8 Days Tour from Marrakech to Tangier – Morocco Road Trip Itinerary

This morning, go on a sightseeing tour of Ouarzazate city. Begin with a visit to the Atlas Studio (Optional). Then Taourirt kasbah, a fortified palace that was once the residence of the local rulers, and it’s an amazing example of Berber architecture which was built in the 17th century and housing hundreds of people. Next, make your lovely way into the Sahara with a medley of palm trees, magnificent oases and also rose fields in Kalaat M’gouna. The city is known for its annual Rose Festival, which takes place every year in May to celebrate the harvest of roses grown in the region.

 Carrying on, we continue to the Amridil Kasbah, a historic fortified fortress in the oasis of Skoura. Likewise, it is a popular filming location and has been featured in many famous movies from Ali Baba, The Sheltering Sky to Game of Thrones. Free time to enjoy your lunch at your convenience, later we hit the road again to the canyon of Boumalne dades, and upon arrival enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. This area offers up scenery like no other – sprawling green valleys give way to otherworldly rock formations carved out by the wind. Your hotel offers a delightful pool and terrace overlooking the valley, so take some time to sit back and soak in the ethereal views.

◈ Overnight: Boumalne Dades

◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

Before saying farewell to Dades Canyon, drive a bit further to Tissadrine to get the panoramic view of the Dades valley, and then the beautiful rocks’ formation called «Monkey fingers». Afterward, depart from Dades gorge on a journey through roads of Thousand kasbahs to Todra gorge. Surrounded by towering vertical limestone cliffs reaching heights of 300 m, it is also known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. Moreover, it’s a popular destination for hikers, climbers and nature enthusiasts who come to discover the rugged terrain and enjoy the stunning views. There’ll be time to marvel at this sight before you continue your journey to the Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. En route, stop for lunch in the town of Tinejdad.

 As soon as you arrive at the popular dunes of Erg Chebbi, one of the world’s iconic landscapes, with towering dunes up to 500ft in height, ride camels to your campsite. Taking in the charming scenery of the sand dunes surrounding you along the way. Make sure to catch the sunset in the heart of the desert. In addition to that, enjoy a nice dinner, listen to traditional Berber music, spend an amazing night under the stars, and digest the desert in all its beauty that will give you remarkable memories of the desert trip exploring.

◈ Overnight: Merzouga Desert

◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

After a truly stunning sunrise, freshen up and breakfast in your camp, then start to discover unexplored sites of Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Begin with a visit to the Gnawa tribe in a small village of Khamlia, enjoy the live Gnawa Music, traditionally practiced throughout Morocco and originating from the sub-Saharan regions. Along the way you might see some wild animals such as Fennec fox, …etc. Set off for a breathtaking panoramic view of Erg Chebbi Dunes from the Galb Nass Mountains. From Here, you’ll also start to see your first glimpse of Morocco’s nomadic Berbers – travelling across the desert and often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination.

⇒ Visit Nomadic Tribes » Desert Oasis

 Stopping en route to share tea with some welcoming local families in their handwoven tent while enjoying the silence of the Sahara Desert. After that, drive back to Khamlia village, where you’ll enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant, you may like to try Medfouna (also called “Berber pizza”). It’s traditional stuffed bread prepared with meat, herbs and spices by the nomadic people. The Sahara excursion ends in the Oasis of Merzouga, a small patch of vegetation surrounded by desert, then return to your beautifully decorated riad. This afternoon why not walk to Erg chebbi dunes to witness sunset again or try out Quad Bike Tour or even Dune Buggy Ride, it is a wonderful experience that you should not miss out!

◈ Overnight: Merzouga village

◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

◊ Activities in Merzouga Desert:

→ Dune Buggy Ride in the Erg Chebbi Dunes

→ Quad Biking Tour in the Erg Chebbi Dunes

In the morning, the desert adventure from Marrakech to Fes continues toward the north, inland through a variety of spectacular scenery: fertile valleys, cedar and pine forests and also barren, rocky landscapes to the small town of Midelt. After a leisurely lunch, then drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains and Cedar Forest, home to the Barbary Macaque. Next stop in Ifrane, a beautiful town often likened to a Swiss Alpine resort, and also highlighted for its low temperatures and varied outdoor activities such as snowboarding which attract visitors from all over the kingdom. Arrive at the hotel in Fes later in the evening. Check-in and spend time at leisure.

◈ Overnight: Fes

◈ Meals: Breakfast

In the mid-morning, go on a half-day guided tour of the old town, known locally as Fes el Bali. Besides, it’s one of the world’s great centers of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Your local guide will share stories of the city’s history as you walk through the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the specialty sections that divide the souk. The tour includes stops at the King’s Palace, the tanneries, Al Qaraouine university and the Attarine Madrasa. As well as a stop at a Mosaic museum to learn more about this unique activity which is famous in the region. Lastly, the panoramic view of the Medina, where you can see clearly how big this Medina is. By the end of the walk, you’ll be at Bab Boujloud, “Blue Gate” and then you have the afternoon at leisure for individual exploration.

◈ Overnight: Fes

◈ Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart Fes for the blue city – Chefchaouen. Nestled high in the Rif Mountains, famous for its buildings washed in bright shades of blue, this is undeniably one of the world’s prettiest cities. Upon arrival, check into your Riad and then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure for individual exploration. Perhaps take a stroll through the ancient medina and its winding alleyways, cobbled plazas and unique doorways, or simply sit at a café and enjoy the pleasure of time passing by. Alternatively, you might prefer to get out of town and enjoy a hike in the surrounding hills and witness the sunset with the view of the Medina.

◈ Overnight: Chefchaouen

◈ Meals: Breakfast

Departing the Blue city this morning, you travel across the Rif Mountains and make your way to your final port of call – Tangier. Located on the coast, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, it is the gateway between Africa and Europe. Depending on your departure flight time, there’s a possibility of exploring this beautiful city, visiting the Cape Spartel and the Cave of Hercules. Later on, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Eventually the end of the 8-day tour in Morocco starting in Marrakech. Should you wish to extend your stay in Morocco, please do let us know!

⟐ Meals: Breakfast

It takes around 9–10 hours drive to get to Merzouga desert from Marrakech, approximately 563 kilometers (350 miles). But it’s possible to break up this long journey with overnight stops, either in Ouarzazate or Dades Gorge along the way.

Booking a private tour offers a unique and personalized experience tailored to your interests. You enjoy privacy, comfort, and the freedom to customize the itinerary and pace. With exclusive access and an expert guide dedicated to your group, you gain a deeper understanding of the destinations. While private tours can be more expensive, the benefits outweigh the cost for those seeking an exceptional and unforgettable travel experience.

It’s recommended to pack comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather during the day and cooler temperatures at night. Essentials include sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a scarf for protection from the desert wind, comfortable shoes for walking, and a small backpack for personal items. It’s also advisable to bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and memorable moments.

You don’t need a sleeping bag since there are well-equipped Desert camps provides all the bedding you need including pillows, blankets and even a private bathroom in the tent if you need to take a shower (Luxury camp).

The camel trek is about an hour, with a break in the heart of the desert in order to witness the sunset. If you prefer to walk, then you can walk alongside our camel caravan, but bear in mind that walking in the sand can be tiring.

Whether you choose to embrace the adventure of a camel ride or opt for the convenience of a 4×4 transfer, the choice is yours. Erg Chebbi’s enchanting desert camp awaits, promising an unforgettable getaway amidst the breathtaking dunes.

Wi-Fi availability in the desert camps can vary depending on the specific camp you choose. Some desert camps may offer Wi-Fi access to their guests, while others may not have this facility available.

• Camel Trekking: Enjoy a camel ride through the majestic Sahara desert, immersing yourself in the serene landscape.
• Sand-boarding: Slide down the sandy slopes of the dunes on a sand-board, experiencing the thrill of this desert sport.
• Desert Camping: Spend a night in a desert camp, where you can relax, enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine, and marvel at the starry night sky.
• Quad Biking: Embark on an adrenaline-filled quad bike ride across the desert, exploring the sandy terrain and experiencing the exhilaration of off-road riding.
• Dune Buggy Rides: Hop on a dune buggy and embark on an adventure across the dunes. These off-road vehicles offer a thrilling and fast-paced experience in the desert.
• Off-Road Adventures: Embark on off-road excursions in 4×4 vehicles, exploring the rugged desert landscape, visiting hidden oases, and discovering remote areas not easily accessible by regular vehicles.