6-Days Morocco Desert Tour: The Imperial Cities & Sahara Adventure
Morocco's Imperial Cities & Sahara Adventure is the definitive way to experience the country in under a week. This 6-day route connects two of Morocco's most iconic experiences — the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert and the ancient medinas of its four imperial cities — into a single, well-paced private journey from Marrakech to Fes (or in reverse).
Why Take This 6-Day Morocco Tour?
Most travelers only have a limited window to explore Morocco, and choosing between the desert and the historic cities can feel impossible. This itinerary solves that problem by combining both into one continuous overland route.
Along the way, you'll cross the High Atlas Mountains, ride camels into the Sahara, sleep under a blanket of stars in a desert camp, and wander the medieval medinas of Fes, Meknes, and Rabat — all without retracing your steps or wasting travel days.
It's an ideal option for travelers with limited time who still want to see the very best of Morocco's landscapes and imperial heritage.
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley
Depart Marrakech and cross the High Atlas Mountains via the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass, one of the most scenic mountain roads in Morocco. Stop in Ait Benhaddou to explore its centuries-old mud-brick kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular film location. Continue through Ouarzazate, the "door of the desert," before arriving in the Dades Valley for an overnight stay surrounded by dramatic rock formations.
Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga
Travel through the Dades and Todra Gorges, where towering canyon walls rise on either side of the road. Continue east across changing desert landscapes toward Merzouga, at the edge of the Sahara. As the afternoon light softens, mount a camel for a sunset trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes to your desert camp, where a traditional dinner and Berber music await under an open sky.
Day 3: Sahara Sunrise to Fes
Wake before dawn to watch the sunrise transform the dunes into shades of gold and rose — one of the most memorable moments of the trip. After breakfast, begin the long but scenic drive north through the Ziz Valley's palm groves, the town of Midelt, and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to Morocco's Barbary macaque monkeys. Arrive in Fes by evening.
Day 4: Exploring Fes, Morocco's Cultural Capital
Spend the day discovering Fes el Bali, the largest car-free urban zone in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander its labyrinth of narrow alleys with a local guide, visiting the famous Chouara Tanneries, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university (among the oldest in the world), and the ornate Bou Inania Madrasa. Browse artisan workshops producing leather, ceramics, and metalwork using centuries-old techniques.
Day 5: Fes to Meknes, Volubilis & Rabat
Depart Fes for Meknes, one of Morocco's four imperial cities, known for its monumental gates and royal stables. Continue to the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in North Africa, featuring intricate mosaics and towering columns. In the afternoon, continue to Rabat, Morocco's capital, to see the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
Day 6: Rabat to Casablanca & Departure
Enjoy a final morning exploring Rabat's Kasbah of the Udayas before heading to Casablanca. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world and one of the few in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors, before transferring to Casablanca's airport for your onward journey home.