Compare Morocco Kasbahs & Desert by G Adventures vs The trans-Saharan caravan Adventure by Rug & Rock Adventures

Day 1 Casablanca

Arrive at any time.

Please note that this tour does not spend any time in Casablanca. You may wish to come a day early in order to explore Casablanca, and take some time to see its medina, beachfront, and classic examples of Art Deco architecture. Be sure to also visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Entrance is only permitted via guided tours, which operate from Saturday to Thursday at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, and 15:00, and on Fridays at 9:00, 10:00, and 15:00. These times are subject to change (particularly around Ramadan), please double check times with your hotel. Tickets can be purchased at the mosque.

A general note about this tour: it has a very fast-paced itinerary, which covers a lot of ground. This is great as it allows us to see a huge amount in the time available, but it also means some early starts, some long drives in the minivan, and less free time than many other G Adventures tours.

Day 2 Casablanca/Fès

Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch. Take a guided tour of the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis before continuing on to Fès.

Start early and drive through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Take a guided tour of the best-preserved Roman ruins in this part of Northern Africa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After, continue to Fès, one of Morocco's most interesting cities. Take some free time to explore upon arrival. Opt to experience a traditional hammam and get to know the locals.

We will be staying in the the new city of Fès, built by the French during their Protectorate of Morocco. This area has the feel of a French provincial town, with its cafés, restaurants, and wide boulevards. Head off for a Moroccan feast at one of the many restaurants and finish off the night with some famous Moroccan mint tea.

Day 3 Fès

Explore the labyrinth of streets within the famous Fès medina with a local guide. The Fès medina is the world’s largest living medieval medina and a UNESCO site. Explore the artisan quarters, sample treats from the carts, and view Fès' famous leather tannery from above. Enjoy free time this afternoon.

Day 4 Fès/Merzouga

Drive south towards the desert and embark on a camel ride into the dunes to watch the sunset. Head back to your hotel for a night of entertainment under the stars.

Start early today for a drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach the edge of the Sahara. Settle into your hotel at the edge of the dunes and enjoy a warm welcome with mint tea. In the late afternoon, take a camel ride deep into the dunes to watch the sunset. Learn to tie a turban to keep the desert sun off your face and add a little flare to photos. This evening, indulge in a traditional dinner, then gather around a campfire under the stars near to your hotel. Listen to stories about life in this region and, perhaps, some traditional music on the drums.

Day 5 Merzouga/Todra Gorge

Rise early to watch the sunrise. After breakfast, continue through a stone desert to the stunning Todra Gorge. Wedged between massive cliff walls, the gorge is filled with a green oasis of palm trees. This serene spot is great for hiking, relaxing on the edge of the river or sampling some local Amazigh (also known as Berber) delicacies.

Opt to spend the morning exploring the undulating golden sand of the dunes, discovering the surrounding communities on a land cruiser desert excursion. You can pre-book this optional excursion when booking your tour.

Day 6 Todra Gorge/Aït Ben Haddou

Visit the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to participate in a tagine cooking class for an intro to Moroccan cuisine.

Travel along the “Route of 1000 Kasbahs” to the thriving town of Ouarzazate for a lunch stop. This town is home to Atlas Film Studios, where many films have been shot over the years, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Continue on to the fascinating and beautiful Aït Ben Haddou, a wonderful example of a kasbah.

Day 7 Aït Ben Haddou/Marrakech

Head to Marrakech and take a guided medina visit. Opt to visit the Djemaa el Fna Square in the evening to see the gathering of musicians and street performers. Don't leave without indulging in a feast at the famous food stalls.

The journey to Marrakech includes breathtaking views throughout the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260m). Arrive in Marrakech in time for lunch with the rest of the day free to wander the city.

Day 8 Marrakech

Depart at any time.

Opt to get up early and catch the sunrise over Marrakech by pre-booking the Hot Air Balloon excursion. Please ensure you allow enough time to return from the activity when planning your onward journey.

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help you book extended accommodation.

Day 1: Arrival to vibrant Marrakech

Accommodation: Riad in Marrakech.

You can arrive at anytime to Marrakech airport where you will be picked up. Marrakech is a bustling mercantile city that will also be our last stop at the end of our adventure. Its iconic Jamaa Fna square is still busy with storytellers, snake charmers, artisan markets, and all sorts of shopping stalls. The first stop after landing in Morocco will be at our traditional riad in the centre of the medina, or the city's old town. A riad is a traditional building in southern Morocco, a large two-story house built around a courtyard. In the evening, once all the group members have arrived, we'll gather at the riad with our guide to discuss our upcoming adventure.

Day 2: Crossing the majestic Atlas Mountains from the remote Ounila Valley to the Fint Oasis

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Family house in Fint oasis.

After breakfast, we'll begin our journey across the Atlas Mountains, driving through breathtaking unspoilt landscapes, the isolated villages of the forbidden Ounila Valley, and its ancient and remote kasbahs. Along the way, we'll visit the Telouet Kasbah and have lunch at the fortified city of Ait Ben Haddou, a famous Moroccan ksar where many films have been set (and a Unesco World Heritage Site). Both of these locations were routine stops for merchants on the caravan trade route.  We'll then explore the remote Fint Oasis, where we'll enjoy a family dinner, and end ourDay among palm trees.

Day 3: Enjoy a true desert adventure riding a camel through the Sahara and sleeping under the stars

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Wild camp in the desert

After helping with the bread baking in the early morning at the Fint Oasis, we'll have breakfast and get started with ourDay. We'll begin our desert adventure at M'Hamid, "the gate to the desert", where we'll get our camels ready and proceed with an exciting camel ride through the dunes. In the evening, we'll have our dinner with the Saharan nomads and camp out in a magical Accommodation: Night under the stars.

Day 4: Admire the fertile Draa Valley and hike up Jbel Zagora for fantastic views

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Kasbah in Ouarzazate.

We'll ride our camels back to M'Hamid, after watching the sunrise from the dunes, to then return north following the course of the Draa river. Its palm groves, farmland, and villages are quite a contrast to the surrounding rocky, desertic scenery. We'll visit Zagora, the region's capital and do a short hike up the Jbel Zagora to enjoy the views of the Draa Valley. We can optionally have lunch by the pool at a restored kasbah at the bottom of the Jbel Zagora, in the Amezrou palm grove. After eating (and optionally a swim), we'll follow the river north to Tamnougalt, where we'll stop to visit its Jewish kasbah. OurDay will end at Ouarzazate, the main capital city on the other side of the Atlas Mountains, known for its film studios.

Day 5: Across the Atlas Mountains back to exciting Marrakech

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Riad in Marrakech.

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we'll start our trip back across the Atlas Mountains and head towards Marrakech. We'll attempt to arrive to the city as early as possible to have time to enjoy its hustle and bustle, meandering streets, and busy atmosphere. Our last Accommodation: Night we'll stay once again at our wonderful riad in the medina.

Day 6: A finalDay in Marrakech

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast will be served at the riad on this finalDay of the tour. There will be transfers to the airport arranged according to flight schedules, and plenty to explore in the city if you have time before your departure! Transfer to the airport.