13 Days in Morocco Tour from Tangier Itinerary
The absolute Morocco tour: a full loop from Tangier through Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca and Rabat.
- Duration13 days / 12 nights
- StartTangier
- EndTangier
- Tour typePrivate tour
- Desert nights2
- DepartureDaily, 8:00 am (flexible)
About this tour
Our longest itinerary is a complete circle of Morocco that starts and ends in Tangier. It includes the blue city, the imperial capitals, two nights in the Sahara, two full days in Marrakech, the ocean town of Essaouira and the Atlantic coast.
Thirteen days at a comfortable pace — perfect if you want to see everything once and properly, and return to Tangier for the ferry or your flight.
Tour highlights
- Chefchaouen and the Fes medina
- Two nights in the Sahara
- Dades Gorges and Ouarzazate
- Two days in Marrakech
- Essaouira's port and ramparts
- Hassan II Mosque and the capital, Rabat
Your route
- Tangier
- Chefchaouen
- Fes
- Merzouga
- Dades
- Marrakech
- Essaouira
- Casablanca
- Rabat
- Tangier
Itinerary
Day1 Tangier → Chefchaouen
Pick-up in Tangier and a drive into the Rif mountains. Arrive in Chefchaouen around midday and spend the afternoon discovering its blue-washed medina, the Kasbah museum and the waterfall at Ras el-Maa. Sunset from the Spanish Mosque rounds off your first day.
Day2 Chefchaouen → Meknes → Fes
Head south to Meknes, the imperial city of Moulay Ismail, to see the monumental Bab Mansour, the royal granaries and El Hedim square. Continue to Fes in the afternoon and settle into your riad for two nights.
Day3 Fes sightseeing
A guided day in Fes el-Bali, the largest car-free medina in the world. Visit madrasas covered in zellige and carved cedar, the Chouara tanneries, the Nejjarine fountain and the souks of coppersmiths and weavers. Evening free to enjoy dinner in the medina.
Day4 Fes → Middle Atlas → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Cross the Middle Atlas through Ifrane and the cedar forest, where Barbary macaques live. After lunch in Midelt, follow the Ziz Valley south to Merzouga. At sunset, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes to our camp for dinner and a night under the stars.
Day5 Merzouga: Khamlia, nomad families and Mifis mines
Spend a whole day in the desert. By 4x4, visit a nomad family, hear Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia and explore the old Mifis mines. Afternoon free for sandboarding, a quad ride (optional) or simply resting in the shade before a second sunset on the dunes.
Day6 Merzouga → Rissani → Dades Gorges
Watch the sunrise, then drive via Rissani's historic market to Tinghir and walk into the towering Todra Gorge. Continue west to the Dades Gorges for the night, surrounded by red cliffs and green fields.
Day7 Dades → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
Follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Kalaat M'Gouna and the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate. Stop at Aït Ben Haddou for a walk through the ksar, then cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.
Day8 Marrakech sightseeing
Discover Marrakech with a local guide: the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the maze of souks. In the evening, Jemaa el-Fna square fills with musicians, storytellers and food stalls — a spectacle not to miss.
Day9 Free day in Marrakech
A day at your own pace. Relax in a traditional hammam, take a Moroccan cooking class, visit the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, or join an optional excursion to the Ourika Valley in the Atlas foothills.
Day10 Marrakech → Essaouira
Drive west through the argan forest, with a stop at a women's argan oil cooperative. Arrive in Essaouira, a relaxed port town with sea-facing ramparts, blue fishing boats and art galleries. Afternoon free on the beach and in the medina.
Day11 Essaouira → Casablanca
Follow the Atlantic coast north past Safi and Oualidia's lagoon to El Jadida, where you can visit the atmospheric Portuguese cistern. Continue to Casablanca and admire the Hassan II Mosque, set on the ocean's edge with the world's tallest minaret.
Day12 Casablanca → Rabat
A short drive to Rabat, Morocco's calm and elegant capital. Visit the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, then wander the white-and-blue Kasbah of the Udayas above the river and the Andalusian gardens.
Day13 Rabat → Asilah → Tangier
Drive north along the coast to Asilah, a whitewashed seaside town known for its murals and ramparts. Enjoy lunch by the sea, then continue to Tangier, where your driver drops you at your hotel, the port or the airport.
Price includes & excludes
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or minivan) with fuel
- English-speaking driver-guide for the whole journey
- Pick-up in Tangier and drop-off in Tangier (hotel, riad or airport)
- 12 nights of accommodation in hotels, riads and kasbahs
- 2 nights in our desert camp in Merzouga
- Camel trek into the dunes at sunset
- 4x4 excursion around Erg Chebbi (nomads, Khamlia, Mifis)
- Breakfasts and dinners as shown in the itinerary
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Local city guides (optional — we can arrange them)
- Optional activities such as quad bikes or sandboarding
- Tips for your driver and camp staff
- Flights and travel insurance
Where you sleep
- Night 1Riad, Chefchaouen
- Night 2Riad, Fes
- Night 3Riad, Fes
- Night 4Desert camp, Merzouga
- Night 5Desert camp, Merzouga
- Night 6Kasbah hotel, Dades Gorges
- Night 7Riad, Marrakech
- Night 8Riad, Marrakech
- Night 9Riad, Marrakech
- Night 10Riad, Essaouira
- Night 11Hotel, Casablanca
- Night 12Riad, Rabat
Good to know
Private & flexible
Only your group travels in the vehicle. Ask your driver to stop for photos whenever you like, and tell us if you want to change the route or add days.
Your desert camp
Our camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes has comfortable tents with real beds and blankets. Your big luggage stays in the 4x4 — take a small bag for the night.
What to pack
Sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf for the wind, comfortable shoes and a warm layer: desert nights are cold from November to March.
Best time to travel
October to May is ideal. In summer we start early and rest at midday to avoid the heat. Every season has its own beauty.
Food & diets
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are possible. Just tell us when you book or let your driver know on day one.
How to book
Send us your dates and number of travellers. We reply with a price for your group. A small deposit confirms the tour; the balance is paid in cash on the first day (euros, dollars or dirhams).
Frequently asked questions
Which vehicles do you use?
Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles adapted to your group: 4x4 Land Cruisers or minivans for small groups, and Mercedes Sprinter minibuses for groups of 8 or more.
How far in advance should we book?
As early as possible, especially for spring, autumn and holiday periods. Last-minute requests are welcome too — contact us and we will do our best.
How do I pay for the tour?
We ask for a small deposit when you book. The balance is paid in cash to your driver on the first day of the tour, in euros, dollars or Moroccan dirhams.
What happens to my luggage in the desert?
Your suitcases stay safely in the vehicle or are brought to the camp by 4x4. You only need a small backpack for the camel ride.
I don't want to ride a camel. Can I still sleep at the camp?
Of course. We can take you to the camp by 4x4 instead of camel.
Can we change the itinerary?
Yes. All our tours are private, so we can add nights, change hotels, include activities or adjust the route to your wishes.
Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes. We adapt the pace, the stops and the accommodation for families and for travellers who prefer an easier rhythm.
More Tours from Tangier
5Days
From Tangier
5 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Tangier
From the north coast to the Sahara in five days: Chefchaouen, Fes, a night in the dunes and the kasbahs, ending in Marrakech.
6Days
From Tangier
6 Days Morocco Tour from Tangier to Marrakech
The blue city, a guided day in Fes and the Merzouga desert on the way from Tangier to Marrakech.
7Days
From Tangier
7 Days Tour From Tangier
One week from Tangier to Marrakech via Chefchaouen, Roman Volubilis, Fes and two nights in the Sahara.