5 Days Desert Tour from Tangier to Marrakech

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TANGIER – CHEFCHAOUEN (2 hours drive)

On the first day of your 5 day tour from Tangier, we pick you up from your accommodation, the airport, or the port in Tangier, also known as “the bride of the north.” The city is located in the northwest, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel. Firstly, you explore the beautiful city, the Cave of Hercules, and Cape Spartel. Free time for lunch. Then you drive inland to Chefchaouen, passing through the city of Tetouan and the Rif Mountains. Stops are made for panoramic views. Overnight stay in a riad in Chefchaouen.

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN – THE ROMAN RUINS OF VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES (4 hours drive)

After breakfast, enjoy free time to wander the blue-washed alleys of Chefchaouen. You then continue to the ancient Roman city of Volubilis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), known for its well-preserved mosaics, columns, and arches. After exploring the ruins, you drive about 30 km to Meknes, the Ismaili capital and one of Morocco’s imperial cities, to visit Bab Al-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the Royal Stables and granaries, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. You then head to Fes. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 3: FES – IFRANE – CEDAR FOREST – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – MERZOUGA DESERT (7 hours drive)

After breakfast, you drive south via Imouzzer to Ifrane, famed for its cool climate, winter snow, and alpine-style chalets — hence the nickname “Switzerland of Morocco.” You then continue to the cedar forest near Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques; enjoy a short walk among the ancient trees and, if you wish, feed the macaques as you stroll.

Next, you continue to Midelt for free time at lunch. In the afternoon, you cross the Tizi-n-Tilghmt Pass and follow the Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic viewpoints.

By late afternoon, you reach the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. You switch to camels and ride across the sands, pausing atop a high dune to watch the sunset. You continue to your desert camp — a blend of traditional nomad tents and modern comforts — where you can enjoy Berber drumming around the campfire beneath a sky full of stars. Overnight at a desert camp in Merzouga.

DAY 4: MERZOUGA SAHARA – RISSANI – ERFOUD – TODRA GORGES – DADES VALLEY (5 hours drive)

Wake early to watch the sunrise over the dunes — it’s a must. After breakfast at camp, you depart the Sahara for Rissani, the former capital of Tafilalet and a key trading hub with a lively souk on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

You continue to Erfoud to visit a fossilised-marble workshop. You drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad to reach the Todra Gorges, where the Todra River has carved towering red cliffs popular with rock climbers. Enjoy free time to wander the canyon and have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you continue to the Dades Valley via Boumalne Dades, stopping at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and a scenic viewpoint over the valley. Dinner and overnight in a riad in Dades.

DAY 5: DADES VALLEY – ROSE VALLEY – PALM GROVES OF SKOURA – OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH – HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS – MARRAKECH (5.5 hours drive)

After breakfast, you continue to Kalaat M’Gouna to explore the Valley of Roses. Each May the town hosts the Rose Festival, and local cooperatives offer rose-based products — rose water, essential oils, and cosmetics. You then drive through the palm groves of Skoura to visit the historic Kasbah Amridil. Next, you reach Ouarzazate for a tour of the film studios.

You continue to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village that has featured in films such as Gladiator, Alexander, and The Mummy, as well as the series Game of Thrones. Finally, you cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, with stops for lunch and panoramic photos along the way. Arrival in Marrakech and drop-off at your riad. End of the 5 Day Tour from Tangier to Marrakech.

IMPORTANT! Bear in mind that 5 Days Tour from Tangier is a suggested itinerary. If it doesn’t match what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll organise a different itinerary based on your preferences and the length of your stay. We offer customised and tailor-made tours and trips all around Morocco.

THE PRICE varies according to the number of people: the more people joining the tour, the lower the price becomes. Since the transportation cost is fixed, the price is divided according to the number of people. The price also depends on the quality of the accommodation. Contact us for an exact price.

You can consider a longer tour (each day you add lets you visit more fabulous places):
– 6 Day Tour from Tangier (+ sightseeing Fes)
– 7 Days Tour From Tangier (4×4 desert excursion)
– 10 Days Tour From Tangier
– 13 Days Tour From Tangier

Other 5 day tours:
– 5 Days in Northern Morocco
– Morocco Itinerary 5 Days (from Casablanca)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Is the 5 day Morocco tour private or shared?
The five day tour is a private experience, so only the travellers making the enquiry take part. No additional people join the tour. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.

How long is the camel ride? What is the alternative to camels?
The camel ride lasts from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you’re staying in. If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that takes people and luggage in and out, which you’re welcome to use. Alternatively, ATVs can be arranged at an additional cost.

Is the tent private? Does it have a private shower?
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has private bathrooms with hot running water.

What happens to your luggage when you do the camel ride?
During the camel ride you take only what you need for the ride itself. The rest of your luggage is transported in the camp’s 4×4, and you’ll find it waiting for you at the camp.

What is the best time to visit Morocco?
The best times are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when the weather is mild and pleasant across most regions. Winter is great too, especially in the southern / desert part.

Dietary preferences
Please share any dietary preferences you have, and we’ll make sure your needs are met. Kindly let us know in advance so we can arrange lunch stops accordingly and notify the riad/camp, as some dinners are included in the package.

Pick-up and drop-off details
Pick-up can be from either the airport or your accommodation in Tangier. At the end of the 5 day tour, we drop you off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech, or the closest available parking area. The tour usually finishes between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in Marrakech, though the exact timing can vary depending on how long is spent at each stop.

Expenses
Currency exchange: Euros or USD can be exchanged for Moroccan dirham (MAD) at many locations across Morocco, including banks and exchange bureaus, and ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawals. While credit cards and foreign currencies (euros/USD) are generally accepted, it’s wise to carry local currency (MAD) for convenience.
Meal costs: Meals typically range from €5 to €20 per person, though prices vary by establishment.
Haggling / price negotiation: Haggling is an accepted and expected practice in Morocco; even locals take part in it.

BOOKING PROCESS:

1. Get in touch with us through the contact forms, email, WhatsApp, or our social networks, and tell us the number of travellers, the type of accommodation (excellent, luxury, etc.), your tour date (if available), and your chosen tour or some details so we can plan a new itinerary for you.

2. Booking: We ask for a small deposit to confirm the booking (preferably via our PayPal account). The rest is paid in cash to your driver/guide once you arrive, or through PayPal, which carries a 5% transaction fee. If you don’t have PayPal, we can send an online invoice you can pay by card. A bank/wire transfer is another option; it takes up to 12 days to appear in our system, and we can confirm the tour with a transaction receipt until the payment arrives.

WHY PRIVATE MOROCCO TOURS?

A private tour is an itinerary run exclusively according to your preferences. On a private trip you travel only with the people you choose. Private tours are more flexible when it comes to group size, travel dates, and what your trip includes. On top of that, you’ll have your own tour guide and driver at your disposal.