14-Day Morocco Tour from Tangier: Imperial Cities & Sahara
- Duration14 days
- Free cancellationContact us for the conditions of this tour
- Local driver & guidePick-up from your hotel or riad
- Flexible itineraryPrivate dates and changes on request
- Private Tour
- Daily departures
- 14 Days
- Free Cancellation
Tour overview
This private tour starts in Tangier and heads to Chefchaouen, the Blue City, then on to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes and Fes. From Fes you cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you ride a camel to a desert camp for the night.
The return journey takes in the Todra and Dades Gorges, the Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate and the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas to Marrakech. Finish with day trips to the Ouzoud Waterfalls and the seaside town of Essaouira.
Tour highlights
- See where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean in Tangier.
- Wander the blue streets of Chefchaouen.
- Explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
- Guided tours of the medinas of Fes and Marrakech.
- Ride a camel and sleep in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi.
- Discover the Todra and Dades Gorges and their palm groves.
- Visit Ouarzazate, Morocco’s film capital, and Ait Ben Haddou.
- See the Ouzoud Waterfalls and relax in Essaouira.
Day-by-day itinerary
1Day 1: Tangier – Tetouan – Chefchaouen
Your driver meets you in Tangier. Drive through Tetouan and the green Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. In the afternoon, wander the blue-washed streets, browse local craft shops and enjoy dinner in the medina. Overnight in a riad or hotel.2Day 2: Exploring Chefchaouen
Spend a relaxed day in Chefchaouen, founded in 1471 in the foothills of the Rif. Explore the old medina and its kasbah, walk up to Ras El Ma spring, where locals still wash clothes in the stream, and climb to the Spanish Mosque for sunset views over the town. Overnight in Chefchaouen.3Day 3: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
Drive south to Volubilis, Morocco’s best-preserved Roman city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its mosaics. Continue to Meknes, the imperial capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, to see Bab Mansour gate, then carry on to Fes. Overnight in a riad.4Day 4: Guided tour of Fes
With a licensed local guide, explore Fes el-Bali, the largest car-free medieval medina in the world and a UNESCO site. Highlights include Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 and considered the oldest university in the world, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Chouara tanneries and the craft souks. Overnight in Fes.5Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou cedar forest – Midelt
Head into the Middle Atlas via Ifrane, nicknamed “the Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine-style houses and winter snow. Stop in the Azrou cedar forest to see the endangered Barbary macaques, then continue to Midelt, known for its apple orchards. Overnight in Midelt.6Day 6: Midelt – Ziz Valley – Rissani – Merzouga camel ride
Cross the Atlas and follow the palm-filled Ziz Valley south to Rissani, an old caravan town with a busy traditional market. Visit Khamlia village to hear Gnawa music, and try a Berber “pizza” for lunch. In the late afternoon, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes (about 1.5 hours) as the sun sets. Dinner, drumming and a night under the stars in a desert camp.7Day 7: Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Tinghir – Dades
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then ride back to Merzouga for breakfast. Drive west past ancient underground irrigation wells (khettaras) to the Todra Gorge, where cliffs up to 300 m high tower over a narrow canyon. Continue through the oasis town of Tinghir to the Dades Valley. Overnight in Dades.8Day 8: Dades Gorge – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate
Take in the winding road of the Dades Gorge, then follow the Valley of Roses, home to a rose festival each May, to the palm oasis of Skoura. In Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Morocco”, visit Taourirt Kasbah and the film studios. Overnight in Ouarzazate.9Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech
Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village that has featured in films such as Gladiator, The Mummy and Game of Thrones. Then cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) to Marrakech. Overnight in Marrakech.10Day 10: Guided tour of Marrakech
Explore Marrakech with a local guide: the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Majorelle Garden. End the day in Jemaa el-Fnaa square, where storytellers, musicians and food stalls fill the evening. Overnight in Marrakech.11Day 11: Day trip to the Ouzoud Waterfalls
Drive about 2.5 hours through the countryside to the Ouzoud Waterfalls, which plunge around 110 m into the El Abid gorge, the highest falls in North Africa. Walk down to the base, take a boat to the foot of the falls and look out for Barbary macaques in the olive trees. Lunch by the river, then return to Marrakech.12Day 12: Day trip to Essaouira
Leave Marrakech early for Essaouira on the Atlantic coast (about 3 hours), passing argan forests along the way. Explore the UNESCO-listed medina and its sea ramparts, watch the fishing boats come into the harbour and walk along the long sandy beach, popular with kitesurfers. Return to Marrakech in the evening.13Days 13–14: Free time in Marrakech and departure
Enjoy a free day in Marrakech for shopping, a hammam or a cooking class. On day 14, your driver takes you to Marrakech airport (or Casablanca on request) for your flight home.
What's included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver
- 13 nights’ accommodation in hotels, riads and a desert camp
- Camel ride in Erg Chebbi
- Local guides in Fes and Marrakech
Not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance fees
- Flights
- Tips
Prices
Have a question? Contact us
Traveller reviews
4.8based on 3 reviews
The website provides accurate descriptions of the activities. The tour guides assigned to our group at Ait Ben Haddou (I can't recall his name, but he was a Game of Thrones extra and was wearing an orange turban) and the Berber oasis village (Aziz) were wonderful, amusing, and really kind. People in the places you visit are not at all pushy, in contrast to Marrakech. The hotel was better than expected in every regard. The food was superb, and both the hotel and the tent on the desert were fairly comfortable. I strongly recommend this to go on this 14-day adventure from Tangier.
JulianThe trip really surpassed my expectations. As I traveled through various Berber villages and the Atlas Mountains, I learned a lot about the berber people. Your first night will be spent in a hotel in the highlands, then the next will be spent in the desert (both very cold). The trip is mostly spent driving, but there is beautiful landscape to enjoy, and the stops at the Berber towns really make it worthwhile to get to the desert. Additionally, the village guides are wonderfully kind Berber people with whom you may laugh and who are frequently educated about the area you come from. Without a doubt, I'd recommend this trip.
IvankaBrahim took us on a 14-day journey from Tangier to Casablanca. We traveled to many different locations, including the Imperial cities and the ancient medinas. We also visited a delightful Saturday market where I was thrilled to see so many interesting things. Brahim made a delicious tagine for us. We then travelled to another gorgeous mountain town for lunch. The entire time, Brahim was really helpful and even threw in a few surprises.
SergioQuestions before you book?
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