Morocco: 7-Day Tangier to Marrakech Tour with Desert Camp

Summary

From Chefchaouen’s blue alleys to Sahara sand and Marrakech’s wild square

You’ll wander Chefchaouen’s blue streets at sunrise, explore ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis, get lost (in a good way) inside Fes medina with a local guide, ride camels into Sahara dunes for sunset campfire music under stars, then cross mountain passes before diving into Marrakech’s wild energy. This trip isn’t just sights—it’s smells, tastes, laughter with locals, and moments you’ll replay later.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the color—Chefchaouen’s walls are so blue it almost hurts your eyes, especially when the sun bounces off them. Our driver, Youssef, laughed at how many photos we took of doors. There was this old man selling mint tea on a corner; he winked at me after I tried to say “shukran” and probably got it wrong. The air smelled like wet stone and oranges. That night in the riad, I could hear kids playing soccer somewhere down an alleyway long after dark.

Next morning we zigzagged through rolling hills toward Volubilis. The Roman ruins felt weirdly out of place—storks nesting on toppled columns, wildflowers everywhere. Meknes was busy but mellow compared to Fes. I got lost in Fes medina for a bit (intentionally? maybe) and ended up watching a leatherworker dyeing skins in vats that smelled... intense. Our guide Fatima showed us where to get these tiny pastries filled with almonds; honestly, I still think about them.

The drive south changed everything—the air got drier, pine trees gave way to rocks and then suddenly palms as we hit Ziz Valley. In Merzouga, camels waited for us at dusk. Riding into the Erg Chebbi dunes felt both awkward (my legs!) and magical. Dinner under stars tasted like cumin and smoke; there were drums, laughter, sand in my shoes. I barely slept but didn’t care—sunrise over the dunes was worth every grain of sand in my backpack.

After that came Todra Gorge (so tall you have to crane your neck), figs from a roadside stand in Dades Valley, then Ouarzazate’s movie-set kasbahs where our driver pointed out spots from Gladiator—he seemed proud of that. The road over the Atlas was slow and winding; snow on one side, dry red earth on the other. By the time we reached Marrakech, Jemaa el-Fna was already humming with snake charmers and orange juice sellers shouting over each other. It was chaos but somehow comforting—like you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel from Tangier to Chefchaouen

• Hotel pickup at 8:00 am
• Drive through Rif mountains
• Stroll blue streets of Chefchaouen

Day 2 — Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes

• Breakfast at riad
• Visit Volubilis Roman ruins
• Explore Meknes medina and Bab el Mansour
• Lunch in Meknes
• Drive to Fes for overnight

Day 3 — Fes Medina sightseeing tour

• Guided tour of Fes medina
• Visit souks and ancient mosques
• See Andalusian architecture and monuments
• Overnight in Riad

Day 4 — Fes to Sahara desert via Ifrane and Azrou

• Drive to Ifrane, Switzerland of Morocco
• Stop to see Barbary apes in forest
• Travel to Erfoud and Erg Chebbi dunes
• Dromedary trek at sunset
• Dinner and tea at desert camp
• Overnight in desert tents

Day 5 — Merzouga desert to Dades Gorge

• Sunrise in desert
• Return to hotel and breakfast
• Visit Rissani market
• Visit fossilized marble factory in Erfoud
• Explore Todra Gorge and walk
• Drive to Dades Valley and stop at monkey's paws

Day 6 — Dades Gorge to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Drive through Valley of Roses to Skoura palm grove
• Visit Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate
• Optional visit to film studios
• Explore Aït Benhaddou kasbah
• Drive over High Atlas mountains to Marrakech
• Enjoy Jemaa el Fna Square

Day 7 — Marrakech sightseeing tour

• Breakfast
• Visit Jemaa el Fna square
• See Saadian Tombs and Koutoubia Mosque
• Tour Bahia Palace and medina
• Walk through mellah Jewish quarter
• End of tour

Top questions

How long does the Tangier to Marrakech tour take?

The tour lasts 7 days from Tangier to Marrakech.

Is hotel pickup included for this Morocco tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included at the start of your journey.

Do you visit Chefchaouen on this itinerary?

Yes, Chefchaouen is the first major stop after leaving Tangier.

Are camel rides included in Merzouga?

Yes, an hour-long camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes is part of the experience.

Will there be a local guide in Fes or Marrakech?

Yes, guided sightseeing tours are included in both Fes and Marrakech medinas.

What kind of accommodation is provided in the desert?

You’ll stay one night in a luxury tented camp in Merzouga’s Sahara desert.

Is lunch or dinner included during the tour?

Dinners are included at some stops like the desert camp; lunches are typically not included except where noted.

Are transfers between cities private or shared?

The transportation is private throughout your journey.

What’s included

Your week includes hotel pickup in Tangier, private air-conditioned transport across Morocco with an experienced English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide, guided city tours in Fes and Marrakech medinas, all accommodations (including one night glamping under Saharan stars), camel rides through Erg Chebbi dunes with sandboarding available if you want it, plus 4x4 transfers if you’d rather skip riding camels back from camp. Some dinners (like at camp) are also part of the package before dropping you off at your final riad in Marrakech.