5 Days Desert Tour from Tangier to Marrakech

Day 1: Tangier – Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

We will pick you up at the seaport (Ferry terminal) in the morning. Our journey begins toward Chefchaouen, with a brief stop in Tetouan, known as the “Spanish city.” Upon arrival in Chefchaouen, we will explore the town; wander through its famous narrow streets lined with blue and white houses and enjoy the panoramic views.

Afterward, we head to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis to explore these 2,000-year-old archaeological remains and get a glimpse of life during the Roman Empire. Lunch will be in Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. Following lunch, your driver will take you on a tour of Meknes before heading to Fes, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco.

• Accommodation: Riad

Day 2: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Erfoud – Merzouga

From Fes, we travel toward the Middle Atlas Mountains to visit Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Africa.” Our next stop is Azrou (“The Rock”), a Berber village famous for its wild monkeys. We then reach Midelt and continue through the Tizi Talghemt (Camel’s Pass) at an altitude of 1,907 meters. The scenery is breathtaking, with bare mountains draped in purple hues. Upon reaching Errachidia, we cross the Tafilalet massif toward the palm groves of Erfoud before heading into the desert.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Merzouga

Day 3: Merzouga – Nomadic Families – Khamlia Village – Erg Chebbi – Camel Trek – Night in Desert Camp

Today is a day of true adventure! We will explore a different side of Morocco in a 4×4. We stop at the village of Khamlia to enjoy traditional Gnawa music. Then, we travel across mountains that look like solid rock but are actually fossilized sand deposited millions of years ago.

We will do some light trekking to visit an excavation site where dinosaur remains are found, experiencing the daily life of an explorer. Accompanied by a local from the village of Bega, we will enjoy the peace of the arid landscape and search for the “Desert Rose.” Later, we drive parallel to the Algerian border to an area rich in marine fossils. We will enjoy a Berber-style picnic surrounded by mountains and the orange dunes of the Sahara.

To conclude our adventure, we go off the beaten path to visit a French cemetery and an abandoned colonial village. Finally, we set off on a 1.5-hour camel caravan to the foot of the Great Dune to witness a beautiful sunset.

• Accommodation: Traditional tent (Jaima) in a desert camp under a spectacular blanket of stars.

Day 4: Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

After watching a stunning desert sunrise, we return by camel to “civilization.” You will return to the hotel to have breakfast and freshen up. We then depart for Rissani, the origin of the Alaouite dynasty and Morocco’s first imperial city. We continue to Erfoud, famous for its black stone and fossils (optional visit to a fossil factory). After passing the Tafilalet palm grove, we will explore the towering Todra Gorges before arriving at the Dades Valley.

• Accommodation: Kasbah

Day 5: Dades Valley – Rose Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Marrakech

Today, we travel to Ouarzazate via Boumalne Dades, El-Kelaa M’Gouna, and Skoura. Along the way, admire the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, the Rose Valley, and the Skoura oasis. In Ouarzazate, we can stop to see the Taourirt Kasbah, built by the Glaoui dynasty.

Next, we visit the exotic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou for lunch and exploration. Afterward, we drive through the Tizi N’Tichka pass (2,260m) in the High Atlas Mountains, offering many photo opportunities. We will also visit an Argan Oil cooperative to learn about its production and health benefits. We arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon for your transfer to your Riad/hotel. End of our services.