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→ Overview: 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech
This 10 days desert tour from Marrakech crosses Morocco from south to north and ends in Tangier. First, you spend time in Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. Then, you sleep in the Erg Chebbi dunes and explore the desert around Merzouga. After the Middle Atlas, you discover Fes, Meknes and Volubilis. Finally, you visit Chefchaouen before arriving in Tangier.
Private tour · Daily departures · Pick-up at your riad. Request your free quote or message us on WhatsApp.
Languages
English, Spanish
Tour type
Private Tour
Availability
All year round, with daily departures
→ 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech at a Glance
| Duration | 10 days / 9 nights |
|---|---|
| Start | Marrakech, with pick-up at your riad or hotel at 8:30 AM |
| End | Your accommodation in Tangier |
| Route | Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Todra Gorge – Merzouga – Midelt – Ifrane – Fes – Meknes – Volubilis – Chefchaouen – Tangier |
| Nights | Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, desert camp, Merzouga, Midelt, Fes (2), Meknes, Chefchaouen |
| Guided visit | Full day in Fes with a local guide |
| Camel ride | About 1 hour to the camp at sunset (a 4×4 transfer is possible) |
| Best season | March to May and September to November |
→ Why Choose This 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech
This route shows you the whole country in one trip. In other words, you see the High Atlas, the Sahara, the imperial cities and the Rif mountains without going back on yourself.
- South to north. Start in Marrakech and finish in Tangier, close to the ferries to Spain.
- Time in the desert. A night in a camp and a full day around Merzouga.
- Imperial cities and the blue town. Fes with a local guide, Meknes, Volubilis and Chefchaouen.
- A gentle pace. Most driving days are short, with overnight stops in smaller towns.
Only have a week? See our 7 day Morocco itinerary from Marrakech or read how many days you need in Morocco.
→ 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m).
- Watch the sunset over Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar.
- Visit the Atlas Film Studios and the kasbahs of Ouarzazate.
- Ride a camel at sunset into the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Meet nomads and listen to Gnawa music around Merzouga.
- Explore the medina of Fez with a local guide.
- Walk among the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
- Wander the blue streets of Chefchaouen.
→ 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou
Your driver picks you up at 8:30 AM. First, we cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with stops at the viewpoints. Then, we reach Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village of earthen houses.
After lunch, we visit the Kasbah of Tamdaght, about 6 km away. In the evening, we climb to the top of Ait Ben Haddou for the sunset.
Overnight
Guesthouse or hotel in Ait Ben Haddou.
Day 2: Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Wake up early for the sunrise if you like photography. After breakfast, we drive to Ouarzazate and visit the Atlas Film Studios. Then, we see the Taourirt and Tifoultoute kasbahs. Later, you can enjoy the sunset from the main square.
Overnight
Hotel in Ouarzazate.
Day 3: Ouarzazate – Rose Valley – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga
After breakfast, we drive through Kelaat M’Gouna, Boumalne Dades and Tinghir. Then, we walk in the Todra Gorge, whose walls rise about 300 metres. Next, we stop in Erfoud and visit a fossil workshop.
In the late afternoon, your camel trek in Merzouga begins. The ride takes about one hour, and you reach the camp at sunset.
Overnight
Private tent in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi, with dinner. Driving time: about 6–7 hours.
Day 4: Exploring the Merzouga Desert
Wake up for the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back to Merzouga. Afterwards, we explore the area by 4×4. We visit Hassilabied, meet nomad families and listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia.
Depending on the season, we also see the lake of Dayet Srji. In the afternoon, we explore the souk of Rissani.
Overnight
Hotel in Merzouga, with dinner.
Day 5: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Errachidia – Midelt
After breakfast, we drive north through the Aoufous oasis and the Ziz Valley. Then, we pass Errachidia and Er-Rich. In the afternoon, we arrive in Midelt, below the Middle Atlas. If time allows, we visit the Aouli gorges or the Notre-Dame de l’Atlas monastery.
Overnight
Hotel in Midelt.
Day 6: Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes
After breakfast, we cross the Middle Atlas via Zaida and Timahdite. Next, we stop in the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often come close. Then, we visit Ifrane and its famous stone lion. Finally, we arrive in Fes.
Overnight
Riad or hotel in Fes.
Day 7: Fes with a Local Guide
Today a local guide shows you Fes, founded over 1,200 years ago. First, you walk through Fes el-Bali, the old medina of Fez. You see the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas.
Then, you pass Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859, whose library is one of the oldest in the world. Afterwards, you explore Fes el-Jdid, with the Mellah, the Royal Palace and the Ibn Danan synagogue. Finally, you see Bab Bou Jeloud and the Chouara tannery.
Overnight
Riad or hotel in Fes.
Day 8: Fes – Meknes
In the morning, you walk in the Jnan Sbil gardens and the new town of Fes. After lunch, we drive to Meknes, the city of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Here, you see Bab Mansour and the lively souks.
Overnight
Riad or hotel in Meknes. Driving time: about 1 hour.
Day 9: Meknes – Volubilis – Chefchaouen
After breakfast, we spend the morning at Volubilis, a Roman city famous for its mosaics. Then, we drive through the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen.
Overnight
Riad in Chefchaouen. Driving time: about 4 hours with the visit.
Day 10: Chefchaouen – Tangier
In the morning, you explore Chefchaouen, founded in 1471 and famous for its blue houses. You visit Outa el-Hammam square, the Kasbah museum and the Ras el-Ma spring. Then, we drive north to Tangier, about 2.5 hours away.
Drop-off
At your riad or hotel in Tangier. Continuing to Spain? Read our guide to the ferry from Spain to Morocco.
→ What’s Included and Not Included
Everything is clear from the start, so there are no surprise fees.
What's Included
Covered from start to finish
- Private tour and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with seat belts.
- Pick-up at your accommodation in Marrakech and drop-off at your accommodation in Tangier.
- 9 nights in hotels, riads and a desert camp, with breakfast.
- Dinners in Ouarzazate, the desert camp and Merzouga.
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- Local guide for the day in Fes.
- Fuel, tolls and all vehicle costs.
- Camel handler and camel ride of about 1 hour (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp).
- Sandboards, free to use at the camp.
What's not Included
Extra costs to plan for
- Flights.
- Lunches (picnic or restaurant stops).
- Other dinners.
- Drinks with meals.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Entrance fees to monuments, museums and kasbahs.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not listed under “Included”.
→ 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech Route Map
→ Photo Gallery
→ Good to Know: 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech
- Private & door to doorPrivate tour: only your group, with your own driver and vehicle. Pick-up at your riad or hotel in Marrakech; drop-off in Tangier.
- Driving timeOuarzazate to Merzouga (about 6–7 hours) and Merzouga to Midelt are the longest stages; the route ends in Tangier, ideal if you continue to Spain by ferry.
- AltitudeThe road crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m: it is cold in winter and, after heavy snow, can close for a few hours.
- AltitudeIfrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas sit at about 1,600 m – mornings and evenings are fresh even in spring.
- Desert night1 night in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes and 1 night in a hotel in Merzouga; the camel ride to camp usually takes about an hour. From November to March desert nights can drop close to 0 °C – bring a warm layer.
- Local guideIn Fes, the medina is visited with a local guide (check Inclusions for what is covered).
- Best seasonBest months: March to May and September to November. In July and August the desert passes 40 °C, so activities are planned early in the morning and at sunset.
- What to bringBring cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips, plus sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf for sun and sand.
Local Expert Tip
In Chefchaouen, sleep inside the medina rather than the new town: once the day visitors leave, the blue alleys are calm and beautifully lit.
→ 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech: Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour end in a different city?
Yes. It starts in Marrakech and ends in Tangier, so you cross the whole country from south to north.
How many nights do we spend in the desert?
One night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi and one night in a hotel in Merzouga.
Are the hotels and the camp private?
Yes. You have private rooms in every hotel and riad, and a private, fully equipped tent in the camp.
Is there a lot of walking?
Yes, a moderate amount. The medinas of Fes and Chefchaouen are car-free, and you walk in the Todra Gorge and at Volubilis.
Can we take the ferry to Spain at the end?
Yes. Tangier is the best place to catch a ferry to Tarifa or Algeciras. See our ferry guide.
What should I pack?
Bring layers: the desert and the Middle Atlas are cold at night, especially in winter. See what to pack for the Sahara desert.
→ Customize Your 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech
Because this is a private tour, you can adapt it. For example, travellers often ask us to:
- Finish in Fes or Casablanca instead of Tangier.
- Add a second night in Chefchaouen or in the desert.
- Start in Tangier instead with our Tangier to Marrakech desert tour.
- Keep a slower pace with children on Morocco family tours.
Have something else in mind? Then let us plan a tailor-made Morocco tour around your dates.
→ Book Your 10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech
Ask us for the price
This 10 days desert tour from Marrakech is private, so the price depends on your group size, travel dates and the riad or camp category you choose. Send us your dates and number of travellers and we will reply with a clear quote, with no hidden costs.
- Private driver & vehicle
- Built around your dates
- Free, no-obligation quote
→ Related Tours
→ What Our Travelers Say
“My mom and I had a great trip! Abdul Abderrahim guided our group of 22 for 10 days all around the country. He always a delight and informative. He was very attentive to any needs or wishes of the group and made the trip seamless. Thank you!”
Chip S
Traveled with family
“The entire adventure was marvelous. There was a lot of driving but our driver was very safe and he made frequent stops and showed us many landmarks and cultural treasures. Our visit to the desert was our highlight of the trip. I can highly recommend.”
Evita M
Traveled with friends
“Just returned from a fascinating 12 day Morocco group tour with guide Abdul. We had an amazing, immersive, super fun experience. Abdul was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, funny, patient, and pleasant. He shared personal memories of growing up Berber…”
Maria R
Traveled with friends
“We had a two week tour through Morocco and it was excellent. We visited many different locations, including the big city medina’s of Marrakech and Fez, the lovely coastal city of Essaouira, the fabulous desert area…”
Catherina2015