8 days Morocco tour from Tangier

This 8 days Morocco tour from Tangier to Tangier is designed for travelers who want an immersive journey through Morocco’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. You will explore the striking blue streets of Chefchaouen, wander the ancient medina of Fes, ride camels across the golden sands of the Sahara Desert in Merzouga, marvel at the dramatic cliffs of the Dades and Todra Gorges, explore historic kasbahs in Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, and experience the bustling medina and historic palaces of Marrakech. This round-trip itinerary blends history, culture, adventure, and nature, offering an authentic Moroccan experience. Along the way, travelers will witness centuries-old architecture, learn about Berber traditions, explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, and encounter the diversity of Moroccan life—from mountain villages to desert oases.

Highlights 8 days Morocco tour from Tangier

Explore the blue city of Chefchaouen and its medina
Guided city tour of Fes, including Al-Qarawiyyin University and Bou Inania Madrasa
Camel trekking in the Sahara Desert (Merzouga Erg Chebbi dunes)
Visit Rissani and learn about historic desert trade routes
Marvel at the Todra Gorges and scenic Dades Valley
Explore Ouarzazate and the cinematic Taourirt Kasbah
Walk through the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
Scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass
Guided city tour of Marrakech, including Jemaa el-Fnaa, Koutoubia Mosque, and Bahia Palace
Visit Casablanca, including the Hassan II Mosque

Day 1: Tangier Arrival – Chefchaouen

Your journey begins at Tangier, a city with a fascinating blend of African, Arab, and European influences. Tangier has historically served as a major port and cultural crossroads due to its location on the Strait of Gibraltar, attracting traders, explorers, and artists over centuries. After meeting your driver, you leave Tangier early and drive into the Rif Mountains, passing through rolling hills, fertile valleys, and small Berber villages. Stop along the way to appreciate the rural landscapes dotted with terraced fields, olive groves, and traditional homes.

Arrive in Chefchaouen, famously known as the “Blue Pearl” of Morocco. Founded in 1471 as a refuge for Muslim and Jewish exiles from Spain, Chefchaouen is renowned for its calming blue-painted streets, which are said to symbolize the sky and heaven. Explore the medina’s narrow alleys, visit the Kasbah Museum, a restored fortress with ethnographic exhibits showcasing Moroccan crafts, and climb the kasbah towers for breathtaking views of the surrounding Rif Mountains. Stroll through local souks, sample regional specialties, and admire the tranquil architecture. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Day 2: Chefchaouen – Fes

Spend the morning wandering the medina of Chefchaouen, visiting artisan workshops, local cafes, and the Ras Elma waterfall, where the river provides a serene atmosphere and a glimpse of traditional daily life. Depart mid-morning for Fes, crossing the scenic Rif Mountains and fertile plains. The journey offers a striking contrast between the tranquil mountain landscapes and the bustling urban life of northern Morocco. Arrive in Fes in the afternoon, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital, founded in 789. Check into your riad and enjoy a short evening walk in the medina, absorbing the city’s unique ambiance, where history, religion, and craftsmanship intersect. Overnight in Fes.

Day 3: Fes Guided City Tour

Spend a full day exploring Fes with a licensed guide, delving deep into its rich history and culture. Begin at the Royal Palace gates, known for their elaborate mosaics and traditional Moroccan architecture. Enter the medina of Fes el Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, characterized by a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with souks, workshops, and historic monuments. Visit the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, founded in 859, recognized as one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world and a major center of Islamic scholarship.

Explore the Bou Inania Madrasa, famous for its intricate zellij tilework, carved cedar wood, and Islamic geometric designs. Walk through the Chouara Tannery, one of the oldest leather tanneries in the world, where the dyeing process has remained unchanged for centuries. Finally, visit the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), exploring historic synagogues, bustling markets, and residential streets that showcase the city’s multicultural heritage. Overnight in Fes.

Day 4: Fes – Merzouga

Depart Fes early in the morning for the long journey south toward the Sahara Desert. Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland” due to its alpine-style architecture and orderly streets, and Azrou, famous for its cedar forests and wild Barbary monkeys. Travel through Midelt, a town famous for mineral production, and then the lush Ziz Valley, a fertile oasis region dotted with palm groves and ancient kasbahs, remnants of the region’s historical trade routes. Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon. Here, take a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes, where the sun casts golden hues over the desert. Arrive at your Berber desert camp, enjoy a traditional dinner, and experience Gnawa music around the campfire under the vast desert sky. The dunes and silence of the Sahara offer an unforgettable sensory experience. Overnight in Merzouga.

Day 5: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

Wake early to witness the sunrise over the Sahara dunes, a truly magical moment as the sands shift color and light. After breakfast, explore the desert surroundings by 4×4, visiting small nomadic villages and learning about Berber culture, traditions, and desert survival skills. Depart Merzouga and drive through Rissani, historically an important trade center along the ancient caravan routes connecting the Sahara with northern Morocco. Continue to the Todra Gorges, where dramatic cliffs rise hundreds of meters above winding roads and small oasis villages. The region is a paradise for photographers and nature lovers. Continue through the scenic Dades Valley, known as the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” where mud-brick fortresses line the riverbanks and mountainsides. Overnight in the Dades Valley.

Day 6: Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

Drive through the Valley of Roses, famous for its fragrant rose fields and mud-brick villages. Arrive in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s “Hollywood of Africa,” where numerous international films and series have been shot. Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, an important historical fortress and architectural gem. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a fortified village featuring traditional mud-brick homes and narrow alleys, with a history dating back centuries. Walk through the kasbah and explore its watchtowers, learning about its strategic importance along ancient caravan routes. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, admiring scenic mountain villages and panoramic viewpoints. Arrive in Marrakech in the evening. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 7: Marrakech Guided City Tour

Spend the day exploring Marrakech, Morocco’s vibrant imperial city. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in the city, known for its magnificent minaret. Explore the Saadian Tombs, dating back to the 16th century, with intricate decorations and historical significance. Visit the Bahia Palace, a 19th-century masterpiece of Moroccan architecture and gardens. Wander the souks, observing artisans crafting pottery, textiles, leather, and jewelry. End your day at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square, where storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and food stalls create an unforgettable cultural experience. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 8: Marrakech – Casablanca Departure

After breakfast, depart Marrakech and drive to Casablanca, Morocco’s economic hub. If time allows, visit the Hassan II Mosque, an architectural masterpiece perched on the Atlantic coast. Explore the modern Corniche area, with its cafes and ocean views, before being transferred to Casablanca Airport for departure. This final day completes a journey through Morocco’s mountains, deserts, historical cities, and cultural landmarks, leaving travelers with lasting memories of the country’s diverse landscapes and rich heritage.