Our 7 day desert tour from Tangier to Marrakech covers Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Fes, the Sahara and the gorges, arriving in Marrakech with time to explore.
Be part of an extraordinary 7-day journey across Morocco, starting in the vibrant port city of Tangier and ending in the iconic Red City of Marrakech. This tour offers a rich and varied experience that takes you from the tranquil blue streets of Chefchaouen to the golden dunes of Merzouga, from ancient Roman ruins to the cinematic landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains.
Along the way, you will savor authentic Moroccan cuisine, stay in charming riads and guesthouses, ride camels into the Sahara at sunset, explore UNESCO-listed medinas, and connect with the true soul of this beautiful and diverse country. With Navigate Morocco, every day of this journey tells a story.
Chefchaouen, founded in 1471 in the Rif Mountains, is famous for its blue-washed medina. Volubilis is the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, with mosaics still in place in many of its houses. At Merzouga, the Erg Chebbi dunes rise to around 150 meters, among the tallest in Morocco.
The best months for a full Morocco circuit are March to May and September to November, when both the cities and the desert are comfortable. Summer is hot inland and in the Sahara, and winter brings cold desert nights and snow in the mountains.
This private 7 day desert tour from Tangier to Marrakech starts from $820 per person, based on two travelers sharing, and the price per person drops for larger groups. Every itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, pace and hotel preferences. Send us your dates on WhatsApp or through the enquiry form below for a free quote.
Your adventure begins the moment you arrive at Tangier port or airport, where your Navigate Morocco driver and guide will be waiting to welcome you and get the journey underway. Tangier itself is a fascinating city where Africa and Europe feel closer than anywhere else in the world, shaped by centuries of trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a chance to take a short walk through the old medina or enjoy a coffee by the seafront before departing south.
The drive from Tangier to Chefchaouen takes you through the scenic Rif Mountains, a lush and green landscape that feels quite different from the arid south of Morocco. As the road winds higher into the mountains, the views become increasingly dramatic, with terraced hillsides, Berber villages, and forested valleys on all sides.
Arrive in Chefchaouen in the afternoon, a town unlike anywhere else in Morocco. Known worldwide for its striking blue-painted streets, staircases, and doorways, Chefchaouen has a peaceful, almost dreamlike quality that instantly sets it apart from the country’s busier imperial cities. Spend the rest of the day wandering the narrow lanes of the medina at your own pace, discovering artisan shops selling handwoven fabrics, ceramics, leather goods, and locally produced goat cheese. As the light softens in the late afternoon, the blue walls take on a particularly beautiful tone, making it one of the most photogenic towns in all of Morocco.
Return to your riad for a traditional Moroccan dinner and a restful first night in the mountains.
After breakfast, leave Chefchaouen’s tranquil mountain setting behind and head south through rolling hills and rural farmland toward one of Morocco’s most remarkable historical sites. The first stop of the day is Volubilis, a sprawling Roman archaeological site set among green fields near the town of Meknes. Once one of the most important Roman outposts in North Africa, Volubilis is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserved well enough that visitors can walk through triumphal arches, past mosaic floors, along ancient streets, and between the bases of columns that have stood for nearly two thousand years. The scale and quality of preservation here is genuinely impressive and offers a completely different dimension to Morocco’s already rich history.
From Volubilis, continue a short distance to Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, one of Morocco’s most sacred towns and the resting place of Moulay Idriss I, the founder of the first Arab dynasty in Morocco and a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. The town climbs steeply up two hillsides and offers beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Enjoy a scenic lunch here and take a short walk through the town’s winding streets before continuing east.
The afternoon drive takes you to Fes, the spiritual and intellectual capital of Morocco. Arrive in the early evening and check into your traditional riad in the heart of the medina. Enjoy a cup of mint tea on the rooftop terrace as the call to prayer echoes across the city’s rooftops and the lights of the old medina begin to glow. Dinner at your riad marks the end of a day rich with history and discovery.
The morning begins with a guided exploration of Fes el-Bali, the ancient walled medina of Fes and one of the most complete medieval cities in the world. With a knowledgeable local guide, walk through a labyrinth of over nine thousand alleyways, past centuries-old mosques, madrasas, hammams, and workshops where traditional crafts are still practiced as they have been for generations. The sounds, scents, and colors of the medina are unlike anything else in Morocco.
Visit the Bou Inania Medersa, a beautifully restored 14th-century theological school featuring some of the finest examples of Moroccan decorative craftsmanship, with intricate zellige tilework, carved stucco walls, and ornate cedar wood ceilings. Continue to the Chouara Tanneries, where leather has been dyed using natural pigments and traditional methods for over a thousand years. View the tanneries from the rooftop terraces of the surrounding leather shops, where the vivid circular dye vats spread out below in a patchwork of color.
By midday, depart Fes and head south into the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, a spotlessly clean alpine town that feels more like Switzerland than Morocco, with its stone chalets, manicured parks, and cool mountain air. Continue to the cedar forests around Azrou, where Barbary macaque monkeys roam freely among the ancient trees, often coming close enough to observe from just a few meters away.
Continue south through changing mountain landscapes to Midelt, a quiet town nestled between the Middle and High Atlas ranges, known locally for its apple orchards and traditional Berber carpets. Arrive in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay at a comfortable kasbah-style guesthouse.
After breakfast, set off on one of the most scenic drives of the entire journey, heading south through a landscape that gradually transforms from mountain terrain to open pre-Saharan plains. The road descends through the dramatic Ziz Valley, a long ribbon of palm groves, date trees, and ancient kasbahs running alongside the Ziz River through a corridor of striking red rock cliffs. Stop at the panoramic viewpoint above the valley for photographs before continuing through small desert villages and wide open plains.
As the afternoon approaches, the landscape begins to flatten and the first hints of the Sahara appear. The town of Erfoud, famous for its fossil workshops and black marble, makes for an interesting brief stop before the road leads to Merzouga, the gateway to the legendary Erg Chebbi dunes. The dunes of Erg Chebbi rise up to 150 meters high and stretch for kilometers across the horizon, their color shifting from pale gold to deep orange asthe light changes throughout the day.
In the late afternoon, mount your camel and begin the trek across the dunes toward your desert camp as the sun begins its descent. Watch the sky turn shades of amber, rose, and violet over the rolling sands, one of the most breathtaking moments of the entire journey. Arrive at your desert camp as stars begin to appear overhead. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner around the campfire, listen to the rhythmic sound of live Berber and Gnawa music, and fall asleep to the complete silence of the Sahara under a sky full of stars.
Rise before dawn to witness the Sahara sunrise, one of the most peaceful and memorable moments of the trip. As the first light creeps over the dunes, the desert awakens in warm shades of gold and pink. After a camp breakfast, begin the journey westward, leaving the desert behind.
The first stop is Rissani, the historic former capital of the Tafilalet region and the ancestral heartland of Morocco’s Alaouite royal dynasty. If the visit falls on a market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday), the Rissani souk comes alive with local merchants, traders, and farmers selling everything from fresh dates and spices to handmade crafts, Berber rugs, and traditional clothing. It is one of the most authentic market experiences in southern Morocco and a wonderful contrast to the stillness of the desert camp just hours before.
Continue west toward the Todra Gorge, a spectacular natural canyon carved by the Todra River through towering limestone cliffs that rise over 300 meters on either side. At its narrowest point, the canyon walls close in to just a few meters wide, creating a dramatic corridor of rock that is a favorite among climbers, hikers, and photographers from around the world. Take a refreshing walk along the river through the gorge and enjoy the extraordinary scenery before continuing into the Dades Valley.
Arrive in the Dades Valley in the late afternoon and check into your riad overlooking the valley. The region is known for its winding roads, dramatic red rock formations, and ancient kasbahs clinging to the hillsides. Enjoy a peaceful dinner and overnight stay surrounded by some of the most striking scenery in Morocco.
Wake up to panoramic views of the Dades Valley before setting off on the final full day of the journey. The road west passes through the Valley of the Roses, named for the Damask rose fields cultivated by local Berber farmers across the hillsides. This area is celebrated every spring during the famous Rose Festival in Kelaat M’Gouna, when the harvest is celebrated with music, markets, and the crowning of a local Rose Queen.
Continue to Ouarzazate, a city known throughout Morocco and beyond as the Hollywood of Africa. Its dramatic desert landscapes, clear light, and ancient kasbahs have made it the preferred filming location for some of the most celebrated productions in cinema history, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, and Game of Thrones. Visit the Atlas Film Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world, where iconic film sets still stand among the desert scenery.
From Ouarzazate, travel a short distance to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic fortified villages in Morocco. This ancient ksar, built entirely from earthen clay, rises dramatically from the riverbank in a series of towers, walls, and labyrinthine alleyways. Climb to the top of the village for sweeping views of the surrounding desert and mountains, and take time to explore the narrow streets and traditional architecture that have made this one of the most photographed places in Morocco.
After lunch, continue through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest paved road in North Africa at approximately 2,260 meters above sea level. The views from the pass are spectacular, with sweeping panoramas of mountain peaks, deep gorges, and Berber villages perched on the slopes. Descend into the red plains surrounding Marrakech and arrive in the city by early evening. Check into your riad near the medina for a final night in Morocco.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your riad and take some free time to explore Marrakech at your own pace before your departure. The city rewards those who wander without a fixed plan, with beautiful details hidden in every corner of the medina. Visit the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in the morning, when it is at its most relaxed, browse the souks for final souvenirs, or simply sit in a rooftop cafe with a mint tea and take in the energy of the Red City one last time.
If time allows before your transfer, a visit to the Koutoubia Mosque (exterior), the Majorelle Garden, or the Bahia Palace can round off your Marrakech experience beautifully. When the time comes, your Navigate Morocco driver will ensure a smooth and comfortable transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport, bringing your 7-day Moroccan adventure to a warm and memorable close.
End of tour with Navigate Morocco
Is this a private tour?
Yes. This is a fully private tour operated exclusively for you and your travel companions by Navigate Morocco. You will have a dedicated vehicle and driver-guide throughout the entire 7 days and will not share with any other group.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Tangier with a pickup from Tangier port or airport and ends in Marrakech with a drop-off at Marrakech Menara Airport or your accommodation, depending on your onward travel plans.
What type of accommodation is included?
You will stay in a carefully selected mix of traditional riads, comfortable guesthouses, a kasbah-style hotel in Midelt, and a desert camp in Merzouga. All accommodations are chosen for their comfort, character, and authentic Moroccan atmosphere.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast and dinner are included throughout the tour. Lunches are not included, giving you the freedom to explore local restaurants, cafes, and street food along the route at your own pace.
Is the camel trek suitable for beginners?
Yes. The camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes is slow-paced and guided by experienced local handlers, making it suitable for most travelers including those who have never ridden a camel. If you prefer not to ride, a 4×4 transfer to the desert camp can be arranged as an alternative.
Can I visit Chefchaouen without prior arrangements?
The visit to Chefchaouen is included in Day 1 of the itinerary. Your guide will take you through the medina and blue streets and give you free time to explore at your own pace. No additional arrangements are needed.
Are entrance fees included?
Entrance fees for the key sites listed in the itinerary are generally included. Optional activities and attractions outside the planned itinerary are at an extra cost. Please confirm specific inclusions with Navigate Morocco at the time of booking.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Absolutely. Navigate Morocco offers fully flexible itineraries. Stops, pacing, accommodation preferences, and optional activities can all be adjusted to match your group’s interests, budget, and travel style.
What is the best time of year to take this tour?
The best months are March to May and September to November, when temperatures are comfortable across all regions including the Sahara Desert. Summer can be very hot in the south, while winter is cooler but still manageable with appropriate clothing.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, light layered clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential. Bring a warm layer for cool evenings in the mountains and desert. A small daypack is ideal for daily excursions, and a scarf or shawl is useful for the desert and visiting religious sites.
Do I need a visa to enter Morocco?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Many nationalities can enter Morocco visa-free for stays of up to 90 days, but it is always best to check with your local consulate or embassy before travel and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
