8-Day Morocco Desert

Tour from Tangier to

Marrakech

Chefchaouen • Fes • Merzouga • Dades Valley • Ait Ben Haddou • Marrakech

Tour Overview

Tour Length:

8 Days / 7 Nights

Start City:

Tangier

End City:

Marrakech

Price Range:

€TBD

Destinations Included:

11+ sites (Tangier, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Errachidia, Erfoud, Merzouga Sahara Desert, Rissani, Todgha Gorges, Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou, Tizi n’Tichka, Marrakech)

8-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Tangier to Marrakech

Chefchaouen • Fes • Merzouga • Dades Valley • Ait Ben Haddou • Marrakech

Tour Overview

Tour Length:

8 Days / 7 Nights

Start City:

Tangier

End City:

Marrakech

Price Range:

€TBD

Destinations Included:

11+ sites (Tangier, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Errachidia, Erfoud, Merzouga Sahara Desert, Rissani, Todgha Gorges, Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou, Tizi n’Tichka, Marrakech)

8 days

All Destinations

Luxury or Standard

About this Tour

This 8-day itinerary starts in Tangier and ends in Marrakech, taking you through the Rif Mountains and the blue streets of Chefchaouen, the cultural heart of Fes, the cedar forests and mountain roads of the Middle Atlas, and the Sahara dunes of Merzouga (Erg Chebbi).

You will experience a desert excursion by 4×4, visit nomadic families, enjoy a camel trek at sunset to a desert camp, and continue west through Todra Gorge and Dades Valley, finishing with Ait Ben Haddou and a full-day guided visit in Marrakech.

Highlights

Your 8-Day Route: At a Glance

Route:

Tangier → Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Tizi n’Tichka → Marrakech

Signature Moments:

Chefchaouen blue city • Volubilis ruins • Meknes imperial stop • Full-day Fes guided exploration • Cedar forests & Barbary macaques • Ziz Valley palms • Merzouga 4×4 desert excursion • Khamlia Gnawa performance • Camel trek at sunset • Overnight in luxury desert camp • Todra Gorge walk • Route of a Thousand Kasbahs • Taourirt Kasbah • Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO) • Full-day Marrakech guided tour

Itinerary Route

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Tangier – Chefchaouen

Pick-up from your hotel or on arrival at Tangier Airport. Travel through the Rif Mountains toward Chefchaouen. In the afternoon, settle in and begin exploring the city’s blue streets, calm atmosphere, and viewpoints.

Overnight: Chefchaouen (riad or hotel)

Day 2: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

After breakfast, depart Chefchaouen for Volubilis, one of Morocco’s most important ancient sites and a strong example of the civilizations that shaped the country. Continue to Meknes, the former capital under Sultan Moulay Ismail, for an imperial city stop. Arrive in Fes by the end of the day.

Overnight: Fes (riad or hotel)

Day 3: Full Day in Fes – Guided Exploration

This day is dedicated to exploring Fes and its historic medina. The route includes visits to: Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque (the first university), Batha Art Museum, Chouara Tanneries, Nejjarine Fountain, historic medersas, Bab Boujloud, the King’s Palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter), and the Ibn Danan Synagogue. The day ends with dinner in the city.

Overnight: Fes (riad or hotel)

Day 4: Fes – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

Travel south through the Middle Atlas landscapes. Stop in cedar forests near Azrou (with the chance to see Barbary macaques), then continue through Midelt and along the Ziz Valley. Arrive in Merzouga and settle into a comfortable hotel near the desert.

Overnight: Merzouga (riad or hotel)

Day 5: Merzouga Desert Excursion – Camel Trek – Desert Camp

After breakfast, meet your 4×4 driver for a Sahara excursion. Visit Berber nomads, explore the historic M’Fis mines, and stop at a viewpoint over the dunes. Continue to Khamlia for a traditional Gnaoua performance and local lunch. In the afternoon, check into your hotel to rest, with optional activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, or buggy rides.

In the evening, take a camel trek across the dunes, pause for sunset, and continue to the camp for dinner and Berber music under the stars.

Overnight: Luxury desert camp

Day 6: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

Wake early for sunrise, then depart toward Dades Valley. Stops include Rissani, Tinghir Oasis, Todra Valley, and Todra Gorge. If your timing matches a market day in Rissani (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday), you can experience the local market atmosphere. Enjoy a walk in Todra Valley to view the cliffs, then continue to Dades Valley for dinner and rest.

Overnight: Dades Valley (hotel)

Day 7: Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

Travel along the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs,” passing through Ouarzazate. Visit Taourirt Kasbah, then continue to Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco’s most iconic mudbrick fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka Pass and arrive in Marrakech.

Overnight: Marrakech (hotel)

Day 8: Full-Day Marrakech Guided Tour

Spend the day with a guide exploring Marrakech. Begin at Jamaa el Fna Square (UNESCO), then visit key sites including Bahia Palace and Dar Sidi Said. In the afternoon, explore the souks and medina streets, and end with time in a garden or café to close the trip.

Note (as provided): Day trips to Essaouira or Ourika Valley, or a hot air balloon experience, can be arranged on request.

End: Marrakech

Gallery

Tour Gallery

MAP

Experiences Meticulously Designed to Mirror Your Distinctive Aspirations

At Affordable Morocco Tours, your journey is our inspiration. From Tangier to Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Dades Valley, and Marrakech, we design the route to match your interests and travel pace. The itinerary shared here is a starting point—once your travel dates and preferences are confirmed, the route and timing can be adjusted according to your request.