Imperial Cities & the Blue Town

If this is your first time in Morocco and you want to see it all, this is the route. It links the great imperial cities, the blue streets of Chefchaouen and the Sahara, starting at Casablanca's airport and finishing in Marrakesh, so you never drive the same road twice.

Day by day

1. Day1

   Atlantic capital

   Casablanca → Hassan II Mosque → Rabat~1.5 h driving

   Start at the Hassan II Mosque, built over the ocean, then drive to Rabat, Morocco's relaxed capital, for the night.

2. Day2

   Into the Rif

   Rabat → Chefchaouen~4 h driving

   Morning at the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Hassan Tower, then north into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen.

3. Day3

   The blue town

   ChefchaouenNo driving

   A full day to wander the blue lanes at your own pace, or take a short drive to the Akchour waterfalls for a walk by the river.

4. Day4

   Romans and saints

   Volubilis → Moulay Idriss → Fes~4.5 h driving

   Explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis and their mosaics, see the holy town of Moulay Idriss from above, and arrive in Fes.

5. Day5

   Inside the medina

   FesNo driving

   A day in the world's largest car-free urban area: tanneries, madrasas and craft workshops. A licensed local guide can be arranged.

6. Day6

   Over the Middle Atlas

   Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt~3.5 h driving

   Cedar forests, Barbary macaques and high plateaus, with an easy stop for the night in Midelt.

7. Day7

   To the Sahara

   Ziz Valley → Merzouga~4 h driving

   Follow the Ziz palm groves south to the dunes of Erg Chebbi for a sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp.

8. Day8

   Gorges and roses

   Todra Gorge → Dades Valley~4.5 h driving

   Sunrise over the dunes, then west to the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley.

9. Day9

   Back over the Atlas

   Skoura → Aït Benhaddou → Tizi n'Tichka → Marrakesh~6 h driving

   Kasbahs of Skoura, the ksar of Aït Benhaddou, and the mountain pass back to Marrakesh.

Make it yours

This route is a starting point, not a package. Every day can change. Here are a few ideas:

• Start in TangierArriving by ferry or flight? Begin in Tangier and Asilah instead of Casablanca.
• Two nights in FesSlow down in the medina, or add a cooking class.
• Skip the desertSwap the Sahara for Essaouira and the Atlantic coast.
• Finish in FesFly out of Fes and do the route in reverse.

What we can arrange for you

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed driver for the whole route
• Riads, kasbahs and hotels to match your style and budget
• Desert camps, from simple to luxury
• Licensed local guides for medinas and monuments
• Activities: camel rides, cooking classes, hammams, hikes
• Airport pick-up and drop-off

Prefer to book your own accommodation? No problem. We'll simply drive the route around your bookings.