Arrive by ferry or plane in Tangier and cross Morocco north to south: Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech.
Tangier is the natural door to Morocco from Europe. From here we head into the Rif to Chefchaouen, visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the medina of Fes, and cross the Middle Atlas to the dunes of Merzouga.
The second half of the trip follows the gorges and the road of the kasbahs to Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech, where the tour ends.
Designed for travellers arriving by ferry or plane in Tangier, this route crosses the whole country from the Mediterranean to the Sahara and ends in Marrakech, where it is easy to fly home.
You see the north, the imperial heart of Morocco, the desert and the south in one smooth line, always with the same driver, who becomes your companion for the whole journey.
Pick-up at the port, airport or hotel and drive through the Rif to the blue town of Chefchaouen.
Before leaving Tangier you can stop at Cape Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and the Caves of Hercules. Then the road heads south-east through Tetouan and climbs into the Rif to Chefchaouen. You arrive in the afternoon to explore the blue lanes and watch the sunset from the Spanish mosque.
Morning in Chefchaouen, then the Roman city of Volubilis and arrival in Fes.
After a last morning walk in the blue medina you drive south through the hills of the Rif to Volubilis, the great Roman city with its mosaics and triumphal arch. You continue to Meknes to see Bab Mansour and the royal stables, and arrive in Fes in the late afternoon.
Guided day in the medina: tanneries, madrasas, artisans and the souks.
Fes el-Bali is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With a local guide you walk its maze of more than nine thousand lanes: the Bou Inania madrasa with its carved cedar and zellige tiles, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, the Nejjarine fountain and the Chouara tanneries, seen from a terrace. You also meet weavers, coppersmiths and potters at work.
Across the cedar forests and the Ziz valley to the desert. Camel ride and night in the camp.
Leaving Fes, you climb into the Middle Atlas to Ifrane, a surprising town with alpine roofs, and the cedar forest of Azrou, where Barbary macaques live in the wild. After lunch in Midelt, at the foot of the snowy Ayachi, the road follows the Ziz gorges and its endless palm groves past Errachidia and Erfoud to Merzouga, at the edge of the dunes.
Sunrise over the dunes, the Todra gorges and the Dades valley.
Wake up early to watch the sunrise from the top of a dune, then ride back to the village for breakfast and a shower. The road west passes Rissani, the old capital of the Tafilalet with its busy market, and the oases of Tinejdad. In the afternoon you walk in the Todra gorges and continue to the Dades valley, famous for its winding road and rock formations.
The Rose Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas to Marrakech.
The road of the thousand kasbahs takes you through the Rose Valley, where Damask roses are grown, and the palm grove of Skoura with its earthen kasbahs. After Ouarzazate you visit the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, then cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass and descend to Marrakech, arriving in the evening.
Guided visit of the palaces, gardens and souks of the red city.
With a licensed local guide you discover the essentials of the red city: the minaret of the Koutoubia, the painted ceilings and gardens of the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the old Jewish quarter of the Mellah. In the afternoon you get lost in the souks of spices, leather, lanterns and carpets, and at sunset you watch Jemaa el-Fna fill with life from a café terrace.
Transfer to Marrakech airport. End of the tour.
Depending on your flight time, enjoy a last breakfast and a final walk before your driver takes you to the airport. If you have a late flight, we can suggest how to spend your last hours.
This is a private tour: only your group travels in the vehicle. You can add days, change cities or choose the level of the hotels.
The price depends on the number of travellers and the hotels you choose. Ask us and we will send you the exact price.
Yes. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver. We do not run shared tours.
The price depends on the number of travellers, the season and the level of accommodation. Send us your dates and we will reply with a clear price.
Of course. You can add days, start or finish in another city, or choose different hotels. Every tour can be adapted.
Our camps in Merzouga have tents with real beds, dinner and breakfast. Luxury tents with private bathroom are available on request.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal. Winter days are sunny but desert nights are cold; summer is very hot in the south.
Popular4 daysTours from Tangier · Chefchaouen · Volubilis · Meknes · Fes
Grand tour12 daysTours from Tangier · Chefchaouen · Fes · Merzouga · Dades · Ait Ben Haddou · Marrakech · Essaouira · Casablanca · Rabat
Day trip1 dayTours from Tangier · Chefchaouen