DAY 1: TANGIER → CHEFCHAOUEN

Your tour begins with a pick-up at Tangier airport, the ferry port, or your hotel. The scenic drive south through the Rif Mountains brings you to Chefchaouen in around two hours. On arrival, you’ll check in to your hotel or riad and have time to explore the town’s blue-painted streets, browse the souks, and settle in for a quiet first evening.

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

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN → VOLUBILIS → MEKNES → FES

After breakfast, a scenic drive through the Rif villages brings you to Volubilis, the ancient Roman city famous for its 3rd-century mosaics. The route continues to Meknes, a 17th-century imperial capital. After lunch, you’ll explore the medina and its famous Bab el Mansour gate, and visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. The day ends in Fes at a riad in the old medina.

Approximate driving distance: 260 km
Approximate driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes

DAY 3: GUIDED TOUR OF FES

A full day with a local guide in the UNESCO-listed medina. You’ll start at the Royal Palace gate before entering the maze-like alleys to visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Nejjarine Fountain, and the Chouara Tanneries. You’ll also explore the Mellah (Jewish quarter) and end the day with a panoramic view of the medina from an old hilltop fortress.

DAY 4: FES → IFRANE → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA DESERT

After breakfast, the drive south to the Sahara begins with a short break in Ifrane. The route crosses the Middle Atlas with a stop in the cedar forest — look out for Barbary macaques. Lunch is served along the way before the drive follows the Ziz Valley and its palm groves to the desert.

You’ll reach Erg Chebbi in the afternoon. A camel trek takes you across the dunes for a spectacular sunset from a high ridge. 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.

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

DAY 5: FULL DAY EXPLORING THE MERZOUGA DESERT

Sunrise from the dunes, then breakfast, then a full day of desert discovery. You’ll choose between a camel ride or 4×4 back to Merzouga, then start in the village of Khamlia to hear traditional Gnawa music from local musicians — the rhythms trace back to Sub-Saharan Africa.

The route continues off-road to M’Fis, an abandoned village with historic galena mines (galena was once used to make kohl). You’ll then visit a nomadic family living near the dunes, sharing tea in their traditional Berber tent and learning about their way of life.

After lunch, you’ll check in to a riad with a pool. In the late afternoon, try quad biking or buggy driving at sunset, or walk out to the dunes for a quieter experience. Dinner and an overnight stay at the riad follow.

Approximate driving distance: 57 km
Approximate driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes

DAY 6: MERZOUGA DESERT → RISSANI → TODRA GORGE → DADES VALLEY

After breakfast, the drive heads to the Dades Valley. On market days (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday) you can visit the traditional souk in Rissani. The route continues through the Todra Gorge for a walk beneath its towering cliffs, then past the “monkey fingers” rock formations at the entrance to the Dades Valley, with panoramic views along the way before you check in to your hotel.

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

DAY 7: DADES VALLEY → OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → MARRAKECH

The drive heads to Ouarzazate with an optional visit to the Atlas Studios. The route 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, before descending into Marrakech in the late afternoon. Check in to a riad in the medina and enjoy dinner at your riad or on Jemaa el-Fna square.

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

DAY 8: GUIDED TOUR OF MARRAKECH

After breakfast, a local guide will show you Marrakech’s highlights: Jemaa el-Fna square, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the Koutoubia Mosque. After lunch, you can explore the modern side of the city and visit the exquisite Majorelle Garden.

If your onward flight is today, we’ll transfer you to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) or Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), marking the end of the tour.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This tour can also start from Casablanca — see the Morocco Itinerary 8 Days.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Optional extras include a cooking class, a hammam experience, quad biking or buggy driving in the dunes, or a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech.
– 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.