Merzouga Desert Journey
Casablanca to Marrakech via the Sahara
From Marrakech
From Fes
From Casablanca
Couples
Families
Friends
Boutique riads
Luxury desert camps
Nights under the stars
Our story
Your driver-guide
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14-Day Grand Morocco Tour from Tangier
Two weeks, one complete circle. You go down the Atlantic coast by Asilah, Rabat and Casablanca to Essaouira, cross to Marrakech, then the High Atlas and two nights in the Sahara with a nomad family. The road back north runs through Fes, Volubilis and two nights in Chefchaouen with a walk to the Akchour waterfalls, before you return to Tangier.
Best for: Two weeks, arriving and leaving through Tangier or by ferry.
Highlights
- Asilah, Rabat and the Hassan II Mosque
- Two nights in Essaouira
- Guided Marrakech
- Two nights in the Erg Chebbi desert with nomads and Gnawa music
- Guided Fes and Volubilis
- Chefchaouen and the Akchour waterfalls
Day by day
Day 1Arrival and Tangier
Welcome at the port or airport. Guided afternoon in Tangier's medina, the Kasbah museum, the American Legation and the Caves of Hercules. Night in Tangier.
Day 2Tangier – Asilah – Rabat – Casablanca
Down the coast to Asilah's murals, then Rabat for the Kasbah of the Oudayas and the Hassan Tower, and on to Casablanca for the Hassan II Mosque at sunset.
Day 3Casablanca – El Jadida – Essaouira
Along the Atlantic by El Jadida's Portuguese fortress and the pottery town of Safi to Essaouira.
Day 4Essaouira at leisure
A free day by the ocean. Walk the medina, try kitesurfing, ride a horse along the beach, or simply sit on a rooftop with mint tea. Your driver-guide is on hand for ideas.
Day 5Essaouira – Marrakech
Through the argan forests to Marrakech. Afternoon free around Jemaa el-Fna.
Day 6Marrakech guided day
A morning with an official local guide: the Koutoubia minaret, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the souks of the medina. The afternoon is yours, perhaps the Majorelle Garden or a hammam, before the storytellers and food stalls of Jemaa el-Fna come alive at dusk.
Day 7Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Aït Benhaddou – Dades Valley
Over the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou, then Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Roses Valley to the Dades.
Day 8Dades – Todra Gorge – Merzouga
Walk the Todra Gorge, then Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga. Mint tea, then a camel trek of about an hour and a half to your desert camp.
Day 9A day in the desert with nomads
Sunrise on the dunes, then a slow day: tea with a nomad family, Gnawa music in Khamlia, and time alone in the silence of the sand. Second night at camp.
Day 10Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Ifrane – Fes
North through the Ziz palm groves, Midelt and the cedar forests of Azrou to Fes.
Day 11Fes guided day
A full day in Fes el-Bali, the largest car-free medina in the world, with an official local guide. Bou Inania madrasa, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university founded in 859, the Nejjarine fountain, the Chouara tanneries seen from a leather-shop terrace, and the golden gates of the Royal Palace. Free time in the souks before dinner.
Day 12Fes – Meknes – Volubilis – Chefchaouen
Meknes and its gates, the Roman city of Volubilis with a local guide, then the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen.
Day 13Akchour waterfalls
A gentle walk up the river to the Akchour waterfalls and natural pools in the Talassemtane park. Back to Chefchaouen for a free evening.
Day 14Chefchaouen – Tangier
A last morning in the blue town, then back to Tangier port, airport or hotel.
Where you'll stay
These are our usual choices. If one is full on your dates we book a place of the same standard, and you can ask for an upgrade.
Price per person
| Room | Per person |
|---|---|
| Double or twin, 2 sharing | €3,010 |
| Triple room, 3 sharing | €2,470 |
| Quadruple, 4 sharing | €2,105 |
| Single room, travelling alone | €5,570 |
Prices include your private car and English-speaking driver-guide for the whole trip. Your exact quote depends on dates, group size and hotel level, and we confirm it within 24 hours.
What's included
Included
- Private air-conditioned car with your own English-speaking driver-guide
- 13 nights in riads, hotels and 2 nights in a private desert camp
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner at the desert camp and in the Dades Valley
- Official local guides in Marrakech, Fes, Volubilis and Chefchaouen
- Camel ride into the dunes, one camel per person
- Passenger insurance in the vehicle
Not included
- Flights
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance fees
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Questions about this journey
Is this a group tour?
No. Every Oasis Roads journey is private: your own car and English-speaking driver-guide, no strangers, up to 7 travellers per car.
Is the Akchour walk difficult?
The walk to the first waterfall is easy, about 45 minutes each way. The second, the 'God's Bridge', is longer and optional.
Can we change the route or add nights?
Yes. Because the tour is private, we can add a night, swap a stop or change the end city. Tell us when you ask for your quote.
More journeys
Grand Morocco in 14 Days
The Atlantic coast, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes and two Sahara nights in one private trip.
From €3,010 per person
Two Weeks, Two Nights in the Sahara
The grand tour, with a full day and a second night among the dunes.
From €3,010 per person
The Grand Tour with Essaouira
Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech and Essaouira, with two nights in the places that matter.
From €2,800 per person
Where will your road begin?
Tell us your dates and who's coming. Abdou or one of the team will send you a route and a price within 24 hours.