11 Days Morocco package - Imperial Cities, Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains

Morocco in 11 days with our Imperial Cities, Sahara Desert & Atlas Mountains tour

Our 11 Days Morocco Package is a journey through the country’s most iconic highlights — blending history, culture, and natural beauty. Beginning with the bustling imperial cities of Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, and Fes, travelers will explore centuries-old medinas, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and vibrant souks. The adventure continues into the majestic Atlas Mountains and lush valleys before descending into the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert for an unforgettable camel trek and starlit night in a luxury camp.

This carefully designed itinerary also includes the enchanting blue town of Chefchaouen, the cinematic landscapes of Ouarzazate, and the ancient kasbahs of southern Morocco. With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and seamless transport, this 11-day tour is ideal for travelers seeking both cultural immersion and scenic adventure.

11 Days Morocco package itinerary:

Day 1 : Arrival at Casablanca Airport – Rabat

Your Sahara Atlas Tours driver-guide will meet you from your arrival flight at Casablanca Airport. We will head along the coast through wooded landscapes to Rabat and Salé, which offer some of the oldest and finest monuments in Morocco for you to discover.  

Depending on your arrival time, this afternoon or tomorrow morning Sahara Atlas Tours will arrange a guided tour for you through Rabat’s white and blue painted medina, including a visit to the famous Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Mausoleum of Mohammad V, the Hassan Tower and the Chellah.

Day 2 : Rabat – Rif Mountains – Chefchaouen

From Rabat, Sahara Atlas Tours will take you into the heart of the Rif Mountains through green hillsides of cedar woods to the charming ‘blue town’ of Chefchaouen.  You will have the afternoon at leisure to stroll through its pretty winding streets and visit its heritage sites, with great cafés and photo opportunities, while enjoying magnificent views of the Rif.

Day 3 : Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

We say goodbye to the Rif Mountains this morning, descending through lovely scenery to cross the northern plains towards Fes, Morocco’s most ancient Imperial City.  On the way, your Sahara Atlas Tours driver-guide will take you to the Roman ruins at Volubilis, the southernmost city of the Roman Empire.  This is the most extensive and well-preserved Roman site in Morocco, famous for its brilliant mosaic floors, and you can take a guided tour if you wish (local fee payable).  

You will then travel the short distance to the Imperial City of Meknes.  This is smaller and more relaxed than Marrakech or Fes, but still has a fascinating history and a beautiful medina with Moorish architecture, including the Tomb of Moulay Ismail, Sultan of Morocco in the 17^th century.  After this, just a short drive will take you to your riad in Fes.

Day 4 : Guided tour of Fes

Fes was the first of Morocco’s imperial cities, and is one of the best-preserved cities of the medieval world, offering a wealth of cultural heritage and architectural beauty.  This sightseeing tour, led by an official -speaking guide, starts with the 14th century Royal Palace and the nearby Mellah, the ancient walled Jewish quarter – the Ibn Danan Synagogue is an international heritage monument.  Beautifully preserved streets lead you to the famous Blue Gate of Fes.  

Further sights include the M’nebhi Palace, the 14th century Medersa Bou Inania (one of the holiest places in Morocco), the Rcife suk (market) in the medina, and the famous dye-works.   You can also visit pottery, mosaic, silver, brassware and weaving workshops, and the picturesque leather tanneries.  Other magnificent heritage sites include the ornate Tomb of Sidi Ahmed al-Tijani (a Sufi saint), the Kairouine University founded in 859 (the oldest university in the world), and the shrine of King Moulay Idriss II (who founded Fes).

Day 5 : Fes – Middle Atlas – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Sahara Desert – camel trek – desert camp in Erg Chebbi dunes

From your hotel in Fes, we head up into the Middle Atlas.  The road takes us past beautiful waterfalls, cedar forests and rock formations to the pretty town of Ifrane, with its Swiss-style chalets, Royal Palace and university.  There are wonderful views as the road winds up to Azrou, and if you are lucky you might see some Barbary apes in the woods!  We pass through Midelt, where massive peaks of the High Atlas (over 3700m) tower beyond the town.  

We continue on towards the Sahara Desert and the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga.  You will arrive for tea in the afternoon at the foot of the dunes.  From here you will mount your camels and trek out with your camel-driver into the heart of the desert for about 2 hours* in the setting sun – an unforgettable adventure!  This brings you to a luxury desert camp, with private sultan-style tents, where you can relax, have dinner, listen to traditional music around the camp fire, wander into the sands and marvel at the stars...

*Guests may take a shorter camel ride and/or a 4x4 transfer to the desert camp if they prefer.

Day 6 : Merzouga – Erfoud – Goulmima – Amellago – Tamtattouchte – Todhra Goge – Dades Gorge

Wake up early to see the sun rise over the dunes – it’s fun to climb the nearest dune to do this!  Then have breakfast in your camp before an optional 45-minute camel* ride back to your 4×4, which awaits you at a hotel offering second breakfast and the opportunity to take another shower if you wish.  We go first to Erfoud, with its spectacular Fossil Museum (shown in the first two episodes of David Attenborough's Life on Earth), then head off-road for a very scenic journey into the High Atlas.

The winding track takes us through traditional Berber villages such as Goulmima with its palmery and kasbahs, and Amellago, set opposite dramatic rock cliffs, and stunning mountain landscapes.  After Tamtattouchte, with its lovely white-painted marabout (pilgrimage chapel) beyond the town, the road descends through the famous Todhra Gorge, where you can stroll between its towering cliffs.  Beyond the Gorge, we pass through the lovely palm oasis of Tinerhir, and head to the Dades Valley across the plain, with views of the Jebl Sahro mountains as sheep, goats and even camels graze near the road.  

We arrive at the Dades Valley in the late afternoon, the best time of day as the sun lights up the spectacular red rock formations of the ‘Monkey’s Fingers’ and the mountains beyond.  We spend the night in the Dades Gorge, where you will dine at our accommodation Eden Boutique Hotel, renowned for its charm and refined cuisine.‍

Day 7 : Excursion to the Valley of the Roses

Perfect for an exciting day off the beaten track.  The Valley of the Roses is one of the main regions in the world for growing damask roses, which hedge every small field and bloom in May and are used to make many rose products.  Your Sahara Atlas Tours driver-guide will take you on an off-road adventure through spectacular mountain scenery and rock formations towards the range of Mount M’Goun, the second highest mountain in Morocco.  

The Valley of the Roses is lush and green most of the year, and we will pass many traditional Berber villages, with earth-built houses and stunning kasbahs.  If you like, you can take easy walks through parts of the valley and some of the villages.

Day 8 : Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Tizi-n-Tichka Pass - Marrakech

We descend the lush green Dades Valley, known as ‘the valley of a thousand kasbahs’, passing the spectacular rock formations of the ‘Monkey’s Fingers’, and head towards Ouarzazate, the provincial capital, with views of the M’Goun Massif in the distance.  Not far beyond Ouarzazate, we visit the spectacular hillside town of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where over 20 major films have been made, from Lawrence of Arabia  to Gladiator  and Game of Thrones.  It has the largest and best-preserved collection of kasbahs in Morocco.  

The journey continues on the ancient caravan route that brought goods from the South of Morocco to the cities of the north.  We pass through wonderful scenery, mountains, gorges and traditional Berber villages, to visit the kasbah of Telouet, former stronghold of the famous Glaoui tribe, who ruled Morocco in the 19th century.  

This impressive fortress has a fine interior, decorated with ornate plasterwork, painted wooden panels and ceilings, and beautiful silks.  We re-join the main road near the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2260m), and enjoy the mountain scenery in the afternoon light, to arrive at your hotel in Marrakech in the early evening.

Day 9 : Guided tour of Marrakech

Discover this vibrant city with an official -speaking guide, who will introduce you to its historic and cultural sights.  Wander through the souk, and visit heritage sites such as the medieval Medersa Ben Youssef, the Saadian Tombs and ancient palaces.

In the afternoon, your Sahara Atlas Tours driver will take you out to the Jardin Majorelle, the beautiful gardens owned by the late Yves St Laurent – a tranquil oasis of peace after the bustle of the medina!  There is also a wonderful Berber Museum within the garden that you can visit if you wish. Opposite the gardens are some great boutiques and coffee shops for browsing too. You will be taken back to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 10 : Full Day excursion to Essaouira

Essaouira is a charming white and blue windy town on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, a relaxing drive from Marrakech.  Its moderate climate all year round makes it a popular destination at any time of year, but especially in the summer.  On the way to Essaouira, look out for goats climbing in the argan trees that grow abundantly in this area – yes, there really are goats up in the trees!  You will have the afternoon at leisure to explore this lovely seaside town.  

You can walk around the city ramparts overlooking the sea, and stroll round the little streets of the medina, watching woodworkers, potters and silversmiths in their workshops.  Essaouira is particularly famous for its wood products, mainly of them intricately inlaid with different coloured woods.  

On the long beach with its golden sands, you can windsurf, or ride horses or camels.  For lunch, the town has many chic restaurants with excellent cuisine, or you can choose your own fish and seafood at the harbour to be freshly grilled for you.  You will be taken back to your riad in Marrakech by the early evening.

Transfer to Marrakech Airport

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