16-Day Private Morocco

Tour – From Tangier and Back

A Sahara Desert experience by Affordable Morocco Tours

Tour Overview

Tour Length:

16 Days / 15 Nights

Start City:

Tangier

End City:

Tangier

Price Range:

€TBD

Destinations Included:

19+ sites (Tangier, Asilah, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakech, High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Ziz Valley, Midelt, Ifrane, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, Chefchaouen, Tangier)

16-Day Private Morocco

Tour – From Tangier and Back

A Sahara Desert experience by Tarhanine Morocco Tours

Tour Overview

Tour Length:

16 Days / 15 Nights

Start City:

Tangier

End City:

Tangier

Price Range:

€TBD

Destinations Included:

19+ sites (Tangier, Asilah, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakech, High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Ziz Valley, Midelt, Ifrane, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, Chefchaouen, Tangier)

About this Tour

This 16-day journey is designed for travelers who want to experience Morocco in depth, starting in Tangier and returning to Tangier at the end. The route connects coastal towns, imperial cities, mountain landscapes, historic kasbahs, valleys, and the Sahara Desert in Merzouga.

Casablanca’s iconic mosque to Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina, the itinerary continues through Marrakech and the High Atlas Mountains toward Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley. In Merzouga, you experience the Erg Chebbi dunes with a camel trek and overnight in a desert camp. The final part of the tour leads through Midelt and Ifrane to Fes, then ends with Chefchaouen before returning to Tangier.

Highlights

Your 16-Day Route: At a Glance

Best for:

Travelers who want a complete Morocco itinerary (coast + cities + Sahara)

Sahara experience:

Camel ride + overnight desert camp (Merzouga / Erg Chebbi)

Top cities:

Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes

UNESCO / iconic sites:

Ait Ben Haddou, Fes medina highlights, Essaouira medina

Nature & landscapes:

High Atlas Mountains, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, Erg Chebbi dunes

Pace:

Balanced - cultural days + scenic travel days

Itinerary Route

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tangier

Your 16-day private Morocco tour begins with a warm welcome upon your arrival in Tangier. You will be transferred to your hotel, where you can relax and unwind after your journey, preparing for the discoveries awaiting you the following day.

Overnight: Tangier

Day 2: Tangier → Asilah

After breakfast, the journey starts with a guided exploration of Tangier, often called “The Gateway to Africa,” where European and African influences meet. The visit includes a stop at Café Hafa, known for panoramic views over the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Next, continue to the Hercules Caves, a natural site associated with local legends. Then travel to Asilah, a peaceful coastal town known for its whitewashed walls, blue doors, and colorful murals in the medina.

Overnight: Asilah

Day 3: Asilah → Rabat

Depart Asilah and travel to Rabat, Morocco’s capital, known for gardens, wide avenues, and historic heritage. You will have free time to explore at your own pace, walk through the city, or relax in cafés and gardens.

Overnight: Rabat

Day 4: Rabat → Casablanca

Travel from Rabat along the Atlantic coast to Casablanca, Morocco’s economic capital. Explore the city with a focus on the Hassan II Mosque, a major landmark on the Atlantic shoreline.

Overnight: Casablanca

Day 5: Casablanca → Essaouira

Continue along the Atlantic coast toward Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage coastal city known for its fortified walls, historic medina, and lively port atmosphere. Free time to explore and enjoy the coastal setting.

Overnight: Essaouira

Day 6: Essaouira → Marrakech

After breakfast and free time for a final walk through Essaouira’s medina, transfer to Marrakech and check in at your riad. The rest of the day is free for personal exploration.

Overnight: Marrakech

Day 7: Full-Day Marrakech Guided Tour

Explore Marrakech, one of Morocco’s imperial cities. Discover key areas such as the medina and Jemaa el-Fna Square, plus the atmosphere of souks and traditional neighborhoods (including the Mellah / Jewish Quarter if desired).

Overnight: Marrakech

Day 8: Marrakech Day Trip → Ouzoud Waterfalls → Marrakech

Full-day excursion to Ouzoud Waterfalls (110 meters) in the Azilal province. Enjoy the scenery and the natural setting. In the afternoon, you may see monkeys in the area.

Overnight: Marrakech

Day 9: Marrakech → High Atlas → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate / Dades Valley

Depart Marrakech toward the High Atlas Mountains. Visit Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO-listed), known for traditional clay architecture and historic kasbahs. Continue to Ouarzazate or onward to the Dades Valley, depending on the route timing.

Overnight: Dades Valley

Day 10: Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga

After breakfast, travel to Todra Gorge, where you can enjoy a walk between towering canyon walls. Continue to Merzouga, arriving at a hotel near the dunes of Erg Chebbi, with time to relax and prepare for desert activities.

Overnight: Merzouga (hotel/riad)

Day 11: Merzouga Desert Excursion + Camel Ride to Camp

After breakfast, set off on a 4×4 desert exploration around Erg Chebbi. Visit local nomadic families, a desert oasis, and small villages and palm groves. Stop in Khamlia Village for a live Gnawa music performance.

Later, enjoy a camel ride into the dunes to watch sunset, followed by dinner and overnight in traditional desert tents.

Overnight: Merzouga desert camp

Day 12: Merzouga → Rissani → Erfoud → Midelt

Wake early for sunrise. Return by camel to meet your driver, then continue to Rissani, known for traditional markets. Travel through Erfoud and the Ziz Valley with its palm groves before reaching Midelt.

Overnight: Midelt

Day 13: Midelt → Ifrane → Meknes → Volubilis → Fes

After breakfast, travel north with a stop in cedar forests to see Barbary monkeys (when present). Continue to Volubilis, one of Morocco’s major archaeological sites, then travel onward to Fes.

Overnight: Fes

Day 14: Fes Guided Tour

Full-day exploration of Fes, Morocco’s cultural and spiritual center. Visit major highlights including districts such as Fes el-Bali, traditional souks, and the tanneries, with time to understand the city’s living craft traditions.

Overnight: Fes

Day 15: Fes → Chefchaouen

Depart Fes for Chefchaouen, a town set in the Rif Mountains and known for its calm atmosphere and blue-painted streets. Free time to enjoy the medina and local cafés.

Overnight: Chefchaouen

Day 16: Chefchaouen → Tangier (Departure)

Depart Chefchaouen and return to Tangier for transfer to the airport or ferry terminal, ending your 16-day Tangier to Tangier private Morocco tour.

Gallery

Tour Gallery

MAP

Experiences Meticulously

Crafted for Your Tangier-to-Tangier Journey

At Affordable Morocco Tours, your adventure from Tangier and back is our inspiration. Begin on the vibrant shores of Tangier, discover Asilah, experience Rabat, the Atlantic charm of Essaouira, the energy of Marrakech, the landscapes of Dades Valley, the dunes of Merzouga, and the heritage of Fes and Chefchaouen—before returning to Tangier.

Every day of your journey is crafted to match your interests, pace, and personal travel style. The sample itinerary serves as a starting point. Once we know your travel dates and preferences, we customize the route, accommodation, and daily flow to create a seamless Morocco experience from start to finish.

Our mission: To make your Tangier-to-Tangier journey an authentic and unforgettable Morocco experience.

frequently asked questions

16-Day Tangier Desert

Tour – FAQs

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Q1: Where does the tour start and end?

This tour starts in Tangier and ends in Tangier, with transfer to the airport or ferry terminal on the final day.

Q2: Is this a private tour? Can it be customized?

This itinerary is presented as a private tour. You can request adjustments to pace, city time, and preferences during the quote stage.

Q3: What are the main destinations covered?

Key stops include Tangier, Asilah, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), Midelt, Volubilis, Fes, and Chefchaouen, then return to Tangier.

Q4: Is the Sahara desert camp and camel trek included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a camel ride at sunset to the desert camp and an overnight in traditional tents, plus a sunrise experience.

Q5: Is Marrakech guided, and is a day trip included?

Yes. The plan includes a full-day guided Marrakech visit and a day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls, returning to Marrakech the same day.

Q6: What type of accommodation is used?

Your itinerary includes a mix of hotels/riads (e.g., Asilah, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakech, Midelt, Fes, Chefchaouen) and an overnight desert camp in Merzouga.

Q7: How do I request the price and confirm this tour?

Use your Request a Quote form and provide travel dates, number of travelers, preferred comfort level, and any preferences. You will receive a tailored quote and next steps for confirmation.