The ideal 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech across the Sahara desert of Merzouga.
Are you planning a trip to Morocco? Take a look at our 5 days tour itinerary departs from Tangier to Marrakech.
Note: Your 5 days desert trip itinerary may be customized from Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fes. If you’d like to arrange an alternative itinerary, please contact us.
Table of contents:
Departure location:
Tangier
Return location:
Marrakech
Departure time:
08:00 AM
Itinerary duration
5 days/ 4 nights
The following is a list of the places we visited during our 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech.
The greatest places to see in Morocco are included in this 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech via Merzouga Sahara Desert. Our excursion will begin in the north, at Tangier, and then go via the blue city of Chefchaouen. We’ll wander about the city for roughly 3 to 4 hours and visit various sights. We’ll go to the Kasbah Museum and the Ras El Ma waterfalls, for example. Then we’ll end the day by traveling to Fes, a cultural city.
The other day, we’ll go exploring Fes, which has a lot of popular sites. For example, we’ll go to the Tannery Chouara and Al Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest university. Then, on the third day, we’ll travel through Merzouga, a Sahara desert. Before that, we’ll drive by Ifrane’s miniature Switzerland and stop at Azrou Forest to see the Barbary Macaque monkeys.
We will go camel trekking in the Sahara desert on the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, which are the largest in Morocco. We’ll also take you camping in Berber tents for an overnight stay.
The magnificent canyons of Todgha and Dades Gorges will be visited on the fourth and fifth days. We will also visit Ait Benhaddou, a Berber stronghold, which is one of the UNESCO-protected monuments. Finally, we will arrive in Marrakech after traveling across the High Atlas Mountains at Tichka Pass.
Highlights of our 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech:
- Chefchaouen is known as the “Blue Pearl.”
- Tannery Chaouara, University of Fes Al Qarawiyyin, Azrou Forest Merzouga camel ride
- The dunes of Erg Chebbi are a great place to camp.
- The Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou is located in the city of Ait Benhaddou.
- Jemaa El Fna Square in Marrakech
5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech itinerary:
Day 1: Travel from Tangier to Fes via Chefchaouen.
We will pick you up from Tangier to begin our 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech. Chefchaouen’s blue pearl will be our destination. We’ll find a lot of interesting stuff here. For example, we’ll go to the first structure, a Kasbah museum of art with photos and information about Chaouen. We’ll also take a trek through the blue walls to reach the river of Ras El Ma, which has little waterfalls and a spectacular vista. Overall, the finest thing to do in Chefchaouen is to gaze at and photograph its blue buildings. After that, we’ll travel to Fes, where we’ll spend the night in a traditional Riad.
Day 2: A city tour of Fes.
On this day, we will take you on a day trip to Fes, where we will see, see, and do a variety of activities. To begin, we will proceed to one of the king’s residences, which has seven beautiful golden gates to photograph. Then we’ll drive you to Borj Nord for a panoramic view. From the summit of Fes, you can see the whole city. After that, if you’re interested, we may travel to the mosaic cooperative, which is well-known in Fes.
After that, we’ll go tour the historic Medina, commonly known as Fes El Bali. We’ll enter via Bab Boujloud, “the blue gate,” the medina’s principal entrance. After that, we’ll go to Al Qarawiyyin mosque, which is the world’s oldest university. We’ll also go to the Madrassas of Attarine and Bou Inania, which are worth seeing for their architecture. In addition, we will visit one of Fes’ three tanneries, the Chouara Tannery being the most well-known.
We’ll return you to the Riad at the end of the day; some of them have a SPA. As a result, you may unwind with a warm Hamam or a massage after a long day.
Day 3: Fes to Merzouga in the Sahara.
Our 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech itinerary will take us to Merzouga, the crown jewel of Morocco tours. The journey from Fes to Merzouga takes over 7 hours, including pauses. As a result, our first visit will be to Ifrane, Morocco’s little Switzerland. There, we’ll see the Atlas Lion Statue, which was sculpted by a German prisoner for his release during the French colonization.
In Azrou, we’ll make another stop in the cedar forest. We’ll learn about the Barbary monkeys’ “apes” lives here, feed them, take photographs, and then go to the desert.
We’ll arrive at Merzouga after a few pauses, including one at Errachidia’s dam and another in Ziz Valley. Our camel guides will meet you at the edge of the sand dunes and take you on a camel ride over Erg Chebbi. Before they transport you to the camp, they will make a sunset stop.
Merzouga to Dades Gorges on Day 4
We will continue on our 5 days tour from Tangier to Dades Gorges, stopping at a few points along the route. First, we’ll stop at Erfoud, where we may visit one of the mineral fossil museums if you’re interested. Second, not far from Erfoud, we’ll stop at a historic irrigation system to show you how oases were once watered. After that, we’ll travel to the Todgha Gorges, Morocco’s magnificent gorges. Here, we’ll take you for a stroll along a river that runs through the highlands.
We’ll travel through Dades town and across the pass to the Gorges in the late afternoon. Then we’ll stop at the monkey toes, which are mountains fashioned like that due to the wind and rain. After that, we’ll travel to Tissdrine’s curves, where Cadillac, the American vehicle, set a record and produced an advertisement. Finally, we’ll transport you to the Gorges’ accommodations for the night. That concludes the fourth of our five days tour from Tangier to Marrakech.
Day 5: Dades to Marrakech through the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou.
After seeing the Todgha and Dades Gorges, we’ll travel to Marrakech, passing by several famous sights. To begin, we will go to Kalaat Mgouna, which is roughly 40 kilometers from Dades. We’ll make a pit stop there to see one of the cooperatives that produce rose flower goods. Rose Valley is the name of the river that runs through the area. Second, we’ll make a pit stop at Ouarzazate, a city known for its cinema. As a result, there are a lot of Atlas studios; if you’re interested, we’ll go to one of them, but you’ll need a ticket.
The Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou is the nicest thing we’ll see on this day; it’s a Berber fortification fashioned entirely of bamboo. As a result, they refer to it as a Kasbah, which comes from the Berber term Kasab, which means bamboo. Many iconic movie scenes were filmed there. For example, they appeared in the films Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator, a British-American drama. It’s not merely a destination to visit; it’s also a filming location for historical films.
We will continue our journey by driving via the Tichka Pass, stopping at a height of 2260 meters. Then, if you’re interested, we’ll make another trip to the argan oil cooperative. Finally, we will transport you to your hotel in Tangier to conclude our 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech
Tour includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off at/from your accommodation
- Transport in a private, air-conditioned car.
- Driver/Guide who is fluent in English
- Fuel for cars
- 1-night stay at a hotel/riad in a private room (At your preferred room type).
- Trekking with camels (Camel per person).
- Camel riding at sunset.
- (Breakfast & Dinner) x 2 in the Desert Camp (At your choice tent type)
- Transfer from and to the camp in a 4x4 vehicle (Alternative to Camels).
Tour excludes:
- Monuments fees
- Lunches
- Tips
- Soft drinks
Testimonials:
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Highlights overview:
The 5-day travel from Tangier to Marrakech through Merzouga is jam-packed with breathtaking attractions. As a consequence, we’d like to give you a general idea of what you’ll see and do throughout your journey with us.
Chefchaouen:
Chefchaouen is one of Morocco’s most magnificent and picturesque places to visit. It was established in 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben Rachid as a Kasbah to defend against the Portuguese invasion. Chefchaouen is nestled between two massive mountains styled like goat horns in the Rif Mountains. As a result, Chaouen gets its name from the Berber term Iskaouen, which means “horns.” There are several theories as to why Chefchaouen is blue-hued. Some claim that the Ghomara, the Jews, and the Spaniards painted it blue to match the sky. Others claim it was painted blue to protect it from mosquitos. Keep in mind that the blue didn’t arrive in Chefchaouen until 1492. Chefchaouen has a lot to offer, including some wonderful spots to visit:
Kasbah Museum
The Kasbah Museum is now an art gallery, with numerous photographs of Chefchaouen on display. It’s also where you’ll discover historical facts about the city, namely regarding the Portuguese invasion, Jewish settlement, and the Spanish.
Wetat Lhmam Square:
Moroccan towns are known for their squares, such as Wetat Lhmam Square. There is a plaza in Chefchaouen named Wetat Lhmam, which means “dove’s nest.” It’s where the majority of the restaurants and cafés are located. Furthermore, since it is a tourist destination, many inhabitants provide entertainment in order to earn money.
Ras El Ma:
The waterfalls of Ras El Ma are a beautiful place to explore and photograph. Ras El Ma translates to “head of the water.” This is due to the fact that the waterfalls from the Akchour travel through the Rif mountains.
Spanish Church:
The Spanish church, or mosque as it is known in Spain, is not a good location to visit. If you have time and feel like trekking, it’s a great place to go since you can see Chefchaouen from the top of the mountains, which is a stunning view.
Fes:
Fes is Morocco’s cultural capital. It was founded in 789 by the Idrisid dynasty as Morocco’s first capital city. When subsequent dynasties came to power, Marrakech became the capital, followed by Meknes, and finally Rabat. Not to add that Fes is one of Morocco’s four recognized imperial cities. Fes is known for its historic Medina, “Fes El Bali,” which houses the majority of the tourist attractions.
Dar El Makhzen:
King Mohammed V owns around 12 palaces in Morocco, two of which are located in Fes. One of the Ksars, which was completed in 1960 and has seven golden gates, is located near the Mellah, the Jewish neighborhood, and attracts many visitors due to its exquisite architecture.
Mosaic:
Fes is known for its mosaics and poetry, and if you are interested, we can go see one of them during our trip.
Bou Inania Madrasa and Attarine
In Arabic or Berber, a Madrassa is a school; the Attarine and Bou Inania are two such institutions where they used to teach the Quran. They are so ancient that their exquisite architecture draws a lot of people. The name Al Attarine comes from the Arabic word Attar, which means “vendor of spices.” It was constructed in 1323. Bou Inania was established in 1351 and takes its name from the man who built it, Abu Inan Faris, a Moroccan Marinid prince.
The university of Al Qarawiyyin:
It is impossible to visit Fes without paying a visit to the Al Karaouine Mosque. It was founded in 859 by Fatima bint Muhammad Al Fihriya AlQurashiya as the world’s oldest extant and continually running university. Actually, this institution began as a mosque where the Holy Quran was taught before being transformed into a university. You may believe that it is the world’s oldest university. Not to add, this institution is much older than Bologna’s Alma Mater Studiorum.
Chouara Tannery is a tannery in Chouara:
Fes is known for its tanneries, which number about three. The Chouara Tannery, however, is the finest and most appreciated. It was established in the 11th century to produce leather goods like as coats and clothing. This is accomplished by barefoot walking skins in a dyeing pit. They also use a lot of chemical agents to modify the color of their clothes. As a result, anticipate the venue to stink, and bring some mint tea or accept the offer once you arrive.
A massage and a hammam:
After a long day in Fes, the best thing to do is relax in a hot Hamam, which is where you can enjoy the Moroccan sauna. You may also enjoy a peaceful massage if you want to.
Ifrane, the most beautiful and cleanest in Morocco:
Because of its European alpine-style architecture, Ifrane is known as Morocco’s “Little Switzerland.” As a result, it is regarded as Morocco’s cleanest city and the world’s 12th cleanest city. It was constructed in the sixteenth century. The present section, on the other hand, was constructed by the French during their occupation in late 1928. Not to mention that the name Ifrane is derived from the Berber word Ifri, which means cave in the plural. The city’s elevation is about 5,460 feet (1,665 meters), which means it gets a lot of snow. As a result, many residents come here for the weekend to snowboard throughout the winter months. In addition, the weather aids in training. As a result, the Atlas Lions, a Moroccan football team, trains here.
We will visit the Atlas Lion Statue as part of our 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech itinerary in Morocco. It depicts a grove of cedar trees with an extinct wild atlas lion. It was erected by a German prisoner during the French colonization, who was instructed to create something unique for the nation. As a result, he carved this lion, which you can see in the photo.
Ifrane is also known for a variety of other fascinating things. The most costly institution, for example, is an international university with a view of one of the king’s palaces.
The woodland of Azrou:
The Atlas Mountains’ cedar forest is a lovely spot to see Barbary apes (sometimes known as “monkeys”) and other creatures. The Barbary Macaque monkeys will astonish you here in the cedar forest; they are one of Africa’s most unusual species, found mostly in Morocco and Algeria. They are friendly and constantly come across the road hoping to be fed and watered by passing motorists. Keep in mind that they are not as dangerous as other types of monkeys found in Asia, which will nonetheless eat people’s belongings and perhaps attack them. They are photogenic if you treat them well and give them a sense of security. Also, these animals stick together as a family and do not allow others to join them; the parents are equal, which means they both care for and feed their offspring.
Many additional creatures may be found in the cedar forest. They do not, however, venture out to meet humans since they are afraid of them and are not accustomed to being around them. There are wild pigs, deer, wolves, and many other species that reside there. Not to mention the Atlas lion, which was formerly a resident of this region. However, it was unable to survive in this environment and is now extinct.
Errachidia, the Dam, and the Ziz Valley are all places in Errachidia:
In Berber Imtghrn, Errachidia, and in Arabic, Ksar Souk. Hassan, the brother of King Mohammed V, renamed it Errachidia in 1975. In 2006 and 2007, Errachidia was a culturally significant route for the Dakar Rally. Also, since the French colonization, Errachidia has housed the majority of military outposts to keep a close watch on the Moroccan-Algerian border. Furthermore, it is here that some Qataris own property, visit for holidays, and hunt birds like as the Houbara bastard.
We will travel past the Errachidia Dam, which is the source of water for the Sahara desert, on our 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech schedule. It’s also where some of the locals go fishing. Hassan Addakhil, the founder of the Alaouite dynasty, constructed the dam, which bears his name.
The Ziz valley is one of Morocco’s largest valleys, stretching for 282 kilometers into Algeria. However, the river we’ll be going through on our journey is just around 50 kilometers long, and it’s where the majority of the dates come from.
Erfoud is known for its dates and fossils:
Erfoud, sometimes known as Arfoud, is a Moroccan city known for its dates and mineral fossils. There are two legends around the name Erfoud. According to legend, two Berbers traveling by the river asked each other how deep it was, and the response was Ar Afoud, which means “to the knee.” Others claim it was called for the Onfoud plant, which may also be found in the river. Not to add that the city was established in 1912 by the French.
Erfoud is known for its fossils because trilobites, ammonites, and a variety of other mineral fossils may be found in the surrounding mountains.
Erfoud is also known for its date palms. As a result, they have a three-day international dates festival in September. People from all areas and nations come to purchase various sorts of dates fruits and other items associated with Saharan culture.
Todgha and Dades Gorges:
On the fourth day of our 5 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech via Merzouga Desert, we’ll see the Todgha Gorges’ enormous gorges. They are around 300 meters (984 ft) tall, with a river running through them. The river’s water is a spring, a force of nature capable of breaking through the rocks on its own. You will be given around 40 minutes to stroll and snap photographs throughout the trip.
Dades is a little town near Todgha where the mountains are fashioned like monkey toes. It’s also where Cadillac created a commercial for their automobile on the Tissdrine curves, which are deadly turns.
Dades is located halfway between Merzouga and Marrakech in the Sahara desert. As a result, the majority of travelers spend the night here.