Adventure in the Sahara desert
6 Days tour from Tangier to Marrakech via Merzouga
✓ Private tour with your own driver✓ Free quote, no commitment
→ Overview: 6 Days tour from Tangier to Marrakech via Merzouga
This 6 days tour from Tangier crosses Morocco from north to south at a comfortable pace. First, you visit Chefchaouen, Volubilis and Meknes, then sleep in Fes. Next, you spend a full day around Merzouga and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Finally, you follow the Todra Gorge and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech.
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
→ 6 Days Tour from Tangier at a Glance
| Duration | 6 days / 5 nights |
|---|---|
| Start | Tangier: port, airport or hotel |
| End | Your accommodation in Marrakech, around 5:30–6:00 PM |
| Route | Tangier – Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes – Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech |
| Nights | Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga hotel, desert camp, Dades Valley |
| Camel ride | About 1 hour to the camp at sunset (a 4×4 transfer is possible) |
| Best for | Travellers arriving by ferry from Spain or flying into Tangier |
| Best season | March to May and September to November |
→ Why Choose This 6 Days Tour from Tangier
Compared with the 5-day route, the extra day gives you a hotel night and a full day in the desert. As a result, you arrive at the camp rested.
- North to south. From the Rif to the Sahara and the High Atlas.
- Two nights by the dunes. A hotel night and a camp night.
- Desert culture. Nomads and Gnawa music in Khamlia.
- Private from start to finish. Only your group travels with your driver.
Want a guided day in Fes too? See the 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour.
→ 6 Days Tour from Tangier Highlights
- Wander the blue streets of Chefchaouen.
- Walk among the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
- See the Bab Mansour gate in Meknes.
- Discover the medina of Fez.
- Ride a camel at sunset across Erg Chebbi.
- Sleep under the stars in a desert camp.
- Walk in the Todra Gorge.
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou before reaching Marrakech.
→ 6 Days Tour from Tangier Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 1: Tangier – Chefchaouen
We meet you at the port, the airport or your hotel in Tangier. First, we drive into the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen, the famous “Blue Pearl”, about 2.5 hours away. Then, you have free time to wander its blue-and-white medina at your own pace.
Overnight
Hotel or riad in Chefchaouen, with breakfast.
Day 2: Chefchaouen – Ouezzane – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
After breakfast, we cross the Rif via Ouezzane to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco. Then, we visit Meknes, with its walls and the Bab Mansour gate. In the late afternoon, we reach Fes and check in at a traditional riad.
Overnight
Riad in Fes, with breakfast.
Day 3: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Your driver picks you up at your riad or hotel in Fes at 8:00 AM. First, we climb into the Middle Atlas and stop in Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Next, we cross the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often sit by the road; please watch them, but do not feed them.
Then, we stop for lunch in Midelt, between the Middle and High Atlas. Afterwards, the road follows the gorges and palm groves of the Ziz Valley to Erfoud. Finally, we reach Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, in the late afternoon.
On arrival, you check in at your hotel. If the weather is warm, you can enjoy the pool before dinner.
Overnight
Hotel in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast.
Day 4: A Day around Merzouga and a Night in the Dunes
After breakfast, we explore the area around Erg Chebbi by 4×4. First, we visit a nomad family in their goat-hair tent and share a mint tea. Then, we stop in Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music.
Depending on the season, we also see the lake of Dayet Srji, where flamingos sometimes stop. In the afternoon, you have free time to rest or climb the dunes.
In the late afternoon, your camel trek in Merzouga begins. The ride takes about one hour, so you reach the camp at sunset. Later, you share a Berber dinner with drums under the stars.
Overnight
Private tent in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi, with dinner and breakfast.
Day 5: Merzouga – Rissani – Tinghir – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Wake up early for the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back to Merzouga for a shower and breakfast. Next, we drive west through Rissani, Erfoud and Tinejdad, with a stop for lunch.
In the afternoon, we reach Tinghir and walk into the Todra Gorge, where limestone walls rise about 300 metres. Finally, we continue to the Dades Valley for the night.
Overnight
Hotel in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast.
Day 6: Dades Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
After breakfast, we follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Rose Valley and Kelaat M’Gouna. Then, we stop in the palm grove of Skoura before reaching Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa”.
Next, we visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar, and have lunch nearby. Afterwards, we cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) and stop at an argan oil cooperative. Finally, we reach Marrakech around 5:30–6:00 PM.
Drop-off
At your riad or hotel in Marrakech.
→ 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 in Tangier (port, airport or hotel) and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech.
- 1 night in Chefchaouen and 1 in Fes, with breakfast.
- 1 night in a hotel in Merzouga.
- 1 night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi.
- 1 night in a hotel in the Dades Valley.
- Dinners and breakfasts in the south (vegetarians welcome).
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- Fuel, tolls and all vehicle costs.
- Camel handler and camel ride of about 1 hour (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp if you prefer).
- Sandboards, free to use at the camp.
What's not Included
Extra costs to plan for
- Flights.
- Lunches (picnic or restaurant stops).
- Drinks with meals.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not listed under “Included”.
→ 6 Days Tour from Tangier Route Map
→ Photo Gallery
→ Good to Know: 6 Days Tour from Tangier
- Private & door to doorPrivate tour: only your group, with your own driver and vehicle. Pick-up at your riad or hotel in Tangier; drop-off in Marrakech.
- Driving timeFes to Merzouga (about 7–8 hours) and the Dades Valley to Marrakech (about 6 hours) are the long days.
- 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.
- 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
Ferries from Tarifa arrive at Tangier city port, but ferries from Algeciras arrive at Tanger Med, about 45 km away – tell us your port so your driver meets you in the right place.
→ 6 Days Tour from Tangier: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you pick us up at the port in Tangier?
Yes. We meet you at Tangier city port, Tanger Med, the airport or your hotel. Just send us your ferry time.
How many nights are in the desert?
One night in a hotel in Merzouga and one night in a camp in Erg Chebbi.
Are the hotels and camp private?
Yes. Private rooms everywhere and a private, fully equipped tent.
Do we carry our luggage on the camels?
No. Your bags go to the camp by 4×4; you only need a small backpack.
How do I get to Tangier from Spain?
By ferry from Tarifa or Algeciras. See our ferry from Spain to Morocco guide.
What should I pack?
Comfortable shoes and warm layers for the desert night. See what to pack for the Sahara desert.
→ Customize Your 6 Days Tour from Tangier
Because this is a private tour, you can adapt it. For example, travellers often ask us to:
- Finish in Fes or Casablanca, or return to Tangier for the ferry.
- Add an extra night in Chefchaouen or in the desert.
- Choose a higher camp category for a honeymoon in Morocco.
- Keep the same driver with a private driver in Morocco.
Have something else in mind? Then let us plan a tailor-made Morocco tour.
→ Book Your 6 Days Tour from Tangier
Ask us for the price
This 6 days tour from Tangier 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
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→ 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