Self-Launched Casablanca to Merzouga Desert Adventure with Camel Trek
3 days · Morocco
Desertbrise Travel charges £620
No-markup version: ~£221 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Desertbrise Travel's 3-day Casablanca-to-Marrakech desert run: mosque and medina sights in Casablanca and Rabat, an overnight in Fes, the Middle Atlas cedar forests and Ziz Valley, a night in a Merzouga erg camp with sunrise and camel trek, then the kasbah road back to Marrakech. Instead of a private driver-guide you'll use Morocco's excellent CTM/Supratours coaches, a shared 4x4 transfer into the dunes and a locally booked desert camp — cutting the price by roughly three-quarters while keeping the same route. Note: this is a fast-moving road trip (6-8 hours of travel most days) — if you have the time, add a night in Fes and one in Merzouga.
Day-by-day
Casablanca & Rabat to Fes
Casablanca → Rabat → Fes
Start early with a self-guided walk to the Hassan II Mosque seafront (exterior is free; guided interior tours run ~£11 and are worth it if timing allows). Take the tram or a petit taxi to Casa Voyageurs station and catch the ~1hr train to Rabat (~£4-6, ONCF, buy at the machine). In Rabat, walk the medina, then the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V (free entry), and the Royal Palace exterior — all within a pleasant 45-min stroll circuit. Late afternoon take the ONCF train Rabat → Fes (~3h30, ~£12-18 second class). Check into a riad in the Fes medina and eat a Moroccan dinner (tagine, harira, mint tea) at a local spot off Talaa Kebira.
🚌ONCF train Casablanca→Rabat ~£5; ONCF train Rabat→Fes ~£15; local tram/taxis ~£4
🛏Budget riad or guesthouse in Fes medina, private double ~£22-30/night
- →Hassan II Mosque exterior & seafront walk (interior tour ~£11 optional)
- →Casablanca medina & Habous quarter stroll
- →Rabat: Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, kasbah of the Udayas
- →Fes medina evening wander & dinner
Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Ziz Valley → Merzouga dunes
Fes → Merzouga
Book the morning CTM or Supratours coach Fes → Merzouga (about 7-8h, ~£16-22; book online a day or two ahead). The route climbs through Ifrane (the 'Moroccoan Switzerland', a short leg-stretch stop), Azrou's cedar forests where Barbary macaques hang around the roadside, and then down the dramatic Ziz Valley hairpins — sit on the right side for the best views. Arrive in Merzouga village late afternoon. Pre-book a budget desert camp online (GetYourGuide/Klook or direct with a small local operator, ~£45-70 including camel trek, dinner, breakfast and a simple tent) — you'll be picked up by 4x4 or meet your camel guide at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Camel trek into the dunes for sunset, then dinner, Berber drumming and stargazing at camp.
🚌CTM/Supratours coach Fes→Merzouga ~£20
🛏Standard desert camp tent in Erg Chebbi dunes (shared or private tent) included in camp package ~£50
- →Ifrane & Azrou cedar forest stops
- →Middle Atlas & Ziz Valley scenic drive
- →Sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi
- →Desert camp dinner, drumming and stargazing
Sunrise dunes, Todra/Dades gorges and on to Marrakech
Merzouga → Dades → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
Wake for sunrise over the dunes and a short camel ride back to the village. This is where the DIY route diverges from the private tour: the direct public transport back to Marrakech is a long day (Merzouga → Rissani → Ouarzazate → Marrakech by CTM coach, roughly 10-11h, ~£22-28 total). Two options: (1) take the CTM coach Merzouga → Marrakech with a change at Ouarzazate, using the layover to visit the Taourirt kasbah and, if timing fits, a shared taxi detour to Ait Ben Haddou (entrance ~£8); or (2) if you want to see Dades/Todra gorges properly, break the journey with one night in Boumalne Dades or Tinghir (adds ~£25) and continue to Marrakech the next morning. Either way, arrive in Marrakech in the evening and settle into a medina riad.
🚌Shared 4x4 Merzouga→Rissani ~£4; CTM/Supratours coach to Ouarzazate and Marrakech ~£24; local taxis ~£5
🛏Budget riad in Marrakech medina, private double ~£20-28/night (or Boumalne Dades guesthouse ~£18 if breaking the journey)
- →Sunrise over Erg Chebbi dunes
- →Camel ride back to Merzouga village
- →Ait Ben Haddou kasbah visit (~£8 entry, optional)
- →Taourirt kasbah & Ouarzazate stopover
- →Dades Valley viewpoints (if breaking the journey)
Self-launched vs. Desertbrise Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Desertbrise Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£221 | £620 |
| Duration | 3 days | 3 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £399 per person (64%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Desertbrise Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£221
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Casablanca to Merzouga Desert Adventure with Camel Trek cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £221 per person for 3 days in Morocco. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Desertbrise Travel?+
Yes — Desertbrise Travel charges around £620 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £221 — a saving of roughly £399 (64%) per person.
How long is the Morocco trip?+
This itinerary runs 3 days, covering 3 day-by-day stops through Morocco.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, budget trip through Morocco, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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