Our 5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour crosses Morocco from the Mediterranean to the Sahara and over the High Atlas in one private trip. Coming off the ferry from Spain with five days to reach Marrakech? This private 5 day tour from Tangier to Marrakech takes you the long way round — through the blue town of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the old city of Fes, a night in a desert camp at Merzouga, then Todra Gorge and the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou.
You travel in your own air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver, and you sleep in riads, a kasbah-style hotel and a private tent with its own bathroom. It is a full crossing of Morocco from the Mediterranean to the edge of the Sahara and back over the High Atlas, so the pace is brisk. Read the day-by-day plan below before you decide.
On Day 2 you walk among the mosaics of the archaeological site of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Meknes.
5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour at a glance
| Duration | 5 days, 4 nights |
| Start | Tangier — Tanger Ville port, Tanger Med port, Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport or your Tangier hotel |
| Finish | Your accommodation in Marrakech, early evening on Day 5 |
| Style | Private: only your party in the vehicle |
| Transport | Modern air-conditioned 4×4 or comfortable minibus, depending on group size |
| Overnights | Chefchaouen (1), Fes (1), Merzouga desert camp (1), Dades Valley (1) |
| Meals | Breakfast and dinner daily; lunch not included |
| Main experiences | Chefchaouen medina, Volubilis, an evening in Fes, camel trek in Erg Chebbi, Todra Gorge walk, Aït Ben Haddou |
| Pick-up / drop-off | Port, airport or hotel in Tangier / any accommodation in Marrakech |
| Price | €660 per person for 2 travellers (€1,320 in total) — less per person in larger groups |
Why this itinerary: Morocco from top to bottom in five days
Most desert tours start in Marrakech or Fes. If you arrive from Spain, that means a train or a long transfer before your trip even begins. This route uses that travel time instead. The drive from Tangier is turned into a real journey: the mountains of the Rif, a night in Chefchaouen, the Roman past at Volubilis, and Fes as your gateway to the south.
The trade-off is honest and simple. Five days is the shortest sensible way to do this crossing. You will see a lot, but you will not linger. Fes gets one evening, not a full day. Two of the five days involve six hours or more of driving. If you want time to explore Fes with a guide and a full day in the dunes, our 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour with two nights in the Sahara is built for that. If five days is what you have, this route is the most efficient way to see north, centre and south in one go.
Highlights of the route
- Chefchaouen at night and in the morning — you sleep inside the blue town, so you can walk the lanes before the day visitors arrive.
- Volubilis — a walk among the mosaics and arches of a Roman town on the plain below Meknes.
- Fes — an evening in Morocco’s oldest imperial city, with your riad inside or close to the medina [CONFIRM location].
- The Middle Atlas — cedar forest near Azrou and the tidy mountain town of Ifrane on the way south.
- Erg Chebbi — a camel trek into the dunes and a night in a private tent with its own shower and toilet.
- Todra Gorge — a short walk between rock walls roughly 300 metres high.
- Aït Ben Haddou — the earthen ksar listed by UNESCO, and the final stop before the High Atlas.
Day-by-day itinerary
All distances and driving times are approximate and do not include stops. Real days are longer once you add photo stops, lunch and visits.
Day 1: Tangier → Chefchaouen
Approx. 115 km / about 2 hours from Tangier city (add [CONFIRM time] if we collect you at Tanger Med port)
Your driver meets you at the port, the airport or your hotel in Tangier. Tell us your ferry or flight details when you book, and we plan the pick-up around them. If you arrive early in the day, you can ask for a short stop in Tangier before leaving — for example at Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean (optional, time permitting [CONFIRM]).
The road climbs into the green hills of the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. You arrive in the afternoon or evening, depending on your crossing. Check in to your riad and walk the blue lanes and the main square, Outa el-Hammam, at your own pace. – Overnight: Riad in Chefchaouen [CONFIRM accommodation name] or similar – Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Fes
Approx. 4.5–5 hours of driving in total [CONFIRM]
Get up early for the quietest light in Chefchaouen. After breakfast, the road heads south through farmland and olive groves. At Volubilis you stop to visit the Roman ruins: columns, a triumphal arch and well-kept floor mosaics. Allow around an hour on site. An official local guide can be arranged at the entrance [CONFIRM whether included or paid locally]; the entry ticket is [CONFIRM included / not included].
Lunch is at a local restaurant near Volubilis or Moulay Idriss (paid by you). Then it is about an hour to Fes. You arrive in the late afternoon. Your driver will help you reach your riad; many Fes riads are on foot-only lanes, so a porter may carry bags the last stretch [CONFIRM]. – Overnight: Riad in Fes [CONFIRM accommodation name] or similar – Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Please note: on this 5-day plan, Fes is an evening and a night, not a sightseeing day. There is no guided medina visit included. If Fes matters to you, consider the 7-day version, or ask us about adding a night.
Day 3: Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga desert camp
Approx. 460 km / 7.5–8.5 hours of driving — the longest day of the tour
An early start, usually around [CONFIRM departure time]. The road climbs into the Middle Atlas. You make a short stop in Ifrane, a mountain town with sloping roofs that locals call the “Switzerland of Morocco”. In the cedar forest near Azrou you may see Barbary macaques by the roadside (photo stop, if they are there). They are an endangered species — please do not feed them.
Lunch is in Midelt, a market town known for its apples (at your own cost). In the afternoon you cross high plateaus and then drop into the Ziz Valley, with a photo stop above its long ribbon of palm trees. You pass through Errachidia and Erfoud.
In the late afternoon you reach Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Leave your main luggage in the vehicle, take a small overnight bag, and ride a camel to the camp (about [CONFIRM camel ride duration]). If riding a camel is difficult for you because of back or knee problems, a 4×4 can take you to the camp instead. Dinner is served at the camp, followed by a campfire with Berber drum music.
Honest note: in winter the sun sets around [CONFIRM winter sunset time], and on this long day it is possible to reach the dunes close to or after sunset. You will still see sunrise on Day 4. – Overnight: Mouhou Luxury Camp, Erg Chebbi — private tent with its own shower and toilet [CONFIRM tent type] – Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Approx. 280 km / about 5 hours of driving
Wake early to watch the sunrise from the dunes. Ride back to Merzouga by camel (or 4×4), have breakfast and collect your luggage. The road goes west through Rissani (pass through; the historic market town has its main souk on certain days — [CONFIRM souk days], ask your driver), then along a line of oases to Tinghir.
At Todra Gorge you walk for around 30–45 minutes along the river where the rock walls are narrowest. Lunch is near the gorge (paid by you). In the afternoon you continue to Boumalne Dades and the Dades Valley. The upper Dades Gorge, with the “Monkey Fingers” rock shapes and the famous hairpin road at Tissadrine, is a detour from the main route; ask your driver if you would like to include it and if there is enough daylight [CONFIRM whether included]. – Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Valley, such as Riad Gabsi or Ksar Sultan, or similar [CONFIRM] – Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5: Dades → Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech
Approx. 340 km / about 6–6.5 hours of driving
You leave the Dades Valley and follow the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs”. You pass through Kalaat M’Gouna, centre of the Valley of Roses, and the palm oasis of Skoura (photo stop). In Ouarzazate you can see the outside of Taourirt Kasbah and the gates of Atlas Studios (photo stop; entry to either is optional and at your own cost [CONFIRM]).
A short drive brings you to Aït Ben Haddou. You visit the ksar on foot, crossing the river and climbing to the granary at the top for the view. Lunch is nearby (paid by you). In the afternoon you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass (around 2,260 m), with photo stops at viewpoints. You arrive at your Marrakech accommodation in the early evening, where the tour ends. – Meals: Breakfast
Route note: what you visit, and what you only pass
To keep expectations clear: – Visited on foot: Chefchaouen medina, Volubilis, the dunes of Erg Chebbi (camel trek), Todra Gorge, Aït Ben Haddou. – Short stops or photo stops: Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, the Ziz Valley viewpoint, Skoura, Ouarzazate (outside views), Tizi n’Tichka viewpoints. – Overnight only (no guided visit): Fes. – Passed through: Ouezzane, Errachidia, Erfoud, Rissani, Tinghir, Kalaat M’Gouna. – Not on this route: Meknes city (only seen from the road near Volubilis), the Draa Valley, Essaouira.
Where you sleep
| Night | Place | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chefchaouen | Riad in or near the medina [CONFIRM name] |
| 2 | Fes | Riad in or near the medina [CONFIRM name] |
| 3 | Erg Chebbi, Merzouga | Mouhou Luxury Camp — private tent with private shower and toilet |
| 4 | Dades Valley | Riad Gabsi or Ksar Sultan, or similar [CONFIRM] |
We do not use basic desert camps with shared bathrooms. Every tent is for your party only. If you would like a higher accommodation level in Chefchaouen or Fes, ask when you request your quote [CONFIRM upgrade options].
Price and how it is calculated
This is a private tour, so the price depends on: – Number of travellers. Vehicle and driver costs are shared across your party, so the price per person goes down as the group grows. – Accommodation level. Standard riads and hotels, or upgraded options where available. – Season. Spring and autumn, and holiday periods, are the busiest times of year. – Pick-up point. Collection at Tanger Med port is further from the city than Tanger Ville [CONFIRM any extra cost].
| Travellers | Standard accommodation (per person) | Upgraded accommodation (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | €1,160 | On request |
| 2 travellers | €660 | On request |
| 3–4 travellers | €410–€494 | On request |
| 5–6 travellers | €327–€360 | On request |
| 7+ travellers | Ask for a quote | Ask for a quote |
Child prices: [CONFIRM CHILD PRICING]. Single supplement: [CONFIRM]. Deposit and payment: [CONFIRM DEPOSIT % AND PAYMENT METHODS]. Cancellation: see our [CONFIRM CANCELLATION POLICY — link to terms page once published].
There is no online checkout. You send us your dates and group size, we reply with a written quote and itinerary, and you confirm when you are happy.
Included and not included
Included – Pick-up in Tangier (port, airport or hotel) and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation – Private air-conditioned vehicle, fuel and road taxes – English-speaking driver for the whole tour – 4 nights’ accommodation: 3 nights in riads/hotels, 1 night in a private desert tent with its own bathroom – Breakfast and dinner daily (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners) – Camel trek to and from the camp in Erg Chebbi (or 4×4 transfer if you prefer) – Campfire with Berber drum music at the camp
Not included – Lunches and drinks (your driver will suggest good local places) – Entry tickets to Volubilis, Aït Ben Haddou, kasbahs and studios [CONFIRM which, if any, are included] – Local guides in Chefchaouen, Volubilis or Fes [CONFIRM] – Ferry or flight tickets – Travel insurance (strongly recommended) – Tips for your driver and camp team (optional)
Is this 5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour right for you?
It is a good fit if you: – Arrive from Spain and want to end in Marrakech for your flight home. – Want to see the north, the Sahara and the High Atlas in one trip. – Are comfortable with two long driving days (Day 3 and Day 5). – Prefer your own vehicle and driver to a group bus.
It may not suit you if you: – Want a guided day in the Fes medina — choose the 7-day tour instead. – Want more than one night in the desert. – Travel with very young children who find long drives hard — consider a longer version with shorter days. – Need to catch a flight from Marrakech on the evening of Day 5. Book your flight for the next day.
Travelling the other way, from Marrakech to the north? See our 6-day Marrakech to Chefchaouen desert tour via Fes.
Practical tips
- Best time to travel: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). Summer days in Merzouga often reach 40 °C or more. Desert nights from December to February can be close to freezing, and the Tichka pass can see snow; in bad weather we may change the route.
- Ferry timing: tell us your crossing, port and scheduled arrival time. Ferry times are given in local time; check the time difference between Spain and Morocco for your travel dates [CONFIRM current time difference guidance].
- Luggage: your suitcase stays in the vehicle on the desert night. Pack a small overnight bag with a warm layer, toiletries, a torch and any medicine.
- Money: bring cash in dirhams for lunches, tickets and tips. Cash machines are easy to find in Tangier, Chefchaouen and Fes, less so on Day 3 and Day 4.
- Clothing: a scarf for sun and sand, comfortable shoes for Volubilis and Todra, and a warm jacket for the desert evening outside summer.
- Food: vegetarian and vegan meals are available on request. Tell us when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Can you meet us at Tanger Med port, not just the port in Tangier city?
Yes. We can collect you at Tanger Ville (the city port), at Tanger Med (east of the city), at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport or at your hotel. Tanger Med is further out, so Day 1 is longer from there [CONFIRM extra time and any extra cost].
What happens if our ferry is late?
Ferries can run late because of weather or port checks. Send us your booking details and keep your phone on. Your driver will adjust the pick-up time [CONFIRM how delays are handled]. Chefchaouen is only about two hours away, so a delay rarely affects the rest of the plan.
Is one evening in Fes really enough?
For a first look, it is a taste only. You arrive in the late afternoon and leave early the next morning. If you want to explore the medina with a guide, choose the 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour, which includes a full day in Fes, or ask us to add a night.
Which day has the most driving?
Day 3, from Fes to Merzouga: around 460 km and 7.5–8.5 hours of driving before stops. Day 5, from Dades to Marrakech over the Tichka pass, is the second longest at around 6–6.5 hours.
Can we fly home from Marrakech on the evening of Day 5?
We do not recommend it. You usually reach Marrakech in the early evening, and mountain roads can be slow. Book your flight for the following day.
Do we have to ride a camel to the camp?
No. The camel trek is included, but if you have back or knee problems, or simply prefer not to, a 4×4 can drive you to the camp.
Can we do this tour in the opposite direction?
Yes. The reverse route, starting in Marrakech and ending in the north, is our 6-day Marrakech to Chefchaouen desert tour via Fes. A 5-day reverse version may also be possible on request [CONFIRM].
Related tours
- 7-Day Tangier to Marrakech Tour with Two Nights in the Sahara — same start and finish, with a guided Fes day and a full day in the dunes.
- All Morocco tours from Tangier to the Sahara — ferry and airport pick-up details and every Tangier route.
- 6-Day Marrakech to Chefchaouen Desert Tour via Fes — the south-to-north version.
- Private Morocco tours and multi-day itineraries — longer and custom routes.
Planning notes for the crossing
Before you arrive
Send us your ferry or flight booking as soon as you have it. We plan Day 1 of your 5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour around your port and arrival time.
Change some money into dirhams in Tangier or Chefchaouen. Cash machines are fewer on the desert days of a 5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour.
Pacing yourself
Days 3 and 5 are long. Sleep well in Fes, keep snacks and water in the vehicle, and ask your driver for stretch breaks whenever you need them. A 5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour is brisk, but you should never feel rushed at the stops that matter.
What to pack
- Comfortable shoes for Chefchaouen’s steps and Volubilis
- A warm layer for the desert evening
- A small overnight bag for the camp
- A scarf for sun and sand
- Your passport, ferry ticket and insurance details in your hand luggage
Ferry crossings can be choppy. If you get seasick, take something before you board, so you start Day 1 feeling well.
Two more questions
Can we add a night in Fes?
Yes. One extra night gives you time for a guided medina day. Ask for it when you request a quote for the 5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour [CONFIRM].
Can solo travellers book?
Yes. The 5 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour is private, so you can travel alone; the price per person is higher than for a group (€1,160 for one traveller).
Plan your crossing from Tangier
Tell us your ferry or flight, your dates and how many of you are travelling. We will reply with a quote and a day plan built around your arrival.
Check availability & get a quote · Ask on WhatsApp: +212 667 850 421
We reply during business hours, 8:30–20:00 Morocco time. You can also email us at [EMAIL ADDRESS].
Morocco Desert Excursions is a local company founded by Sahara natives from Merzouga.
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