9 days and 8 nights · Casablanca to Marrakech
Heart and Soul of Morocco Family Adventure: 9 Day Private Tour
From US$1,710 per person
Overview · Route map · At a glance · Day by day · What’s included · Prices
Overview
About this 9 day journey
This is a journey where ancient traditions meet modern day charm. Over nine days you move through lively medinas, awe inspiring landscapes, and busy souks, with a blend of cultural discovery, relaxation, and adventure that suits the whole family.
From the busy streets of Casablanca to the Sahara, you explore Morocco’s heritage, from ancient craftsmanship to natural beauty, while tasting local dishes and meeting people who make you feel at home. Your personal driver and guide look after the details, so you can enjoy the colors, rhythms, and history of the country together.
Highlights
Imperial Meknes
Beautiful gates and the royal stables on the way to Fez.
Ifrane and Midelt
A cedar forest walk in the Moroccan “Switzerland”, and a calm evening between the Middle and High Atlas.
Atlas Film Studios
A visit to one of the largest film studios in the world in cinematic Ouarzazate.
Craft workshops in Fez
Artisans demonstrate ceramics, weaving, and leatherwork, followed by a taste of the street food.
Camels and campfire
A camel caravan into the Sahara and a night with Berber music and a hearty meal.
Hammam finish
A traditional hammam in Marrakech to end your Moroccan adventure.
Route map
Where this journey takes you
Duration9 days and 8 nights, private for your family
Start and EndCasablanca on Day 1, and Marrakech on Day 9
StyleHotels, traditional riads, guesthouses, and a luxury desert camp
NightsCasablanca 1, Fez 2, Midelt 1, Sahara camp 1, Todra Gorge 1, Ouarzazate 1, Marrakech 1
Travel PaceBalanced. A mix of touring days and shorter drives with time to rest
Route
Casablanca · Rabat · Meknes · Fez · Ifrane · Midelt · Ziz Valley · Merzouga · Todra Gorge · Ait Benhaddou · Ouarzazate · Marrakech
Itinerary at a glance
Your trip in brief
| Day | Where you go | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Casablanca | Hotel in Casablanca |
| Day 2 | Rabat, Meknes, and Fez | Riad in Fez |
| Day 3 | The Ancient Medina of Fez | Riad in Fez |
| Day 4 | Fez to Ifrane and Midelt | Guesthouse in Midelt |
| Day 5 | The Ziz Valley and the Sahara | Luxury desert camp |
| Day 6 | Sahara Sunrise and Todra Gorge | Guesthouse near Todra Gorge |
| Day 7 | Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate | Hotel in Ouarzazate |
| Day 8 | Over the High Atlas to Marrakech | Riad in Marrakech |
| Day 9 | Discover Marrakech | Departure |
Full itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival in Casablanca
Casablanca
Welcome to Morocco. Your personal driver and guide, who will accompany you throughout, greet you at the airport. After settling into your hotel you visit the iconic Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most stunning mosques in the world. The afternoon is a stroll along the Corniche, a relaxed introduction to Morocco’s coast.
Overnight: Hotel in Casablanca
Day 2
Rabat, Meknes, and Fez
Rabat to Meknes to Fez
Your journey continues to Rabat, where you explore the Kasbah of the Udayas and the grand Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After the history of Rabat you head toward Meknes, known for its beautiful gates and royal stables. You continue to Fez and check into a traditional riad, a Moroccan guesthouse built around a courtyard.
Overnight: Riad in Fez
Day 3
The Ancient Medina of Fez
Fez
Today you explore Fes el Bali, the world’s largest car free urban area, a maze of alleys and souks. Visit local artisans as they demonstrate traditional crafts such as ceramics, weaving, and leatherwork, and end the day with a culinary experience, tasting local delicacies at the busy food stalls.
Overnight: Riad in Fez
Day 4
Fez to Ifrane and Midelt
Fez to Ifrane to Midelt
You leave the lively streets of Fez and travel to Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco for its alpine style architecture and cedar forests. Enjoy a relaxed nature walk, then continue to Midelt, set between the Middle and High Atlas, for a tranquil evening among stunning scenery.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Midelt
Day 5
The Ziz Valley and the Sahara
Midelt to the Ziz Valley to Merzouga
As you travel south you pass through the Ziz Valley, a lush oasis of date palms and kasbahs. By late afternoon you reach Merzouga, where a camel caravan waits to take you into the Sahara. You spend the night in a luxury desert camp, under a blanket of stars, enjoying Berber music and a hearty meal.
Overnight: Luxury desert camp
Day 6
Sahara Sunrise and Todra Gorge
Merzouga to Todra Gorge
Wake early for the magical sunrise over the dunes before heading to Todra Gorge, a dramatic canyon with towering red cliffs. Explore the gorge and enjoy a light hike, then relax for the evening in a nearby guesthouse surrounded by nature.
Overnight: Guesthouse near Todra Gorge
Day 7
Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate
Todra Gorge to Ait Benhaddou to Ouarzazate
You continue along the ancient caravan routes to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage kasbah famous for appearing in films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Wander its winding streets and admire the architecture.
In the afternoon you explore Ouarzazate, the Gateway to the Sahara, and visit the Atlas Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world. The evening is peaceful in this cinematic town.
Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate
Day 8
Over the High Atlas to Marrakech
Ouarzazate to Marrakech
Today you travel through the High Atlas, with scenic stops to take in the landscapes. By afternoon you reach Marrakech. After settling into your riad, take an evening stroll through Jemaa el Fna, where storytellers, musicians, and food vendors create a lively atmosphere.
Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
Day 9
Discover Marrakech
Marrakech
On your final day you dive into the cultural richness of Marrakech. Visit the Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, and the stunning Bahia Palace. Explore the lively souks, where you can shop for traditional crafts and taste more of Morocco’s street food.
Spend the afternoon at a traditional hammam, an ideal way to end your adventure. In the evening your guide transfers you to the airport for your departure.
What’s included
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- Private, air conditioned vehicle (4×4 or comfortable minivan) with a professional English speaking driver guide throughout
- 8 nights in handpicked riads and hotels with en suite bathrooms, including a luxury desert camp with a private tent and proper bedding
- Daily breakfast, and dinner at the desert camp
- Licensed local city guides where a guided visit is described
- All entrance fees to the monuments and sites mentioned in the itinerary
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes (one camel per person)
- All fuel, tolls, parking fees, and applicable taxes
- Bottled water in the vehicle, and 24 hour support during your trip
Not included
- International airfare
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Lunches and dinners not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Gratuities for guides and drivers, at your discretion
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Prices
Heart and Soul of Morocco Family Adventure prices
Every tour is private, so the price per person depends on how many of you travel together and the accommodation level you choose: Affordable Comfort (3 star hotels and riads), Classic Comfort (4 star riads), Affordable Luxury (4 and 5 star riads) or Deluxe Luxury (5 star riads). Prices are per person for the whole 9 day tour, based on two people sharing a room.
| Group size | Affordable Comfort | Classic Comfort | Affordable Luxury | Deluxe Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler (own room) | US$6,310 | US$6,950 | US$7,750 | US$9,350 |
| 2 travelers | US$3,360 | US$3,680 | US$4,080 | US$4,880 |
| 3 travelers | US$2,530 | US$2,850 | US$3,250 | US$4,050 |
| 4 travelers | US$2,120 | US$2,440 | US$2,840 | US$3,640 |
| 5 travelers | US$1,870 | US$2,190 | US$2,590 | US$3,390 |
| 6 travelers | US$1,710 | US$2,030 | US$2,430 | US$3,230 |
| Single room supplement, whole tour | Affordable Comfort | Classic Comfort | Affordable Luxury | Deluxe Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per single room | US$480 | US$800 | US$1,200 | US$2,000 |
Included: 8 nights with breakfast, your private vehicle with fuel, tolls and parking, your licensed guide for every day of the tour, entrance fees to the sites on the itinerary, 4 dinners in the places where you stay outside the cities. For groups larger than 6 travelers, ask me for the exact price. A 10% supplement applies to dates between 20 December and 5 January. How my prices work.
Good to know
Before you book
Customization
This itinerary is private and flexible. If you wish to add a night, skip a stop, or change the pace, I will shape the journey around you.
Traveling with children
Tell me the ages of your travelers. I adapt the pace, choose child friendly restaurants, and can add extra rest stops.
Pickup and drop off
Pickup on Day 1 is from Casablanca airport. Drop off on Day 9 is at Marrakech airport.
Booking and cancellation
A 50% deposit confirms your booking and the balance is due 60 days before the tour starts. Cancellation refunds are 100% for 30 or more days before departure, 50% for 15 to 29 days, 25% for 7 to 14 days, and none under 7 days.
What travelers say
Rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Guest reviews written since 2012. Read the reviews on TripAdvisor.
“Hassan Bouaouina is not just a tour guide; he is a storyteller, an ambassador of Moroccan culture, and a true friend”
Rachel, tourHQ, 2023
“The ONLY way to see Morocco is with Hassan Bouaouina.”
Young766, TripAdvisor, 2012
“Hassan has a contagious passion for Morocco… I felt safe and taken care of.”
Viator, 5 day desert trip, 2018
Before you go
Read before you travel
- Fez to Merzouga: 2 or 3 Days, the Route, and Merzouga or Zagora
- Is Morocco Safe? An Honest Answer for First Time Visitors
- Do You Need a Guide in the Fez Medina?
For visas, money, transport and seasons, see the full Morocco Travel Guide or browse the travel blog.
Book this tour
Send a booking request
Your tour is already selected. Add your dates and group size, and I will reply within 48 hours with availability and a written quote. Nothing is charged until you confirm.
Thank you for your response. ✨
Ready to plan this journey?
Send a booking request with your dates and group size, or ask me anything about the route first. I plan every trip personally and reply within 48 hours.