6-Day Tangier to Marrakech Desert Tour Overview
Complete Adventure Through Imperial Cities & Sahara DesertThis comprehensive itinerary is designed for travelers who want to experience the full spectrum of Morocco's diversity, from imperial cities to desert landscapes and mountain scenery.
The 6-day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour covers approximately 1,500 kilometers through Morocco's most diverse landscapes. This carefully crafted itinerary balances travel time with immersive experiences in each destination, allowing you to appreciate the unique character of each region. You'll travel in comfortable air-conditioned 4x4 vehicles with an experienced driver/guide who will provide historical context and cultural insights throughout your journey. Accommodations are carefully selected to reflect the local character of each destination, ranging from modern hotels to traditional riads and a memorable overnight in a Sahara Desert camp.
This tour is perfect for adventure seekers, cultural travelers, and anyone interested in experiencing Morocco's dramatic contrasts. You'll experience the transition from northern Morocco's Mediterranean influence to the Sahara Desert's vast landscapes and the vibrant energy of Marrakech. For more information about Morocco's Sahara Desert, visit the Wikipedia page on Sahara Desert.
6-Day Tangier to Marrakech Desert Tour Itinerary
Detailed day-by-day itinerary of your desert adventure through MoroccoDay 1: Tangier ⇢ Chefchaouen
Tangier Departure & Scenic Drive
Meet your driver/guide in Tangier and begin your journey south. Depart Tangier and travel through the scenic Rif Mountains towards the magical blue city of Chefchaouen. Enjoy the changing landscapes as you leave the coastal region and enter the mountainous interior. Stop for photos at scenic viewpoints overlooking the Rif Mountains. Learn about the region's history and culture from your guide during the journey.
Chefchaouen Blue City Exploration
Arrive in Chefchaouen in the afternoon and check into your hotel/riad. Begin exploring the enchanting blue-washed streets of this picturesque mountain town. Wander through the medina's blue alleyways, discover small squares, artisan shops, and hidden corners. Visit the Kasbah Museum in the central Outa el Hammam square. Climb to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views of the blue city against the mountain backdrop as the sun sets. Evening at leisure to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and perhaps sample local cuisine.
Day 2: Chefchaouen ⇢ Volubilis ⇢ Meknes ⇢ Fes
Chefchaouen Morning & Journey South
After breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore more of Chefchaouen at your leisure. The morning light offers excellent photographic opportunities in the blue streets. You might choose to do some shopping for local handicrafts or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Depart Chefchaouen and travel south through agricultural landscapes towards the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Volubilis Roman Ruins & Meknes Imperial City
Arrive at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Explore the ancient city with its impressive mosaics, triumphal arch, basilica, Capitol, and residential areas. Continue to the imperial city of Meknes. Visit the massive Bab Mansour gate, one of the finest gates in Morocco. Explore the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, who made Meknes his capital in the 17th century. See the Heri es-Souani (royal granaries and stables) and the Place el-Hedim square. Later, continue to Fes and check into your riad/hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 3: Guided Tour of Fes
Fes Medina Cultural Exploration
After breakfast, meet your local guide for a full-day exploration of Fes el-Bali, the ancient medina and UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Royal Palace gates with their magnificent brass doors. Explore the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) and the Jewish Cemetery. Enjoy panoramic viewpoints overlooking the medina. Enter the medina through Bab Bou Jeloud (the Blue Gate) and begin your exploration of the labyrinthine streets. Visit the Al-Attarine Madrasa, a beautifully decorated Islamic school.
Medina Souks & Historical Sites
Continue your medina exploration, visiting the Kairaouine Mosque and University, founded in 859 AD and considered the oldest continuously operating university in the world. See the famous tanneries (Chouara Tannery) where leather is still processed using traditional methods. Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts and the Nejjarine Fountain. Explore artisan workshops specializing in pottery, metalwork, and textiles. Evening at leisure to explore on your own or enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Day 4: Fes ⇢ Ifrane ⇢ Middle Atlas Mountains ⇢ Ziz Valley ⇢ Merzouga Desert
Atlas Mountains & Ifrane
After breakfast, depart Fes and begin your journey towards the Sahara Desert. Travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through cedar forests and Berber villages. Stop in Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland" for its European-style architecture and clean streets. Visit the Lion Stone monument. Continue through the mountains, possibly spotting Barbary macaque monkeys in the cedar forests. Enjoy scenic views as you ascend to higher altitudes.
Ziz Valley to Merzouga Desert Camp
Descend from the mountains into the pre-Saharan region. Pass through the town of Midelt, known for its mineral fossils. Continue through the dramatic Ziz Valley with its palm groves and gorges. Arrive at the edge of the Sahara Desert in Merzouga in the late afternoon. Transfer to a desert camp where you'll mount camels for a magical sunset trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Watch the sunset over the golden sands before arriving at your desert camp. Enjoy a traditional Berber dinner under the stars, with Berber music around a campfire. Overnight in comfortable desert tents with proper beds and facilities.
Day 5: Merzouga Desert ⇢ Rissani ⇢ Todra Gorge ⇢ Dades Valley
Desert Sunrise & Rissani Market
Wake up early to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the Sahara Desert dunes. Enjoy breakfast at the desert camp before camel trekking back to Merzouga village. After freshening up at a local hotel, depart Merzouga and visit Rissani, the former capital of the Alaouite dynasty and an important trading post. Explore the traditional market (souk) if it's market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday). Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, the founder of the Alaouite dynasty.
Todra Gorge & Dades Valley
Continue to the stunning Todra Gorge, where towering canyon walls rise up to 300 meters high on either side of the river. Take time to walk through the gorge, appreciating the scale and beauty of this natural wonder. Continue to the Dades Valley, known as the "Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs" for its numerous fortified earthen structures. Drive through the dramatic "Monkey Fingers" rock formations. Check into your hotel in the Dades Valley with views over the valley. Evening at leisure to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Day 6: Dades Valley ⇢ Ouarzazate ⇢ Ait Ben Haddou ⇢ High Atlas Mountains ⇢ Marrakech
Rose Valley & Ouarzazate
After breakfast, depart the Dades Valley and travel through the Rose Valley (especially beautiful during the rose harvest season in May). Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Morocco" for its film studios and numerous film productions. Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, once one of the largest kasbahs in Morocco. Optionally visit the Atlas Film Studios to see sets from famous movies like "Gladiator," "Lawrence of Arabia," and "Game of Thrones."
Ait Ben Haddou & Atlas Crossing to Marrakech
Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, the most famous ksar (fortified village) in Morocco. Cross the river and explore this well-preserved earthen architecture, which has served as a backdrop for numerous films and TV series. After your visit, begin the crossing of the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m), the highest mountain pass in Morocco. Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery, Berber villages, and changing landscapes. Descend to Marrakech, arriving in the late afternoon. Transfer to your riad/hotel, marking the end of your 6-day desert adventure from Tangier to Marrakech.
Tangier to Marrakech Desert Tour Highlights
Experience the best of Morocco's imperial cities and Sahara DesertChefchaouen Blue City
Magical blue-washed streets in the Rif Mountains
Volubilis Roman Ruins
Best-preserved Roman archaeological site in Morocco
Meknes Imperial City
Bab Mansour gate & Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
Fes Medieval Medina
UNESCO World Heritage site & world's oldest university
Middle Atlas Mountains
Cedar forests, Ifrane & scenic mountain landscapes
Ziz Valley Oasis
Dramatic palm-filled valley in pre-Saharan region
Merzouga Sahara Desert
Camel trek, desert camp & starry night in Erg Chebbi
Rissani Traditional Market
Historic trading town & Alaouite dynasty origins
Todra Gorge
Towering 300m canyon walls & dramatic natural beauty
Dades Valley Kasbahs
"Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs" & Monkey Fingers formations
Ouarzazate Film City
"Hollywood of Morocco" & Atlas Film Studios
Ait Ben Haddou Ksar
UNESCO World Heritage fortified village & film location
High Atlas Mountains Crossing
Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m) & spectacular mountain scenery
Marrakech Arrival
Vibrant red city & conclusion of desert adventure
What's Included / Not Included
Complete details for your 6-day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour package- Pick-up from Tangier (hotel/port/airport)
- Private transportation with A/C 4x4 vehicle throughout
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- 5 nights accommodation in selected hotels/riads
- Overnight in Sahara Desert camp with dinner & breakfast
- All breakfasts during the tour
- Local guide in Fes for medina tour
- Camel trek in Merzouga Sahara Desert (one per person)
- Entrance fees to Volubilis, Ait Ben Haddou, and major sites
- Hotel/riad taxes and service charges
- Drop-off in Marrakech at your accommodation
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Lunches and dinners (except desert camp)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Tips for guides, drivers, camel handlers, and hotel staff
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Optional activities not mentioned in itinerary
- Visa fees if applicable to your nationality
- Atlas Film Studios entrance fee (optional visit)
Practical Details
Important information for your 6-day Tangier to Marrakech desert tourFrequently Asked Questions
About our 6-day Tangier to Marrakech desert tourAccommodations include carefully selected 3-4 star equivalent hotels and traditional riads in cities like Chefchaouen, Fes, and Dades Valley. The Sahara Desert camp offers comfortable tents with proper beds, bedding, and basic en-suite facilities (toilet and shower in most camps). The desert camp provides an authentic but comfortable experience with electricity (often solar-powered), dining area, and campfire. All city accommodations include private bathrooms and air conditioning/heating. Upgrades to luxury desert camps or higher category hotels are available upon request for an additional cost.
The camel trek in Merzouga is designed to be accessible to most travelers. The trek to the desert camp typically takes about 1-1.5 hours at a gentle pace during sunset. Camels walk slowly and are led by experienced handlers. If you have mobility issues or prefer not to ride a camel, alternative transportation to the desert camp (4x4 vehicle) can be arranged. The desert camp itself involves walking on sandy terrain. The tour overall involves moderate travel days with several hours of driving through varied landscapes. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended for both the camel trek and general touring.
Essential packing includes: comfortable walking shoes and sandals, layered clothing (temperatures vary greatly from mountains to desert), warm jacket for desert nights (can be cold), lightweight scarf or shawl (for sun protection and modesty), sun protection (hat, sunglasses, high SPF sunscreen), camera with extra batteries/memory cards, power bank (limited charging in desert), small backpack for daily essentials, headlamp or flashlight for desert camp, personal toiletries and medications, swimwear (some hotels have pools), and copy of passport and travel documents. For the desert, pack a small overnight bag as main luggage stays in the vehicle.
Yes, this tour can be customized in several ways. Popular customizations include: adding extra nights in specific locations (particularly Fes or Marrakech), extending the desert experience with additional nights in Merzouga, adding coastal stops (Essaouira), including more mountain hiking, or adjusting the pace for a more leisurely experience. The tour can also be extended to 7-10 days for a more comprehensive experience. Since this is a private tour, we can work with you to create an itinerary that matches your interests, pace, and budget. Common starting points other than Tangier (like Casablanca or Rabat) can also be arranged.
This tour operates year-round, but the best seasons are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) when temperatures are mild throughout. Spring offers beautiful wildflowers and comfortable desert temperatures. Autumn provides pleasant weather after the summer heat. Summer (June-August) can be extremely hot in the desert (often above 40°C/104°F), though evenings are pleasant. Winter (December-February) offers cool days but very cold desert nights (can drop below freezing). The desert is beautiful year-round, but temperature extremes should be considered. The Rose Valley is especially spectacular during the rose harvest in May.