11 Days Luxury Escape to Sahara

Day 1: Arrive in Casablanca & Transfer to Rabat

1. Casablanca
   2h
   Welcome to Morocco! After you land in Casablanca, you'll be picked up by your private driver and chauffered to Rabat. Check into your luxe accommodations, then get to know the city with the help of your driver.
2. Rabat
   3h
   Once you've worked up an appetite, grab lunch at a delicious spot that suits your taste. As Morocco's capital of Morocco and home to the royal family, Rabat oozes imperial glam, from relics of empires past to contemporary eateries specializing in fine dining. If you're hungry for traditional fare, consider taking advantage of the Atlantic's incredible bounty. Even in the medina, you'll find super fresh delicacies like briny oysters and creamy sea urchin. Whatever your palette, your driver will give you a great recommendation for where to enjoy your first meal.
3. Kasbah des Oudaias
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Walk off lunch by exploring the blue-painted Oudaya neighborhood that sits perched above the Atlantic Ocean. The Kasbah of the Oudayas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the crown jewel of this enclave, so explore the complex or simple amble around its lush Andalucian gardens, then head to the ramparts for a vivid sunset.
   
   Tonight, enjoy Rabat's robust culinary scene. You will find good Moroccan food around the city, but if you're looking for something more continental, head to the embassy quarter of the New City (just inland from the medina) for some of the best French and Italian dining in the country.

Day 2: Rabat to Fes: Hassan Tower and the Roman Ruins at Volubilis

1. Hassan Tower
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Today is all about royal vibes: you'll spend some more time in Rabat before hitting the road to explore some other imperial cities.
   
   Start the regal road trip with a visit to the Hassan Tower monument, one of the most magnificent buildings of the Almohad Dynasty. A curiosity of a landmark, Hassan Tower is a minaret of a 12th-century mosque, a lofty construction project that was ultimately abandoned. All that remains today is the red sandstone tower, standing at 145 feet (44 m), and about 200 columns where a more extensive complex was meant to be.
2. Meknes
   2h
   On your way out of Rabat, stop to explore Meknes, a historic town that boasts a more manageably sized medina than you'll find once you reach Fes. The shopkeepers are also easy-going here, and you can truly take your time exploring souks filled with spices, slippers, and colorful treasures. Thanks to your driver, you'll make the most of your stopover here with a visit through the scenic Ville Impériale area. Depending on how much time you'd like to spend here, you can discover an array of palaces, gardens, and beautiful architectural sites.
3. Dar Moulay Idriss
   Pass by
   Your next stop is Morocco's oldest town, Moulay Idriss, which from a distance resembles a sitting camel. Considered a holy city by many, the city was founded in the 8th century by Moulay Idriss I, Morocco's first major Islamic ruler. Learn about the conception of the Idrisid dynasty, and be sure to visit the emerald-green minaret here — it's the only round minaret in the country. Your driver will also help you select a great place to enjoy lunch amid the charm of this hilltop town.
4. Volubilis
   1h · Admission ticket included
   The royal treatment continues with a trip through the centuries in Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you'll find the country's best-preserved ruins from the Roman empire. The sprawling complex features examples of merchant homes (and their ingenious heating systems), intact mosaics, temples, and more. If you're inspired to dive deeper and want to extend your time here, your expert English-speaking guide will give you a private tour tailored to your interests.
5. Fez
   Pass by
   When you've had your fill of sightseeing, you'll end your day in Fes at a luxuriously-appointed five-star riad. An oasis in the imperial city, your accommodation will feature a central courtyard where you can lounge and keep cool and, depending on where you stay, may even house its own hammam on the ground floor. If you're interested in a more bespoke spa experience, you can enjoy a relaxing massage in one of Fes's hammams in the evening.
   
   Regardless of where you choose to soak and scrub off the day, a delicious dinner awaits to cap your imperial adventure. You can hang back at your luxe riad or head out to one of the city's best dining spots; your driver and your specialists will help you pick a great restaurant!

Day 3: Exploring the Imperial City and Medieval Medina & Hammam

1. Fez
   5h
   Your tour guide will meet you after breakfast to start your day of exploration in the Fes Medina. This UNESCO protected medina is full of arms-width alleyways and donkey-width roads. Your Fes born-and-bred guide will share hidden stories and show you secluded corners of the medina, and you will observe both the minutia of daily life and the magnificence of Fes's madrasas and palaces. Your guide will help you know fabulous Fes as only a true local can. Be sure to ask your guide for lunch suggestions.
   
   Fes is a hub of the Moroccan crafts and arts, and you'll meet artisans to learn about the history and importance of their trades. You'll also visit tanneries and mosaic workshops to observe traditional crafting methods still in use today.
2. Fez
   Pass by
   In the afternoon, return to your riad and relax for a bit, then finish the day by bathing in an authentic Moroccan hammam. You will learn about the traditions and history of the hammam and will enjoy a rejuvenating experience at one of Fes's most highly sought after spa experiences. Most hammams provide a variety of services including massages, baths, and an extensive treatment menu using locally sourced products like argan oil.

Day 4: Traditional Cooking Class

1. Fez
   Pass by
   Morocco sits at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It is no surprise then that Moroccan cuisine is famous for fusing the flavors of these regions into something unique, dynamic, and delicious. What better way to relax for a day than by taking a private traditional Moroccan cooking lesson from a master?
   
   Take a leisurely morning with breakfast at your riad, some relaxation, and possibly a stroll around the neighborhood. You'll then be taken to your five-hour cooking class, which begins with a visit to a nearby souk to shop for produce — just as the locals do.
2. Fez
   Pass by
   As you prepare a traditional four-course meal, complete with fragrant spices, vibrant saffron, and the ubiquitous preserved lemon, you'll learn about traditional Moroccan cooking methods and will hopefully create amazing memories. At the end of class, sit down to enjoy your delicious dishes, which you can recreate once you're home from your trip.
   
   Spend the rest of the day however you like — you could relax at your riad and take advantage of its hammam, or venture back out to explore more of Fes. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own; your cooking teacher, specialist, and driver are bound to have some great recommendations for excellent eateries in town.

Day 5: Fes to Merzouga: Over the Middle Atlas Mountains to the Sahara

1. Midelt
   Pass by
   Today, get an early start so you can answer the seductive call of the Sahara; you'll be covering a lot of ground to reach the desert, but your journey will be well worth it.
   
   After an early breakfast, you'll start your road trip by crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains through the town of Azrou and its majestic Cèdre Gouraud Forest, where troops of Barbary Macaque monkeys lounge in ancient cedar trees near the road. Then, stop for lunch in Midelt, which sits on a cold, high desert plateau. Despite the harsh landscape, Midelt is known as Morocco's "Apple City" for its productive orchards. The agricultural abundance is thanks to year-round water from the Moulouya River.
2. Anti-Atlas Mountains
   Pass by
   As the day presses on, you'll cross a landscape of steep mountain ranges, broad valleys, and narrow canyon passes. Your driver will take you through the Ziz Valley, an essential branch of the ancient Saharan Trade Route. Gaze out the window to see the area's ksars, fortified houses built by merchants to protect the gold, salt, and spices that passed this way.
   
   After crossing through the incredible Ziz Gorge, you'll see early signs of Saharan dunes. These wind-blown sand formations are in constant motion, often leading them to encroach upon farms, roads, and buildings. You can also see an ancient method of water "mining” here, an ingenious way to transfer water from the mountains to farmland before modern pumps. Along the way, pay attention to the area's nomadic shepherds and their tents.
3. Erfoud
   Pass by
   You'll also pass through Erfoud, a bustling market town known for dates and fossils discovered in hillside mines. If you like, you can stop at a local artisan collective to learn about the area's fossils and learn how locals transform them into an array of products. As you continue, the massive dunes of Erg Chebbi will emerge in the distance. This vast sand sea covers 13 square miles (35 square km), with some dunes rising over 650 feet (200 m).
4. Merzouga
   12h
   As night falls, you'll maintain visibility as the moon reflects off the sand, guiding you and your camel to your unique accommodation for the night: a luxurious camp nestled at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Sink into total relaxation in your impeccably-appointed glamping tent, where you'll be treated like royalty. Enjoy incredible meals prepared by local Berber tribesmen and cozy up by the fire serenaded by live music. Gaze up at the heavens from your romantic spot or see if you can stargaze from atop the dunes before you turn in for the night.

Day 6: Merzouga to Tinghir: Adventuring in the Todra Gorge

1. Camino al sahara
   Pass by
   If you are an early riser, you'll be rewarded with sunrise over the dunes. You'll then enjoy breakfast in camp before you travel back across the desert to Merzouga.
   
   Once you meet your private driver, you'll begin your 3.5-hour drive to Tinghir, an oasis city that sits at the foot of the Atlas mountains. Consider stopping in the desert community of Rissani before setting out across the plains. The town is an excellent place to take a walk around a traditional market, where many animals are bought and sold. Be sure to stop by the "donkey parking lot" while you're here.
2. Alnif
   Pass by
   Once you hit the road, you'll enjoy a spectacular journey across Morocco. You'll travel through a remote, empty land that borders the Sahara. The views are vast and extensive, with desert plains, high mountains, and plateaus all around. This landscape gives a real feeling of wildness, excellent in its grandeur. Along the drive, you'll see forests of umbrella-shaped Acacias that have adapted to thrive in this harsh environment. You can also elect to break up the trip with a stop in the town of Alnif to see the local fossil workshops.
3. 15h
   Enjoy the change in landscape when you reach the lush Tinghir; there's a weekly market in town for local farmers who grow figs, dates, and wheat and live in the area's Ksars (fortified villages). Take some time to relax with a delicious lunch and use your afternoon to explore this scenic spot before you press on.
   
   Your road trip today continues through a green valley that gets increasingly tighter until you enter the vertical Todra Gorge. Get out and explore rustic trails that take up and out of the canyon. Then rewind your way down into the Todra oasis, where you will spend the night in a finely-appointed Kasbah, a fortified hilltop town featuring mud bricks and furnished with the finest local products and fossils.
   
   Lounge in luxury, then explore the valley for dinner; there are several unexpectedly ambitious restaurants here. The locals are quite friendly, so feel free to explore the oasis a bit after your meal.

Day 7: Tinghir to Ouarzazate

1. Pass by
   Today you'll travel along ancient trade routes from Tinghir to Ouarzazate through the Valley of A Thousand Kasbahs. Along the way, you will see many iconic fortified towns, so if you're inspired to take in the view or explore a sight, feel free to stop for photos wherever you please!
   
   The first significant stop on your way will be the town of Boumalne Dadès, an oasis town at the mouth of the Valley of A Thousand Kasbahs. If you turn north, you can visit the Dadès Gorge, which cuts through a dramatic landscape of rust and mauve-striped mountains. The valley below is an irrigated oasis filled with fig, almond, and olive orchards and dotted with crumbling kasbahs and Berber villages. Ask your driver for lunch options in Boumalne Dadès.
2. Ait Ben Haddou
   12h
   Heading south from Boumalne Dades brings you through the Valley of Roses, the heart of rose oil production in Morocco. Every spring, the landscape smells heavenly during the harvest of the perfumed Provence Rose.
   
   End the day in Ouarzazate, a town famous for its involvement in the Moroccan film industry. There is more to Ouarzazate than movies, though, and you will drive a short way from town to the iconic ksar of Ait Benhaddou. It's believed that the site dates back to the 11th century when it held a prominent position along the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the southern desert.
   
   Tonight you'll retire to your very own kasbah across a dry riverbed from Ait Benhaddou. If you're tempted to pry yourself away from your luxe accommodations, consider a nighttime stroll — when the moon is out, the entire valley glows from the light reflecting off the white sand. The sight is definitely enchanting.
3. Boumalne Dades
   10h
   Tonight you'll retire to your very own kasbah across a dry riverbed from Ait Benhaddou. If you're tempted to pry yourself away from your luxe accommodations, consider a nighttime stroll — when the moon is out, the entire valley glows from the light reflecting off the white sand. The sight is definitely enchanting.

Day 8: Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Over the High Atlas & Ait Benhaddou

1. 5h
   Today you will cross the High Atlas Mountains that separate Ouarzazate from Marrakech. In the process, you'll trade the quiet of the desert for one of the most vibrant cities in Morocco. You may want to explore Ait Benhaddou one more time in the morning light before you leave the Sahara for good.
   
   You'll wind your way into the High Atlas Mountains through the towering Tizi-n-Tichka pass. Near the top, you'll enjoy incredible panoramic views of the mountains and the plains of Marrakech below. Be on the lookout for Mount Toubkal — North Africa's highest peak — to the west. As you descend the north-facing slopes, you'll notice a dramatic change in climate and landscape. You will begin to cross deep river valleys and see abundant almond and walnut orchards.
2. Marrakech
   5m
   Once in Marrakech, you'll check in to your luxury riad, the perfect play to unwind after your travels. You may want to spend the rest of the afternoon at a slower pace and sip a pot of fresh mint tea by the pool or in the shade of a jasmine bush. If you're inspired to head out in the evening, you'll be right in time to watch the medina's main square, the Jemaa el Fna comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, food stalls and more.
   
   You can wander the square to find incredible fare from street vendors, or watch the spectacle from afar while you dine: there are many cafes surrounding the square where you can sit and enjoy the activity over a delicious meal. Or head to the new city to explore Marrakech's modern food scene. The Red City is the culinary heart of Morocco, so no matter where you dine, you're sure to have a memorable meal.

Day 9: Marrakech: Medina & City Tour

1. Marrakech
   3h
   After breakfast, meet your local private guide who will lead you through the old city of Marrakech. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will come across lively souks and maze-like alleys. You're sure to be dazzled by displays of djellabas, brightly colored babouches, intricately-pierced lanterns, conical mounds of exotic spices, and the intense hubbub of medina life. Along the way, your knowledgable and energetic guide will regale you with the history and stories of the Medina, the Souk, and the Mellah neighborhoods of the Red City. Your guide will also have some great recommendations for the best places to grab lunch!

Day 10: Marrakech to Casablanca: the Atlantic Coast & Portuguese Ports

1. El Jadida
   2h
   Today, you will leave early to head to Casablanca via the coastal route and will visit two old Portuguese fortified cities along the way. Your first stop is El Jadida, where you will tour the haunting Portuguese cistern. You can also stay to walk the ramparts and explore the Church of the Assumption.
   
   Next is Azemour, which has inspired many Moroccan artists over the decades, some of whom have chosen to live here. Life here is still traditional despite its proximity to the cosmopolitan art market of Casablanca. You'll find that the crumbling 16th-century medina squeezed between the Oud Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River) and the ocean provide plenty of artistic inspiration.
2. Casablanca
   1h
   As you travel, take advantage of the Atlantic's incredible bounty and savor a traditional fish lunch. Your driver can take you to the local authentic fish markets, where unassuming food stalls serve some of the freshest grilled and fried seafood you can find. The traditional way to eat here is to buy the fish yourself in the market and have the grillmasters cook it for a small fee. You can also choose to although order fish straight from many of these food stalls.
   
   Once you arrive in Casablanca, check into your chic downtown hotel, then see how the locals live with an exploration of Casablanca's trendier neighborhoods. Start your discovery in Maarif, home of the French-style eponymous market, and Ain Diab, a prime beachfront community that is home to the Morocco Mall and miles of walking paths. The waterfront, or Corniche, is a great place to people watch, especially when the entire city comes out to promenade right before sunset.

Day 11: Depart from Casablanca

1. Casablanca
   3h
   It's time to say goodbye to Morocco. Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may be able to do some last-minute sightseeing in Casablanca or enjoy tea at one of the traditional cafés. When the time comes, you'll head to Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport for your flight.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels