9-Day Luxury Imperial Cities & Desert TourSahara and the Imperial North, at a Five-Star Standard
9 days / 8 nights·Private for your party (2–10)
About this journey
This is our luxury version of the classic south-to-north crossing, built for travellers who want the full Sahara-to-Fes arc without a single compromise on comfort. Nine days, 5-star riads throughout, a luxury desert camp rather than a shared bivouac, and two unhurried days inside the Fes medina with a private specialist guide. The route follows the same corridor as our other tours — Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou, the Sahara, the Middle Atlas cedar forests — but every accommodation choice is upgraded, and the Fes stretch includes access most visitors don't get: a private tannery workshop visit, a riad with a proper hammam, dinners at Fes's best kitchens rather than tourist-menu restaurants. This suits travellers who've decided the imperial cities and the Sahara both deserve real time, and who want a guide dedicated entirely to their group rather than a shared small-group departure. It's a strong choice for milestone trips and travellers who've done a more basic Morocco tour before and want to come back and do it properly. Because it's private and luxury-tier, we build in flexibility from the start — an extra night in Fes, a specific riad you've read about, a request to slow the pace down. Tell us when you enquire.
- 5-star riads throughout, plus a genuine luxury desert camp
- Two unhurried days in Fes with a private specialist guide
- Private tannery and craft workshop access in Fes
- Curated dining — Fes's best kitchens, not tourist menus
- Dedicated private guide and vehicle for all 9 days
Day by day
Departure from your Marrakech riad at a comfortable hour, crossing the Tichka Pass with proper stops. Ait Benhaddou is walked privately before the coach groups arrive, then on to a 5-star kasbah hotel in Ouarzazate.
- Private Tichka Pass crossing
- Ait Benhaddou UNESCO ksar
The Dadès Valley and Gorge break up the drive before Merzouga's dunes turn gold. A private camel trek — or 4x4 if preferred — brings you to a luxury camp with private ensuite tents and a multi-course dinner under the stars.
- Dadès Valley and Gorge
- Luxury camp, ensuite private tents
Sunrise over the dunes with coffee served before you rise, then the drive north through the Ziz Valley's palm groves to Midelt, a Middle Atlas town most tourists never see. Overnight at a boutique property with proper mountain views.
- Sunrise with in-tent coffee service
- Ziz Valley drive
A proper stop in the Middle Atlas cedar forests near Ifrane, where Barbary macaques often gather roadside, before arriving in Fes and checking into a 5-star riad with a private hammam.
- Ifrane cedar forest stop
- 5-star riad with private hammam
A private specialist guide leads a thorough walk through Fes el-Bali — the Chouara tanneries, the Al Quaraouiyine exterior, and souks organised by trade — at whatever pace your group prefers, with dinner afterward at one of Fes's best kitchens rather than a tourist-menu restaurant.
- Private Fes medina walking tour
- Dinner at a specialist Fes kitchen
A private visit inside a working tannery workshop, arranged beyond the standard viewpoint stop most visitors get, followed by a free afternoon — a hammam session at your riad, or simply time to rest before tomorrow's day trip.
- Private tannery workshop access
- Free afternoon or hammam
Meknes, the smallest and most underrated imperial city, and Volubilis, Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins, both visited privately and at your own pace, well away from Fes's larger crowds.
- Meknes imperial city
- Volubilis Roman mosaics
A day shaped around your interests — a private cooking class, further exploration of the medina with your guide, or simply time to enjoy the riad. Tell us what you'd like when you enquire and we'll arrange it in advance.
- Private cooking class (optional)
- Flexible, unstructured pacing
A private transfer to Fes airport, timed around your actual flight.
- Private airport transfer
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- 8 nights 5-star accommodation (riads, a luxury desert camp, boutique kasbah properties)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, upgraded on request
- Licensed English-speaking guide exclusively for your group, all 9 days
- Private camel trek (or 4x4 option) to the luxury camp
- 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners including a multi-course desert camp dinner
- Entry fees at Ait Benhaddou, Dadès/Todra Gorge, Volubilis and Meknes
- Private Fes tannery and craft workshop visit with a specialist guide
Not included
- International flights (this tour ends in Fes)
- Lunches (typically $20–$40/day)
- Personal travel insurance (required)
- Gratuities for guide, driver and camp staff
- Spa treatments and optional add-on experiences
Choose your style
2 Travellers
- 5-star riads and luxury desert camp
- Private vehicle and guide
- Fully flexible schedule
4 Travellers
- Same 5-star accommodation
- Lower per-person cost
- Private vehicle and guide
6+ Travellers
- Larger private vehicle
- Lowest per-person cost
- Same 5-star accommodation
What travelers say
“The private tannery visit was worth the whole trip on its own — actually inside the workshop, not just looking down from the famous viewpoint everyone photographs.”
“Coming back to do Morocco properly after a budget backpacking trip a decade ago, this was the right way to do it.”
“Ending in Fes with a full free day built in meant we weren't exhausted for our flight home, which matters more than people think.”
Why choose AZA Morocco Tours
- Local expert guides — born and raised in Morocco
- Small groups capped at 10 people maximum
- All-inclusive pricing — no hidden fees
- Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
- Weekly departures year-round (except desert tours Jul–Aug)
- Verified reviews on TripAdvisor
Questions about this tour
It follows the natural south-to-north geography and avoids a long backtrack. We arrange your onward flight or transfer from Fes as part of planning.
Standard visits stop at the public viewpoint above the tanneries. This is arranged access into the actual workshop with a leather specialist, by prior arrangement.
Yes — this is a starting template. Extra nights in Fes, the desert, or Marrakech beforehand can all be added when you enquire.
The figure shown is an accurate starting point for two travellers at our standard luxury tier. Your exact quote depends on specific riad and camp choices, which we confirm after a short conversation.
February to May and September to December for comfortable temperatures throughout.
A guideline is $15–$20 per traveller per day for the guide, $8–$10 for the driver, and a discretionary amount for camp and workshop staff.
Yes — the per-person price drops for larger private groups. See the pricing tiers above.