Best Holiday in Morocco: 12-Day Desert Tour from Tangier

Overview of the 12-Day Desert Tour from Tangier: 

We designed this enchanting 12-day Tour from Tangier for those who want to spend their vacation in Morocco and embark on a memorable journey through its vibrant cities and stunning landscapes. Begin in Tangier, where you’ll explore historic sites like the Kasbah and Dar El Makhzen, before heading to the picturesque blue city of Chefchaouen. Discover the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes, then delve into the labyrinthine streets of Fez, the oldest living city in the world. Traverse the Middle Atlas Mountains en route to the Sahara Desert, where you’ll ride camels, camp under the stars, and witness breathtaking sunrises. Journey through Todra and Dades Gorges, visit the iconic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and explore the vibrant city of Marrakech. Finally, wind down your adventure with visits to Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, and Asilah before returning to Tangier. Experience the diverse culture, rich history, and natural beauty of Morocco on this unforgettable tour.

12-Day Desert Tour from Tangier Highlights:

• Explore Tangier’s historic Kasbah, Dar El Makhzen Palace, and Antiquities Museum.
• Wander through the enchanting blue streets of Chefchaouen and Plaza Ultra Hammam.
• Visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes.
• Discover the bustling medina and landmarks of Fez, including the Karaouine Mosque and Madrassa.
• Traverse the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in picturesque villages along the way.
• Experience the Sahara Desert with camel rides, desert camps, and mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets.
• Explore Todra and Dades Gorges, marveling at the stunning natural landscapes.
• Visit the iconic Ait Ben Haddou kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Marrakech, exploring landmarks like the Koutoubia Mosque and Majorel Gardens.
• Enjoy a day trip to the coastal city of Essaouira, known for its seaside charm and lively medina.
• Explore the modern metropolis of Casablanca and the capital city of Rabat, visiting landmarks like Hassan II Mosque and Hassan Tower.
• Discover the charming coastal town of Asilah, known for its blue-colored walls and artistic atmosphere.

Program of the 12-Day Desert Tour from Tangier

Day 1: Tangier

When arriving in Tangier either at the port of Tangier-Med or the Airport, you will find our team waiting for you. The team afterward will pick you up at your place of stay for a break. Later on, you will have a tour of the city with an official guide who will take you to the important places of the city; the Kasbah of Tangier, the former Sultan palace ( Dar El Makhzen), and if time allows it you will visit the Antiquities Museums and Moroccan Art. In the night you will be served dinner at the hotel and overnight.

Day 2: Tangier – Chefchaouen

The following day you will wake up at your place of stay and have your breakfast. The drive will take via the city of Tetouan to the City Of Chefchaouen named the Blue Perl of Morocco, going through Nexsus an old Roman site. Arriving at Chefchouen in the afternoon you will be amazed with its blue walls and beautiful doors. There you will join your place of stay and have lunch before going for a walk in the city it’s amazing river, Plaza Ultra Hammam where there are many shops and restaurants. The tour in the medina will take us to tiny squares. Then you return to your place of stay to enjoy your dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Chefchaouen – Volubilis -Meknes- Fes

On the 3^rd day after having breakfast in the blue city, we will depart toward Volubilis. This later is an old Roman site that represents the very southern presence of the Roman Empire. Later we stopped to have lunch at the city of Meknes  created by Moulay Ismail one of the first kings of the old Monarchs of Morocco after lunch time will visited many places to name but a few: Bab Mansour a big door on the old wall of the city which will take us directly to Moulay Ismail palace. Also, we will visit the Herri Es-Souani an old horse’s stable and granaries with a large pool. After we visit Meknes, we will continue our drive towards Fez, the old capital of Morocco known as the scientific capital of Morocco because of its old Karawiyin Madrassa the oldest University in the world; the city was a world heritage by UNESCO in 1981.

Day 4: Fes

The 4^th day will be devoted only to visiting the city of Fez. After having breakfast, you will be able to visit the old still living city in the world with an official local guide who will take you into the traditional markets of the city stopping at the Royal Palace, the visit will take you to the oldest University in the world the mosque and Madrassa of Karaouine build by Fatima El Fehria in the 9^th century. Your guide also will take you to visit the tomb of the city founder “Moulay Idriss the Second”. Here it comes to lunchtime when you will be served in a well-known traditional restaurant of the Medina. In the afternoon the Najarine fountain, the old harem Garden, and the batha Museum. On your way to the hotel, the guide will invite you to have a panoramic look at the city and take pictures

Day 5: Fez – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga

Today we will have breakfast earlier as we will travel across the Middle Atlas Mountains on our way to Merzouga. We will pass through the beautiful forests, spacious plains, and Berber villages on the slope of the Atlas Mountains till we reach the Sahara Desert. We will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, the capital of Apple and after that, we’ll go around the snaky roads overlooking the wide-flowing OuedZiz from above.

We pass kasbahs and palm groves, we travel across the colored city of Er-Rachidia till we arrive in the stunning little town of Merzouga, the pearl of the Sahara Desert. In the late afternoon, you’ll ride your camel to take you through the desert for a beautiful sunset. We will spend a night in the camp – bivouac with delicious food.

Day 6:  Merzouga – Erg chebbi – Merzouga

The voyage will continue after a tasty breakfast at the hotel in Fez Heading towards Merzouga known for its golden desert in the southeast of Morocco. Through the route we will go drive by the city of Ifran; different from the other cities of the country Ifran has European wonderful architecture surrounded by the Cedar forest; here we can stop to feed monkeys living in that forest and enjoy the fresh air. After that we will continue the route to Midelt City; located in the middle atlas; known for its apple production and the ancient mines of Plumb. We will stop there for lunchtime and continue the trip. The next direction will be Erfoud an oasis town in eastern Morocco, crossing the Tizi Ntalghamt a passage through the mountain that will transport you to another landscape view with deserted mountains except next to the river. Arriving at Arfoud the trip we will drive directly to Merzouga stop at an auberge leave your luggage there and ride camels to the khaima “the tent” in the desert. You will be served dinner then listen to the local music with drums and dance around a campfire.

Day 7 :Merzouga – Rissani – Alnif – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges

The next day you will wake up early in the morning to admire the sunrise shining on the golden sand.  After that, we ride back on camels to the auberge. Where you will have a shower to refresh your body and then an appetite breakfast. Putting back your things on the bus, we will drive to Marrakech, meeting the Rissani city the former capital of the Tafilalt region, and cross roads between northern and southern regions, then the Todra Gorges a series of limestone river canyons near the Tinghir city; where the large palm forest and agriculture show in the Moroccan desert handy crafts along the way. Shaped thousands of years ago thanks to the power of water going in the river the gorge gave us a very amazing view. We will drive through the road of the thousand Kasbahs in the great palm Skoura towards the valley of Dades which also has a spectacular landscape similar to that of the Todra gorge decorated with hundreds of Kasbahs. Take the narrow road in the valley and stop by to enjoy it, have dinner, and spend the night.

Day 8:  Dades Gorges – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakesh

The next morning, you will have a breakfast meal. Then we will start the trip meeting the oasis of Skoura and the valley of roses which is cultivated with hectares of roses; their beauty and smell could be seen in May. The drive will take us to the Ighram “the fortified village” of Ait ben Haddou; where we will have lunch, whose name is taken from the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, where famous films were shot to name but a few as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy. Tizi Ntichka, is the next stop, a mountain wind road which we will climb to the top and take pictures of the amazing view. At the end of the road, Marrakech was known in Tamazight as Amour N Akouch or the land of GOD.

Day 9:  Marrakesh – Essaouira – Marrakesh

The following morning after having you breakfast, the tour will take you to a day visit to the city of Essaouira and back for an overnight in Marrakech, The city you will be visiting is called the wind city and known for its wonderful seaside where many surfers came to practice their favorite sport. Along with the beach you can see many merchants selling different types of fish. There you can enjoy your lunch time. After that we will go for a walk to discover the ancient walls of the medina and take pictures. At the end we will drive back the Marrakech.

Day 10: Marrakech

This day is devoted to visiting the famous places of Marrakech. You will start by visiting the Menara, an old pool surrounded by beautiful gardens and fields irrigated from the pool using an old system of irrigation, that was established in the 12 century. The overall View of the tour will consider several important places of the city for example the Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Gardens, Bahia Palace, and Dar Si Said Palace Museum of Jewellery. The guide will invite you for an optional lunch in the Medina, and then you will walk the colorful souks of Marrakech. The sunset time you will have an overlook from the terrace of a café to the Jamaa Elna square. The day will End with a special dinner served at the Hotel.

Day 11: Marrakech – Casablanca – Rabat – Asilah

Today will be a travel day from Marrakech towards the city of Asilah in the north of Morocco. The trip will take us first to the city of Casablanca where you can be amazed at its giant minaret in all of Africa that of Hassan the second mosque. Afterwards, we will move to the capital of Morocco which is Rabat, there where you will have lunchtime and visit some of its important historical sites like Hassan Towercoastal and Mohammed V Mausoleum. The voyage will take us then via the costal route to the city of Asilah you will take your dinner overnight after a visit to this charming city and its blue-colored walls.

Today we head to Rabat, and we’ll pass through important cities like Casablanca, Rabat (capital of Morocco) where we visit Hassan II Mosque. Then we drive north till we arrive to Assilah a stylish town on the coast, gleaming with the blue color. We stay here overnight in a hotel.

Day 12:  Assilah – Tangier

On the last day of your tour, we will go back to Tangier where you can have a tour in some of its places before your scheduled travel. Here comes the end of our services.

Map of the 12-Day Desert Tour from Tangier