4-Day Tangier to Marrakech Desert Tour via Fes & Merzouga
This private 4-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech is the fastest way to the Sahara and on to the red city. Stop in blue Chefchaouen on the first day, cross the Middle Atlas to a night in the Merzouga dunes, then head west through the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech, in four days with your own driver.
Highlights
- Chefchaouen, the blue city
- Overnight in Fes
- Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest
- Sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Night in a Sahara desert camp
- Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou
- Tizi n’Tichka pass
Day by day
Tangier – Chefchaouen – Fes
Your driver meets you at the Tangier ferry port, Ibn Battouta airport or your hotel. Drive into the Rif to Chefchaouen for lunch and a walk in the blue medina, then on to Fes for the night.
Fes – Ifrane – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Through Ifrane and the cedar forest of Azrou, down the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. Sunset camel trek into the dunes, dinner and a night in a desert camp.
Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Sunrise over Erg Chebbi, the market town of Rissani, a walk in the Todra Gorge, then the Dades Valley for the night.
Dades – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech
The road of a thousand kasbahs, Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou, then over the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Included
- Pick-up in Tangier (port, airport or hotel)
- Private A/C vehicle and English-speaking driver
- 3 nights: hotels, riads and desert camp
- Breakfast and dinner each night
- Sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance tickets and local guides unless listed
- Optional activities (4×4, sandboarding)
- Tips
Driving times
Times below are driving only. Stops for photos, visits and meals come on top.
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tangier to Fes, via Chefchaouen | about 315 km | about 6 hours |
| Day 2 | Fes to Merzouga | about 470 km | about 8 hours |
| Day 3 | Merzouga to the Dades Valley, via the Todra Gorge | about 270 km | about 5 hours |
| Day 4 | Dades Valley to Marrakech, via Aït Benhaddou | about 320 km | about 6 hours |
Best time to go
The best time for this tour is March to May and September to November, when the weather is pleasant in the cities, the mountains and the desert. Summer (June to August) is very hot inland and in the Sahara, so we start early and plan camel rides for sunset and sunrise. In winter (December to February) cities are mild and sunny, but desert nights are cold and snow can sometimes close the mountain passes for a few hours, so pack warm layers.
Your Tangier to Marrakech route
- Tangier
- Chefchaouen
- Fes
- Merzouga
- Tinghir
- Boumalne Dades
- Ait Benhaddou
- Marrakech
What our travellers say about their trip
★★★★★ 5.0 on Tripadvisor · 41 reviews
It was absolutely incredible
“This trip to Morocco was an absolute dream!!! I’m never going back to planning my own trips again…”
Amazing experience
“Beautiful country, beautiful landscapes, nice people. Best trip ever. A place you must visit.”
Love it!!
“One of the best holidays in my life, the place is so beautiful…”
Great place to visit!
“A great place to visit! Beautiful country with amazing views and Hamid is an amazing guide!”
Best experience ever!
“Had an absolutely incredible time! I will 100 percent book this experience again…”
Enjoyed everything!
“Hamid is a great, kind person, the best to work with.”
4-day Tangier tour FAQ
Is 4 days enough to go from Tangier to Marrakech via the desert?
Yes, but the days are full: the route covers about 1,300 km. If you would like more time in Fes or a guided visit of the medina, choose our 6-day Tangier to Marrakech tour.
Can you pick us up from the ferry from Spain?
Yes. If you arrive by ferry from Tarifa or Algeciras, your driver meets you at the port in Tangier. Send us your ferry time when you book.
Do we visit Fes?
You spend the first night in Fes and drive through the city. For a full guided day in the Fes medina, see the 6-day tour.
How do I pay?
Sending a request is free. We confirm availability and your final price on WhatsApp or by email, then you confirm with a secure PayPal deposit and pay the rest on arrival.
How long is the drive each day?
The longest driving day is day 2, Fes to Merzouga: about 470 km, about 8 hours of driving. The other days are shorter. There are stops for photos, visits and meals along the way, and the driving times table on this page shows every day.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes. Because the tour is private, we can adjust the pace and add extra stops for children. Tell us their ages when you book so we can plan the day around your family.
