Private Tour · Morocco
7 Days — Tangier to Marrakech
From the Gateway to Africa to the Red City, journey deep into Morocco: the blue city of Chefchaouen, the ancient medina of Fes, a magical night in the Sahara, and the kasbahs of the Atlas.
7-Day Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara
This private 7-day tour is the ultimate crossing of Morocco, from north to south. You'll begin in Tangier, the mythical city of the Strait of Gibraltar, before heading up into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, the blue pearl. You'll then discover the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes, before spending two full days soaking up the magic of Fes with a local guide. The journey continues toward the Sahara, crossing the Middle Atlas with its cedar forests and Barbary macaques. In Merzouga, a night in a charming hotel precedes a day of 4x4 exploration and an unforgettable night in a luxury camp in the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The return to Marrakech takes you through the Todra Gorges, the Valley of the Roses, the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, and the Tizi n'Tichka pass. A complete week of culture, history, and adventure.
Trip Highlights
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Tangier — the city of the strait, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic
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Chefchaouen — the blue city of the Rif, a maze of ultramarine alleyways
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Volubilis — UNESCO-listed Roman ruins with remarkably intact mosaics
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Fes — a full guided tour of the world's oldest Arab medina
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Azrou Cedar Forest — encounter with Barbary macaques
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Merzouga 4x4 excursion — nomads, Khamlia village, and Gnawa music
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Erg Chebbi — camel trek at sunset and a night in a luxury camp
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Aït Benhaddou — the iconic fortified ksar, a film set and UNESCO heritage site
Your Route
An epic journey of over 1,500 km from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Red City, crossing the Rif, the Atlas, and the Sahara.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Tangier → Tetouan → Chefchaouen
Your driver will pick you up at the airport, port, or your hotel in Tangier. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short visit to the medina, the Caves of Hercules, or Cape Spartel. We then head up into the Rif Mountains via Tetouan, the "White Dove," with its whitewashed walls and Andalusian heritage. Arrive in the late afternoon at Chefchaouen. Stroll through its blue alleyways, visit Uta el-Hammam square, and admire the view from the Spanish Mosque. Dinner and overnight in a typical riad in the heart of the medina.
Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes
After breakfast, enjoy some free time for one last wander through the blue city. Depart south through the Rif countryside to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO site with remarkably preserved mosaics and marble columns. Continue to Meknes, the Ismaili capital, to discover Bab Mansour, the royal stables, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. In the late afternoon, arrive in Fes. Settle into a charming riad in the old medina.
Full Guided Tour of Fes
A full day dedicated to discovering Fes el-Bali with an official local guide. You'll start at the Royal Palace gate, the mellah (Jewish quarter), and Borj Sud fortress for a panoramic view. Then, dive into the UNESCO-listed medina: the Attarine Madrasa, the Nejjarine Fountain, Al-Qarawiyyin University (the oldest university in the world), and the famous Chouara Tanneries with their multicolored dye pits. Visit a pottery and zellige cooperative to watch artisans at work. Return to the riad for a second night in Fes.
Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Early morning departure for the Sahara. Cross the Middle Atlas through Ifrane, Morocco's "Little Switzerland," then stop in the Azrou cedar forest to photograph the Barbary macaques. Lunch in Midelt, between the Middle and High Atlas. The road then descends toward the Ziz Valley and its seemingly endless palm groves. Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon. Check into a charming hotel at the edge of the desert, with dinner and a restful night before your Saharan adventure.
Merzouga 4x4 Excursion → Camel Trek → Luxury Camp
After breakfast, set off on a 4x4 excursion around the Merzouga region. Visit the kohl mines, meet nomadic families in their woven tents, and share a glass of Berber tea. Continue to Khamlia for a Gnawa music and dance performance. Lunch along the way. In the afternoon, take a stroll through the palm grove and visit Merzouga's seasonal lake (look out for flamingos). In the late afternoon, mount your camel for a trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset. Arrive at your luxury camp for a traditional dinner, Berber music around the fire, and a magical night under the stars.
Merzouga → Rissani → Erfoud → Todra → Dadès Valley
Wake up at dawn for an unforgettable sunrise over the dunes. Return by camel, enjoy breakfast and a shower, then depart for Rissani, the ancient capital of the Tafilalet, to wander through its traditional souk (especially lively on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays). Stop in Erfoud to visit a fossilized marble workshop. Drive to the Todra Gorges, where you can walk at the foot of the 300-meter cliffs. Continue through the Dadès Valley and its "Monkey Fingers" rock formations. Dinner and overnight in a charming kasbah-hotel in Boumalne Dadès.
Dadès → Valley of the Roses → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Aït Benhaddou → Marrakech
Early departure for Kelaat M'Gouna, the rose capital, then through the Skoura palm groves. Visit Ouarzazate and its film studios, then head to the famous kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO site and backdrop for legendary films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Climb the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) with its breathtaking panoramic views. Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon. Your driver will drop you off at your riad in the medina or at Marrakech-Menara Airport. End of our services.
Tour Summary
- Day 1: Tangier → Tetouan → Chefchaouen (overnight)
- Day 2: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes (overnight)
- Day 3: Full guided tour of Fes (overnight)
- Day 4: Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Merzouga (hotel overnight)
- Day 5: Merzouga 4x4 excursion + camel trek → Luxury camp
- Day 6: Merzouga → Rissani → Todra → Dadès Valley (overnight)
- Day 7: Dadès → Aït Benhaddou → Tizi n'Tichka → Marrakech
Frequently Asked Questions
Day 1 is about 2 to 3 hours of driving. Day 2 is longer (4–5 hours) with visits to Volubilis and Meknes. Day 3 has no transfer (walking tour of Fes). Day 4 is the longest with 7 to 8 hours to Merzouga. Day 5 involves minimal driving (local 4x4 excursion). Days 6 and 7 each have 4 to 5 hours of driving, with plenty of scenic photo stops.
The luxury camp in Merzouga features spacious tents with comfortable beds, private bathrooms with hot showers, and quality bedding. Your stay includes the sunset camel trek, a Berber dinner, live music around the campfire, and breakfast. An authentic Saharan experience with all the comforts.
Yes, this itinerary can be done in reverse — from Marrakech to Tangier — with the same stops and experiences. Just let us know your preference when booking.
Breakfast is included every morning, as well as dinners in Chefchaouen, at the desert camp, and in Boumalne Dadès. Dinner at the Merzouga hotel (Day 4) is also included. Lunches are not included, giving you the freedom to choose from scenic restaurants or picnic spots along the way.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most pleasant temperatures along the entire route. Summer is hot in the desert but manageable with early morning departures. Winter brings magical light, crisp mountain air, and pleasantly cool desert evenings.