Riads, kasbahs and hotels
Traditional houses with private room and bathroom, in the medinas or overlooking the valley.
- Private room
- Dinner and breakfast
Tangier to Marrakech Desert Tour: 6 Days
6 days from Tangier to Marrakech
You cross the Strait and, six days later, you are in Marrakech having seen the blue town, Fez and the Sahara.
From €450 per person Book now
Highlights
- Chefchaouen
- Volubilis
- Meknes and Fez
- Middle Atlas
- Camel trekking
- Night in Erg Chebbi
- Todra Gorges
- Ait Benhaddou
- High Atlas
Trip overview
This is the most direct way to cross Morocco from end to end. It starts in Tangier, a stone’s throw from Spain, and links the must-see places in an almost straight line: Chefchaouen and its blue streets, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes, Fez, the Merzouga dunes, the Todra, the Dades and Ait Benhaddou.
The pace is brisk but well judged: one night in Chefchaouen, two in Fez with a day of sightseeing, one in the desert camp and one in the Dades Valley. It ends in Marrakech, from where you can fly home or stay a few more days.
Ideal for: travellers arriving in Tangier by ferry or plane who want to cross the country to Marrakech without missing the essentials.
- Duration
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Home
- Tangier
- End
- Marrakech
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- Every day
- Language
- English / Spanish
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day1
Tangier → Chefchaouen
We collect you at the port, the airport or your hotel in Tangier and climb into the Rif mountains. Chefchaouen appears wedged between two peaks, every house painted blue. Free afternoon to lose yourself in the medina, walk up to the Spanish Mosque and dine on Uta el-Hammam square.
- Rif mountain road
- Blue medina of Chefchaouen
- Uta el-Hammam square and kasbah
- Spanish Mosque viewpoint
-
Day2
Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fez
We come down from the Rif towards the olive-covered hills of Moulay Idriss. At Volubilis we walk among mosaics, columns and the Arch of Caracalla. Then Meknes: the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the granaries of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Arrival in Fez at sunset.
- View of Moulay Idriss
- Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Bab Mansour and el-Hedim square
- Arrival in Fez
-
Day3
Fez sightseeing
A day for the oldest and best-preserved city in Morocco. We explore the medina on foot: Bab Boujloud, the Chouara tannery, the Karaouine, Seffarine Square and the gates of the Royal Palace.
- Bab Boujloud
- Chouara tannery
- Karaouine
- Seffarine Square
- Royal Palace (exterior)
-
Day4
Fez → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga: night in the camp
A day of contrasts: cedar forests in the morning, palm groves at midday and dunes in the afternoon. In Merzouga we mount our camels and head for the camp as the sun goes down.
- Ifrane and the Azrou cedars
- Midelt
- Ziz Valley
- Camel trekking
- Dinner and drums
-
Day5
Erg Chebbi dunes → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley
After sunrise we return to Merzouga for a shower and breakfast. We follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Todra Gorges, walk through them and finish in the Dades Valley.
- Sunrise in the dunes
- Todra Gorges
- Tinghir palm grove
- Dades Valley
-
Day6
Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → High Atlas → Marrakech
Last day on the road: Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate and a visit to Ait Benhaddou. We climb to the Tizi n’Tichka and descend to Marrakech, where we drop you at your accommodation.
- Valley of Roses
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Benhaddou
- Tizi n’Tichka
Timings and the order of visits may be adjusted according to the season, road conditions and your preferences.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
- Accommodation every night
- Dinners and breakfasts
- One camel per person in the desert
- Night in a camp with private tent
- Turban and sandboarding in the dunes
- Photo stops whenever you like
What’s not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Tips
Accommodation
We choose small places with character, where a home-cooked dinner is part of the experience. In the desert you can choose between two types of camp.
Standard camp
Private tent with beds, blankets and shared bathrooms. The simplest and most authentic option.
- Private tent
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
Luxury camp
Spacious tents with a large bed, private bathroom and shower, electricity and dinner served at the table.
- Private bathroom
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
A tip from our team
If you are arriving by ferry, tell us the company and the time: there are two ports (Tanger Ville and Tanger Med) about 45 km apart, and we will be waiting at the right one.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
It is completely private: the vehicle, the driver and the itinerary are just for you and your companions. You will not share the trip with strangers, so we can stop wherever you like and adapt the timings.
Can I change the itinerary of “6 days from Tangier to Marrakech”?
Yes. What you see is our standard proposal. We can add a night, change the start or end point, include a guided visit or adjust the stages to your flights. Tell us what you need and we will send you a tailor-made version.
What is the difference between the standard and the luxury camp?
In both you have a private tent, dinner, breakfast and an evening of drums by the campfire. The luxury camp adds a private bathroom with shower inside the tent and more refined décor; in the standard camp bathrooms are shared and you shower in the morning at the hotel in the village.
How long is the camel trek?
About an hour and a half each way, at a gentle pace and accompanied by a camel handler. We set off a couple of hours before sunset to arrive in good light. If anyone cannot or would rather not ride, let us know and we will find an alternative.
How do I book and how do I pay?
Send us the form or write to us and we will confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours. We accept online payment (Visa, MasterCard and PayPal), as well as cash or card in person.
When is the best time of year for this tour?
You can travel all year round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) have the mildest temperatures. In winter the days are sunny but desert nights are cold, and in summer it is best to start early and make the most of the vehicle’s air conditioning.
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