PRIVATE DESERT TOUR — TANGIER TO MARRAKECH

OVERVIEW

One week from Tangier to Marrakech — the ideal duration for Morocco’s greatest north-to-south journey. Seven days allow you to properly experience Chefchaouen, devote a full guided day to the Fes medina, reach the Merzouga Sahara desert for a camel ride and a night under the stars, walk through the soaring Todra Gorges, explore the Dades Valley, and visit the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah before crossing the High Atlas into Marrakech — all without feeling rushed.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

– Tangier: Cape Spartel — where two oceans meet — and the legendary Caves of Hercules
– Crossing the Rif Mountains to the enchanting Blue City of Chefchaouen
– UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis — extraordinary preserved mosaics and ancient columns
– Imperial Meknes — Bab Mansour gate, royal stables and granaries, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
– Full guided day in Fes medina — Al-Qarawiyyin, Chouara tanneries, Bou Inania Madrasa, Mellah
– Ifrane (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 “monkey fingers” rock formations
– Rose Valley (annual Rose Festival in May) and Skoura palm grove
– Ouarzazate Atlas Film Studios
– UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — filming location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones
– High Atlas Mountains and Tizi-N-Tichka pass

ITINERARY

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

Pick-up from your accommodation, airport, or port in Tangier — the “Bride of the North”, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Spartel. Visit the Caves of Hercules and Cape Spartel with their sweeping views over two oceans. Free time for lunch. Drive inland to Chefchaouen via Tetouan and the Rif Mountains, with panoramic stops along the way. Overnight in a hotel in Chefchaouen.

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN → VOLUBILIS → MEKNES → FES

After breakfast, enjoy a final stroll 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: FULL GUIDED TOUR OF FES MEDINA

A full day in Fes el-Bali with a specialist local guide. Driving tour: the Royal Palace Gate, the historic Jewish Mellah, and the panoramic Borj Sud fortress viewpoint. Walking tour of the medieval medina — a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University (the world’s oldest continuously operating university, founded in 859 AD), the Chouara Tanneries viewed from above the vivid dye vats, and the vibrant craft and spice souks. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 4: 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 Tizi-n-Tilghmt pass and along the breathtaking Ziz Valley. Arrive at the Merzouga Sahara desert in the late afternoon. Switch to camels and cross the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, stopping on a high dune to watch the magical desert colours. Luxury desert camp: traditional Moroccan dinner, Berber music around the campfire, and a night beneath a sky blazing with stars. Overnight in camp.

DAY 5: 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. 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 6: DADES VALLEY → ROSE VALLEY → SKOURA → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → MARRAKECH

Drive west through the Rose Valley (annual May Rose Festival) and the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate, where you visit the famous Atlas Film Studios. Explore the magnificent UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — the earthen fortress that appeared 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 itinerary is fully customisable — contact us to adapt any day.
– 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.
– Entrance fees to Volubilis, Fes monuments, and Ait Ben Haddou are not included.