PRIVATE DESERT TOUR — MARRAKECH TO TANGIER

OVERVIEW

Ten days and the very best of Morocco — a grand private tour from Marrakech to Tangier that visits Essaouira on the Atlantic coast, the High Atlas Mountains, the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra Gorges, the Merzouga Sahara desert, the imperial city of Fes with a full guided day in its medina, the ruins of Volubilis, the imperial city of Meknes, and the legendary Blue City of Chefchaouen. This is the tour that leaves nothing out — Morocco’s greatest cities, landscapes, and cultural treasures in a single seamless private journey.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

– Guided sightseeing of Marrakech — Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, Jemaa el-Fnaa, souks
– Essaouira — the Atlantic port city with its fishing harbour, sea ramparts, and argan cooperatives
– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass
– The UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — filming location for Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones
– Rose Valley (annual Rose Festival in May) and the Amridil Kasbah in Skoura
– Dades Gorges and the towering Todra Gorges canyon
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour
– Spending a night in a luxury desert camp under the Saharan stars
– A full day exploring Merzouga: nomadic families, Khamlia Gnaoua village, flamingo lake
– Rissani souk, Erfoud fossil marble, Ziz Valley panorama, cedar forests, alpine Ifrane
– Full guided day in the Fes medina — Al-Qarawiyyin, Chouara tanneries, Bou Inania Madrasa
– Imperial city of Meknes — Bab Mansour, Moulay Ismail’s granaries and mausoleum
– UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — extraordinary mosaics and ancient columns
– The legendary Blue City of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH

The 10-day Morocco Grand Tour begins with a pick-up from Marrakech airport, followed by a brief transfer to your traditional riad. Settle in and rest after your journey. Overnight in a riad in Marrakech.

DAY 2: MARRAKECH → ESSAOUIRA

After breakfast, drive west toward the Atlantic coast. Stop en route at an argan tree plantation and a traditional women’s cooperative producing argan oil — with a chance to see goats climbing the trees. Arrive in Essaouira — the beautiful ancient port city formerly known as Mogador. Explore the historic fishing port, walk the sea ramparts lined with old cannons, and wander the atmospheric UNESCO-listed medina with its blue boats, art galleries, and jewellery workshops. Overnight in Essaouira.

DAY 3: ESSAOUIRA → GUIDED TOUR OF MARRAKECH

Return to Marrakech for a guided city tour with a specialist local guide. Visit the magnificent Bahia Palace — a 19th-century palace of richly decorated courtyards and painted cedarwood ceilings. See the Koutoubia Mosque — the largest in Marrakech and a masterpiece of Almohad architecture. Explore the vibrant souks of the ancient medina, the Spice Market of Rahba Qedima, and the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa square — the greatest outdoor spectacle in Africa, with its storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and extraordinary food stalls. Overnight in a riad in Marrakech.

DAY 4: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS → AIT BEN HADDOU → ROSE VALLEY → DADES VALLEY

Drive south through the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-N-Tichka pass with panoramic stops at Berber villages along the route. Visit the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — the extraordinary earthen fortress that appeared in Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. A 40-minute hike through the kasbah reveals sweeping views from the top. Continue to Ouarzazate for a lunch stop, then east through the Rose Valley passing through the great Skoura palm grove. Arrive in Boumalne Dades. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: DADES VALLEY → TODRA GORGES → MERZOUGA → CAMEL TREK → LUXURY CAMP

After breakfast, drive east through the Dades Valley with panoramic gorge viewpoint stops. Continue to the Todra Gorges near Tinghir — where the Todra river has carved a soaring 300-metre red canyon. Walk freely through the extraordinary gorge. Continue through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad for a lunch stop. Arrive at the Merzouga Sahara desert in the afternoon. Switch to camels and cross the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, stopping on a high dune for the magical desert colours. Continue to the luxury desert camp for a traditional Moroccan dinner, live Berber music around the fire, and a night beneath a sky blazing with stars.

DAY 6: EXPLORE MERZOUGA DESERT — NOMADS, KHAMLIA, FLAMINGO LAKE, PALM GROVE

Rise for the desert sunrise. After breakfast, return by camel or 4×4 to Merzouga. Spend the full day exploring the remarkable Merzouga region by 4×4. Drive off-road to an ancient eyeliner mine. Visit nomadic families in their handmade woven tents — share Berber tea and learn how they live. Continue to the village of Khamlia, where the Gnaoua music and dance of a community descended from sub-Saharan Africa (Mali, Sudan, Niger) creates a profound cultural encounter. Free time for lunch at a local restaurant. Stroll through a date palm grove, then drive to the wild Merzouga lake — the flamingo lake — where flamingos and migratory birds gather seasonally. Dinner and overnight in a riad beside the dunes.

DAY 7: MERZOUGA → ERFOUD → ZIZ VALLEY → CEDAR FOREST → IFRANE → FES

Drive north. Visit Rissani — the ancient capital of the Tafilalet region — and its traditional souk (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday). Continue to Erfoud to visit a fossilised marble workshop. Drive along the Ziz river with a panoramic viewpoint stop over the breathtaking valley. Lunch in Midelt. Enter the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques live freely in the ancient trees. Visit the charming alpine town of Ifrane — the “Switzerland of Morocco” — before the final drive to Fes. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 8: FULL GUIDED TOUR OF FES MEDINA

A full day in Fes el-Bali with a specialist local guide. Begin with a driving tour: the Royal Palace Gate, the historic Jewish Mellah, and the panoramic view from the Borj Sud fortress. Visit the Ceramic Village where traditional craftspeople work. Then explore the medieval medina on foot — one of the world’s most extraordinary urban environments: the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University (founded in 859 AD — the world’s oldest continuously operating university), the Chouara Tanneries viewed from a balcony above the vivid dye vats, and the vibrant craft and spice souks. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 9: FES → MEKNES → VOLUBILIS → CHEFCHAOUEN

After breakfast, drive to the imperial city of Meknes — visit Bab al-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani reservoir, the royal stables, the vast granaries, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Continue 30 kilometres to the UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — Morocco’s finest ancient archaeological site, with remarkable floor mosaics, a triumphal arch, and ancient forum columns preserved on a hilltop. Drive north through Ouazzane to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains — the legendary Blue City of cobalt-painted alleyways and mountain scenery. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 10: CHEFCHAOUEN → TANGIER — DEPARTURE

After breakfast, a free morning to wander the beautiful blue alleyways of Chefchaouen before the drive to Tangier airport, port, or accommodation. Tour ends.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This itinerary is fully customisable — contact us to adapt any day.
– Pickup from Marrakech airport on Day 1; drop-off in Tangier on Day 10.
– 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.
– Entrance fees to Volubilis, Fes monuments, and Ait Ben Haddou are not included.