Tangier to Marrakech in 7 days: the itinerary at a glance
Starting in the far north means the route runs one way down the length of the country, with no backtracking. This overview is based on the tour's day-by-day programme; driving times are approximate and include stops.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tangier – Rif Mountains – Chefchaouen | Blue medina, Plaza Uta el-Hammam | Riad in Chefchaouen |
| 2 | Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes | Roman mosaics, Bab Mansour | Riad in Fes |
| 3 | Fes (no driving) | Guided Fes el-Bali, Chouara tannery, Bou Inania | Riad in Fes |
| 4 | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga | Cedar forests, Barbary macaques, sunset camel trek | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 5 | Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dadès Valley | Sahara sunrise, gorge walk | Kasbah hotel in the Dadès Valley |
| 6 | Dadès – Kelaat M'Gouna – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech | Valley of Roses, UNESCO ksar, High Atlas pass | Riad in Marrakech |
| 7 | Marrakech | Guided city tour, souks, transfer to the airport | - |
Days 4 and 6 are the long ones, with roughly 8 hours or more on the road including stops, while days 3 and 7 involve little or no driving.
Is one week in Morocco from Tangier right for you?
This trip is ideal if you arrive by ferry from Spain or fly into Tangier and want to see the classic highlights of Morocco in a single week: the blue city, the imperial north, the Sahara dunes and Marrakech. It suits couples, families and friends who are happy with a few long driving days in exchange for seeing the whole country.
How it compares with other tours from Tangier
- Shorter: the 4 day tour from Tangier to Marrakech covers the same broad route at a faster pace.
- Slower: the 10 day tour from Tangier adds time in the desert, the gorges and the High Atlas.
- North only: if you have just a couple of days, the 2 day tour from Tangier to Chefchaouen and Fes stays in the north.
See every option in our private tours from Tangier.
The Sahara night in Erg Chebbi
On day 4 you reach Merzouga in the late afternoon and ride camels into the dunes for about an hour and a half, timed for sunset. The ride depends on camel availability that day; if no camels are free, you go to the camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes, and ride the camels the next morning on the way back. Take a small overnight bag, as the main luggage stays with the vehicle.
At camp you have a private tent, normally for two people, with its own bathroom and toilet, followed by dinner and drumming around the fire. Depending on the category you choose, the night is spent in a comfort camp or an upgraded luxury category camp, and a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used. Read more about a night in a Merzouga desert camp.
What the 7 day tour from Tangier includes
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Pick-up at Tangier port or airport and drop-off in Marrakech | International flights or ferry tickets |
| Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide for 7 days | Lunches, and dinners in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech |
| 6 nights' accommodation in riads, a kasbah hotel and a desert camp | Monument and museum entrance fees, including Volubilis |
| 6 breakfasts and 2 dinners (desert camp and Dadès Valley) | Tips for drivers, guides and camp staff |
| Sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi | Travel insurance |
| Local guides for the Fes and Marrakech medinas | Optional activities such as quad biking or a cooking class |
Driver-guides work in English, French, Spanish and Italian; a Spanish- or Italian-speaking driver-guide depends on availability and is confirmed before booking.
Best time and packing tips for a week from Tangier to Marrakech
- Spring and autumn: the most comfortable months for this route, mild in the north and pleasant in the desert.
- Summer: very hot in Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech; ask about air-conditioned tents.
- Winter: green and sometimes rainy in the Rif, cold nights in the desert, and possible snow at Ifrane and on the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
Pack layers for the climate changes, modest clothing for the medinas, comfortable shoes for Fes, a scarf against sun and sand, and cash in dirhams (MAD) for lunches, entrance fees and tips. Before you go, our Chefchaouen travel guide helps you plan your first evening in the blue city.