15-Day Morocco Grand Tour: Imperial Cities, Rif Mountains & Sahara Desert
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
15 days
Fitness Level
Good travel stamina for multi-day driving and short hikes; not technically demanding but expect stairs, uneven medina alleys and some steep walking.
Overview
From Casablanca’s Atlantic edge to the rolling dunes of Erg Chebbi, this private 15-day circuit stitches Morocco’s imperial cities, mountain passes and Sahara nights into one coherent route. Expect medina workshops, Roman ruins, cedar forests with macaques, and a luxury desert camp under the stars.
15-Day Morocco Grand Tour: Imperial Cities, Rif Mountains & Sahara Desert
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You step off the plane in Casablanca and the Atlantic breeze pushes the dust from the road like a welcome card — salt on your lips, the spire of Hassan II Mosque cutting the sky. Over the next 15 days this private loop will carry you from Mediterranean ports and blue-painted alleys to cedar forests, Roman ruins, high Atlas passes and the orange-gold dunes of Erg Chebbi. The rhythm of the trip is deliberate: mornings in medinas, afternoons on the road, evenings in riads or a desert camp listening to Berber music.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Carry local cash daily
ATMs are common in cities but small vendors, cooperatives, and remote villages prefer or require dirham notes; bring small denominations.
Layer for big temperature swings
Pack a light insulated layer — mornings at 2,000+m in the Atlas can be chilly while afternoons in valleys and the Sahara are hot.
Protect against sun and dust
Bring a wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen and a scarf or buff to shield from sun and dune dust when on camel rides.
Plan for long driving days
Daily legs can last several hours; bring snacks, motion-sickness remedies and expect comfort stops but limited services in remote stretches.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Barbary macaque
- Migratory flamingos and waders at Merzouga’s seasonal lakes
History
The route ties Morocco’s imperial cities—Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Marrakech—to older networks: Roman Volubilis and caravan routes through Ziz Valley shaped trade and settlement patterns.
Conservation
Water is scarce across inland Morocco; favor local cooperatives for purchases and minimize water use in desert camps; stick to marked trails to protect fragile dune and oasis systems.
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Adventure Hotspots in Casablanca
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Light hiking shoes
Versatile for medina alleys, mountain trails and rocky gorges like Todra and Akchour.
Sun protection (hat + sunscreen)
Crucial for exposed desert and southern cities where midday sun is strong.
summer specific
Layered clothing and warm jacket
Nights in the Sahara and high passes can be cold even when days are warm.
winter specific
Small daypack & water bottle
Useful for daily walks, market stops, and keeping hydration on long transfers.