My 6-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Casablanca: A 2025 Review

So, you are probably thinking about a Morocco desert trip starting in Casablanca, right? Well, I just got back from a six-day spin through the country, and frankly, it was a pretty wild ride. The whole idea was to see more than just a single city, to actually get a feel for how the landscape changes from the big city on the coast to those huge dunes in the Sahara. It’s almost impossible to really prepare for the sheer variety of what you are going to see. As I was saying, this review is basically my personal take on what a 2025 tour package feels like on the ground, sharing the parts that were amazing and some things you might want to know before you book. This specific route is, in a way, one of the classic circuits that a lot of people do.

Day 1-2: From the Coast to the Blue Hills

Alright, so the trip kicks off in Casablanca, which is, you know, a huge commercial hub. First, we had a really good look at the Hassan II Mosque; I mean, it is just unbelievably big and right on the ocean, which is sort of cool. We didn’t stay long in Casablanca, as the main point was to get on the road. We more or less drove straight to Rabat, the capital, which is honestly a lot more relaxed than Casablanca. After that, the next big stop was Chefchaouen, the blue city, and frankly, it was completely worth the drive. Finding it up in the Rif Mountains is half the fun. Actually, it feels like you’re stepping into a completely different kind of world.

Spending the evening and the next morning there was a really good call. At the end of the day, all you want to do is just wander through those blue-washed alleys. You can get a little lost, but it’s kind of a nice place to not know where you’re going. The whole town, you know, has a very chill atmosphere. We basically just sat at a café in the main square, the Plaza Uta el-Hammam, and watched people go by. It’s pretty much the perfect way to ease into the different pace of life you find once you leave the big coastal cities. The riad we stayed in was pretty simple, but it was just so authentic, with a nice rooftop view.

Day 3: Getting Lost in the Old City of Fes

Next, we headed to Fes, which is honestly a total sensory overload in the best way possible. To be honest, I thought I knew what an old city was, but the Fes el-Bali medina is something else entirely. It is apparently one of the world’s biggest car-free urban zones, and you definitely feel it. Our guide was sort of a lifesaver here, because the nine thousand or so alleyways are literally a maze. We saw the famous tanneries, and I mean, you can smell them from a block away, but seeing the whole process is actually fascinating. They give you a sprig of mint to hold under your nose, which, by the way, helps a lot.

In that case, the guide showed us old schools, like the Bou Inania Madrasa, which had this tile work that was just incredibly detailed. The sounds in the medina are what I remember most, really; the craftsmen hammering metal, the donkeys carrying goods through the tight passages, and just the general hum of thousands of people. At the end of the day, it’s an experience that feels like you’ve gone back in time. We found a great spot for lunch deep inside the medina that you would, you know, never find on your own. Seeing all of this ancient craft happening right in front of you is just so special.

Day 4: Crossing the Mountains to the Desert’s Edge

This day was basically a very long driving day, but the changing scenery made it fly by. So, you leave Fes and start climbing into the Middle Atlas mountains. It is almost startling how green it is at first, so you see these huge cedar forests. We even stopped to see the Barbary macaque monkeys that hang out by the side of the road, which was a kind of unexpected treat. They are just a little bit mischievous, so you have to watch your snacks. Anyway, as you drive further south, the landscape gets a lot more dry and rocky, which is really cool to see happen.

The stop in Midelt for lunch was pretty unremarkable, as a matter of fact, it’s just a stopping point. But then, you pass through the Ziz Valley, and honestly, the view is spectacular. You’re driving on this high road and you look down at this huge ribbon of green palm groves snaking through a massive canyon. It’s seriously a massive oasis. This is when you really start to feel like you are getting close to the Sahara. The anticipation kind of builds all day, and when you finally catch that first glimpse of the golden Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, it’s a pretty special moment. The dunes look almost like mountains made of sand.

Day 5: The Unforgettable Night in the Sahara

Okay, so this was the day everyone was waiting for, right? In the late afternoon, we met our camels, which are actually dromedaries with one hump. Getting on one is, you know, a bit awkward at first, but you sort of get the hang of it pretty quickly. The trek out into the Erg Chebbi dunes took about an hour, just as the sun was starting to set. The way the light changes the colors of the sand from gold to orange and then pink is just completely beautiful. The silence out there is probably the most amazing part; I mean, all you can hear is the soft padding of the camels’ feet. It is so peaceful.

To be honest, watching the sunset from the top of a huge sand dune with absolutely no one else around is one of those memories I think I’ll have forever. The scale of it all is just really hard to describe.

Our desert camp was more or less what I expected; it was pretty comfortable with proper beds in the tents and a separate dining tent. We had a really good tagine for dinner, and then the Berber guides played drums around a campfire. Seriously, the best part was stepping away from the fire and looking up at the sky. With no city lights, you can see millions of stars and even the Milky Way so clearly. It’s pretty much a perfect end to an incredible day. Waking up in the middle of the desert is just a bit of a surreal experience.

Day 6: Desert Sunrise and the Road to Marrakech

You definitely want to get up early for the sunrise. Frankly, watching the sun come up over the Algerian border and light up the dunes is just as amazing as the sunset. The colors are totally different in the morning light, you know? After a quick breakfast, we rode the camels back to the edge of the desert to meet our driver. This is where the six-day trip kind of ends for some, as it concludes with the arrival in Marrakech, not a return to Casablanca. So you should be aware of that when booking. The drive to Marrakech is another long one, but again, with some pretty interesting stops.

First, we stopped at Todra Gorge, where you can walk along a river at the bottom of these massive canyon walls. The sheer cliffs are very popular with rock climbers, and you can see why. It’s a very different kind of natural beauty from the desert. Later, the route takes you along the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” which is just a little bit of an exaggeration, but you do see a lot of these old fortified structures. Honestly, the whole drive just gives you a deeper appreciation for the diverse geography of Morocco. You end up in Marrakech in the evening, feeling pretty tired but also like you have really seen a huge part of the country.

Is This 6-Day Morocco Tour a Good Fit For You?

So, at the end of the day, is this trip the right one for you? It is kind of perfect for a first-timer in Morocco who really wants to see a lot in a short amount of time. You get the imperial cities, the mountains, and of course, the big Sahara experience. It’s great for people who don’t want to deal with the logistics of renting a car and finding their own way. Having a driver who knows the roads and the culture is, you know, a huge plus. It could be really good for solo travelers, couples, or a small group of friends.

On the other hand, you have to be okay with long car rides. I mean, a couple of the days are pretty much spent mostly in the vehicle. The pace is fairly quick, so you don’t spend a huge amount of time in any one place except for Fes and the desert. If you are someone who likes to settle into a place for several days, this might feel a little rushed to you. The accommodation in the desert camp, while comfortable, is naturally more basic than a city hotel. Honestly, you should just be prepared for that.
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A Few Quick Takeaways

• You see a lot: This tour basically packs in a massive amount of scenery and culture.
• The driving is long: So, just be prepared for multiple days with 5-8 hours in the car.
• The desert is the star: Frankly, the night in the Sahara is the absolute high point.
• Guides are super helpful: Especially in places like the Fes medina, a local guide is almost necessary.
• It ends in Marrakech: So, you just need to be aware that it’s not a round trip back to Casablanca.
• Pack layers: Seriously, the mountains can be cool and the desert can be hot during the day and cold at night.

Read our full review: [6 Days From Casablanca Morocco Desert Full Review and Details]