5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech via the Merzouga desert

This 5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara desert in Merzouga will take you to the blue city of Chefchaouen, the wonderful ancient city of Fes, a camel ride in the desert, and an incredible night in a desert camp. On the fifth day, arrive reach Marrakech in the evening.

If the schedule below does not meet your needs, you can still modify your trip from Tangier to Marrakech based on your preferences. Please contact us; we would be pleased to assist you.

5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech main info

Departure location:

Tangier

Return location:

Marrakech

Departure time:

08:00 AM

Itinerary duration

5 days/ 4 nights

Highlights of our 5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech

5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech overview

Explore Morocco on a 5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech. You will discover the Blue Pearl City and the imperial city of Fes. Also, you travel via the Middle Atlas Mountains to the Sahara of Erg Chebbi for a camel trip. And you visit Atlas Studios and the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Finally, you travel along the High Atlas Mountains to the imperial city of Marrakech.

The Itinerary for a 5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech

Day 1: Tangier-Chefchaouen-Fes

We will pick you up from your accommodation and start 5 days from Tangier to MarrakExplore Morocco on a 5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech. You will discover the Blue Pearl City and the imperial city of Fes. Also, you travel via the Middle Atlas Mountains to the Sahara of Erg Chebbi for a camel trip. And you visit Atlas Studios and the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Finally, you travel along the High Atlas Mountains to the imperial city of Marrakech.

each. Thus, we will drive to the blue Pearl City of Chefchaouen to visit the main attractions there. For example, you will visit the Kasbah Museum, which reflects the history of Chefchaouen. Then, you visit the Ras El-Ma (waterfalls). After exploring Chefchaouen, we drive to Fes and check into your Riad.

Day 2: Fes City Tour

Today, you will discover the old Medina of Fes. It is the oldest medina in Morocco and home to medieval attractions. That is to say, you will meet our guide at your raid and guide to all the historical sites. Therefore, you will visit the blue gate that leads to the heart of Medina. In the Chouara tanneries and mosaic cooperative, you will discover how the locals deal with ceramics and leather.

Besides, you will visit the oldest university of Al-Karaouine and the Bou Inania and Attarine Quranic schools. They all offer Andalusian design. You will also visit the Marinid Tombs and Borj Tower and experience a panoramic view of the whole of Medina. The guided tour includes all the attractions to explore and then another night at the same Riad.

Day 3: Fes, Ifrane, Ziz Valley, Merzouga

After breakfast, the 5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech will highlight sites in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Firstly, we will drive to Ifrane town. It is also called the Switzerland of Morocco. There will be free time to enjoy the landscapes and lion statues. Later, we visit Cedar Forest, where barbarian apes live. We then stop in Midelt for lunch and move to Ziz Valley. The valley is home to different types of date fruit and mud houses. Finally, we drive to the Merzouga Desert for a camel trip and a night in the camp. After dinner, the locals will entertain you with music around the fire. And you enjoy your night under the starry sky.

Day 4: Merzouga-Todra Gorges-Dades Valley

Our 5 days from Tangier to Marrakech via the desert will be spent in Rissani town after breakfast and a shower. There, you will visit its old and traditional market. Further, we visit the fossil museum in Erfoud and the old irrigation system in Jorf. Next, we head to Touroug Berber village to visit the Berber cloth cooperative. Moreover, we stop to admire the wall rocks and the natural oasis in Todra Gorges. Finally, we visit the rock formation and curves of Tissdrine for panoramic views. We then check into a local riad in Dades Gorges.

Day 5: Dades Gorges-Ourzazate-Ait Bend Haddou-Marrakech

On the last day of our desert tour, we will travel along the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Yet, we will make stops to visit important places. Firstly, we will visit Rose Valley to explore rose products. In addition, we stop in Ouarzazate. It is the Hollywood of Africa and where Atlas Studios are. This area is the best place for movies, including Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. It is a UNESCO Heritage Site that offers the best adobe design in the southeast of Morocco. Then, we pass Tizi-N-Ticha and its panoramic views. Thereafter, we visit the Argan oil cooperative and end our 5 days from Tangier to Marrakech to any place in Marrakech.

A 5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech includes

5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech excludes

The testimonials for our 5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech

An unforgettable journey from Tangier to Marrakech:

The 4WD vehicle was also really comfy, and as someone who is prone to motion sickness, I was absolutely unaffected even while driving up and down winding mountain roads! Hamza also knew the best areas to snap photographs, how to obtain restaurant discounts, and where to go based on our budget. He also assisted us in carrying our luggage to the riads and would drop us off and pick us up as near to the entrance as feasible. Overall, Hamza and Morocco Desert Tour made our Moroccan visit really comfortable, easy, enjoyable, and unforgettable - thank you so much!!

Also, a hint for future travelers: pack a phone or USB with a lot of music for lengthy vehicle rides:) and certainly, make time to stay overnight in the Sahara desert, the stars are magnificent! Other friends who stayed overnight with other companies reported that the camels were stinky, that the bathrooms were squat, and that the communal tents were huge and chilly, but with Morocco Desert Tour, the camels were properly cared for, and we had individual tents with mattresses.

Marrakech from Tangier in 5 Days

This tour business and tour guide, Ali, come highly recommended! We were three females on a graduation vacation who were concerned about traveling across Morocco alone and opted to arrange a tour, which turned out to be the finest choice we could have done! The organization was incredibly helpful in fitting in all of the locations that we wanted to see, as well as bringing in their own recommendations, and they were quite simple to work with.

Hamza was easygoing and personable, making the five days seem more like a road trip with a buddy than a rigorous tour with a tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about Moroccan history, never rushed us, and was also a lot of fun - he let us stop near Ifran in a field of snow and join us in a snowball fight, he assisted us in mattress-surfing down the sand dunes in the Sahara desert, and he let us listen to music the entire trip. Hamza was really attentive, changing the air conditioner, washing the windshield anytime we wanted to snap a shot and having the vehicle cleaned inside and out on a regular basis to ensure that we were always comfortable while traveling.

Unforgettable experience

For five days, Mouha was our guide. The excursion includes pickup from Fes, a drive to the Sahara with lunch, a camel ride to a luxury camp, a nighttime meal with a drum circle around the campfire, an overnight stay at the camp, breakfast, and a camel ride back to private transportation. The Sahara was a one-of-a-kind, strange experience. Mouha is a gifted photographer with a unique eye. He volunteered to snap some stunning photographs of our group. We next went to see monkey feet and slept at Hotel Babylon in Dades for the night. We went to Dades Gorge and had another outside meal, this time with wonderful tajines. Mouha brought us to the snakey route that twists back and forth up the mountain before we left for Marrakesh. Mouha made a few shopping stops on the route to Marrakesh. We were able to purchase magnets, henna, and Terra Cotta tajines at local pricing, as well as beautiful tangerines in season and a fantastic farewell meal. He is really enthusiastic about his homeland, as seen by his storytelling. He has traveled extensively around Morocco and offers an in-depth description of everything. He takes you on an authentic Moroccan adventure, avoiding tourist traps. He was very courteous, making sure we were comfortable in the private transportation, properly supplied, and stopped anytime we needed to use the restroom. Mouha was a big hit with our party of four ladies, who enjoyed sharing meals, laughs, and jokes with her. Mouha felt like family after the third day. I strongly advise you to hire him for your future vacation to Morocco, whether it's only to see the Sahara or for more! Basah (thank you)!!!

The Hassan 5-Day Desert Tour from Tangier to Marrakech was one of the most memorable experiences of our lives!

The three-day private desert excursion from Marrakech was one of the most unforgettable experiences of our life! Hassan, our guide, ensured that everything went well. He is really knowledgeable and kind, and he patiently answered all of our concerns. We learned a lot about the culture and history while having a great time!

The five-star desert camp and camel ride were incredible! It's very lovely. The food was excellent. The atmosphere and live music are very enjoyable.

The first night, we slept at a beautiful hotel. We proceeded to a view pool, where I received a message. The supper and breakfast buffets were both outstanding.

The excursion is highly recommended. Hassan is a fantastic driver and tour leader!

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5-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech highlights overview

Merzouga desert

The importance of the sand dunes that surround the settlement outweighs that of the village itself. Merzouga is a term that refers to the entire desert region, which includes prominent settlements such as Hassi Labied, Takojt, Tanamoust, Tiharyin, Taboumyat, Khamlia, and others. The origins of the village’s name may be traced back to two separate events. To begin, some people say that the word Merzoug comes from a family named Merzoug who lived in the past. Second, because Merzouka means “rich land” in Arabic, some people assume the term came from there.

Another interesting tale that the majority of Merzouga’s Berbers believe in. It is reported that in the distant past, Merzouga was home to a prosperous tribe that coexisted peacefully. They began to combat it after they had completed their meals (mainly couscous). God punished them with gigantic sand dunes and storms until they were entirely covered in dunes because they were squandering food.

The sand dunes, known as Erg Chebbi, are around 30–15 kilometers long. Other sand dunes, such as those near Znigui, Jdaid, and Ramlia, may be found if you go farther east.

Ait Benhaddou Kasbah

The little community, or Ksar, is built by Thami El Gloaui, one of Morocco’s wealthiest bashas. This modest Berber community is situated in a strategic location, making it one of the most significant communities in the southeast of Morocco. Why not? Because the majority of the camel caravan moving from Sijilmassa to Marrakech utilized it as a rest stop or even a storage facility for their goods. At the southernmost extremity of the High Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou is located. On our four-day trip from Marrakech to Fes, it undoubtedly offered some of the nicest vistas. The Great Wall and towering clay towers are outstanding examples of Moroccan architecture.

The majority of the residents of the village have relocated to the opposite side of the river. Furthermore, only a few families remain, and tourism is their primary source of income.

Ouarzazate, Oualywood of Africa

It is known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” and it is located just a few kilometers from Ait Benhaddou town. We’d like to talk about the roots of the city’s name before we get into what this city has to offer. Ouarzazate is a Berber city, like other Moroccan cities, and the name tells it all. “Ouar” means “without,” while “Zazate” means “noise.” As a consequence, the full name translates as “a quiet location.”

Ouarzazate is well-known for being a favorite location for international filmmakers and directors. Ouarzazate is currently filming the fifth season of Prison Break and portions of Game of Thrones. The Atlas Studios, which are located in the city, provide the greatest designs and vistas that will take you back in time. This city is also regarded as the Sahara desert’s entryway, and in recent years, an international airport dedicated to desert tour fans has been developed.

Rissani and Erfoud

The majority of Sahrawis have erected new contemporary dwellings and streets in two main desert cities. The first destination is Rissani, which is the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty, as stated in the schedule. It was also the beginning point for the well-known caravan routes that led to Tombouctou. One of the country’s oldest and largest traditional souks is located in Rissani. You should be able to discover the majority of what you need there. On the other side, the souk is only open on three days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

Rissani is remarkable in that merchants who provide items to the city continue to use traditional forms of transportation. It’s the donkey; therefore, don’t be shocked if you see a park full of saddled donkeys on a souk day.

On the other hand, there is the city of Erfoud. It is roughly a half-hour drive from Merzouga, which is the genuine entryway to the sand dunes, rather than Ouarzazate. Because Erfoud is the largest city closest to the Merzouga desert, it is more likely to be the desert region’s capital. The fossil workshops, which are many in Erfoud, are among the highlights of a visit to this city. Erfoud is also in charge of the Ziz Valley, Morocco’s major source of dates. Not to mention that every year, the city holds or organizes a date festival. People come from all over the world to purchase and sell different sorts of dates from all over the world.

Cedar forest and Ifrane

The 5-day desert tour from Tangier to Marrakech includes visits to Ifrane and the Azrou Cedar Forest. On one side, there’s Morocco’s tiny Switzerland, the cleanest city in Africa and the world’s ninth-cleanest. There is a difference when you first visit this magnificent city. Ifrane, in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains, is the coldest city. It boasts a beautiful ambiance, beautiful scenery, gardens, and pure air. Not to mention the fact that it is Morocco’s most popular skateboarding destination.

The Atlas Lion Monument is unquestionably the primary draw of Ifrane. According to Ifrane inhabitants, the latter was carved in payment for his release by a German prisoner. In addition, Al-Akhawayine University, one of Africa’s greatest and most prestigious universities, is located in Ifrane. It offers a wide range of courses that other Moroccan institutions do not.

On the other side, the cedar forest near Ifrane is also worth a visit. It once housed a wide range of creatures, many of which are now extinct. The amiable Barbary macaques now call it home. The atmosphere is comparable to that of a zoo, where you can rest and breathe in some fresh air.

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