D1 Casablanca → D2 Rabat → D3 Chefchaouen → D4 Fes → D5–D6 Sahara & Canyons → D7 Aït Benhaddou & Marrakech → D8 Depart from Marrakech. Recommended entry at Casablanca and exit at Marrakech to avoid retracing your steps. Travel between cities can be done by train or intercity bus; for the desert section, it’s advisable to join a local 4x4 tour or hire a private car.
After arriving at Mohammed V International Airport, head into the city. In the evening, visit the Hassan II Mosque, a renowned landmark built by the sea with its towering minaret. Explore the old medina and central market for a taste of local life, and try seafood and tagine for dinner.
Take a roughly one-hour train ride to Rabat. Visit the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Watch the sunset on the beach at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. Rabat is less touristy and more laid-back, making it a good buffer stop in your itinerary.
Head to Chefchaouen nestled in the Rif Mountains. The entire small town is painted in various shades of blue, and its alleyways are perfect for leisurely photography. In the evening, climb up to the ruins of the Spanish Mosque for the best panoramic view of the blue city.
Enter the old medina of Fes, where narrow streets wind through and horse-drawn carts and donkeys move about. It’s known as one of the world’s largest car-free urban areas. Visit the Bou Inania Madrasa and the Karaouine Mosque, then head up to a terrace to overlook the Chouara Tannery. The rows of colorful dye vats are among Fes’s most iconic sights.
Travel south through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains and the Ziz Valley to reach Merzouga. In the evening, ride a camel deep into the Erg Chebbi dunes, stay overnight in a desert camp, and gaze at the Milky Way at night. The next morning, watch the sunrise before heading north through the Dades and Todra Gorges to Ouarzazate.
In the morning, visit the Aït Benhaddou kasbah, a earthen-colored fortress that served as a filming location for movies like Gladiator. After crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, arrive in Marrakech. In the evening, explore Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, where storytellers, snake charmers, and food stalls create a lively atmosphere.
Spend the morning visiting the Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, and local open-air markets. Enjoy tea on the terrace of a riad in the afternoon, then head to the airport for departure. If time allows, consider adding a day trip to Essaouira or the Atlas Mountains.