5 Day Tangier to Marrakech Desert Tour via Chefchaouen

Overview

About this tour

Arriving by ferry from Spain or flying into Tangier? This five-day tour carries you from the Strait of Gibraltar all the way to Marrakech, with the blue city, the imperial capital of Fes and a night in the Sahara on the way.

It is a fast but beautifully varied route: Mediterranean hills, the Rif mountains, cedar forests, desert dunes and the palm oases of the south, all with your own private driver.

5 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Tangier — private tour from Tangier

Camel caravan crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga

View over the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Tour highlights

Chefchaouen's blue medina
Meknes and the city of Fes
Ifrane and the Middle Atlas
Camel trek and stargazing in Erg Chebbi
Dades Valley and Ouarzazate
Aït Ben Haddou and the High Atlas

Your route

Tangier
Chefchaouen
Fes
Merzouga
Ouarzazate
Marrakech

Day by day

Itinerary

Day1 Tangier → Chefchaouen

Your driver meets you at Tangier port, airport or hotel. We leave the city through green hills dotted with olive groves and small Jbala villages, climbing gently into the Rif mountains. Arrive in Chefchaouen after about two and a half hours and spend the afternoon wandering its blue-washed lanes, the Kasbah garden and Outa el-Hammam square, then watch sunset from the Spanish Mosque.

Riad, Chefchaouen
Meals not included

Day2 Chefchaouen → Meknes → Fes

After breakfast we head south through farmland and rolling hills to Meknes, the imperial city built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Admire the monumental Bab Mansour gate, walk across El Hedim square and see the vast royal granaries. Continue to Fes in the late afternoon and settle into your riad inside or near the old medina.

Riad, Fes
Breakfast

Day3 Fes → Ifrane → Ziz Valley → Merzouga

A day of changing landscapes. Climb into the Middle Atlas to Ifrane, with its chalet-style houses, then look for Barbary macaques in the Azrou cedar forest. After lunch in Midelt, the road descends through the Ziz gorges and a long ribbon of palm groves to Erfoud and Merzouga. Ride a camel into Erg Chebbi at golden hour; dinner, drums and a sky full of stars await at camp.

Desert camp, Merzouga
Breakfast, Dinner

Day4 Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley → Ouarzazate

Climb a dune at dawn to watch the sunrise, then return to camp for breakfast. Drive west via Rissani and Tinghir to walk between the 300-metre walls of Todra Gorge. Continue through the Dades Valley and the rose town of Kalaat M'Gouna, passing kasbah after kasbah, to Ouarzazate for the night.

Hotel, Ouarzazate
Breakfast, Dinner

Day5 Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech

Morning visit to the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage fortified village and the backdrop to many famous films. Climb to the granary at the top for the view, then take the Tizi n'Tichka pass across the High Atlas, stopping at viewpoints and Berber villages. Drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech in the late afternoon.

End of tour — drop-off
Breakfast

What's included

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 Marrakech (hotel, riad or airport)
4 nights of accommodation in hotels, riads and kasbahs
1 night in our desert camp in Merzouga
Camel trek into the dunes at sunset
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 3Desert camp, Merzouga
Night 4Hotel, Ouarzazate

Practical information

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).

Questions

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.