12 Day Tour from Tangier: The Best of Morocco
A private 12-day journey through Morocco's most famous places, from the vibrant north in Tangier to the golden dunes of the Sahara. Visit blue Chefchaouen, the imperial cities of Fes and Meknes, Roman Volubilis and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, ride camels at sunset in Merzouga, walk the Todra Gorge, explore Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech, and end at Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque.
- Duration: 12 days, 11 nights
- Starts: Tangier. Ends: Casablanca
- Route: Tangier → Tetouan → Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Merzouga → Todra → Dades → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech → Casablanca
- Comfort level: Luxury hotels, riads and a desert camp
- Price: from $2,200 per person (see Prices)
- Tour code: TBM1211
Highlights
- Blue Chefchaouen and the imperial cities of Fes and Meknes
- The Roman ruins of Volubilis
- A camel trek and a night in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga
- Walks in the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
- The ancient kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- The High Atlas Mountains
- The medina of Marrakech
- The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Day by Day
Day 1: Arrival in Tangier and City Tour
Meet your driver in Tangier, the gateway between Europe and Africa. After check-in, a guided tour takes you to Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, the Hercules Caves, the Kasbah with views over the Strait of Gibraltar, and the lively medina.
Overnight in Tangier.
Day 2: Tangier → Tetouan → Chefchaouen
Explore Tetouan's UNESCO-listed medina in the Rif Mountains, then continue to Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl of Morocco, for a walking tour of its blue streets and the Ras El Maa waterfall.
Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Day 3: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes
Visit the mosaics and columns of Roman Volubilis, then Meknes, with the Bab Mansour gate and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, before continuing to Fes.
Overnight in Fes.
Day 4: Full Day Exploring Fes
A guided tour of the Fes el-Bali medina, with over 9,000 alleys, the Al Quaraouiyine University, the Chouara Tanneries and the Bou Inania Madrasa. Free time follows for the artisan souks or a rooftop café.
Overnight in Fes.
Day 5: Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt
Head into the Middle Atlas via Ifrane ("Little Switzerland") and the cedar forests of Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques live, to Midelt, a tranquil town known for its apple orchards.
Overnight in Midelt.
Day 6: Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Drive through the green Ziz Valley, framed by desert cliffs and Berber villages, to Merzouga. Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset to your luxury camp for a Berber dinner, music by the fire and a starry sky.
Overnight in Merzouga.
Day 7: Full Day in Merzouga
Catch the sunrise over the dunes, visit the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, discover oasis palm groves and fossil beds, and try sandboarding or an optional ATV ride. Spend a second night in the camp or a kasbah-style hotel.
Overnight in Merzouga.
Day 8: Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Walk between the towering cliffs of the Todra Gorge, then continue to the Dades Valley with its "Monkey Fingers" rock formations and winding mountain roads.
Overnight in the Dades Valley.
Day 9: Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech
Visit the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate, where Gladiator and The Mummy were filmed, and the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 10: Full Day in Marrakech
Discover Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque and the Majorelle Garden. Enjoy a free afternoon, with an optional street food tour or dinner in a traditional riad.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 11: Marrakech → Casablanca
Travel to Casablanca to visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa, built over the ocean, then stroll along the Corniche.
Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 12: Departure from Casablanca
Transfer to Mohammed V International Airport for your flight home. Ma'a salama!
This itinerary can be customised to suit you. For a shorter trip, see the 10-day tour from Casablanca.
Prices
Prices are per person for a private tour and depend on group size:
- 2 to 3 people: $3,350 per person
- 4 to 5 people: $2,730 per person
- 6 to 8 people: $2,520 per person
- 9 to 12 people: $2,380 per person
- 13 to 15 people: $2,200 per person
Ask for a quote for your dates
Included
- Private transport and fuel
- Expert local driver-guide
- Hotels with dinner and breakfast
- Desert camp with dinner and breakfast
- Camel ride in the Sahara
- Local guides in the cities
Not included: flights, lunches, entrance fees and tips.
Good to Know
- Long drives: some days involve 3 to 6 hours on the road, especially Days 5, 6 and 9. Chefchaouen to Fes is about 5 hours with stops, Midelt to Merzouga about 5 hours, and Dades to Marrakech about 7 hours.
- Changing weather: cold desert nights, warm days and chilly Atlas passes.
- Medinas: alleys are crowded and vendors persistent; a polite "no, thanks" works.
- Packing list: light long sleeves, a warm jacket, a scarf, swimwear, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen, a power bank, a reusable water bottle and a small day backpack.
Reviews
"Our group of five friends had an amazing time! After Spain and Portugal, we took the ferry to Morocco and began our tour from Tangier. The highlights were Chefchaouen's blue streets, ancient Volubilis, bustling Fes and the magical Erg Chebbi dunes." Elizabeth, Canada
"My husband and I loved our 12-day tour from Tangier! Riding camels into the Sahara sunset and sleeping under the stars was our highlight. Comfortable transport, great guides and a perfect mix of culture and nature." Charlotte, United States
"Our family of four had the best 12-day Morocco trip! From our friendly guide Ahmed in Tangier to the blue streets of Chefchaouen, every moment was perfect. The Sahara was a dream." Harper, USA