7 Days Desert Tour (Marrakech – Merzouga – Fes – Chefchaouen – Tanger – Rabat – Marrakech)

Tour Type: Private / Group
Start & End Point: Marrakech
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Destinations: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Bomalne Dades – Merzouga – Fes – Chefchaouen – Tangier – Casablanca – Marrakech

Tour Highlights

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Bomalne Dades

Travel Time: ~6.5 hours (driving, excluding stops)

Depart early from Marrakech over the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m).
Stop at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its earthen clay architecture and movie sets (e.g., Gladiator, Game of Thrones).
Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Morocco.” Optional visit to Atlas Film Studios or Kasbah Taourirt.
Drive through the beautiful Valley of Roses, especially stunning in April-May.
Arrive at Bomalne Dades, known for its red rock formations and Berber villages.
Overnight in a local guesthouse or hotel in Dades Valley. Dinner included.

Travel Time: ~5 hours

After breakfast, drive through Dades Gorge, with its winding roads and dramatic rock formations.
Stop at the Todgha Gorges, a favorite spot for hikers and climbers with cliffs rising over 300 meters.
Continue to the edge of the Sahara Desert, passing through palm groves and traditional Berber villages.
Arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon. Prepare for a camel trek into the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Watch the sunset over the sand dunes and enjoy dinner at a Berber camp with music under the stars.
Overnight in a luxury or standard desert camp (based on your package).

Travel Time: ~7 hours

Wake early to watch the sunrise over the dunes.
Camel ride or 4×4 transfer back to Merzouga.
Drive through the Ziz Valley, known for its palm groves and oases.
Lunch stop in Midelt, a town nestled between the Middle and High Atlas mountains.
Continue through the cedar forests near Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques.
Short stop in Ifrane, nicknamed “Little Switzerland” for its Alpine-style architecture.
Arrive in Fes by evening.
Overnight in a traditional riad or hotel in Fes.

Travel Time: ~4.5 hours

Optional: Morning guided tour of Fes El Bali, one of the oldest and most fascinating medinas in the world. Highlights include:
Al-Qarawiyyin University (world’s oldest university)
Tanneries of Chouara
Medersa Bou Inania
After lunch, depart toward the Rif Mountains.
Arrive in Chefchaouen, the iconic blue-washed city, by early evening.
Leisure time to wander the picturesque alleys, shops, and cafes.
Overnight in a charming riad or guesthouse in Chefchaouen.

Travel Time: ~2.5 hours

Relaxed breakfast in Chefchaouen.
Enjoy free time for morning photography or a short hike to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint.
Depart mid-morning toward Tangier, located on the Strait of Gibraltar.
Visit:
Hercules Caves
Cape Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean
Kasbah of Tangier and its panoramic views
Optional: Stroll the old medina or visit the American Legation Museum.
Overnight in a hotel or riad in Tangier.

Travel Time: ~5.5 hours

Early departure from Tangier along the Atlantic coast.
Stop in Rabat, Morocco’s capital city. Quick visit to:
Hassan Tower
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Royal Palace (outside view)
Continue to Casablanca, Morocco’s business capital.
Visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, partly built over the sea.
Optional seaside walk along the Corniche.
Overnight in a hotel in Casablanca.

Travel Time: ~3 hours