice. During this Morocco tour, you will spend one night in a charming riad in Marrakech.

After breakfast, you will leave Marrakech and travel through the scenic High Atlas mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass. This winding road offers breathtaking panoramic views of deep valleys, terraced berber villages, and rugged mountain peaks. The desert tour from Casablanca brings you at the famous Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed site. This ancient fortified villageis renowned for its well-preserved earthen clay South Morocco architecture. Many iconic films, such as Gladiator and Game of Thrones, have used this unique setting. Visit of the Kasbah with local guide.

Continuing southward, the next step of this Morocco Sahara trip is the city of Ouarzazate. You can visit the Atlas movie studios. Then you descend into the Draa Valley, a lush oasis with thousands of date palms stretching for miles along the riverbanks.

Arrival in Agdz in the afternoon. Enjoy a home cooked dinner and a night in a traditional kasbah-style guesthouse in the Oasis.

On the 3d day, this 12 days Morocco tour from Casablanca will make you travel deeper into the Draa Valley, passing ancient berber villages and lush date plantations.

You will stop in Zagora for lunch. Zagora is the last major town before the desert, famous for its historic « Timbuktu 52 Days » sign, indicating the old caravan route’s distance to Mali.

The landscape gradually transforms into arid plains as you approach M’hamid, the gateway to the vast Sahara desert. Before arriving in the dunes, you stop at Tamegrout to visit poterie workshops and a ancient Kasbah.

In M’hamid, you will enjoy traditional dinner and an overnight in a comfortable hotel or guest house.

The 4th day of this Casablanca Morocco tour is dedicated to a camel trekking tour in the Sahara. Begin your camel trek, following the ancient caravan trails through an ever-changing desert landscape. Experience the rhythmic sway of the camel’s caravan as you cross vast sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and hidden oases. Nomads from the village of M’hamid will share their deep knowledge of the desert’s flora, fauna, and traditions with you. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade of tamaris before continuing deeper into the dunes. As evening falls, a mobile camp is set up for the night under the Sahara starry sky.

Your Sahara desert tour from Casablanca continues with another day of camel trekking. The desert hike takes you through remote landscapes, where you may encounter wild camels, small desert shrubs, and fossilized rock formations. The silence of the desert is profound, offering a meditative experience unlike any other. Along the way, you will stop to rest, drink tea with your guides, and enjoy a traditional meal prepared on a fire. You will spend another night in a wild camping, surrounded by the endless dunes and an infinite canopy of stars.

On the 6th day of this Morocco desert tour, you take the direction of Erg Chigaga, one of Morocco’s most remote and stunning desert landscapes. The trek will take you across vast sand seas and isolated dunes, some of which rise up to 300 meters.

In the afternoon, arriving at Erg Chigaga, take in the surreal beauty of the endless golden dunes, sculpted by the wind over centuries. As night falls, settle into a Morocco desert camp, where a delicious feast awaits, followed by an evening of traditional music. Overnight in a tent.

Enjoy beautiful sunrise over the Erg Chigaga great dunes before gradualy leaving the sand dunes. This Morocco Sahara tour continues by an off-road 4×4 trip through the desert and the arid landscapes of southern Morocco. You will cross the dry lake bed of Iriki, an ancient salt flat that offers nice mirage-like reflections. Then, the Casblanca tour is going through Foum Zguid where you will find the asphalt road. You continue to Tazenakht, famous for its berber ruggs.

Your final destination for the day is Taliouine, a small town known as Morocco’s saffron capital. You will visit local saffron cooperative to learn about the delicate process of harvesting the world’s most expensive spice. Relax and spend a night in a cozy guesthouse surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the mountains.

The 12 days trip from Casablanca continues to Taroudant, a charming town often referred to as the « Little Marrakech » due to its well-preserved ramparts and bustling souks. Unlike its larger counterpart, Taroudant has a more relaxed, authentic feel. Explore its traditional medina, visit the local artisans’ markets, and admire the impressive defensive walls that enclose the old town. Enjoy a relaxing evening in a traditional riad.

In the morning, this Morocco desert tour from Casablanca heads to Agadir, a modern coastal city. Agadir is known for its wide sandy beaches, resort-like atmosphere, and relaxed vibe. Visit the Kasbah of Agadir Oufella, a historic fortress offering panoramic views of the coastline. Enjoy a luch with fresh seafood and an afternoon of leisure – relax on the beach or try activities. Overnight in hotel in Agadir.

This Casablanca tour includes a scenic Atlantic coastal route toward Essaouira, a charming seaside town with a rich history of Portuguese, French, and Moroccan influences. Along the way, stop to see the famous Argan trees, where local goats often climb the branches to feed on the fruit.

Upon arrival in Essaouira, explore its historic medina with local guide, a UNESCO World heritage site known for its blue-shuttered buildings, vibrant art scene, and bustling harbor. Walk along the ramparts of Essaouira for breathtaking ocean views before spending a night in charming riad.

Spend the day immersing yourself in Essaouira’s laid-back coastal charm. Wander through the medina’s narrow streets lined with artisan shops, galleries, and cafés. Visit the bustling fish market and enjoy a freshly grilled seafood lunch at the port. Take a leisurely stroll along the beach or try activities (windsurfing, hourse ride, quad tour) as Essaouira is famous for its strong Atlantic breezes. In the evening, watch the sunset over the ocean from the ramparts, soaking in the beauty of this coastal gem. Overnight in riad in Essaouira.

This 12 days Morocco tour from Casablanca to the Sahara desert and the Atlantic coast, concludes with a scenic journey back to Casablanca. You will have a stop in El Jadida, a coastal town with a fascinating Portuguese heritage. Visit the UNESCO-listed Portuguese Cistern, an underground chamber with stunning reflections.

Arrive in Casablanca in the late afternoon, where the driver-guide will drop you off at your hotel.