8 Days from Tangier to Marrakech via Sahara Desert

8-Day Morocco Tour from Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara Desert

Departure: Tangier · End: Marrakech · Duration: 8 days / 7 nights · Total distance: approx. 1,500 km

Overview

Travel across Morocco from north to south on this 8-day private tour. Start in Tangier, wander the blue streets of Chefchaouen, discover the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial cities of Meknes and Fes, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, explore the Todra and Dades gorges, and cross the High Atlas via Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech.

Highlights

• Rif Mountains, Tetouan and the blue city of Chefchaouen
• Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes
• Guided tour of the Fes medina
• Camel ride, sunset and sunrise in the Merzouga Sahara Desert
• Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
• Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa”, and the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou
• High Atlas Mountains and a guided tour of Marrakech

Route Map

Distances are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the exact route and stops.

Day 1 – Tangier → Tetouan → Chefchaouen (≈ 115 km)

Pick-up at Tangier airport, port or your hotel. Drive through the Rif Mountains via Tetouan to Chefchaouen, the famous blue city. Enjoy free time to explore its blue-washed alleys and small squares before checking in. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Day 2 – Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes (≈ 275 km)

After breakfast, drive south to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, and explore its ruins and mosaics. Continue to Meknes, the 17th-century imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, to see the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the Moulay Ismail mausoleum. Arrive in Fes in the late afternoon. Overnight in a traditional riad.

Day 3 – Guided Tour of Fes

Spend the day discovering the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities with a local guide: the Royal Palace gates, the famous tanneries, the Moulay Idriss mausoleum, Al Quaraouiyine University, the Attarine Madrasa and the Mellah, the first Jewish quarter built in Morocco. In the afternoon, visit a traditional zellige tile cooperative and enjoy a panoramic view over the medina. Overnight in Fes.

Day 4 – Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga (≈ 470 km)

Leave Fes and cross the Middle Atlas via Ifrane and Azrou, stopping in the cedar forest to see the Barbary macaques. Lunch in Midelt, then continue through the palm-filled Ziz Valley and Errachidia to Erfoud, known for its fossils. In Merzouga, your camels are waiting: ride for about 45 minutes into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset to reach your desert camp. Dinner and Berber drum music around the fire under the stars. Overnight in the desert camp.

Day 5 – Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley (≈ 290 km)

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back by camel for breakfast and a shower. Visit Rissani, the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty, with its lively market and the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif. Continue to Tinghir and walk through the impressive Todra Gorge. Arrive in the Dades Valley in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in the Dades Valley.

Day 6 – Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech (≈ 325 km)

Drive through the Rose Valley, where you can visit a rose products cooperative, and the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa”. Lunch near Ait Ben Haddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the afternoon, cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech. Drop-off at your riad.

Day 7 – Guided Tour of Marrakech

Meet your local guide for a tour of the Red City: the Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Koutoubia Mosque. After lunch on a terrace, stroll through the souks. The rest of the afternoon is free. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 8 – Departure from Marrakech

After breakfast, transfer from your accommodation to Marrakech airport. End of our services.

Prices & Accommodation Options

All our tours are private. Choose the accommodation level that suits you; the price per person decreases as your group grows.

Included

• Pick-up at Tangier airport, port or hotel
• Private air-conditioned vehicle
• Experienced English-speaking driver
• Local guides for the city tours of Fes and Marrakech
• 6 nights in riads/hotels
• 1 night in a desert camp
• Camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes
• Breakfasts
• Dinners in the Sahara Desert and the Dades Valley
• Drop-off at Marrakech airport

Not Included

• Flights
• Lunches and drinks
• Dinners in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech
• Monument entrance fees
• Tips and personal expenses

Looking for a different route? Discover our 5 days from Tangier to the Sahara, the 6 days from Tangier to Marrakech or the reverse route, 8 days from Marrakech to Tangier. All our tours are private and can be customized to your dates and travel style.