Camel Ride Trips8-Day Tour from Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara
The 6-day route from Tangier with time to enjoy Marrakech at the end. Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes, a camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes, the Todra Gorge and Ait Ben Haddou, then a guided day in Marrakech before your flight home.
Why choose the 8-day tour from Tangier?
It gives you guided days in both Fes and Marrakech, plus time to rest before your flight. For a shorter trip, see the 6-day tour; for two weeks including Essaouira, the 14-day Complete Morocco.
- 1 night Chefchaouen
- 2 nights Fes
- 1 night desert camp
- 1 night Dades Valley
- 2 nights Marrakech
How much driving is there on the 8-day Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara tour?
The whole route covers about 1,450 km by road. On this 8-day tour, 3 of the 8 days have little or no driving. Times below are approximate and include short stops for photos, lunch and visits.
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tangier → Chefchaouen | about 120 km | 1–2 hours with stops |
| Day 2 | Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes | about 280 km | 4–5 hours with stops |
| Day 3 | Fes with a local guide | — | Little or no driving |
| Day 4 | Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga | about 470 km | 7–8 hours with stops |
| Day 5 | Merzouga → Rissani → Erfoud → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley | about 280 km | 4–5 hours with stops |
| Day 6 | Dades Valley → Valley of Roses → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech | about 330 km | 5–6 hours with stops |
| Day 7 | Marrakech with a local guide | — | Little or no driving |
| Day 8 | Departure from Marrakech | — | Airport transfer only |
Local desert team
We are based in Rissani, next to Merzouga, so the camels and camp are run by our own people.
Licensed local guides
Guided visits of the old medinas in Fes and Marrakech.
Private vehicle
Air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with your own English-speaking driver-guide.
Three comfort levels
Basic, Mid-Range or Luxury hotels, riads and desert tents.
8-Day Tangier to Marrakech Itinerary
- Day 1
Tangier → Chefchaouen
Pickup at Tangier port, airport or hotel. Drive into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen and explore the blue medina.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Chefchaouen
- Day 2
Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes
After breakfast, drive south to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, famous for their mosaics. In Meknes, see the Bab Mansour gate and the Royal Stables, then continue to Fes.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Fes
- Day 3
Fes with a local guide
A licensed local guide meets you at your riad and leads you into Fes el-Bali through the Bab Boujloud blue gate. Visit the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, founded in 859 and often called the oldest university in the world, and the Chouara Tannery.
After lunch, see the golden gates of the Royal Palace and finish at a viewpoint over the old medina.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Fes
- Day 4
Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Cross the Middle Atlas through Ifrane and the cedar forest near Azrou, home to Barbary macaques, then continue through Midelt and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga.
Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and spend the night in a desert camp with dinner and Berber music by the fire.
Overnight: Desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, dinner included
- Day 5
Merzouga → Rissani → Erfoud → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Watch the sunrise over the dunes and ride back by camel for a shower and breakfast. Drive through Rissani and Erfoud, known for its fossils, and the Ziz palm groves to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, then on to the Dades Valley.
Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Valley, dinner included
- Day 6
Dades Valley → Valley of Roses → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech
Drive through the Valley of Roses and the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate, with its kasbahs and film studios. Visit Ait Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar, then cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Day 7
Marrakech with a local guide
Visit the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque with a licensed local guide, then your driver takes you to the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
In the evening, try street food on Jemaa el-Fna square or have mint tea on a rooftop café above it.
Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Day 8
Departure from Marrakech
Free time after breakfast, then transfer to Marrakech airport.
Transfer to Marrakech airport
Choose Your Comfort Level
Choose the level that suits you. The route and guides stay the same; only the hotels, riads and desert camp change.
Basic
- Clean 2–3 star hotels and guesthouses
- Simple traditional riads
- Standard tent in a desert camp
- Private rooms, breakfast included
Mid-Range
- Selected 3–4 star hotels
- Traditional riads with character
- Comfort desert tent with private bathroom
- Private rooms, breakfast included
Luxury
- Premium 4–5 star hotels and boutique riads
- Suites available on request
- Luxury desert tent with en-suite bathroom
- Breakfast included, selected dinners
Included & Not Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Local guides in Fes and Marrakech
- 7 nights in hotels, riads and a desert camp
- Camel ride in Merzouga
- Breakfast every day
- Dinners in Merzouga and the Dades Valley
- Pickup in Tangier and drop-off at Marrakech airport
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Activities not listed in the itinerary
Questions About the 8-Day Tour from Tangier
Can you pick me up from the ferry?
Yes. We meet you at Tangier Med or Tangier Ville port, at the airport or at your hotel.
Are local guides included?
Yes, in Fes on day 3 and in Marrakech on day 7.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast every day, plus dinners in Merzouga and the Dades Valley.
Can I choose a different hotel level?
Yes. This tour is available in Basic, Mid-Range and Luxury. The route, driver-guide and local guides stay the same; only the hotels, riads and desert camp change, along with the price.
How much driving is there on the 8-day Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara tour?
The whole route covers about 1,450 km by road. On this 8-day tour, 3 of the 8 days have little or no driving. The longest day is Day 4, Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga: about 470 km, 7–8 hours with stops. All times are approximate and include short stops.
How much does the 8-Day Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara tour cost?
The 8-Day Tangier to Marrakech via the Sahara tour starts from €1,240 per person at Mid-Range level, based on 2 travelers sharing. The price depends on your group size and comfort level (Basic, Mid-Range or Luxury). Message us on WhatsApp at +212 669 576 091 for an exact quote.
How do I pay for this tour?
Send a 20% deposit by PayPal, Payoneer or international bank transfer (SWIFT) and your tour is confirmed automatically. Pay the remaining 80% on the first day of the tour, in cash (EUR, USD or MAD) or online. Cancel 11 days or more before the tour for a full refund of your deposit. See our booking terms.
Other tours from Tangier: 6-day, 7-day and 11-day Tangier to Marrakech.
Your Journey, Your Pace, Your Morocco
Tell us your dates and we'll prepare this private tour around you, with clear pricing and no obligation.