Rabat
Rabat
- Arrive in Rabat and meet your driver and local guide.
- Visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas.
- Walk by the river and spend the night in Rabat.
Round trip from Rabat · 8 days · 7 nights
8-Day Morocco Tour from Rabat
A private 8-day tour that starts and ends in Rabat: Meknes, Fes, a night in the Sahara at Merzouga, the Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech and Casablanca, with a driver and a local guide.
- 8 day Morocco tour from Rabat
- Rabat to Marrakech tour
- Rabat desert tour
- Morocco tour package
Duration
8 days, 7 nights
Route
Rabat - Meknes - Fes - Merzouga - Dades - Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech - Casablanca - Rabat
Guides speak
English and Spanish
Price
On request, free quote with no obligation
Tour overview
Rabat, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech in 8 days
The 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat is a private round trip by Highlights Morocco Tours. It starts with the Hassan Tower in Rabat, goes inland to Meknes and Fes, crosses the Middle Atlas to Merzouga for a night in a Sahara desert camp, follows the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech, and returns to Rabat through Casablanca. It includes a private driver and a local guide who speaks English or Spanish. The price is on request, with a free quote and no obligation.
Rabat is a calm capital and a good place to begin: you visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas, and then head inland. The route reaches the Sahara on day 4 and comes back through Marrakech and Casablanca.
It is a typical route, not a fixed script. If you want Chefchaouen, we can add it with an extra night, and if your flights use another city we can change the start and end. For a longer trip see our 14-day itinerary from Rabat.
Photos
From the cities to the dunes
Highlights
What you will see on the tour
- The capital
- Meknes and Fes
- A night in the Sahara
- Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Itinerary
Day by day itinerary
Rabat to Fes via Meknes
About 200 km
- Leave Rabat and drive inland to Meknes, an imperial city with the Bab Mansour gate.
- Continue to Fes and settle in.
- Free time in the evening.
A day in Fes
Fes el-Bali
- Spend the day with a local guide in the medina of Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage site (listed in 1981).
- Visit the Chouara tanneries, the old madrasas and the souks.
- Enjoy a traditional lunch and free time in the evening.
Fes to Merzouga
About 460 km
- Leave Fes in the morning and cross the Middle Atlas, with its cedar forests.
- Stop for lunch near Midelt and follow the Ziz Valley to the south-east.
- Reach the Erg Chebbi dunes in the late afternoon and ride a camel at sunset.
- Dinner, music and a night in a desert camp beside the dunes.
Merzouga to the Dades Valley
About 300 km
- Watch the sunrise over the dunes and have breakfast at camp.
- Drive west towards Tinghir and visit the Todra Gorges.
- Continue along the Dades Valley, with its rock formations and kasbahs.
- Dinner and night in the Dades Valley.
Dades Valley to Marrakech
About 330 km
- Leave the Dades Valley after breakfast and drive west.
- Stop in Ouarzazate and visit Ait Ben Haddou.
- Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
- Arrive in Marrakech in the evening.
A day in Marrakech
Marrakech
- Explore the medina with a local guide: the Koutoubia minaret, the souks, a palace and Jemaa el-Fnaa.
- Take a break in a traditional courtyard cafe.
- Spend the evening in Jemaa el-Fnaa, with its food stalls and storytellers.
Marrakech to Rabat via Casablanca
About 320 km
- Leave Marrakech in the morning and drive north.
- Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca if the schedule allows.
- Arrive in Rabat in the afternoon. The tour ends here.
Route map
Rabat 8-day route map
The route goes inland to the imperial cities, crosses the Middle Atlas to the Sahara, returns over the High Atlas to Marrakech and closes the loop by Casablanca.
- 1
Rabat
Start and end of the tour, with the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas.
- 2
Meknes
Imperial city with the Bab Mansour gate.
- 3
Fes
Guided day in the medina of Fes el-Bali.
- 4
Merzouga
Camel ride at sunset and a night in a desert camp.
- 5
Dades Valley
Rock formations, the Todra Gorges and kasbahs.
- 6
Ait Ben Haddou
UNESCO-listed ksar of red-earth towers.
- 7
Marrakech
Guided day in the medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa.
- 8
Casablanca
The Hassan II Mosque, on the way back to Rabat.
Why this route
A calm start, a desert in the middle
Rabat is easy to arrive in and a gentle way to begin. From there the route follows a single loop, so you never repeat a road.
The cities give you history, Merzouga gives you the dunes, and Marrakech and Casablanca close the trip before you return to Rabat.
Morocco tour package
An attractive Morocco tour package
- Private driver and local guide for your group only
- Desert camp stay in Merzouga at the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Route through Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech and Casablanca
- Free quote, tailored to your dates and pace
8-day Morocco tours
Choose your starting city
All five routes are private, last 8 days and include a night in a Sahara desert camp.
| Tour | Route | Ending |
|---|---|---|
| 8 days from Marrakech | Marrakech, Sahara, Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira | Marrakech (round trip) |
| 8 days from Casablanca | Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Sahara, Marrakech, Essaouira | Casablanca (round trip) |
| 8 days from Fes | Fes, Sahara, Marrakech, Rabat, Chefchaouen | Fes (round trip) |
| 8 days from Tangier | Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Sahara, Marrakech | Marrakech (one way) |
| 8 days from Rabat | Rabat, Fes, Sahara, Marrakech, Casablanca | Rabat (round trip) |
Your quote
What is included
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at the agreed point
- Private transport with a driver for the whole trip
- Local guide who speaks English or Spanish
- A camel ride at sunset in the Merzouga dunes
- One night in a desert camp, and nights on the road
- Free quote and support before and during your trip
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Photo stops and time at each viewpoint
Not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance fees, when needed
- Tips (optional)
Meals, extra stops and the type of camp are confirmed in your free quote. Tell us what you prefer.
Good to know
Tips for your trip
- The route has several long driving days. The longest are between Merzouga and Fes or Marrakech.
- Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Summer is very hot in the south and winter desert nights are cold.
- Bring light layers, a warm jacket for the desert night, a scarf, sunglasses, sun cream and closed shoes.
- Want to slow down? Ask us to add a night in Fes, Marrakech or the desert.
Tour guide
Complete guide to the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat
The 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat is a private round trip by Highlights Morocco Tours. It begins at the Hassan Tower, continues through Meknes and Fes, crosses the Middle Atlas to a Sahara camp at Merzouga, passes the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou, and reaches Marrakech before returning to Rabat.
What is the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat?
The 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat is a private round trip run by Highlights Morocco Tours, with a driver and a local guide who speaks English or Spanish. It lasts 8 days and 7 nights and links the capital with Fes, the Sahara, the southern kasbah country and Marrakech. The return leg goes back north through Casablanca, so you finish where you started. As a Morocco tour package it suits anyone based in or arriving at Rabat who wants to cover the main regions without changing vehicles.
Day-by-day itinerary of the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat
Day 1: arrive in Rabat, then see the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas. Day 2: about 200 km inland to Meknes and on to Fes, with free time in the evening. Day 3: a guided day in the medina of Fes el-Bali, including the Chouara tanneries. Day 4: about 460 km to Merzouga across the Middle Atlas, a sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp. Day 5: sunrise on the dunes, the Todra Gorges and about 300 km to the Dades Valley. Day 6: about 330 km to Marrakech by Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Day 7: a day in Marrakech with the Koutoubia minaret, a palace, the souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa. Day 8: about 320 km north to Rabat, with the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca if time allows.
Who is the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat for?
The 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat is suited to travellers who want a wide look at Morocco and accept several long driving days. Fes to Merzouga is about 460 km and Dades to Marrakech about 330 km, so you spend real time in the car, though the scenery changes constantly. Couples, small groups of friends and families with teenagers tend to enjoy it most. Since the tour is private, your guide can adjust stops and meal times, and you are never part of a large coach group.
Best time to take the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat
Spring and autumn are usually the best seasons for the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat, because the inland cities and the Merzouga dunes are easier to enjoy without extreme heat. In summer the desert, the Dades Valley and Marrakech can be very hot, while Rabat and Casablanca stay more temperate by the Atlantic. In winter the desert camp is cold at night, and snow may fall on the High Atlas near the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Speak to us about your dates and we will tell you honestly what to expect.
What to pack and practical tips for the Rabat circuit
For the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat, bring layers, a warm jacket for the Merzouga camp, a scarf, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream. Closed, comfortable shoes are best for the Fes medina, the dunes and the Hassan Tower esplanade. The tour does not include lunches, drinks, entrance fees or tips, so carry cash in dirhams. Modest clothing is appreciated in religious areas and old towns. Keep valuables and a charger in a small day bag, and leave the big suitcase in the car on the desert night.
Price and how to book the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat
The price of the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat is on request and depends on your dates and group size. Highlights Morocco Tours sends a free quote with no obligation, and you can request it by the contact form on this page, by WhatsApp or by email. The quote covers the private transport, the local guide, the camel ride at sunset in Merzouga and the night in the desert camp with dinner and breakfast. Lunches, drinks, entrance fees and tips are paid separately. Share your dates with us and we prepare an offer for your private tour.
Why book with us
Travel with a local Marrakech agency
Local agency
Highlights Morocco Tours is a private tour operator based in Marrakech.
100% private
Only your group, with your own driver.
English and Spanish
Local guides who speak English or Spanish.
Tailor-made
Ask us to add a night, change a stop or adjust the pace.
WhatsApp support
Support before and during your trip.
Free quote
Send your dates and group size. No obligation.
FAQ
Questions about the 8-day tour
About the trip, how to book it and who we are.
The tour
Is the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat worth it?
Yes, if you want to see the main regions of Morocco in one trip. In 8 days you can combine imperial cities, the Atlas, the Sahara and the coast, with a private driver and a local guide.
What is the best 8-day Morocco itinerary from Rabat?
A popular 8-day itinerary from Rabat goes Meknes, Fes, Merzouga, the Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech and Casablanca, and back to Rabat. It avoids repeating the same road and includes a night in the Sahara.
How much driving is there on this tour?
Morocco is big, so there are some long driving days, mostly between Merzouga and the cities. We plan stops for lunch and rest, and we can add nights to slow down.
Does the tour include the Sahara?
Yes. It includes a camel ride at sunset in the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a desert camp at Merzouga. The camel ride depends on the season and your arrival time.
Can I change the route or add days?
Yes. We adapt the stops and the number of nights to your dates and interests, and we can add a second night in the desert, in Fes or in Marrakech.
Can I add Chefchaouen?
Yes. We can add Chefchaouen with an extra night, for example between Rabat and Fes. Tell us your dates and we adapt the route.
Is there a longer tour from Rabat?
Yes. See our 14-day Morocco itinerary from Rabat, which adds Chefchaouen, a second night in the desert and Essaouira.
Booking
How do I book the 8-day Morocco tour from Rabat?
Send us your dates and number of travellers with the contact form, by WhatsApp or by email. We reply with a free, no-obligation quote and, once you are happy with it, we confirm the booking and the details of your trip.
How much does the 8-day tour cost?
The price depends on your dates, the number of travellers and the type of camp, so we quote on request. Quotes are free and come with no obligation.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Rabat. We can arrange the pick-up at Rabat-Salé airport, at the train station or at your hotel, and we agree the time with you when we confirm your booking.
About Highlights Morocco Tours
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Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. We will reply with a free, no-obligation quote.
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