5-Day Tangier to Marrakech Desert Tour via Merzouga

Your five-day journey begins with pickup from Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, Tangier port, your hotel or another agreed meeting point. Depending on your arrival time, begin with a short introduction to Tangier and its coastal surroundings. A stop can be made at Cape Spartel, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. Continue toward the nearby Hercules Caves, a natural and historic site overlooking the Atlantic coastline. The visit depends on your arrival schedule and opening hours. Leave Tangier and follow the road through the Rif Mountains toward Chefchaouen. Along the way, short stops can be made for mountain views and photographs. After arriving in Chefchaouen, check into your accommodation and spend the remainder of the day among the blue-painted streets, small squares and hillside passages of the medina. Approximate distance: 115 to 140 kilometres, depending on the stops around Tangier Approximate driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding visits Overnight: Chefchaouen

Begin the morning with additional time in Chefchaouen. Walk through the medina, pass Outa El Hammam Square and enjoy the quiet atmosphere before leaving the Rif Mountains. The road continues south toward Volubilis, Morocco’s best-known Roman archaeological site. Walk among ancient streets, columns, triumphal arches and houses decorated with preserved mosaic floors. After Volubilis, continue to Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. Depending on the available time, stops may include Bab Mansour, Place El Hedim, the historic city walls and the area surrounding the old granaries. In the late afternoon, continue to Fes and check into your riad or hotel. Approximate distance: 260 to 280 kilometres Approximate driving time: 5 to 6 hours, excluding visits and meal stops Overnight: Fes

Leave Fes early in the morning and begin the journey toward the Sahara through the Middle Atlas Mountains. The first stop is Ifrane, a peaceful mountain town known for its gardens, alpine-style buildings and cooler climate. Continue toward the cedar forests near Azrou. Barbary macaques may sometimes be seen in this area, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. The road continues through mountain landscapes and traditional towns toward Midelt, where a lunch stop can be arranged. After lunch, cross the Tizi n’Talghomt Pass and descend toward the Ziz Valley. Pause at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking palm groves, villages and oasis settlements. Continue through Errachidia and Erfoud before reaching Merzouga in the late afternoon. At the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, meet your camel caravan and ride across the sand as the sun begins to set. After arriving at the desert camp, enjoy mint tea, settle into your tent and have dinner. The evening usually includes traditional Amazigh music around the fire. Approximate distance: 460 to 480 kilometres Approximate driving time: 7 to 8 hours, excluding visits, meal stops and the camel ride Overnight: Sahara desert camp near Merzouga

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After breakfast, return to Merzouga by camel or four-wheel-drive vehicle, where your driver will be waiting. Continue toward Rissani, a traditional market town with a long history linked to caravan routes and regional trade. A short visit may be arranged depending on the day and available time. The road then passes through desert towns, palm groves and rocky landscapes before reaching Tinghir and Todra Gorge. Walk beneath the high limestone cliffs and spend time beside the river. Lunch can be arranged in the gorge or in Tinghir. In the afternoon, continue toward the Dades Valley. The road passes traditional villages, cultivated fields, kasbahs and the unusual rock formations commonly called the Monkey Fingers. Arrive at your hotel or riad in the Dades area for dinner and overnight accommodation. Approximate distance: 280 to 310 kilometres Approximate driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes, excluding visits and meal stops Overnight: Dades Valley

After breakfast, leave the Dades Valley and continue through the landscapes of southern Morocco. Pass through Kalaat M’Gouna and the Valley of Roses, a region known for its cultivated fields, villages and rose-based products. The road continues toward Ouarzazate, a city closely connected to Morocco’s film industry. Depending on the schedule, a panoramic stop can be made near Taourirt Kasbah or one of the local film studios. Continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a historic fortified village built with traditional earthen architecture. Walk through the ksar, follow its narrow passages and take in the views across the surrounding valley. A local guide can be arranged at an additional cost. After lunch, cross the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. The route offers wide views of mountain valleys, traditional villages and changing landscapes. Arrive in Marrakech during the late afternoon or evening. Your driver will drop you off at your hotel, riad or preferred location. Approximate distance: 310 to 330 kilometres Approximate driving time: 6 to 7 hours, excluding visits and meal stops