10 Day Morocco Tour from Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara Desert

Day 1: Tangier, Tetouan and Chefchaouen

We will start our 10-day tour from Tangier by picking you up from the port or airport. We may visit Hercules Cave. After that, we will drive through the Rif mountains via Tetouan to Chefchaouen. We will go to enjoy the views of the lovely mountains and villages. 

Upon our arrival in the blue city, we will check into the Riad. Then, we will walk to admire its beautiful walls and walk in the old Medina. We will head to the old first building at the heart of Ota Hamma Square before we visit the Ras El Ma waterfalls. After that, you have a free afternoon to watch the sunset from the Spanish mosque. You will then spend your night in a nice place to enjoy the Rif mountains’ breeze and beauty.

Day 2: Chefchaouen, Ouezzane, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes

After breakfast in your room, we will continue towards Volubilis on the second day. We will go through Ouezzane and other Rif villages. In Volubilis, we will see the Roman ruins. We will learn about the Moroccan history of this great site. After the ruins, we will go to Meknes, a 17th-century heritage city. We will stop for lunch and hang around the vast walls of the Medina, Bab El Mansour. Then, we will walk in El Hedim Square and Sehrij Es Souani. After that, we will drive to Fes City, where you will spend the night in a riad in the heart of the Medina.

Day 3: Fes sightseeing tour

After breakfast in your Riad, we will start visiting the oldest imperial city in Morocco. We will go with a local guide. We will walk through its alleys and small streets. First, our visit starts at the Royal Palace gate. We will walk through the Jewish headquarters. It was the first Mellah ever built in Morocco in the 16th century. We will ensure you visit all sites of cultural and historical interest. These include the famous Al-Qaraouine University. It is the oldest in the region. There are also the tanneries, the Attarine Museum, and the Mulay Idriss mausoleum. After lunch, you will experience a fantastic panoramic view over the Medina of Fes. Overnight will be in the riad/hotel.

Day 4: Fes, Ifrane, Midelt, Ziz Gorges, Erfoud and Merzouga

After breakfast in your Riad, we will leave Fes for the Sahara desert. We will see and visit many sites along the way. First, we will have our first stop at Ifran, known as “Little Switzerland.” Here we will make a quick stop to see the status of a lion and grab a coffee. Then, we will drive to the cedar forest to catch sight of wild monkeys. After that, we will drive through Zaida and Midelt, where we may stop for lunch. After that, you will travel through the lovely Tizi N’Talghamt pass and the Ziz Gorge. You’ll see the High Atlas plateau. As we reach the desert, you’ll notice how the scenery changes from the Middle Atlas to the High Atlas. The next stop is Ziz Valley, where you can view the vast Oases. After that, we will travel along the magnificent Ziz Valley to Erfoud and Rissani. Arrive at Merzouga Desert in the afternoon. Check into your riad/hotel.

Day 5: Merzouga Desert Tour: Camel Trekking

Our 10-day trip from Tangier includes the highlight of our Morocco desert tour. After breakfast, we will tour the local area before the start of your camel ride. First, we will visit the National Auto Car Museum. Then, we will drive to the Gnawa people. They are from Mali and Sudan. They live in their village, Khamlia, where you will learn about their music. Later, we will drive into the desert area to meet nomad families and explore their way of life. Today’s lunch will be a traditional Berber meal (Berber pizza). We may visit Rissani. It depends on time. Rissani is a commercial city. It was the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty. The Alaouites are the current ruling royal family in Morocco. Rissani hosts its traditional souk three times a week, an open market with four doors. Then, you’ll walk through the souk, selling spices, vegetables, and clothes. Drive back to the village of Merzouga. In the afternoon, you will ride your camel. An experienced camel man will guide you. You will explore the hidden secrets in the middle of the dunes. So, dinner will be at the camp. You will spend the night and listen to live traditional music.

Day 6: Merzouga Desert, Rissani, Todra Gorge, and Dades Valley

On this day, we will get up early to see the sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara. Then, we will have breakfast and a shower at the camp. Afterward, you will ride the camels back to the meeting point. So, we’ll drive through Rissani and Erfoud. We’ll arrive at Todra Gorge, where we will enjoy a rock canyon and have a traditional Moroccan lunch. We will take a short walk through the gorge. Then, we will arrive at Boumalne Dades for dinner and a place to stay.

Day 7: Boumalne Dades, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah and Marrakech

After breakfast, we will continue our 10-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech. Before, we will travel through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’Gouna and Ouarzazate. The route through Dades Valley is the famous way of the thousand kasbahs. It has many chances to take your best photos of the trip. Afterward, we will stop at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah for lunch, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. This Kasbah was one of the main stops for trading camel caravans from the Sahara to Marrakech. Nowadays, the Kasbah is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. After lunch, we will cross the High Atlas Mountains up to Marrakech. We will stop at the top of Tichka Pass, which is 2260 m high. Then, we’ll stop to relax. Later, we will keep driving on a road with panoramic views. It has attractive Berber villages. Overnight in a fancy riad in Medina.

Day 8: Marrakech sightseeing tour

On this day, we will visit Marrakech with a licensed guide. The Almoravid dynasty founded the second imperial city in the 12th century. After breakfast in the Riad, we explore Marrakech,” the red city of Morocco,” with a local guide. Yet, we will ensure that you see the most important sites. They are of historical and cultural interest. They include the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, and the Bahia Palace. Afterward, you will walk through the souks and view hundreds of handicrafts. Later, we will drive outside the Medina to visit the Majorelle Gardens. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to wander to the famous Jamaa El Fna square.

Day 9: Day tour to Essaouira from Marrakech

The last city we will explore with our 10-day tour from Tangier will be Essaouira. So, you will start traveling for about 3 hours to the coastal city of Essaouira before we stop to see the goat climbing the Argan trees. When we arrive at Essaouira, you’ll visit the Skala Fortress. You’ll see Thuya wood carved by artisans. You’ll walk through the Medina’s alleys and view hundreds of handicrafts. Essaouira has known many civilizations. This included the Portuguese occupation, which affected much of its architecture. But it remains a small village with a lot of history. You will also visit the women’s cooperative of Argan Oil. Here, they extract the oil. It is famous for its use in cooking, cosmetics, and medicine. In the afternoon, you will travel back to Marrakech. Overnight at your riad/hotel.

Day 10: Transfer to Marrakech airport

This is the last day of our 10-day trip from Tangier to Marrakech. We will drive you to the airport and wish you a safe journey home.