Private tours in Marrakech and across Morocco with local drivers and guides: Sahara Desert adventures, imperial cities and day trips, designed around you.
(5.0)
10 Days
English
From Tangier
Our 10 days Morocco tour from Tangier is the perfect way to start your journey if you arrive by ferry from Spain or fly into northern Morocco. First, you explore Tangier, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Next, you visit the white medina of Tetouan and spend a night in blue Chefchaouen. Afterwards, you discover the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the imperial city of Meknes and two full days in Fez. Of all our Morocco tours from Tangier, this is the most complete northern route to the Sahara. Moreover, it is one of the best Morocco tours from Spain, since you can simply cross the Strait by ferry and start your trip at the port.
After Fez, the road crosses the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to the golden dunes of Merzouga, where you spend two nights. Then, you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Dades Gorge to Ait Ben Haddou and, finally, cross the High Atlas to Marrakech. In other words, it is an ideal Tangier to Marrakech tour and a true Sahara desert tour in one. Because this is one of our private Morocco tours, your English-speaking driver adapts every day to you. As a result, you enjoy 10 days in Morocco at your own pace, planned by a local Morocco travel agency that knows every road.
Welcome to Morocco! Your 10 days Morocco tour from Tangier begins as soon as you land. Whether you arrive by ferry from Tarifa or by plane, your English-speaking driver meets you at the port or the airport. Then, you transfer to your riad in the old medina and enjoy a refreshing mint tea.
In the afternoon, you explore the Kasbah, the Grand Socco and the lively streets of the medina. Later, enjoy a glass of tea at the historic Café Hafa, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. To learn more, visit VisitMorocco’s Tangier page. In the evening, have dinner in a traditional restaurant, where your driver can recommend the best local dishes.
Overnight: riad in Tangier.
After breakfast, you drive to Cape Spartel, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. Nearby, you visit the Caves of Hercules, famous for a sea opening shaped like the map of Africa. Meanwhile, the views over the ocean are spectacular on a clear day.
Next, you continue to the Medina of Tétouan, a white city with strong Andalusian roots. There, you stroll through its souks and craft workshops. In the late afternoon, you climb into the Rif Mountains and arrive in Chefchaouen, the famous blue city. For more, see VisitMorocco’s Chefchaouen guide or our Fes to Chefchaouen day trip.
Driving time: about 3 hours with stops. Overnight: riad in Chefchaouen.
Start your day early in Chefchaouen, while the blue lanes are quiet and perfect for photos. Then, walk up to the Spanish Mosque for a last view over the rooftops before leaving town.
Next, you drive south to the Archaeological Site of Volubilis, where Roman columns and floor mosaics are almost 2,000 years old. Afterwards, you visit the Historic City of Meknes and its grand Bab Mansour gate, built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Finally, you arrive in Fez in the early evening. For a single-day version, see our Volubilis day trip from Fez.
Driving time: about 5 hours. Overnight: riad in Fes.
After breakfast, a licensed local guide leads you through the Medina of Fez, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. First, you admire the golden gates of the Royal Palace and the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter. Then, you enter the maze of narrow lanes through the Blue Gate.
Next, you visit the Bou Inania Madrasa and watch leather being dyed at the Chouara Tannery. Afterwards, you see the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, one of the oldest centers of learning in the world. In the late afternoon, enjoy the view from the Merinid Tombs. Fez is also the starting point of all our Morocco tours from Fez. For more details, read about our Fez medina guided tour.
Overnight: riad in Fes.
This morning, you leave Fez and climb into the Middle Atlas. First, you pass Ifrane, nicknamed the Switzerland of Morocco. Then, you cross the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often wait by the road. Gradually, the green forests give way to wide, open plains.
After lunch in Midelt, you follow the palm-filled Ziz Valley south on the final stretch from Tangier to Merzouga. If you only want this part of the trip, see our 3 days tour from Fes to Merzouga. At sunset, your camels are waiting at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Then, you ride into the dunes and watch the sand glow orange. Once at camp, dinner is served under the stars. Learn more on VisitMorocco’s Merzouga page.
Driving time: about 7 to 8 hours with stops. Overnight: desert camp in Erg Chebbi.
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, one of the most magical moments of the trip. Afterwards, you ride back to camp for breakfast. After breakfast, a 4×4 takes you to Khamlia, where Gnawa musicians play rhythms that trace back to West Africa.
Next, you visit a nomad family and share a glass of tea. Later, you explore Rissani, the historic cradle of the Alaouite dynasty, and its busy market. In the afternoon, you can try sandboarding, ride a quad bike or simply relax. Indeed, this free day is what makes our Tangier desert tour so special. In the evening, enjoy a second night at the edge of the dunes.
Overnight: desert camp or hotel in Merzouga.
After breakfast, you drive west through the oasis towns of Erfoud and Tinejdad. Along the way, you stop at a fossil workshop, since Erfoud is famous for its ancient fossils. There, artisans show you how they cut and polish the stones.
In the early afternoon, you reach the Todra Gorge, where rock walls rise almost 300 meters above a clear stream. Then, you continue to the Dades Gorge, where the road winds up in tight hairpin bends. Finally, enjoy dinner at your hotel with views over the valley, while the evening light turns the cliffs red.
Driving time: about 5 hours. Overnight: hotel in the Dades Gorge.
This morning, you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Kelaat M’Gouna, the heart of the Rose Valley. Next, you pass the palm groves of Skoura, dotted with old mud-brick fortresses. Here, local cooperatives also sell rose water and natural cosmetics.
After lunch in Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, you continue to the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO site and famous film location. In the late afternoon, climb to the top for sunset. Afterwards, you spend the night here, once the day visitors have left. Learn more on VisitMorocco’s Ouarzazate page or our Ait Ben Haddou day trip from Marrakech.
Driving time: about 4 hours. Overnight: guesthouse in Ait Ben Haddou.
After breakfast, you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass at about 2,260 meters. Along the way, you stop for photos of terraced fields and Berber villages clinging to the slopes. Moreover, the winding road offers some of the best views of the trip.
In the early afternoon, you arrive in Marrakech, the starting point of all our Morocco tours from Marrakech, and check in to your riad. Then, in the evening, walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the lively heart of the Medina of Marrakesh. As night falls, food stalls, musicians and storytellers fill the square. Finally, enjoy dinner on a rooftop terrace above the crowds.
Driving time: about 4 hours. Overnight: riad in Marrakech.
On your last day, a licensed local guide shows you the highlights of the Red City. First, you visit the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, then admire the Koutoubia Mosque from outside. Along the way, your guide shares stories about the dynasties that built the city.
Afterwards, you explore the souks and, depending on your flight time, relax in the Jardin Majorelle. Finally, your driver takes you to Marrakech Menara Airport, and your 10-day journey from Tangier to Marrakech comes to an end. If you want to return to the desert another time, try our 4 days desert tour from Marrakech. If you have extra time, see our day trips from Marrakech.
Yes. The tour is fully private, so only you and your travel companions share the vehicle and the English-speaking driver. Therefore, you can change the pace, choose your hotels and stop wherever you like.
Yes. We pick you up at Tangier Ville port or Tanger Med port, as well as at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport. Just send us your ferry or flight details when you book.
Yes. Ten days is enough to see the north, Fez, the Sahara and Marrakech without rushing. If you prefer a longer trip with the Atlantic coast, see our 12 days Morocco tour from Tangier.
You spend two nights in Merzouga. The first night is in a desert camp after the camel trek, and the second can be in the camp or in a hotel at the edge of the dunes.
Our 9 days desert tour from Tangier travels via Rabat and Casablanca. In contrast, this 10-day tour follows the northern route through Tetouan and Chefchaouen and adds a second night in the Sahara.
Yes. Many travelers spend a few days in Seville, Malaga or Tarifa, then take the ferry to Tangier. In fact, this is why our Morocco tours from Spain start at the port, so you lose no time on arrival.
Yes. If you have less time, our 5 days Morocco tour from Tangier and our 6 days Morocco tour from Tangier to Marrakech cover the highlights faster.
Private tours in Marrakech and across Morocco with local drivers and guides: Sahara Desert adventures, imperial cities and day trips, designed around you.
