7-Day Tangier to Marrakech Tour Overview
Complete Desert & Imperial Cities Journey Through MoroccoThis comprehensive itinerary is designed for travelers who want to experience the full spectrum of Morocco, from ancient cities to desert landscapes and mountain scenery.
The 7-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech covers approximately 1,500 kilometers through Morocco's most diverse regions. This carefully crafted itinerary balances travel time with immersive experiences in each destination, allowing you to appreciate the unique character of each location. You'll travel in comfortable air-conditioned 4x4 vehicles or minivans with an experienced driver/guide who will provide cultural insights throughout your journey. Accommodations range from comfortable hotels to a unique overnight stay in a desert camp, all carefully selected to enhance your Moroccan experience.
This tour is perfect for adventure seekers, cultural enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone wanting to experience the dramatic contrasts of Morocco. You'll witness the transition from the blue hues of Chefchaouen to the golden sands of the Sahara, from ancient medinas to breathtaking gorges. For more information about Morocco's diverse landscapes, visit the Wikipedia page on Geography of Morocco.
7-Day Tangier to Marrakech Tour Itinerary
Detailed day-by-day itinerary of your desert and imperial cities journeyDay 1: Tangier ⇢ Chefchaouen
Tangier Arrival & Departure to Chefchaouen
Arrive at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport or Tangier port. Meet your driver/guide and begin your journey to the magical blue city of Chefchaouen. The drive takes you through the scenic Rif Mountains with beautiful views of the countryside. As you approach Chefchaouen, you'll begin to see the distinctive blue-washed buildings that make this city famous worldwide.
Chefchaouen Exploration
Arrive in Chefchaouen and check into your hotel or riad. Spend the afternoon exploring the enchanting blue streets of the medina at your own pace. Wander through the picturesque alleyways, discover hidden corners, visit the central square (Outa el Hammam), and see the Kasbah Museum. The city is particularly photogenic in the late afternoon light. Evening free to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and experience the peaceful atmosphere of this unique mountain town.
Day 2: Chefchaouen ⇢ Volubilis ⇢ Meknes ⇢ Fes
Chefchaouen to Volubilis
After breakfast, depart Chefchaouen for a journey through the Moroccan countryside. Arrive at Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman archaeological site in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the ancient city with its impressive mosaics, triumphal arch, basilica, Capitol, and residential areas. Learn about the Roman influence in North Africa and imagine life in this prosperous city dating back to the 3rd century BC.
Meknes Imperial City & Continue to Fes
Continue to the nearby imperial city of Meknes. Explore the historical sites including the massive Bab Mansour gate, one of the finest gates in Morocco. Visit 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. After your visit, continue to Fes, arriving in the evening. Check into your riad/hotel located in or near the medina.
Day 3: Guided Tour of Fes
Fes Medina Guided Tour
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). 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, and see the Kairaouine Mosque and University, founded in 859 AD.
Medina Souks & Tanneries
Continue your medina exploration, visiting the famous Chouara Tannery where leather is still processed using traditional methods. Explore artisan workshops specializing in pottery, metalwork, ceramics, and textiles. Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts. Experience the vibrant souks filled with spices, leather goods, carpets, and traditional crafts. Evening at leisure to explore on your own or enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant with live Moroccan music.
Day 4: Fes ⇢ Ifrane ⇢ Middle Atlas Mountains ⇢ Ziz Valley ⇢ Merzouga Desert
Fes to Ifrane & Middle Atlas
After breakfast, depart Fes for your journey to the Sahara Desert. Travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in Ifrane, known as "Morocco's Switzerland" for its alpine-style architecture and clean, orderly streets. Visit the Cedar Forest near Azrou, where you might see Barbary macaques (wild monkeys) in their natural habitat. Continue through beautiful mountain scenery, passing through traditional Berber villages.
Ziz Valley to Merzouga Desert
Descend from the mountains into the Ziz Valley, known for its palm groves and dramatic gorges. Stop for panoramic views of the valley. Continue to Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Arrive at your hotel at the edge of the desert. In the late afternoon, embark on a magical camel trek into the dunes. Watch the sunset over the golden sands, then continue to your desert camp. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner under the stars, accompanied by Berber music around a campfire. Overnight in comfortable nomadic tents with proper bedding.
Day 5: Merzouga Desert ⇢ Rissani ⇢ Todra Gorge ⇢ Dades Valley
Sunrise & Departure from Desert
Wake up early to experience the spectacular sunrise over the dunes (optional). After breakfast at the camp, camel trek back to your hotel for shower facilities. Visit the nearby town of Rissani, the former capital of the Tafilalet region and birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty (current ruling dynasty of Morocco). Explore the traditional market (souk) if it's market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday). See the ancient ksar (fortified village) and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif.
Todra Gorge to Dades Valley
Continue your journey to the spectacular Todra Gorge, where towering limestone cliffs rise 300 meters on either side of a narrow gorge. Walk through the gorge, admiring the dramatic scenery and watching rock climbers. After your visit, drive through the Dades Valley, known as "the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs" for its numerous fortified earthen buildings. Stop at strategic viewpoints to admire the winding road through the valley and the unique rock formations. Overnight in a hotel in the Dades Valley area.
Day 6: Dades Valley ⇢ Ouarzazate ⇢ Ait Ben Haddou ⇢ High Atlas Mountains ⇢ Marrakech
Dades Valley to Ouarzazate
After breakfast, depart Dades Valley and continue through the "Road of the Thousand Kasbahs." Stop at Kelaat M'Gouna, known as the "Valley of Roses" (especially beautiful during the rose harvest in May). Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the "Gateway to the Desert" and a major film production location. Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, one of the most impressive kasbahs in Morocco, and optionally the Atlas Film Studios where many movies were filmed.
Ait Ben Haddou & High Atlas Crossing
Continue to the famous Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most famous kasbah in Morocco. This impressive fortified village has been featured in numerous films including "Gladiator," "Lawrence of Arabia," and "Game of Thrones." Cross the river and climb up to explore the kasbah. After your visit, begin your journey across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m), enjoying spectacular mountain scenery. Arrive in Marrakech in the evening and check into your riad/hotel. Evening free to experience the famous Djemaa el-Fna square.
Day 7: Guided Tour of Marrakech ⇢ Departure
Marrakech Highlights Tour
After breakfast, explore Marrakech with a local guide. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque with its distinctive minaret, the Bahia Palace with its beautiful gardens and intricate decoration, the Saadian Tombs rediscovered in 1917, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa, once the largest Islamic college in Morocco. Explore the souks specializing in leather, metalwork, textiles, and spices. Visit the Majorelle Garden, created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later owned by Yves Saint Laurent.
Departure or Extended Stay
After your Marrakech exploration, transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour. Alternatively, if you have extended your stay in Morocco, you'll be dropped off at your Marrakech accommodation. This comprehensive tour has taken you through the most diverse landscapes of Morocco, from the blue city to the golden desert, through dramatic gorges and over majestic mountains, providing an unforgettable Moroccan adventure.
Tangier to Marrakech Tour Highlights
Experience the best of Morocco's desert, mountains, and imperial citiesChefchaouen Blue City
Magical blue-washed streets in the Rif Mountains
Volubilis Roman Ruins
UNESCO World Heritage Roman archaeological site
Meknes Imperial City
Bab Mansour gate & Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
Fes Medieval Medina
UNESCO site with world's oldest university
Sahara Desert Experience
Camel trek & overnight in Merzouga desert camp
Todra Gorge
300m high limestone cliffs in dramatic gorge
Dades Valley
"Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs" scenic route
Ait Ben Haddou
UNESCO kasbah featured in Hollywood films
High Atlas Mountains
Tizi n'Tichka pass with spectacular views
Marrakech Cultural Sites
Koutoubia, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs & souks
Ifrane & Cedar Forest
"Morocco's Switzerland" & Barbary macaques
Complete Morocco Experience
From Mediterranean north to Sahara desert south
What's Included / Not Included
Complete details for your 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour package- Airport/port pick-up in Tangier
- Private transportation with A/C vehicle/4x4
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- 6 nights accommodation (hotels + desert camp)
- All breakfasts during the tour
- Dinner during desert night (Day 4)
- Camel trek in Merzouga (one per person)
- Overnight in desert camp with bedding
- Local guides in Fes and Marrakech
- Entrance fees to Volubilis and major sites
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Airport drop-off in Marrakech
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Lunches and most dinners (except Day 4)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Optional activities (quad biking, etc.)
- Visa fees if applicable to your nationality
- Drinks and beverages
Practical Details
Important information for your 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tourFrequently Asked Questions
About our 7-day Tangier to Marrakech desert tourThe desert camp in Merzouga offers comfortable nomadic-style tents with proper bedding (mattress, sheets, blankets, and pillows). Most camps have shared bathroom facilities with basic showers and toilets. Some luxury camps offer private bathrooms with hot showers. The camp typically includes a dining tent where meals are served, and a common area for evening entertainment around a campfire. While it's not luxury hotel accommodation, it's clean, comfortable, and provides an authentic desert experience. The highlight is sleeping under the stars in the Sahara Desert. If you prefer, you can arrange to stay in a hotel at the edge of the desert instead, though you'd miss the overnight desert experience.
The camel trek typically lasts about 1-1.5 hours each way (to and from the camp). While camels walk slowly and are generally gentle, riding can be uncomfortable for those with back problems or mobility issues. The camels are led by experienced guides. If you prefer not to ride a camel, most camps can arrange 4x4 transportation to the camp instead. Also, you can choose to walk alongside the camels if you prefer. For those with significant mobility limitations, it's best to discuss alternatives when booking. The camel trek is a highlight for most travelers, but your comfort and safety are the priority.
For the desert: lightweight, loose clothing for daytime (long sleeves protect from sun), warmer layers for evening (desert temperatures drop significantly at night), comfortable closed shoes (sand gets everywhere), scarf or shemagh (for sun/wind protection), sunglasses, hat, high SPF sunscreen, lip balm, flashlight/headlamp, power bank (limited electricity in camp), small backpack for day items, camera with dust protection, and personal toiletries. Pack in a soft bag rather than hard suitcase for the desert portion. Hotels can store larger luggage if needed.
This tour covers significant distances, with some longer driving days (particularly Day 4 and Day 6). However, the journey is part of the experience, with constantly changing landscapes and frequent stops at interesting sites. Typical driving times: Day 1 (2-3 hours), Day 2 (4-5 hours with stops), Day 3 (no driving), Day 4 (7-8 hours with stops), Day 5 (4-5 hours), Day 6 (7-8 hours with stops), Day 7 (no driving). The vehicle is comfortable with air conditioning, and your driver will make regular stops for photos, restrooms, and stretching. The scenery is spectacular, especially through the Atlas Mountains.
Yes, this tour can be customized in several ways: It can easily be taken in reverse (Marrakech to Tangier). You can add extra nights in specific locations (Chefchaouen, Fes, or Marrakech). You can extend the desert stay (2 nights in Merzouga instead of 1). You can add visits to other sites (Skoura Oasis, Draa Valley, etc.). You can adjust the pace for a more leisurely experience. The tour can also be combined with other Morocco tours or extended to 10-14 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.