6-day tour in the Merzouga desert from Tangie

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6-Day Tour: From Tangier to the Merzouga Desert

Tour summary:

Duration

6 days - 5 nights

Arrival

Tangier

Departure

Tangie

Type of tour

Private or Shared

6 days to discover the true essence of Morocco, from vibrant Tangier to the vastness of the Sahara. The itinerary connects cities with strong identities, such as Chefchaouen and Fez, with landscapes that change at every turn: the Rif Mountains, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and the endless horizon of the Merzouga dunes.

A night in the desert, surrounded by golden sand and a starry sky, becomes the most unforgettable moment of the trip. Each leg of the journey has been carefully designed to strike a balance between culture, nature, and comfort, creating a seamless, enriching, and truly memorable experience.

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Highlights

Meet and greet in Tangier and departure for the Rif: the journey south begins.
Tetouan and its Andalusian heritage: a white medina nestled among the mountains.
Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl: colorful streets and Berber-Andalusian mysticism.
Roman Ruins of Volubilis: Mosaics from the Roman Empire in Africa.
Meknes, Imperial City: Bab Mansour and Alaouite Splendor.
Ifrane and the cedar forests of Azrou: Alpine architecture and Barbary macaques.
Ziz Valley: endless palm groves leading to the edge of the desert.
A sunset camel ride through the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
A night at a Berber camp: a traditional dinner and endless stars in the Sahara.
Sunrise in the desert: the first light on the dunes before we set off.
Guided tour of the medina of Fez: tanneries, madrasas, and the world’s oldest university.
Our last morning in Chefchaouen: time to wander freely through its blue streets.

Tour categories:

Tour itinerary: 6 days from Tangier to Merzouga and back

Day 1: Arrival in Tangier – Chefchaouen

Upon your arrival at the port or airport in Tangier, our driver/guide will welcome you and begin the journey to Chefchaouen. The route winds through the Rif Mountains and includes a first stop in Tetouan, whose white skyline stretches across the hills.

We arrived in Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl of Morocco, with time for a first stroll through its medina, with its streets painted in shades of blue. This city, considered sacred and closed to outsiders for centuries, retains a strong spiritual identity where Berber and Andalusian influences blend in every corner.

Outa El Hammam Square, with its mosque featuring an octagonal minaret and the kasbah overlooking the area, marks the heart of the old town. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a riad or hotel.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 115 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 2–2.5 hours
🌅 Main stops	Tetouan (panoramic view), Rif Mountains

Day 2: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez

After breakfast, we left Chefchaouen and headed toward Volubilis. The route passes through Ouazzane and the villages of the Rif until we reached this important archaeological site, where mosaics and Roman ruins tell the story of centuries of history.

The tour continues to Meknes, a 17th-century imperial city. Here we’ll stop for lunch and explore the imposing city walls, including visits to Bab El Mansour and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. In the afternoon, we’ll continue on to Fez to spend the night in a traditional riad.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 310 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 5–6 hours (including stops)
🌅 Main stops	Roman Ruins of Volubilis, Imperial City of Meknes

Day 3: Fez – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

We depart early from Fez and head southeast. We cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through Ifrane—known for its Alpine-style architecture—and stop at the cedar forests of Azrou, where you may spot macaques. The road continues through Midelt, where we stop for lunch, before entering the Ziz Valley, famous for its palm groves and oases.

We pass through Erfoud and Rissani, the birthplace of the Alawite dynasty, arriving in Merzouga as evening falls. This is where the desert experience begins: a camel ride to the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset. We arrive at the traditional camp, where dinner and overnight accommodations under the stars await us.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 460 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 7–8 hours (including stops)
🌅 Main stops	Ifrane, Azrou Cedar Forest, Midelt, Ziz Valley
🐪 Camel ride	Approx. 1.5 hours to the campsite

Day 4: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Fez

Sunrise over the dunes of Merzouga. After breakfast at the camp, we begin our journey back north. The route passes through Rissani and Erfoud once again before entering the lush palm groves of the Ziz Valley.

We continue through Errachidia and the spectacular Ziz Gorges, crossing the Tizi n’Talghamt Pass with its ever-changing landscapes. Arrival in Fez in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in a riad.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 460 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 7–8 hours (including stops)
🌅 Main stops	Rissani, Erfoud, Ziz Valley, Ziz Gorges, Tizi n’Talghamt Pass

Day 5: Visit to the Medina of Fez – Chefchaouen

The morning is devoted entirely to exploring Fez El Bali, the historic heart of the city and one of the most fascinating places in the Arab world. We enter through Bab Boujloud to visit Dar Batha, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the famous Chouara Tannery, and the Al Qaraouiyine Mosque, founded in the 9th century.

The tour continues through lively squares and artisanal neighborhoods such as Seffarine, before exiting through Bab Semmarine. In the afternoon, we leave Fez and head to Chefchaouen, where we’ll arrive at dusk. Overnight stay in the Blue City.

🛣️ Distance from Fez to Chefchaouen	Approx. 200 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 3–4 hours
🏛️ Visit tomorrow	Medina of Fez El Bali (4–5 hours with a guide)
🌅 Arrival in Chefchaouen	In the evening

Day 6: Chefchaouen – Tangie

Our last morning in Chefchaouen, with free time to stroll around, have a coffee, or climb up to the viewpoints before heading back. The road winds through the Rif Mountains once again, offering stunning views of northern Morocco.

Arrive in Tangier in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel, port, or airport, marking the end of the tour.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 115 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 2–2.5 hours
🌅 Arrival	Tangier (hotel, port, or airport)

100% Customizable Itinerary

This itinerary can be fully tailored to your preferences and travel style. The price varies depending on the accommodation category, the number of travelers, and the duration of the trip.
Contact us and we’ll send you a personalized proposal with no obligation.
If this itinerary doesn’t quite match what you’re looking for, our team will design a tailor-made trip through Morocco for you, taking care of every detail so you can enjoy a unique experience.

What's included:

Private transportation by 4x4, minivan, or minibus, including driver and fuel
Pickup at the port or airport in Tangier
Return transfer to your hotel, port, or airport in Tangier
Spanish-speaking driver/guide
2 nights accommodation in Chefchaouen with breakfast
2 nights accommodation in Fez with breakfast
1 night at a Berber camp in Merzouga (dinner and breakfast)
Camel ride in Merzouga
Bottled water (one bottle per person per day)
Local guide in Fez

Does not include:

Gallery

Tour Route:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tour start and end in Tangier?

Yes, the tour begins in Tangier (at the airport, port, or your hotel) on Day 1 and ends in Tangier on the afternoon of Day 6. Perfect for those arriving in and departing from northern Morocco.

Can you pick me up at the airport or port in Tangier?

Yes, we offer pick-up at Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG), at the port of Tangier, or directly at your accommodation. Just let us know your arrival details when you make your reservation.

Where do we sleep every night?

Day 1: Riad or hotel in Chefchaouen (breakfast included)
Day 2: Riad or hotel in Fez (breakfast included)
Day 3: Berber camp in Merzouga (dinner and breakfast included)
Day 4: Riad or hotel in Fez (breakfast included)
Day 5: Riad or hotel in Chefchaouen (breakfast included)

Why are we returning to Fez after the desert?

The tour is designed so that the daily legs aren’t too long. After the desert (Day 3), we spend the night in Fez (Day 4) to rest, and the next day we take a guided tour before returning to Chefchaouen. This makes the trip more comfortable and relaxed.

Should we visit Volubilis and Meknes on the same day?

Yes, on the second day we combined both visits. First, the Roman ruins of Volubilis (with time to see the mosaics), then Meknes, with a stop at Bab Mansour and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. That was enough to see the highlights.

What is a night like in the desert camp?

You arrive by camel at sunset. Enjoy a Moroccan dinner and Berber music around the campfire, followed by a night in a comfortable tent equipped with mattresses and blankets. The camp has restrooms and hot showers. In the morning, the sunrise over the dunes is spectacular.

Can we see monkeys in the cedar forest?

Yes, on the 3rd we drove through the cedar forest in Azrou, where it’s very common to see Barbary macaques. You can get out of the vehicle to take pictures of them (but be careful—they’re mischievous).

What happens to our luggage during the camel ride?

On the 3rd, when you arrive in Merzouga, you’ll leave your large luggage in the vehicle. You’ll only carry a small backpack with the essentials for the night at the camp. The vehicle will be waiting for you the next day.

Is the guided tour in Fez included?

Yes, on the 5th you’ll take a tour of the medina of Fez with an official local guide. You’ll visit Al Qaraouine University, the Chouara tanneries, the Bou Inania Madrasa, and the most iconic sites. A must-see.

Can we end the tour in Fez instead of Tangier?

Yes, that’s possible. If you’d prefer to end your trip in Fez on the 5th after the guided tour, we can adjust the itinerary. Please contact us to customize it.

Can I customize this tour

Yes, absolutely. Would you like to spend more time in Chefchaouen? Would you prefer a Spanish-speaking guide? Do you need to end your trip in Fez? Just ask us for a customized quote.

How can I book the tour?

You can book directly through our website or by sending us a message on WhatsApp.
💬 Contact us on WhatsApp and we’ll send you all the information about availability, prices, and personalized options.

Request a Reservation

+212 658 860892

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What our customers say

excellent

We just got back from our trip, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. Everything was perfectly organized, which allowed us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest without worrying about a thing.

The dromedary excursions in the desert and the quad rides were among the most exciting and fun activities of the trip. In addition, the accommodations exceeded all our expectations: comfortable, clean, charming and located in spectacular locations.
The value for money was excellent. We felt we got much more than we expected.
But what really made this trip special was our guide, Hassan. From the very beginning, he was approachable, friendly, and very professional. He was always looking out for us, making sure we were comfortable, safe, and having a good time at all times. It was a real treat to have someone like him with us!

We recommend this experience 100%. Morocco is an incredible country, and living it with such a careful organization and with a guide like Hassan really makes the difference. Thank you for everything!

We had an unforgettable trip in Morocco with Hassan as our driver and guide. We were a group of five friends touring Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fez, Casablanca, Essaouira and Marrakech, and the whole experience was perfectly organized thanks to him. Hassan was much more than just a driver. He took us to excellent local restaurants, always negotiating fair prices on our behalf and making sure we enjoyed authentic Moroccan cuisine without worrying about overpaying. His knowledge of each city, its culture and history greatly enriched the trip, and he was always willing to explain details and answer all our questions. What we valued most was her flexibility and constant attention. She adapted the itinerary to our needs, to our rhythm and to the group dynamics, always with a professional and close attitude. At all times we felt safe, comfortable and very well cared for. If you are planning to travel Morocco and are looking for a reliable driver, an excellent guide and a person who really cares about making your trip a special experience, we can't recommend Hassan enough.

Hassan and his team are excellent. They were recommended to us by friends and were fantastic. Like all operators, they took a little while to resolve the problem, but Hassan was very flexible with his range of services. He accommodated my needs rather than insisting on doing everything on a high budget. This was very different from others and optimized my budget. The car and driver (Hamid) were first class and the accommodation in the riad and camp was very comfortable. 5 stars.

We have just returned from an incredible trip organized by Haya Viajes and we could not be more grateful for the unique experience we had in Morocco. From the very first moment, the organization was impeccable: every detail was carefully planned, which allowed us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest without worrying about anything. We traveled as a family—two couples with four children—and Hassan made sure that each of us felt comfortable and enjoyed every moment. We discovered the most authentic side of Morocco, exploring traditional villages, bustling markets, and spectacular landscapes. However, the most magical part was undoubtedly our experience in the desert dunes. Spending the night under a starry sky, riding a dromedary, and feeling the immensity of the Sahara was something we will never forget. The children were fascinated, and we were amazed by the beauty and tranquility of the place.

Hassan is not only an excellent organizer, but also a charming person, always willing to share his culture and make us feel at home. If you are looking for an authentic adventure in Morocco, we highly recommend trusting him, a trip that will remain forever in our hearts!

It was the first time a friend and I had travelled to Morocco, and we didn’t know where to start. We got Hassan’s contact details and from the very first moment he helped us with everything. He picked us up at the airport and took us to our first riad, where we received a very warm and welcoming reception. The next morning we set off for the desert with Hassan, who accompanied us throughout the tour, explaining each place and making us feel very comfortable at all times. We visited the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, continued on to the Dades Gorges and ended the day in the desert of Merzouga with a camel ride and a magical night in a Berber camp under the stars. At dawn on the third day we went on a quad bike excursion in the desert, an experience we would recommend to everyone, and then we continued on to Ouarzazate and finally Marrakech. With many meals included and others free to enjoy at the places where we stopped, it has been one of the trips where I have felt most relaxed, enjoying every moment without a care in the world. Undoubtedly, an unforgettable experience.