8-Day Tour from Tangier to the Sahara Desert
Eight private days from the Strait of Gibraltar to Marrakech: blue Chefchaouen, Roman Volubilis, the imperial cities of Meknes and Fes, a night among the Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi, the Todra and Dades gorges, Aït Ben Haddou and the Red City.
- Duration8 days / 7 nights
- StartTangier (port, airport or hotel)
- EndMarrakech
- Tour typePrivate, 4×4 or minibus
- CitiesChefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech
Tour Overview
From the Mediterranean to the Sahara and Marrakech
This private eight-day tour starts at Morocco's northern gateway, Tangier — ideal if you arrive by ferry from Spain or fly into the north — and crosses the whole country to Marrakech. Along the way you see the Rif Mountains, two imperial cities, the Sahara and the kasbah country of the south, all at your own pace in a private vehicle.
The first day takes you through Tetouan to Chefchaouen, the blue town of the Rif. From there you visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes on the way to Fes, where a full day with a local guide reveals the Karaouine, the madrasas and the tanneries of the old medina.
The road then crosses the Middle Atlas and follows the Ziz Gorge to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride and a night at a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. After sunrise, you head west to the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, then through the Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou and over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. The tour ends with a guided day in Marrakech.
Highlights
What Makes This Tour Special
- 01
Chefchaouen, the Blue City
A night in the blue-washed town of the Rif, with its Spanish-style plaza and rooftop views.
- 02
Volubilis & Meknes
Roman mosaics at a UNESCO site and the monumental gates of Moulay Ismail's capital.
- 03
A Full Day in Fes
The Karaouine, the Attarine Madrasa, the Chouara tanneries and panoramic views of the medina.
- 04
Sunset in the Sahara
A camel ride into Erg Chebbi, a night at a Berber camp and sunrise over the dunes.
- 05
Todra, Dades & the Kasbahs
Canyon walks, the Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate's studios and UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou.
- 06
A Guided Day in Marrakech
The Koutoubia, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Majorelle Garden and Jemaa el-Fna.
Day by Day
8-Day Itinerary from Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara
Your driver meets you at Tangier port, airport or hotel. The road runs east to Tetouan, whose white medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then climbs into the green slopes of the Rif Mountains.
In the afternoon, reach Chefchaouen and explore its blue-washed lanes and stairways, the Outa el Hammam square with its Spanish-style atmosphere and the old kasbah. Browse the craft shops for woollen blankets and goat cheese, and end the day on a rooftop overlooking the town.
Head south through the Rif foothills to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco. With a local guide, walk among its floor mosaics, the basilica, the Capitol and the triumphal arch of Caracalla.
Continue to Meknes, the 17th-century imperial capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail and a UNESCO World Heritage city. See the monumental Bab Mansour gate, the medina walls and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, then drive on to Fes for the night.
Fes, founded in the 8th century by the Idrisid dynasty, was Morocco's first imperial city. Spend the day with a licensed local guide in Fes el-Bali: the Karaouine Mosque and University, the golden gates of the Royal Palace, the zellige and carved cedar of the Attarine Madrasa, the Zaouia of Moulay Idriss and the Chouara tanneries.
In the late afternoon, drive up to the Merenid Tombs or the Borj Sud for a panoramic view over the medina as the city lights come on.
Cross the Middle Atlas through forests of cedar and cork oak, stopping in Ifrane and the cedar forest where Barbary macaques live. After lunch in Midelt, cross the Tizi n'Talghemt pass and follow the Ziz Gorge south through palm groves and fortified villages.
Stop in Erfoud, famous for its fossils, and in the market town of Rissani, then continue to Merzouga. Meet your camels at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes and ride into the sand for the sunset, before reaching the camp for dinner, Berber music around the fire and a chance to try sandboarding.
Wake early to photograph the sunrise over the dunes and enjoy breakfast at the camp, then ride your camel back to Merzouga where your driver is waiting.
Head west past the palm groves of Tinjdad to Tinghir and walk through the Todra Gorge, where the canyon walls rise about 300 metres above a clear stream. Continue along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Boumalne Dades for the night in a guesthouse with views over the valley.
Drive down the valley to Kelaat M'Gouna in the Valley of Roses, then on to Ouarzazate to visit the Atlas Film Studios, among the largest in Africa. Continue to Aït Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar, and climb through its earthen lanes to the granary at the top.
In the afternoon, cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 metres, the highest road pass in Morocco, before descending through Berber villages to Marrakech in the evening.
Explore the Red City with a licensed local guide: the Koutoubia Mosque and gardens, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Majorelle Garden, then the souks of the medina and Jemaa el-Fna square. Lunch is at a local restaurant.
The afternoon is free to explore on your own, shop in the souks, relax in a hammam or return to Jemaa el-Fna at sunset.
After breakfast, your driver takes you to Marrakech airport in time for your flight. Transfers to Casablanca airport can be arranged on request.
Tour Details
What's Included & Not Included
Included
- Pick-up in Tangier (port, airport or hotel) and drop-off at Marrakech airport
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel
- English-speaking driver throughout
- 6 nights in riads, guesthouses and hotels (Chefchaouen, Fes ×2, Dades, Marrakech ×2)
- 1 night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Camel ride and sandboarding in the dunes
- Local guides in Volubilis, Fes and Marrakech
- Daily breakfast and 4 dinners (Chefchaouen, Fes, desert camp, Dades)
Not Included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments, museums and film studios
- Tips for driver, guides and camp staff
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Tailor-made on request. This itinerary is a suggestion. Every tour is private, so we can add a second night in the desert, split the long drive to Marrakech with a night in Aït Ben Haddou, upgrade to a luxury camp, or start from Tangier Med port straight off the ferry. The price depends on group size and accommodation — send us your dates for an exact quote.
Book This Tour
Request Your Private 8-Day Tour
Tell us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation. We reply within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary and price — no payment needed to enquire.
- Private tour — only your group in the vehicle
- Free itinerary changes before departure
- Local team based in the south of Morocco
Booking Enquiry
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We can meet you at Tangier Med or Tangier Ville port, the airport or your hotel, and adjust the first day to your arrival time.
It is fully private. Only you and your travel companions are in the vehicle, and the pace and stops can be adjusted to suit you.
The route covers about 1,800 km. Most days have 3 to 6 hours of driving with plenty of stops; the two longest days (Fes to Merzouga and Dades to Marrakech) take 8 to 9 hours including visits.
Yes. A night in Aït Ben Haddou between the Dades Valley and Marrakech, or a second night in Merzouga, makes the trip more relaxed. Just tell us when you enquire.
Tents in the Erg Chebbi dunes have proper beds and blankets, with dinner served at the camp. Standard, upgraded and luxury camps are available; luxury tents have an en-suite bathroom.
Yes, camels are led on foot by a guide at a slow pace. If you prefer not to ride, a 4×4 transfer to the camp can be arranged.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal. Winter is sunny but nights in the desert and mountains are cold, and summer days in the south are very hot.
Comfortable layers, a warm jacket for the evenings, good walking shoes for the medinas and gorges, sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf for sun and sand, and a small overnight bag for the camp.
The price depends on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation level (standard, upgraded or luxury). Send us your dates and group size for an exact quote within 24 hours.
Gallery
Moments from the Journey
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