This 4 day Semester at Sea tour from Tangier fits inside the Spring 2027 port call (March 31 to April 5). It starts and ends in Tangier, with one night in the Middle Atlas, one night in our own desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes and one night in a riad in Marrakech. It visits the blue medina of Chefchaouen and includes a sunset camel ride, dinner and a campfire with Berber music under the stars, then the train back to the ship.
This tour is built for Semester at Sea students and groups. It runs April 1 to 4 or April 2 to 5, 2027, so you are back in Tangier before the ship sails. The driver-guide stays with the group throughout, and we book the return train in advance to keep a safe buffer before the all-aboard time. The exact all-aboard time is set by the ship.
We are a family-run private tour operator, so your group deals with the same team before and during the trip. Every tour is private, with a driver-guide who stays with the group, and each itinerary can be adjusted to your field program and the ship’s schedule. See all our Semester at Sea tours, read the Semester at Sea Morocco 2027 port guide, browse the Semester at Sea Morocco photo gallery, or compare the 5 day tour with Fes. The blue medina of Chefchaouen is the first stop on the route.
Your driver-guide meets you at the Tangier port. The road climbs into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, the Blue City, where you spend a few hours in the blue medina and stop for lunch (not included).
In the afternoon you drive on across the Middle Atlas, through the Azrou cedar forest, to Midelt for dinner and the night.
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After breakfast you drive south through the Ziz Valley palm groves, reaching Merzouga in the early afternoon. Ride quad bikes across the dunes if you like (optional, paid locally).
At sunset the group rides camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes to our desert camp. Dinner is served at camp, followed by a campfire with Berber drums and songs, then stargazing from the dunes far from any city light.
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Watch the sun rise over the dunes, have breakfast at camp and ride back out on your camels. The drive west crosses the Draa Valley palm groves and the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with stops for lunch (not included) and photos.
You reach Marrakech in the evening and check in to a riad in the medina.
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Spend the morning in the Marrakech medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa square. Your guide then drops the group at Marrakech train station for the ONCF train north to Tangier, in time for the ship.
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Will we be back in Tangier before the ship sails?
Yes. The tour runs April 1 to 4 or April 2 to 5, 2027, and we book the return train in advance to keep a safe buffer before the all-aboard time, which the ship sets. The April 1 departure gets you back the day before the ship sails, which leaves the most margin.
Is this a private tour for our group?
Yes. Your group travels in its own vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide for all 4 days, and you never share with other travelers.
Where do you meet us?
Your driver-guide meets the group at the Tangier port. We confirm the exact meeting point with you before the voyage reaches Morocco.
What is the difference from the 5 day tour?
The 4 day tour goes straight from Chefchaouen to the Middle Atlas on day one, so there is a long first day on the road. The 5 day tour adds a night in Fes with a guided medina walk and splits the drive to the Sahara over two days.
Do we need to book the train back ourselves?
We can book the Marrakech to Tangier train tickets for your group in advance, so seats are confirmed. Just tell us when you book the tour.
What is the night in the desert camp like?
You ride camels into the dunes at sunset, have dinner at camp, then gather around the campfire for Berber drums and songs. After that it is stargazing in the dunes. Tents have proper beds and blankets.
What should we pack?
A warm layer for the desert night, a scarf for sun and sand, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag for the camp. Shoulders and knees covered is respectful in the medinas.
