Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara: the 4 day route
This is the fastest way to see the north, an imperial city and the Sahara on the way from Tangier to Marrakech. It covers the length of the country in four days, so expect long but varied days on the road.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tangier – Rif Mountains – Chefchaouen – Fes | A few hours in the blue medina, northern plains | Riad in the Fes medina |
| 2 | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga | Cedar forest and macaques, Ziz palm grove, sunset camel trek | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 3 | Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dadès Valley | Sahara sunrise, Todra canyon walk | Kasbah-style hotel in the Dadès Valley |
| 4 | Dadès – Kelaat M'Gouna – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech | Valley of the Roses, UNESCO ksar, High Atlas | Drop-off in Marrakech (not included) |
Approximate driving including stops: day 1 around 7 hours, day 2 around 8 to 9 hours, day 3 around 5 to 6 hours and day 4 around 8 hours.
Is a 4 day Tangier to Marrakech desert tour right for you?
It suits travellers who arrive in the north, often by ferry from Spain, and must be in Marrakech within four days, but do not want to miss the desert. It is a road trip at heart: you see a lot, but you do not get a full day in Fes or the Sahara.
If you can spare more time, the pace improves dramatically:
- 7 days tour from Tangier: adds a guided day in Fes, more time in Chefchaouen and an easier desert section.
- 10 days tour from Tangier: a relaxed version with full days in Fes, the desert and Marrakech.
If you only want the north, the 2 day tour from Tangier to Chefchaouen and Fes covers the first part of this route with a night in the blue city. See all routes on private tours from Tangier.
Chefchaouen, Fes and the Erg Chebbi camel trek
On day 1 you cross the Rif Mountains and stop for a few hours in Chefchaouen for lunch and a stroll through its blue lanes and the Plaza Uta el-Hammam, before continuing to Fes for the night in a riad inside the medina walls. There is no guided city tour on this short route, but your evening in the old town gives you a taste of Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 2 brings the biggest change of scenery: the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, the high plains of Midelt and the Ziz Valley, then the dunes of Erg Chebbi. You ride camels for about an hour and a half into the dunes for sunset and sleep at a desert camp. The camel ride depends on camel availability that day; if none are free, you reach camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes and ride the next morning instead. The comfort camp has private tents for two, each with its own bathroom and toilet; a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used. For more about the experience, see camel trekking in the Merzouga desert.
Best time for a Tangier to Merzouga and Marrakech road trip
- Spring (March to May): green hills in the Rif, pleasant temperatures in the desert and roses in the Dadès area in late spring.
- Summer (June to August): the north is comfortable, but Merzouga and the south are very hot in the afternoon. Air-conditioned tents are worth asking about.
- Autumn (September to November): warm days and calm weather, ideal for long drives.
- Winter (December to February): rain is possible in the Rif, snow can affect the Middle Atlas and the Tizi n'Tichka pass, and desert nights are cold.
For a monthly breakdown, read our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
Practical tips and what's included
- Ferry arrivals: book your crossing separately and share the port and expected arrival time; pick-up can be at Tangier port, the airport or your hotel.
- Packing: layers for the Rif, the Atlas and the desert night, a scarf against sun and sand and a small overnight bag for the camp.
- Money: the dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so get cash on arrival for lunches, the Fes dinner, drinks, entrance fees and tips, which are not included.
- Comfort: sit in the front on the winding Rif and Atlas roads if you are prone to car sickness.
Included: transfer from Tangier to Marrakech in a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, three nights' accommodation (Fes, desert camp, Dadès), three breakfasts, two dinners and the sunset camel trek. Accommodation in Marrakech and international flights or ferries are not part of the package.