DAY 1: TANGIER → CHEFCHAOUEN

Your tour begins with a pick-up at Tangier airport, the ferry port, or your hotel. Our local guide will meet you for the drive south to Chefchaouen — a small, picturesque town nestled in the Rif Mountains. On arrival, you’ll check in to your hotel or riad and have time to explore the famous blue-washed streets, browse the souks, or settle in at a café for a first taste of Moroccan food.

Approximate driving distance: 112 km
Approximate driving time: 2 hours 12 minutes

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN → FES

After breakfast, the drive continues to Fes, where a local guide will show you the medieval city. You’ll walk through the historic medina — a maze of alleys, souks, and hidden treasures — and choose whether to stop for lunch in the old town for a taste of traditional cuisine. The evening is spent at a riad in the heart of the Fes medina, your peaceful base in the ancient city.

Approximate driving distance: 197 km
Approximate driving time: 3 hours 38 minutes

DAY 3: FES → IFRANE → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA DESERT

After breakfast, the drive south to the Sahara begins. A short break in Ifrane lets you stretch your legs and enjoy the alpine scenery, then the route crosses the Middle Atlas with a stop in the cedar forest, where Barbary macaques are often seen in the wild. Lunch is served along the way.

The drive then follows the lush Ziz Valley with its long ribbon of palm groves before reaching the desert in the afternoon. Your camels will be waiting to take you across the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a pause on a high dune for a spectacular sunset. On arrival at your luxury camp, a private tent is waiting. Dinner is followed by drumming, Berber music, and a long evening under the stars — you’re welcome to try the drums yourself.

Approximate driving distance: 500 km
Approximate driving time: 7 hours 30 minutes

DAY 4: MERZOUGA DESERT → RISSANI → TODRA GORGE → DADES VALLEY

An early wake-up is worth it for the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, you’ll return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4. If your trip falls on a Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday, you can wander the traditional market in Rissani.

The route then continues to the Todra Gorge, where you’ll walk beneath towering cliffs carved by the river. Further on, the dramatic “monkey fingers” rock formations mark the entrance to the Dades Valley. After a scenic drive with panoramic views of the gorge, you’ll arrive at your hotel for dinner and the night.

Approximate driving distance: 310 km
Approximate driving time: 5 hours

DAY 5: DADES VALLEY → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → MARRAKECH

The final day begins with a drive to Ouarzazate — the “Hollywood of Africa” and gateway to the Sahara — where you can optionally visit the Atlas Studios, Morocco’s largest film studio.

The drive then continues to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has appeared in many internationally famous productions. After lunch, the road climbs back over the High Atlas Mountains, with photo stops at the finest viewpoints, before descending into Marrakech in the late afternoon.

Approximate driving distance: 353 km
Approximate driving time: 6 hours 30 minutes

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This tour can also start from Casablanca — see the Morocco Itinerary 5 Days.
– To run the route in reverse, see the Marrakech to Chefchaouen Desert Tour.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Optional quad biking or buggy driving in the Erg Chebbi dunes can be arranged on request.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 will take you to the camp at no extra cost.
– All our luxury camps feature private tents with en-suite bathrooms.