This 5 Days Marrakech to Chefchaouen Desert Tour is one of the most spectacular routes Morocco has to offer — a journey from the warm red city of Marrakech, deep into the golden Sahara desert, then north through the ancient medina of Fes to the famous blue city of Chefchaouen, perched high in the Rif Mountains.
Along the way, you will ride camels at sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes, sleep under the desert stars in a luxury camp, explore the bustling medina of Fes with a local guide, and wander the photogenic blue-painted alleyways and cascading bougainvillea of Chefchaouen. It is a journey that captures Morocco in all its vivid, contrasting beauty — ancient and modern, desert and mountain, Saharan and Mediterranean.
All our itineraries are fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.
– Exploring the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square and the vibrant souks of Marrakech
– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains on a dramatic mountain drive
– Visiting the historic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah — a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– Strolling through the breathtaking Todra Canyon near Tinghir
– Riding camels through the Sahara desert of Merzouga at sunset
– Spending an unforgettable night under the stars in a luxury desert camp
– Absorbing Morocco’s rich Berber and Arab culture throughout the journey
– Returning to Marrakech for a final day of discovery in the medina
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN MARRAKECH
Your Marrakech adventure begins on arrival. After being transferred from the airport to your accommodation, you will have the rest of the day to settle in and begin your first explorations of the Red City.
Marrakech rewards the wanderer — lose yourself in the winding lanes of the medina, stop for mint tea at a rooftop café overlooking the rooftops, and make your way to the extraordinary Jemaa el-Fnaa Square as evening falls. This UNESCO-listed public space transforms at dusk into a great open-air theatre of storytellers, musicians, acrobats, and food stalls — one of the most extraordinary scenes in all of Africa.
A local guide is available to accompany you through the medina and introduce you to the city’s major landmarks: the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the ancient tanneries.
DAY 2: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH → OUARZAZATE → DADES VALLEY
After an early breakfast, your private vehicle departs for the south. The road climbs steadily through the High Atlas Mountains, cresting at the Tizi n’Tichka Pass before descending into the warmer, drier landscapes of southern Morocco.
The iconic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah is your first stop — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of earthen towers and ancient alleyways that remains one of Morocco’s most visited and photographed monuments. From here, you pass through Ouarzazate — the gateway to the Sahara and home to Africa’s largest film studio — before heading east to the Dades Valley for your overnight stay.
The valley’s dramatic gorge, framed by layered rock walls in shades of red and ochre, makes for a spectacular setting as you settle in for the night.
DAY 3: DADES VALLEY → TODRA CANYON → MERZOUGA DESERT
After breakfast, the drive continues eastward to Tinghir and the legendary Todra Canyon. Walking the canyon floor between walls that rise hundreds of metres on either side is a humbling and exhilarating experience — one of Morocco’s natural highlights.
From Tinghir, the terrain flattens and the air grows drier as you approach the desert. By late afternoon, the magnificent dunes of Erg Chebbi rise from the horizon. You arrive in time for a golden-hour camel ride into the heart of the dunes, watching the sun sink below the sand in a blaze of colour.
Dinner, Berber music, and a sky full of stars complete the evening at your luxury desert camp.
DAY 4: MERZOUGA DESERT → AGDEZ → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → MARRAKECH
After a Sahara sunrise and a final breakfast at the camp, the return journey to Marrakech begins. The route passes through the ancient town of Agdez in the Draa Valley, where palmeries and historic ksour line the road, before climbing back through the High Atlas Mountains and descending to Marrakech in the early evening.
DAY 5: EXPLORE MARRAKECH
Your final day belongs entirely to Marrakech. Whether you choose to revisit the medina for last-minute shopping, explore the tranquil Majorelle Garden (designed by Yves Saint Laurent), visit the Museum of Moroccan Arts, take a hammam session, or simply wander and absorb the city’s extraordinary energy — today is yours to enjoy freely.
Your local guide from Day 1 is available again if you wish for more structured sightseeing.
– Please inform us of any dietary requirements when booking.
– All vehicles are air-conditioned and regularly maintained.
– The itinerary is fully flexible and can be adjusted upon request.
– Chefchaouen medina is best explored on foot; comfortable shoes are essential.
– Entrance fees for Fes medina monuments are not included.
– Airport transfers on arrival and departure
– Private air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle, van, or minibus (based on group size)
– English-speaking driver/guide (other languages available on request)
– Local guide to explore Marrakech on Days 1 and 5
– 4 nights accommodation with breakfast
– Dinner at Dades Valley hotel and at the desert camp
– Camel trekking experience in the Merzouga desert
– Sandboarding
– Lunches and beverages
– Entrance fees where applicable
– Tips (optional but appreciated)
– Please share any dietary requirements when booking.
– The itinerary is fully customisable — any day can be adjusted to your preferences.
– All vehicles are air-conditioned and well maintained.
– Entrance fees for Marrakech monuments are not included.
– Marrakech medina is best explored on foot; comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Please fill out the form below to contact us, and we will respond as soon as possible. For a faster response please send a WhatsApp: +212 668-342513 message or call us at +212678099129 . We look forward to connecting with you. Email: info@merzougadunestours.com
Paying for your tour is straightforward. A small upfront deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot — this can be sent via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The outstanding balance is then settled directly with your driver or guide on the first day of your trip, accepted in euros, US dollars, or Moroccan dirhams.
Morocco’s official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While major hotels and larger establishments tend to accept credit cards, smaller markets and towns generally operate on a cash-only basis, so it’s advisable to carry local currency.
Absolutely. The tour can be fully tailored to match your preferences — whether that means adding extra destinations, upgrading your accommodation, or switching to alternative transport such as a private 4×4 vehicle.
Yes, camel rides are commonly included in desert tour packages, typically used to cross the dunes on the way to your overnight camp.
Camel rides are a standard part of desert experiences and are used to reach the overnight camp by crossing the dunes.
Guests stay in traditional Berber-style tents within a desert camp setting. Amenities include comfortable bedding, warm blankets, shared or private bathroom facilities (depending on the camp category), and a shared dining area for meals and socializing.
The policy varies based on how far in advance you cancel relative to your departure date. A booking deposit is required to hold your reservation, and partial or full refunds may apply depending on the notice given.
