8 Days Morocco Tour From Marrakech | Travel With Locals

Whether you are searching for a vacation full of cultural experiences, historical exploration, natural wonders, and more, Marrakech is the perfect starting point for these incredible 8-day desert tours. Every day offers something new to discover, whether your goal is to see the ancient medina of Fes, coastal city of Essaouira, famous sites of Ouarzazate, the desert of Merzouga, blue city of Chefchaouen, or buzzling streets of Casablanca. 

So, join us today on our 8 days desert tour from Marrakech and see what a delightful adventure really entails. We promise it will be the most amazing vacation you have ever had.

Information about the 8-day desert Tour from Marrakech to Casablanca

  • Duration: 8 days and 7 nights
  • Departure time: 08:00 am
  • Starting location: Marrakech
  • Ending location: Marrakech

Our Morocco Itinerary in 8 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech (Best Highlights)

  • Eat sardines and visit the fishing harbour in Essaouira.
  • Take lessons in surfing or kite surfing.
  • Explore the markets, historic medinas, and souks.
  • Ride a horse on the shore.
  • Go to Casablanca and see the Hassan II Mosque.
  • Check out the shopping mall.
  • Appreciate the view of the Royal Palace.
  • Take a camel ride at the Erg Chebbi dunes for a breathtaking sunset.
  • Stay the night at Chefchaouen, Morocco's blue jewel.
  • Look around Fez's narrow streets.

Morocco Itinerary in 8 Days desert tour from Marrakech

Here’s all you need to know about our 8-day desert tour schedule.

Day 1: Red city of Marrakech to Essaouira

Assuming you are already at your hotel on the first day, we will pick you up and take you to Essaouira, a seaside city renowned for its vibrant arts, rich history, and breathtaking views. Please note that travelling from Marrakech to Essaouira is a simple adventure, regardless of how worn out you are. The two cities are so close that the trip can be taken as a leisurely weekend break, a fantastic day excursion, or an ideal more extended trip. 

We will start our journey in the Medina, a stunning walled old town from the late 18th century, where we will explore for a few hours, buy handcrafted gifts, and stop by the neighborhood cafés for mint tea.

When visiting Essaouira, we must see some of its wild beaches, such as Plage D’Essaouira and Assafi Beach. After that, we will go to the citadel gates, where we will arrive at the Port of Essaouira, well-known for its distinctive blue fishing boats.

If you wander around the port, you will eventually reach the main beach on the left after walking along the beachfront, and to the right of the entrance gate is a sizable fish market where you can purchase a wide variety of fresh seafood. After our tour of the Jewish Quarter, we will drive to your hotel so you can rest and prepare for tomorrow’s adventure.

Day 2: Essaouira to Oualidia to Casablanca

We will proceed to the charming town of Oualidia, a little fishing village on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, following a delightful breakfast. This modest beach resort is well-known for its gorgeous, broad beach and charming lagoon, which occasionally even has flamingos. Additionally, you can enjoy some genuine Moroccan flair and plenty of outdoor relaxation. 

If you enjoy birds, we will go to the bird sanctuary after lunch and note that this sanctuary is home to many different species, and you can see the birds in their natural environment.

Following that, we will go to Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city. Here, you can explore the Royal Palace and Habous quarter, which are closed to the public but have stunning exteriors, and see the Hassan II Mosque, one of the country’s most famous buildings. We will stroll through the old medina to enjoy dinner on the street as we wrap up the day, noting that every dish is genuine and reasonably priced.

Day 3: Casablanca to the Blue City (Chefchaouen)

We will tour the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the adjacent Mausoleum before heading to the blue city. If you’re familiar with myth, you’ve probably heard that Sultan Yacoub al Mansour’s unexpected death forced the construction of this tower to halt. Despite the mosque’s eventual destruction by an earthquake in 1755, it is amazing that the 44-meter-tall tower still stands.

We can also visit the Hassan Tower which has exquisite and intricate designs and the pillars are arranged in perfect symmetrical background. The tower is watched over by the royal guards and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The Mohammed V Mausoleum (which houses the graves of King Mohammed V and his two sons) is positioned right in front of the Hassan Tower and guess what, it’s interior is open to the public, and while everyone is welcome to visit the tomb, it is requested that you keep quiet and discreet while inside. Our next stop, Chefchaouen, also referred to as the “blue city,” is where you will stay overnight.

Day 4: Chefchaouen (blue city) - Fez

Our first stop of the day will be the Chouara Tannery, a fantastic destination for those seeking the utmost authenticity in Fez. This tannery turns animal hides and skins into leather by cleaning, applying chemicals, drying, and finally dying the hides. After that, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains as we drive through them.

One of the most interesting areas of Fez is the medina, which has been there for thousands of years. Wandering through the narrow, walled alleyways for hours will allow you to explore the shops and mosques. 

The medina’s highlights include the well-known Bab Boujloud, sometimes called the Blue Gate. It is the primary entryway to the ancient Fes el-Bali (Old Fes) medina and features a grand entrance that indicates the division between the city’s modern and ancient areas. 

Through the arch, you can see the Minaret of the Bou Inania Madrasa, another popular spot for Instagram. The good news is that Le Kasbah de Fes, a quaint rooftop eatery, is right across the street and provides a great view of the Blue Gate while dining.

Day 5: Fez to Azrou to Ziz Valley to Merzouga to Erg Chebbi

On this fifth day of our 8-day desert tour, we will leave Fez and travel to Azrou, 97 kilometres away from Fez. If you’re interested in seeing the endangered Barbary Macaque monkeys in their natural environment, you can walk through the Cedre Gouraud Forest and get up close and personal with them. 

Later, we will travel through the Ziz Valley, one of Morocco’s must-see areas. This area offers a different kind of landscape with date palms, verdant vegetation, and historic kasbahs. 

We will travel to Merzouga long after lunch, where you can experience the thrill of riding a camel through the magnificent Erg Chebbi dunes. You can also interact with amiable locals who are happy to share their customs and stories along the route. Additionally, you can participate in a traditional tea ceremony, learn how to tie a traditional turban, or engage in conventional Berber crafts like weaving and pottery.

Day 6: Erg Chebbi to Merzouga to Draa Valley to Ouarzazate

Today is a lovely day because we are visiting more fascinating locations. To see an oasis in the desert, we will drive a 4×4 vehicle to Merzouga and explore the golden sands of Erg Chebbi. 

Next is the Draa Valley, a fertile strip in the center of the Hamada that is home to palm groves, orchards, and flower oases. The Taourirt Kasbah, a magnificent 19th-century fortification with 20 riads and about 300 chambers, will be our next stop in Ouarzazate.

Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Day 7: Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou to Taroudant to Agadir

We will still travel to Agadir on our 8-day desert tour from Marrakech, stopping to see Ait Ben Haddou, a stunning fortified village in the country’s southeast that has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Following that, we will travel through Taroudant, a historic town in southern Morocco that is thought to resemble Marrakesh but is smaller and less tense. Depending on the stops we make en route, we will arrive in Agadir in the evening and spend the night there.

Day 8: Agadir to Marrakech

Since today is the last day of the 8 days desert tour from Marrakech, we will have enough time to explore Agadir. You can go quad biking, learn to surf, or visit the Market Souk El Had, Morocco’s largest city souk, where you can purchase anything from clothing, leather goods, rugs, spices, and skincare products.

Depending on your preference, we will drop you off at the hotel or the airport when we return to Marrakech later that day.

Tour Map

8 Days Tour of Marrakech Pricing

When you make your reservation, we want you to get the best deal and value for your trip. In light of this, the real price of our 8-day desert tour from Marrakech starts at 470€. Also, keep in mind this price is not fixed and is only per person.

8 Days Tour from Marrakech Included and Excluded:

Included

  • Picking up from your hotel/Airport in Marrakech and dropping off
  • Private transport with breaks upon request
  • Overnight stay in Essaouira / Casablanca / Chefchaoun/ Fes / Merzouga Desert / Ouarzazate and Agadir
  • Professional tour guide in Fes
  • Accommodation in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms
  • Camel trek and sandboarding in Erg Chebbi
  • Luggage services
  • Optional 4WD transfer to/from the desert camp
  • Free to visit Ait Ben Haddou castle for walks and photos
  • Dinners in Merzouga and Ouarzazate
  • Breakfasts

Excluded

  • Drinks.
  • Lunches.
  • Entry fees to monuments and attractions
  • Tips (optional).

Accommodation

You can travel confidently knowing that every aspect of your accommodation will be handled when we make your reservation. From the time of booking until you return, the team will provide you with the care, attention, and service you need to have an unforgettable, hassle-free vacation.

What You Should Know Before You Go?

  • make this be small: Tourists are not allowed to enter most mosques in Morocco, except the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which is open to visitors
  • Always keep cash on hand because not many people use credit cards.
  • Tipping is always appreciated.
  • You should dress conservatively.
  • Be sure to get a local's permission before snapping their photo.

Places To See In The 8 Days Tour from Marrakech

  • Essaouira
  • Oualidia
  • Casablanca
  • The Blue City (chefchaouen)
  • Fez
  • Azrou
  • Ziz Valley
  • Merzouga desert
  • Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Draa Valley
  • Ouarzazate
  • Ait Ben Haddou
  • Taroudant
  • Agadir

FQA (frequently questioned answers)

Of course, you may change the schedule to suit your preferences and desires.

Yes, it is suitable for all ages.

Yes, you can choose the city where the tour begins and ends.

8 Days marrakech Desert tour Reviews

Sarah M. – Chicago, IL
Sarah M. – Chicago, IL
A TripAdvisor User
This 8-day tour from Marrakech was an unforgettable experience! Every stop was carefully planned, and the landscapes were breathtaking. Mohamed, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and made us feel safe and welcome the entire time. I especially loved the camel ride into the Sahara — truly magical!
Jason T. – Austin, TX
Jason T. – Austin, TX
A TripAdvisor User
Hands down the best tour I’ve ever taken. Mohamed was not only our guide but also a great storyteller and friend throughout the trip. From Marrakech to the dunes of Merzouga, everything was smooth and well-organized. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience the real Morocco!
Amanda C. – San Diego, CA
Amanda C. – San Diego, CA
A TripAdvisor User
Wow! This tour exceeded all my expectations. Mohamed made the trip so special with his warm personality and deep knowledge of Moroccan culture and history. Every destination, from the Atlas Mountains to the desert camps, felt like something out of a movie. I’d book again in a heartbeat!

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