5-Day Private Tour Tangier to Marrakech: Sahara Desert

Cross Morocco north to south in five days, from blue-painted medinas to a night under stars in the desert.

This 5-day private tour departs Tangier and travels south through Morocco's imperial cities and Sahara desert to end in Marrakech, with a live guide, hotel pickups and an overnight camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes. Day one reaches Chefchaouen's blue medina; day two explores Fes's oldest medina and leather tanneries; day three crosses Ifrane and the Azrou monkey forest before a camel ride into the desert; day four follows the Todra Gorges and Dades Valley; day five visits the UNESCO site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tangier to Chefchaouen visit

• Drive to Chefchaouen
• Walk in blue streets
• Enjoy sunset viewpoint

Day 2: Chefchaouen to Fes tour

• Breakfast
• Drive to Fes
• Tour Fes Medina
• Visit old university
• See colorful tanneries
• Visit royal palace

Day 3: Fes to Sahara desert journey

• Drive to Ifrane
• Stop at Azrou monkey forest
• Lunch in Midelt
• Panoramic stop at Ziz valley
• Pass Erfoud
• Ride camels in Sahara dunes
• Overnight in desert camp

Day 4: Sahara desert to Boumalen Dades

• Sunrise in desert
• Visit Rissani market
• Walk in Todra gorges
• Drive through Dades Valley
• See monkey fingers rock formations
• Overnight in Boumalen Dades

Day 5: Boumalen Dades to Marrakech

• Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
• Lunch
• Drive through Berber villages
• Stop at Tizi N Tichka pass
• Drive to Marrakech
• Drop off at accommodation or airport

The experience

Five days is enough to move through the whole country without rushing. The route starts in Tangier and heads south through Tetouan to Chefchaouen, where the medina is painted blue and you walk freely through the streets before watching the sunset from a high vantage point. The next morning you drive to Fes, Morocco's oldest city, and spend the day in its largest medina: visiting the old university, the colorful tanneries where leather is still made by hand, and the royal palace. An overnight stay at a riad gives you the pace to absorb each place.

Day three is the pivot toward the desert. You leave Fes heading east through Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco for its alpine landscape, and stop in the Azrou monkey forest to meet and feed the Barbary monkeys. After lunch in Midelt, the apple capital, you continue through the Ziz valley (a panoramic stop shows the palm groves), and pass Erfoud, the dates capital, before reaching the Sahara. At Erg Chebbi you ride camels across the dunes to a camp in the middle of the desert, where you spend the night listening to Berber music under the stars.

The return journey moves through the southern valleys and gorges. After sunrise in the desert, you cross through Rissani's old market, then stop at the Todra Gorges to walk under the high canyon walls. The Dades Valley follows, famous for rock formations called the monkey fingers. On the final day you visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO world heritage site where Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed, then drive the road of a thousand kasbahs through old Berber villages. You cross the High Atlas Mountains at Tizi N Tichka, at 2,260 meters, for a panoramic stop before descending to Marrakech.

What’s included

• An air-conditioned vehicle for all five days.
• a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Italian.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Tangier and Marrakech.
• overnight stays in riads and camps.
• a camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes.
• and breakfast each morning.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Infant (1 to 9 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Trips For Morocco

Is this one for you?This tour moves at a steady pace over five days, which gives you time to walk through each medina and absorb the landscape without feeling rushed: ideal if you want to see both the northern imperial cities and the Sahara without committing to a week. The private vehicle and guide mean the itinerary can adjust to your interests, and the overnight in the desert is built in, so you don't need to arrange it separately.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

18 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (1 to 9 years).

What is Chefchaouen and why is it called the blue pearl?

Chefchaouen is a medina in northern Morocco where the streets and houses are painted blue. You reach it on day one and have a free walk through the city, ending with a sunset view from a high spot.

What happens on the camel ride in the Sahara?

On day three you ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes to reach a camp in the middle of the desert, where you spend the night and listen to Berber music under the stars.

What is Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and why should I see it?

Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO world heritage site where major films and series including Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed. You visit it on day five and explore the historical site before driving to Marrakech.

What are the tanneries in Fes?

The tanneries are where locals make leather by hand using traditional methods. You visit them on day two as part of the guided tour of Fes's old medina.

Does the tour include meals?

Breakfast is included each morning. Lunch is not included, but the itinerary includes stops in towns where you can eat: Midelt on day three, and other towns along the route.