5 days desert tour from Tangier

Overview:

5-day desert tour from Tangier to Marrakech is one of the most comprehensive ways to see Morocco, crossing the country from the northern coast, through the Rif and Atlas Mountains, into the Sahara Desert, and ending in the south. Because it covers roughly 1,000 kilometers, this route involves significant driving time (averaging 4 to 7 hours per day) but packs in Morocco's most iconic landscapes and cultural landmarks.

Highlights:

Drive south from Tangier through the Rif Mountains.

Visit the dramatic Atlantic-meet-Mediterranean views at Cap Spartel and the historic Hercules Caves.

Spend the afternoon walking through the striking blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen.

Stay: Traditional riad in Chefchaouen.

Travel south out of the Rif range into the agricultural valleys.

Explore the ancient Roman mosaics at the UNESCO-listed Site Archéologique de Volubilis.

Make a brief stop to see the grand gates of imperial Meknes before arriving in Fes.

Stay: Authentic riad in the Fes Medina.

Merzouga Desert Route: A long driving day (approx. 7 hours) crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains.

Pass through alpine Ifrane (often called the "Switzerland of Morocco") and see wild Barbary macaques in the Azrou cedar forests. Wind down through the massive palm groves of the Ziz Valley. Arrive at the golden Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga.

Experience: Ride camels at sunset into a luxury desert camp, ending with a traditional Berber dinner and live drum music under the stars.

Stay: Desert camp in Merzouga (e.g., Berber Camp Merzouga).

Travel West along the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs".

Catch a Sahara sunrise. Walk between the sheer 300-meter-high canyon walls at Todra Gorges. Drive into the dramatic rock formations of the Dades Valley.

Stay: Valley-view hotel in Dades.

Marrakech Route: Drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the panoramic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m elevation).

Stop in Ouarzazate, Morocco's Hollywood, to see film studios. Tour the famous earthen clay Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO site featured in Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

Drop-off: Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon/evening (typically 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM).

Day 1: Tanger – Chefchouen.

Pick up from the airport of Tanger or Port de Tanger Med || or hotels or riads.

You will have free time in Chefchaouen to explore it.

Please send us your arrival information. Like that our driver guide will find you with a sign with your name.

Overnight at or similar.

Day 2: Chefchouen – Fez

After breakfast we will drive to Fes, after our arrival you will have a tour with a local guide.

Must-See Attractions:

1. Fes el-Bali: The oldest Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a maze of narrow alleys.
2. Al-Attarine Madrasa: A stunning example of Marinid architecture, and a hidden gem.
3. Bou Inania Madrasa: A beautiful madrasa, with intricate woodwork and stunning tile work.
4. Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque: One of the oldest universities in the world, and a center of Islamic learning.
5. Visit Chouara Tannery in Fes, Morocco: What to Know … Chouara Tannery in Fes is the largest and oldest (11th century) leather tannery in the city, located in the heart of the Fes el Bali medina.
6. Overnight at traditional riad in Fes with breakfast included.

Day 3: Fes – Merzouga.

Depart Fes for Merzouga over the Middle Atlas Mountains through the cedar forests of Ifrane (the Switzerland of Morocco), azrou, Midelt and crossing the Ziz Valley and its gorges towards Sahara. Merzouga.

Relax a bit then ride the camels into the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. 1 hour of riding you will reach the camp, Sand boarding, Sunset, Dinner, Berber Music.

Overnight at the Luxury Camp.

Day 4: Merzouga – Dades Gorges.

After Woke up for sunrise in dunes near the camp, you come back to the camp for breakfast then you ride back the camels to Merzouga village.

Our 5 Days Tanger Desert Tour will continue to the city of Rissani where we’ll visit the market place (market days: tuesday, thursday and saturday).

We continue then to Erfoud where we can visit the manufactures of fossilized marble before starting our way to Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves.

One hour later we’ll reach one of the best places of the High Atlas, the Todra Gorges.

The course of the river has carved out cliff-sided canyon and it’s because of its beauty and the high rock sides that’s very popular among climbers.

Free time to have lunch in this wonderful place.

A short walk through the gorges is very advisable to better appreciate the beauty of the landscape.

In the afternoon we continue to Boumalne Dades.

Overnight in Berber hotel with dinner and breakfast.

Day 5: Dades Gorges – Marrakech.

After breakfast we can enjoy one of the better views of the Dades valley from one strategic look out in the mountains.

From there we can appreciate the great number of kasbahs and the scenic characteristics of each one.

After some stops to enjoy the “One thousand kasbahs road”.

The Roses Valley and the big Skoura palm grove we’ll get to Ouarzazate to visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, old residence of the Glaoui or Marrakech pasha, then cinema studio in Ouarzazate.

Our 5 Days Tanger Desert Tour we will stop at ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou where we will visit the famous Kasbah (declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986).

Famous films have been shot in this spectacular stage, including Gladiator, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, Free time for lunch in town.

In the afternoon we start our way to Marrakech going through the mountain port of Tizi Ntichka .

We’ll get to Marrakech about 6pm, arrive to your traditional riad in Marrakech .