PRIVATE DESERT TOUR — TANGIER TO MARRAKECH

OVERVIEW

Five days from Tangier to Marrakech via the Merzouga Sahara desert — a spectacular private north-to-south crossing of Morocco that visits Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes, the cultural capital of Fes, the Merzouga desert dunes, the Todra and Dades Gorges, the Rose Valley, and the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah before crossing the High Atlas into Marrakech. Five days to travel the full length of Morocco through its most extraordinary landscapes and cultural treasures.

Every element is private, tailored, and delivered by a dedicated driver/guide throughout.

HIGHLIGHTS

– Tangier: Cape Spartel — where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean — and the Caves of Hercules
– Crossing the Rif Mountains to the legendary Blue City of Chefchaouen
– UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — extraordinary preserved mosaics and ancient columns
– Imperial Meknes — Bab Mansour gate and Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
– The cultural capital of Fes and its ancient medina
– Ifrane — the Switzerland of Morocco — and Barbary macaques in the cedar forests
– Ziz Valley panoramic views
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour
– Spending a magical night in a luxury desert camp under the Saharan stars
– Visiting Rissani souk and Erfoud’s fossilised marble workshops
– Walking through the soaring Todra Gorges canyon
– Dades Valley and the “monkey fingers” rock formations
– Rose Valley (annual Rose Festival in May) and Skoura palm grove
– UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — filming location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones
– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass

ITINERARY

DAY 1: TANGIER → CAPE SPARTEL → HERCULES CAVES → CHEFCHAOUEN

Pick-up from your accommodation, airport, or port in Tangier. Visit Cape Spartel — the northwestern tip of Africa where the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea meet — and the legendary Caves of Hercules with their striking sea-facing opening. Cross the Rif Mountains to the extraordinary Blue City of Chefchaouen, where the medina’s alleyways are painted in beautiful shades of blue. Explore at leisure. Overnight in a hotel.

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN → VOLUBILIS → MEKNES → FES — MEDINA SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, stroll freely in Chefchaouen’s beautiful blue medina. Drive south to the UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — Morocco’s finest ancient archaeological site with extraordinary preserved mosaics, a triumphal arch, and ancient columns. Continue 30 kilometres to the imperial city of Meknes — Bab al-Mansour gate, the Sahrij Souani basin, the royal stables and granaries, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Drive east to Fes. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 3: FES → IFRANE → CEDAR FOREST → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA → LUXURY CAMP

After breakfast, drive south through the charming alpine town of Ifrane — the “Switzerland of Morocco” — and the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques live freely. Lunch in Midelt. Drive through the breathtaking Ziz Valley with panoramic viewpoint stops. Arrive at the Merzouga Sahara desert in the late afternoon. Switch to camels and cross the Erg Chebbi dunes, stopping on a high dune to watch the magical desert sunset. Luxury desert camp: traditional Moroccan dinner, Berber music around the campfire, and a night beneath a sky blazing with stars. Overnight in camp.

DAY 4: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → ERFOUD → TODRA GORGES → DADES VALLEY

Rise early for the desert sunrise. After breakfast, return by camel to Merzouga. Visit Rissani — the ancient capital of the Tafilalet — and its traditional souk. Continue to Erfoud to visit a fossilised marble workshop. Drive through the palm groves to the Todra Gorges — a soaring 300-metre red canyon carved by the river. Walk freely through the dramatic gorge. Free time for lunch. Continue west to the Dades Valley with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and a panoramic gorge viewpoint. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

DAY 5: DADES VALLEY → ROSE VALLEY → SKOURA → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → HIGH ATLAS → MARRAKECH

Drive west to the Rose Valley near Kelaat M’Gouna — home to an annual May Rose Festival and local production of perfumes, rose water, and cosmetics. Continue through the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate. Visit the famous Atlas Film Studios. Explore the magnificent UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — starred in Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass. Drop-off at your accommodation or airport in Marrakech.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This tour can be extended: 6 Days (full guided day in Fes) / 7 Days (+ guided Marrakech).
– Pickup from any location in Tangier including airport, port, or hotel.
– Vehicles: Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 pax) or Mercedes/Ford minivan (up to 8 pax).
– Price varies by group size and accommodation category.
– Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking.
– The itinerary is fully customisable — contact us with your preferences.