This private Tangier to Marrakech desert tour 5 days combines the cultural richness of Morocco’s northern cities with the breathtaking landscapes of the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains, ending in the vibrant city of Marrakech. This luxury desert tour from Tangier to Marrakech is a captivating five-day adventure, immersing you in Morocco’s diverse beauty. Your journey begins with an overnight stay in the enchanting blue city of Chefchaouen, followed by a deep dive into the historical and cultural heart of Fes with a half-day guided exploration of its ancient medina. The highlight of the trip is a scenic traverse through the Atlas Mountains to the vast Sahara Desert, where you’ll experience a magical camel trek to a lavish desert camp for a night under the stars, complete with en-suite facilities. Continuing through dramatic landscapes, you’ll discover the awe-inspiring Todra Gorges and spend a night in the picturesque Dades Valley, before concluding your 5-day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour with a visit to the iconic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and a breathtaking crossing of the High Atlas Mountains as you arrive in vibrant Marrakech in the late afternoon.
Your 5 days Tangier to Marrakech desert tour starts with a pick up from Tangier, Our friendly guide will drive you over the Rif Mountains to admire the landscapes of northern Morocco, as we will pass through rolling hills and scenic countryside.
Stop in the charming town of Tétouan, known for its rich Andalusian heritage, before we arrive at the stunning blue town of Chefchaouen nestled in the Rif Mountains. In Tetouan we’ll get a chance to visit Feddan Park, surrounded by impressive architecture, including government buildings, and it often serves as a meeting point for locals.
By early afternoon, we will arrive in Chefchaouen, a very small city that ever thought of. Make sure you bring your camera with you or a cell phone for numerous fabulous photos. As you wander from street to street, exploring extravagant customs. Every step you take or turn you make will truly let you be in awe.
After checking into your hotel, head out for an exploration afternoon, visiting the Kasbah beside the square at the bottom of the city, that would be activated in the late afternoon, and the flavor of Moroccan cuisine is pleasant.
Once the sun starts to set, venture on an invigorating hike up to the Spanish Mosque to ponder the beauty of the city lying on the Rif Mountains. Back to the heart of the medina, a gorgeous retreat where you can take some time to reflect on your trip so far.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 217 Km / 134 miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 2 hr 17 min
After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, we will drive over the Rif Mountains toward Fes city. a remarkable day as you drive over the green rolling hills of the Mountains. Around Midday, you’ll arrive in Fes and take a guided tour of the medieval city of Fes.
The impressive journey starts at the Royal Palace, also known as Dar al-Makhzen, which is one of the most significant and stunning landmarks in Fes that dates back to the 13th century and was expanded and renovated during the reign of Sultan Mohammed V in the 1950s. It has been the seat of Moroccan royalty for centuries and symbolizes the historical significance and grandeur of Morocco’s monarchy.
Later on, pass by the Mallah, the old Jewish quarter of Fes and is one of the city’s most important historical sites. On your way to the entrance of the medina break off in a panoramic view overlooking the vibrant city of Fes and in a pottery factory, witnessing the entire process of ceramic production, from shaping the clay to glazing and painting the pieces.These ceramics, characterized by their geometric patterns and bright colors, which adorn palaces, mosques, and fountains across the country.
Next step up into the medieval city of Fes, following your expert guide’s paths to the Chouara Tannery, offering a glimpse into an ancient craft that has been practiced for centuries and producing high-quality leather ever since. From there venture through the narrow labyrinthine streets towards the iconic landmarks while observing the artisans around. Discover Al-Qarawiyyin University, considered as the oldest school in the world. The Al-Attarine Madrasa and Nejjarine Fountain are also sights to behold.
Finally, you will be picked by your driver and head to your hotel, passing by the new Fes. End your day relaxing in your Riad Terrance sipping a cup of mint, as the day draws to a close and the city comes alive. Prepare to be dazzled by the breathtaking views over the vibrant Medina.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 196 Km / 121 miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 3 hr 30 min
Today, embrace your day with a flavorful breakfast and set off on a comfortable vehicle, as you travel southward Merzouga desert crossing the Atlas Mountains. The picturesque winding roads surrounded by Berber nomad villages and the charming uphills will leave you in awe.
After 2 hours roughly we will approach the middle Atlas Mountains, where we will get a chance to visit Ifrane. A mountain Berber village known as the little Switzerland of Morocco, its chalet style architecture was built by the French in 1928 as a colonial settlement, where Europeans and wealthy Moroccans could escape the hot summers.
Continuing through the Cedar Forest and passing by the ski resort of Michlifen to reach Midelt for lunch. Along the way, we’ll pause to witness the Barbary apes (African Monkeys) and know more about their wilderness lifestyle.
After lunch, we traverse the High Atlas Mountains toward the awe-inspiring Ziz Valley. Every twist and turn reveals new wonders of Morocco’s diverse landscape. A brief pause in a panoramic view overlooking the lash date palm oasis encompassed by desert plateaus.
Arrive to Merzouga desert in the late after, where an experience of a lifetime will be experienced. A friendly nomad man will carry you on his camels crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes peacefully towards your featured camp. Enjoy the stunning sunset and the Berber hospitality at the camp, followed by dining and a very relaxing night. Join a lively bonfire and berber music using traditional instruments performed by camp’s staff, there’ll be some time at the end for people to learn how to play the instruments as well.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 421 Km / 260 miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 7 hrs
Broaden your horizons with an amazing sunrise. After a morning brekkie, cross the sand dunes back to Merzouga village to meet your driver. Farwell the Sahara desert, embarking on a 4 hours journey toward Boumalne Dades, passing by Rissani, Erfoud and Todra Gorge. Stop in Rissani town, known for its lively traditional market on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Your driver will take you on a leisure walk through the market on these days.
Leaving Rissani heading directly to Todra Gorge, along the way, we’ll pass by some berber villages surrounded by Vacant lands. Here you’ll see a couple of nomad shepherds. Lunch will be served on your leisure, later on drive along Todra Valley to embrace Todra Gorge.
Stretch your legs beneath the towering cliffs of Todra Gorge, the heights up to 400 m 1300 ft). The rock climbers come to enjoy their preferred sport, and the locals beat the hit during the hot summer months.
Arriving Boumalne Dades in the afternoon, a charming town nestled between high and small Atlas Mountains. Known for its dramatic landscapes, traditional Berber villages, along Dades Valley towards the Dades Gorge.
Before checking into your hotel, we will explore what this town has to offer. The Monkey Fingers and Tissadrine gorge are two remarkable geological formations that captivate visitors. The rocks here are primarily made of limestone, sculpted over centuries by wind and water erosion, somehow they form a stunningly beautiful natural view.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 246 Km / 152 Miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 3 h 44 minutes
After having breakfast, we take a journey along the edge of the High Atlas range, heading to the fertile Ait Ben Haddou village while we make stops along the fabled “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” an ancient caravan route that weaves between oasis towns and adobe fortresses.
Stop at Kalaat M’Gouna in the fertile Valley of the Roses, where thousands of roses bloom in the spring ‘Damask roses’ and a festival of roses is held annually in may. This festival marks the harvest of the roses and attracts thousands of visitors, including tourists and locals alike.
From the rose valley in Kalaat M’Gouna to the bustling city of Marrakech, there is something for everyone as usual. The diversity of this southeast part of Morocco is evident when traveling through country areas, the sprawling oasis and laneways city of Ouarzazate. Known as the Hollywood Of Africa due to its largest african studios, where numerous blockbuster movies, such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator were filmed.
Arriving at the World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou for lunch, later on we wander through 12th century walls before we leave for Marrakech. A plenty of famed movies were filmed at this Kasbah as well, such as Game Of Thrones, Indiana Jones, Gladiator and much more.
Afterward, cross the High Atlas Mountains towards the vibrant city of Marrakech, enjoying dramatic mountain scenery and views of typical Amazigh, or Berber, villages. Expect to arrive Marrakech in the late afternoon where our service ends, ensuring to drop you off at your hotel or the closest accessible point to it.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 313 Km / 194 Miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 5 hrs
Once you book your 5-day desert tour from Tangier to Marrakech with us, you should expect to stay at authentic hotels and luxury camps in the Sahara desert, including private rooms and ensuite tents with essential amenities, complete with private showers and flush toilets, ensuring a comfortable and private stay. Our guests can choose from various accommodation options, from luxurious suites to all-inclusive resorts. We have narrowed down the best accommodation options to suit all preferences, budgets, services, decorations, and locations. We gathered the top-rated hotels and desert camps in Morocco based on our deep experiences and we’ve organized them by luxury, mid-range, and budget to help you choose the best hotel for your group.
All our accommodations are decorated in Moroccan style. The rooms are clean and well-maintained, providing a truly outstanding experience such as complimentary breakfast, and guests praise the helpful staff, which is the perfect place to unwind after an exploration day full of activities. We constantly allow our guests to match between Our best-selected accommodations also. In case, these accommodations are not available on your requested dates, we’ll book the alternative ones in the same category and let you know in advance. If you have a preferred alternative accommodation in mind, just let us know and we’ll be happy to accommodate your request, ensuring it aligns with your travel plans and preferences. Your comfort and convenience are our priority! We invite you to get in touch with us, selecting the accommodation level and our local team will share the accommodation links.
The price of our 5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tours varies depending on several factors, including accommodations, the size of your group, and the season of your travel. The more participants in your group, the lower the cost per person, making it ideal for larger groups seeking affordability.
For those who prefer to travel in October, April or the end of December, we highly recommend contacting us in advance. This will not only help you avoid peak season fees but also provide a greater chance of securing your preferred accommodations during these popular travel periods.
For a pricing quote, we invite you to get in touch with us as soon as you know your dates. Our expert team shall provide the best price that meets your requirements and budget.
We had an unforgettable experience traveling through Morocco and the Sahara with our guide, Mohamed! From exploring the vibrant cities to the breathtaking desert landscapes, his knowledge and passion brought the culture and history to life. He made sure every detail was taken care of, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the country. The camel trek through the dunes and night under the stars was a highlight. I highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for an authentic and enriching adventure!
This is just a note to give you some feedback on my recent trip to Morocco. I had a lovely time and it far surpassed my expectations. Firstly my guide Mustafa was excellent. I always felt safe and he was really helpful and accommodating. On the second last day when I wanted to go to the Jardin Majorelle he managed to fit it into the programme and also I got there before the large queues developed. The accommodation was excellent- the riads were particularly lovely and the overnight stay in the luxury desert camp was truly magical….
It depends on your travel goals! 5 days can provide a worthwhile experience, exploring the Highlights of Morocco; Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Roman Ruins of Volubilis, Fes, Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains Valleys, Gorges and Marrakech where the tour ends.
The best time to visit the Sahara Desert is during the cooler months, from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for exploring.
The camel trek duration to the camp over the Erg Chebbi spans 45 minutes to 1 hour. It depends on which 5 day desert tour package you book with us.
For our Tangier to Marrakech desert tours, we use comfortable 4WD vehicles, ensuring your journey is smooth, either on road or off-road. However, we use minivans and buses for large groups.
Certainly! If you prefer to skip the camel ride, a 4WD vehicle will transport you to the camp with no extra charge.
Definitely YES! This ultimate 5 day Tangier to Marrakech via Sahara desert can be customized to start from Marrakech and end in Tangier. Just get in touch with us.
Do not hesitage to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
+212 663 606 413
contact@traversemorocco.com
