Private guided tour · Morocco
New Year's Casablanca
Ring in the New Year under a canopy of Saharan stars. From Casablanca's oceanfront mosque to the golden dunes of Merzouga, through imperial Fes and the Red City of Marrakech — a magical private journey to start your year.
New Year's Morocco Tour from Casablanca
Celebrate differently this holiday season with GoFez Travel's New Year's Private Tour from Casablanca. Leave the winter chill behind and discover Morocco's most iconic destinations — from the oceanfront grandeur of Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque, through the ancient medinas of Fes, across the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert where you will ring in the New Year under a million stars, to the ochre walls of Marrakech and the Atlantic breeze of Essaouira. Every mile is guided by your private English-speaking driver, with expert local guides in Fes and Marrakech. This is not just a tour — it is a New Year's resolution made real.
Trip Highlights
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Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca — the tallest minaret in the world, half-built over the Atlantic
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Volubilis Roman ruins — remarkably preserved mosaics and triumphal arch with a private guide
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Guided medina tour of Fes — ancient tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin and the world's oldest university
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New Year's Eve in the Sahara — camel trek at sunset, traditional Berber dinner, and stargazing under millions of stars
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Todra Gorge & Ziz Valley — dramatic 300-metre canyons and endless palm groves stretching to the horizon
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Aït Benhaddou — the legendary fortified ksar and UNESCO site, backdrop to Gladiator and Game of Thrones
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Marrakech — the "Red City": vibrant souks, Jemaa el-Fna square, Bahia Palace and hidden Saadian Tombs
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Essaouira — the Atlantic "City of Wind": ramparts, fishing port and fresh seafood to welcome the New Year
Your Route
A grand circuit of roughly 1,300 km from the Atlantic to the Sahara and back — the perfect New Year's adventure through Morocco.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Casablanca
Welcome at Mohammed V Airport by your private driver. Visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, half-built over the Atlantic and one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening by the ocean, preparing for the journey ahead.
Casablanca → Volubilis → Meknès → Fes
Depart east to the remarkably preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis for a private guided walk among ancient mosaics, temples and the triumphal arch. Continue to Meknès — the "Versailles of Morocco" — with its grand Bab Mansour gate and Royal Stables. Arrive in Fes, Morocco's spiritual capital, for your overnight in a traditional riad.
The Ancient Medina of Fes
Full-day guided tour of Fes el-Bali with a local expert: the vivid Chouara Tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and the world's oldest university, the ornate Bou Inania Madrasa, and the bustling souks. Lunch in a traditional riad before free time to wander the world's largest car-free medieval city.
Fes → Erfoud → Merzouga
A scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing Ifrane ("Little Switzerland"), the cedar forests of Azrou with Barbary macaques, and Midelt. Descend through the spectacular Ziz Valley with its endless palm groves before reaching Erfoud, the "Gate of the Sahara". Continue to Merzouga for your overnight near the dunes.
Merzouga — Sahara Desert Camp
Start your morning in Erfoud discovering the local art of fossilized stone craftsmanship. In the afternoon, meet your local 4×4 driver who will take you to Merzouga and into the Sahara Desert, where magnificent orange and golden sand dunes reach as high as 150 metres. Mount your camel for a trek into the dunes, reaching a stunning viewpoint where the sunset paints the sands in shades of amber and rose. Tonight, ring in the New Year with a traditional Berber dinner, live music, and stargazing under millions of stars — a view so beautiful it may bring a tear to your eye. This is a New Year's Eve you will never forget.
Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Todra Gorge → Boumalne Dades
Get an early start to witness the Sahara's magical sunrise — the first of the New Year. Then join your private driver for today's adventure through the palm grove of Ziz Valley, where rivers flow through dry expanses bringing flourishing belts of green palmeries stretching to the horizon, dotted with ancient kasbahs. Next, explore Todra Gorge, an impressive natural oasis in the mountains where 300-metre cliffs tower above a crystal-clear river. Arrive in Boumalne Dades, one of Morocco's most attractive towns, famous for its beautiful landscapes and historical kasbahs.
Boumalne Dades → Ouarzazate → Aït Benhaddou → Marrakech
Today our adventure takes us to the region famous among filmmakers — the "Hollywood of Africa". Visit Ouarzazate and wander around the Taourirt Kasbah, exploring its maze-like passageways, steep steps and dizzying ramparts. Then drive to Aït Benhaddou, a living example of outstanding traditional Moroccan architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site, backdrop to Kingdom of Heaven and Gladiator. Cross the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) through the High Atlas before descending into Marrakech for your overnight.
Marrakech Guided Tour
Explore the "Pearl of the South" with a local expert: the soaring Koutoubia Mosque, the lavish Bahia Palace, the hidden Saadian Tombs, and the vibrant souks. Visit the serene Majorelle Garden before immersing yourself in the spectacle of Jemaa el-Fna square — storytellers, musicians and food stalls beneath the stars.
Marrakech → Essaouira
Drive to the Atlantic coast for a day in Essaouira, the "City of Wind". Explore the 18th-century ramparts, the blue-and-white medina (a UNESCO site), the bustling fishing port, and enjoy free time on the beach. Fresh seafood lunch overlooking the ocean before settling into your riad for a peaceful evening to reflect on your New Year's journey.
Essaouira → Casablanca Airport
Return to Casablanca with a drop-off at Mohammed V International Airport, timed around your return flight. Your private New Year's tour officially comes to an end — but the memories of Saharan stars, imperial cities and Atlantic breezes will stay with you forever. End of our services.
Tour Overview
- Day 1: Casablanca — arrival & Hassan II Mosque
- Day 2: Casablanca → Volubilis → Meknès → Fes
- Day 3: Fes — guided medina tour with local expert
- Day 4: Fes → Middle Atlas → Erfoud → Merzouga
- Day 5: Merzouga — New Year's Eve in Sahara Desert camp
- Day 6: Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Todra Gorge → Boumalne Dades
- Day 7: Boumalne Dades → Ouarzazate → Aït Benhaddou → Marrakech
- Day 8: Marrakech — guided imperial city tour
- Day 9: Marrakech → Essaouira (Atlantic coast)
- Day 10: Essaouira → Casablanca Airport — departure
Frequently Asked Questions
This 10-day itinerary is timed so that you spend New Year's Eve (Day 5) in a luxury desert camp at Merzouga, with a sunset camel trek, traditional Berber dinner, live music, and stargazing under millions of stars. It is an unforgettable way to ring in the New Year.
New Year's Eve is celebrated on Day 5 of the tour at our luxury desert camp in Merzouga. The evening includes a sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes, a traditional Berber dinner with live Gnawa music, and stargazing around a campfire as you count down to midnight under the Saharan sky.
Yes! Day 1 features a visit to Casablanca's iconic Hassan II Mosque, one of the world's largest and one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims.
The tour includes private local expert guides in Fes (6–7 hours) and Marrakech (5 hours), plus all monument entrance fees listed in the itinerary. The New Year's Eve desert celebration is fully included.
This tour is designed for departures in late December to ensure New Year's Eve falls on Day 5 in the Sahara. Typical departure dates are 26–28 December, but we can adjust the itinerary to match your preferred travel dates. Contact us for a tailored schedule.