6 Days Desert Tour from Tangier to Marrakech

Tours From Marrakech

Tours From Fes

Tours From Casablanca

Tours From Tangier

Overview

Discover the wonders of Morocco and the enchanting Sahara Desert during a 6-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech. This itinerary will take you through the captivating blue city of Chefchaouen and the historic city of Fes, immersing you in Morocco’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions.

Step away from everyday life and embark on a unique camel trekking adventure, spending a night in a Sahara desert camp. Revel in the beauty of the renowned Todra Gorges with a leisurely stroll, and explore the scenic Dades Valley.

Explore the fascinating cinema studios in Ouarzazate, and discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou before concluding your journey in the lively city of Marrakech.

Highlights

Tour Highlights of 6 Days Tangier to Marrakech:

Journey through the Rif Mountains
Explore the allure of Chefchaouen's blue city
Discover the cultural richness of Fes
Traverse the beautiful Middle Atlas Mountains
Enjoy a camel ride in Merzouga
Experience the magical sunset over the dunes
Sleep under the stars in a desert camp
Visit the ancient Ait Ben Haddou kasbah
Discover the traditional Berber villages
Try sandboarding if you're interested
Dinner around campfire

6 Days Desert Tour from Tangier to Marrakech

Day 1: Tangier – Chefchaouen – Fes

Welcome to Tangier, Morocco! Today, the adventure begins as we pick you up from your hotel in the morning and set off for the beautiful city of Tetouan. On the way, you will pass through the Rif Mountains, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Upon arriving in Tetouan, we will have the opportunity to explore the city’s historic medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The medina is renowned for its exquisite Andalusian-style architecture, which reflects the influence of the Andalusian refugees who settled here in the 15th century.

Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow, winding streets, and you will have the chance to see traditional craftsmen at work.

After soaking up the charm of Tetouan, we will continue our journey to Chefchaouen, a mountain town known for its distinctive blue-painted buildings and incredible mountain views. When we arrive, we will check into our Riad and then have the rest of the day to explore at our own pace.

Take the time to wander through the ancient medina, where steep cobbled lanes lead you to hidden treasures. You’ll encounter bustling leather and weaving workshops, where skilled artisans continue to create masterpieces with their hands.

Visit the main square, Place Outa el Hammam, which is a red-walled Kasbah, an impressive fortress and dungeon that dates back to the 15th century. For a deeper understanding of the local culture, the Chefchaouen Ethnographic Museum offers fascinating insights into the traditions and way of life of the town’s inhabitants.

Make your way to Ras El Ma, a beautiful river where the water comes gushing out from within the mountain.

Alternatively, if you’re up for an adventure, you might prefer to get out of town and enjoy a hike in the surrounding hills of a former mosque and be rewarded with a magnificent view of the medina nestled between two majestic mountain peaks.

And if you time it just right, you might even witness a breathtaking sunset over the enchanting landscape.

Day 2: Chefchaouen - Fes

After breakfast, say goodbye to Chefchaouen and then make the journey to Fes City. Upon arriving in Fes, we will kick off our guided tour to the Royal Palace, a structure that exudes grandeur with its tightly closed doors, eggshell façade, and pine-green Saracen tiles.

Although we won’t be able to enter the palace, our knowledgeable guide will provide you with fascinating insights into its historical significance and architectural beauty.

Next, we will venture into the Mellah, also known as the Jewish Quarter. This neighborhood holds a rich cultural heritage and provides a glimpse into the history of Fes’ Jewish community.

We will then reach the famous Blue Gate, a monumental entrance that leads us into the heart of the old town, Fes El Bali. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a maze of narrow alleys and bustling souks that will take you back in time.

Here you will have to explore the Andalusian Quarte and see the Andalusian Mosque, a remarkable architectural gem that dates back to the 9th century.

Continuing our journey, we will visit the Kairouyiene Mosque, one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 857. We will then visit the tanneries, where you can witness the traditional process of leather-making. Watch as skilled craftsmen dye and treat the leather using age-old techniques.

Take the time to have a leisurely lunch in a local restaurant somewhere in the Medina. In the afternoon, your driver will be waiting to take you on a scenic drive through Fes.

Before concluding our day, we will visit the pottery of Fes, where you can admire the intricate tin-glazed earthenware adorned with cobalt blue designs. Finally, as the day comes to an end, you will be escorted back to your Riad in the city.

Day 3: Fes - Middle Atlas - Ziz Valley - Merzouga Desert - Night in the heart of the desert

Our journey to the golden sand dunes of Merzouga will begin in the early morning. The drive today is a long one, starting our climb into the Middle Atlas Mountain. Along the way, we will pass by Berber villages perched atop the hills, offering amazing views of verdant landscapes and flowing rivers.

Continuing our journey, we will drive through the lush cedar forests towards Ifrane, also known as “the Moroccan Little Switzerland.” This beautiful town will captivate you with its French-style aesthetics and cool weather.

Our journey continues with a break in Azrou, where you can delve into the ancient Berber culture and explore the magnificent Cedar forest. Breathe in the fresh air and interact with the mischievous little monkeys that call this place home.

Our adventure then takes us to Midelt, a charming Berber village known for its unique rock formations. Here, we will indulge in a delicious traditional Berber Tagine for lunch and delve deeper into the rich heritage of the ancient Berber culture.

Post lunch, we’ll venture into the Ziz Valley, a breathtaking oasis that boasts over 20 million palm groves and 10 million palm trees, making it one of the largest in the world. We’ll make a stop here giving you the opportunity to take some beautiful pictures in the Ziz Gorge.

Continuing onwards, we will reach the Golden Gate of the Sahara – Merzouga! Once there, we will embark on a spectacular camel trek, where you can witness the mesmerizing sunset over the endless sand dunes of the Sahara.

Our journey will culminate in a remarkable experience as we arrive at a cozy desert camp. Here, you can savor a delightful dinner while being serenaded by live Berber music around a crackling open fire. As night falls, you will have the chance to sleep under the magnificent expanse of Sahara stars, forging unforgettable memories of your desert adventure.

Day 4: Merzouga Desert - Gorges of the Todra - Dades Valley - Valley of the Roses - Ouarzazate

On the 4th day of our 6-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech, we will start our day early to witness the sunrise over the golden sands of the Sahara Desert in Merzouga. The serene beauty of this moment will be etched in your memory forever.

After a fulfilling breakfast, we will make our way towards Erfoud, where we have the option to visit a fossilized marble factory and learn about this unique technique, a specialty of this region. Next will be the picturesque Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves. These lush green oases offer a refreshing change from the arid desert landscape.

After about an hour of driving, we will arrive at one of the strongest points of the High Atlas Mountains – the Gorges of Todra. The Todra River has carved its way through the mountains, creating towering vertical cliffs that are a true marvel of nature. Lunch on-site and we will have a half-hour walk to enjoy the gorges in detail.

Continuing our journey, we will venture into the Dades Valley, also known as the Valley of Figs. Along the way, we will pass through Boumalne Dades, stopping at various points to soak in the beauty of the Thousand Kasbah route.

This scenic drive will lead us through the Valley of Roses, known for its fragrant rose gardens, and the vast palm grove of Skoura.

Our final destination for the day will be Ouarzazate, a city famous for its historic kasbahs and as a backdrop for numerous films and television series.

We will visit the impressive Kasbah of Taourirt, once the residence of the powerful Glaoui family, who held great influence in Morocco. Then settle in at a comfortable riad in Ouarzazate.

Day 5: Ouarzazat - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbahs - High Atlas - Marrakech

Following breakfast, if interested, we can visit the Cinema Studios and Cinema Museum. Next, our itinerary takes us to the fortified town of Ait Ben Haddou. Renowned for its majestic Kasbah, this site holds the distinguished honor of being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

Notably, this remarkable setting has served as a filming location for acclaimed movies such as Gladiator, Obelix, and Sahara, featuring Penelope Cruz.

We will have lunch in the village, and in the afternoon, we proceed towards Marrakech, traversing the scenic mountain pass of Tizi Ntichka. Along the way, there will be designated stops to capture memorable photographs.

Upon arrival in Marrakech, a guided tour of the Medina awaits you, offering a glimpse into the vibrant vitality of the city’s bustling souks. Delve into the historical treasures of Ben Youssef Madrasa, The Bahia Palace, and The Saadian Tombs.

You will also have the opportunity to view Koutoubia Mosque, with its iconic minaret serving as a true architectural marvel. Please note that access to the mosque is restricted to non-Muslims.

For the remainder of the day, you are free to explore Jemaa El Fna square, soak in its lively ambiance, and perhaps consider a visit to Le Jardin Secret, an enchanting traditional medina garden featuring a breathtaking courtyard. Alternatively, you can simply unwind and relax at your chosen Riad or hotel.

Day 6: Marrakech - Airport

On the final day of your 6- day Morocco Sahara Desert tour from Tangier, following breakfast and hotel checkout, our services include a complimentary transfer to Marrakech airport. If you have any desire to prolong your stay in Morocco, kindly inform us so we can make the necessary arrangements.