6 days tour from Tangier to Merzouga desert

Start your journey from Tangier, a city rich in history and located on the Strait of Gibraltar. Head southeast toward Chefchaouen, a charming mountain town in the Rif Mountains known for its iconic blue-painted medina. The 2.5 to 3-hour drive offers beautiful views of rolling hills and forests. Once in Chefchaouen, spend your afternoon wandering through the photogenic alleys, browsing artisanal shops, and tasting local goat cheese and tagines. Don’t miss the climb to the Spanish Mosque for a stunning panoramic sunset over the town and surrounding mountains. Overnight in a traditional riad in the medina for a cozy, authentic experience.

Depart early from Chefchaouen and head south toward Fes. En route, stop at Volubilis, Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins, where you can explore ancient mosaics and grand columns surrounded by olive groves. Just 30 minutes away is Meknes, one of Morocco’s imperial cities. Spend a couple of hours visiting the monumental Bab Mansour gate, El Hedim Square, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. After lunch, continue on to Fes and settle into a riad in the heart of the ancient medina. Depending on your arrival time, you might enjoy a quiet evening stroll or dinner on a rooftop terrace overlooking the city.

Fes is a cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco, and it deserves a full day of exploration. Take a guided walking tour through the Fes el-Bali medina—a UNESCO World Heritage site—where life still runs much as it did centuries ago. Visit the Al Quaraouiyine University (the oldest in the world), the vibrant Chouara Tannery, and beautiful religious sites like Bou Inania Madrasa. Make time for the Royal Palace gates and Mellah (Jewish Quarter). Fes is also famous for its traditional crafts—ceramics, leatherwork, and intricate wood carving. End the day with a relaxing hammam or a traditional Moroccan meal in the medina.

This day is a long but unforgettable road trip into the Moroccan Sahara. After an early breakfast, drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping briefly in Ifrane, a Swiss-style town known for its ski resorts and European architecture. Continue through Azrou’s cedar forests, where you might see wild Barbary macaques. The scenery changes dramatically as you descend into the Ziz Valley, full of date palms and kasbahs. Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon and prepare for a camel trek into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Watch the sunset over the dunes before enjoying a night under the stars at a desert camp, complete with local music and delicious Berber cuisine.

After a magical sunrise in the dunes, ride your camel back to Merzouga for breakfast. Begin the return journey north, retracing your route through the mountains. Stop for lunch in Midelt, a quiet town nestled between the Middle and High Atlas ranges, known for its apple orchards. Continue on toward Meknes, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening. Depending on your energy level and what you covered earlier, explore any remaining highlights of Meknes or simply relax in your riad. Meknes is less touristy than its sister imperial cities, offering a more laid-back atmosphere and authentic local life.

Your final day takes you toward the Atlantic coast. Drive west to Asilah, a beautiful fortified seaside town with Portuguese and Andalusian influences. Its whitewashed walls and colorful street murals make it a popular art destination, especially during the annual Asilah Arts Festival. Walk along the historic ramparts, explore the medina, and enjoy a seafood lunch by the ocean. After soaking up the coastal charm, complete the loop by driving back to Tangier—roughly an hour away—where your tour concludes. Depending on your flight or next plans, you can spend your evening in Tangier’s medina, along the Corniche, or visiting Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules.