15 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Tangier: The Grand Imperial & Coast Circuit

Unlike shorter itineraries that rush through the mountains, today is entirely yours to experience Chefchaouen at a leisurely pace. Wander the highly photogenic, blue-washed steps, browse local shops for hand-woven blankets and artisanal goat cheese, or sip coffee in the lively Plaza Uta el-Hammam. In the late afternoon, take the short trail up to the Spanish Mosque for a legendary panoramic sunset view over the valley.

• Driving Time: None

• Accommodations: Charming blue-styled Riad in Chefchaouen

• Meals: Breakfast included

We depart the Rif Mountains and head south into the fertile plains. Our first major stop is Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the grandest, best-preserved Roman ruins and floor mosaics in North Africa. We then stop briefly in the imperial city of Meknes to admire the monumental Bab Mansour gate. By late afternoon, we arrive at your luxury Riad inside the historic walls of Fes.

• Driving Time: About 4.5 hours total with stops

• Accommodations: Authentic traditional Riad inside the Fes Medina

• Meals: Breakfast included

Leave the driving to us today. A certified local history guide will meet you at your Riad for a comprehensive private walking tour of Fes El Bali, the oldest medieval car-free city in the world. You will navigate a labyrinth of 9,000 alleys to witness the iconic Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate), the 9th-century Al-Qarawiyyin University, and the striking Chouara leather tanneries, where craftsmen still dye hides using ancient techniques. Enjoy a free evening to relax on your Riad’s rooftop.

• Driving Time: None (Walking Tour)

• Accommodations: Authentic traditional Riad inside the Fes Medina

• Meals: Breakfast included

An early departure takes us south across the changing landscapes of the Middle Atlas. We stop in alpine Ifrane and the ancient cedar forests of Azrou to view wild Barbary macaque monkeys. After a relaxed lunch in Midelt, we descend through the breathtaking Ziz Valley, an incredible canyon filled with millions of lush date palms cutting through the desert rock. By late afternoon, the golden dunes of Merzouga rise ahead. Check into a traditional Kasbah hotel right at the edge of the sand dunes.

• Driving Time: About 7 hours

• Accommodations: Traditional desert Kasbah hotel at the edge of the dunes

• Meals: Breakfast and Dinner included

Spend a full day immersing yourself in the desert ecosystem. In your private 4×4, we travel off-road across the dunes to visit a nomad family living in a traditional tent, sharing mint tea and learning about their resilient lifestyle. Next, we head to Khamlia village to listen to spiritual, rhythmic Gnawa music performed live. In the late afternoon, mount a friendly camel for a peaceful trek across the deep Erg Chebbi dunes. Stop to watch an unforgettable Sahara sunset before arriving at your luxury camp for a traditional multi-course dinner, Berber drumming around the fire, and spectacular stargazing.

• Driving Time: Minimal (Local desert tracking)

• Accommodations: Private luxury desert camp tent (with en-suite bathroom)

• Meals: Breakfast and Dinner included

Wake up early to catch a breathtaking Sahara sunrise over the high sand ridges. After breakfast at the camp, return from the dunes to meet your driver and head west toward the Atlas Mountains. Our first stop is the magnificent Todra Gorge, a jaw-dropping limestone river canyon with vertical rock walls that rise 300 meters into the air. Take a refreshing walk along the cool riverbed before we continue into the scenic Dades Valley, famous for its winding cliffside roads and unique rock formations.

• Driving Time: About 4.5 hours

• Accommodations: Traditional Kasbah or Riad inside the Dades Valley

• Meals: Breakfast and Dinner included

We travel along the historic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to explore Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, an 11th-century mud-brick fortress town protected by UNESCO and featured in movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After a relaxed lunch at this spectacular site, we cross the High Atlas Mountains via the winding Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 meters elevation), offering endless panoramic views of ancient Berber villages before arriving in Marrakech by evening.

• Driving Time: About 6 hours total

• Accommodations: Traditional boutique Riad in the Marrakech Medina

• Meals: Breakfast included

A friendly local history guide will meet you at your Riad for a private walking tour of the “Red City.” Discover the brilliant geometric tile mosaics inside the Bahia Palace, view the towering Koutoubia Mosque, and wander the packed artisan souks. In the afternoon, watch the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa main square transform into an incredible open-air theater of food stalls, musicians, and performers as the sun goes down.

• Driving Time: None (Walking Tour)

• Accommodations: Traditional boutique Riad in the Marrakech Medina

• Meals: Breakfast included

Leaving the high energy of Marrakech behind, we drive straight west across the plains toward the Atlantic Ocean. Along the route, keep an eye out for Morocco’s famous tree-climbing goats in the argan forests. By midday, we arrive in the breezy, white-and-blue artisan town of Essaouira. Check into your coastal Medina Riad and enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the ocean ramparts.

• Driving Time: About 2.5 hours

• Accommodations: Coastal Riad in the Essaouira Medina

• Meals: Breakfast included

Take a full day to enjoy Morocco’s most laid-back beach town. Walk along the historic Portuguese ramparts (Skala de la Ville), watch the blue wooden boats bring in the daily catch at the bustling fishing port, and explore the artisan shops famous for intricate thuya wood carving. Enjoy a lunch of freshly grilled seafood right by the water.

• Driving Time: None

• Accommodations: Coastal Riad in the Essaouira Medina

• Meals: Breakfast included

Enjoy a final Moroccan breakfast on your Riad’s sunny rooftop terrace. Depending on your flight schedule, your private driver will provide a direct, stress-free transfer down the highway to the Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN) or back up to Tangier for your journey home, bringing your unforgettable 12-day grand tour to a close.

• Driving Time: About 1 hour to Casablanca Airport or 2.5 hours to Tangier

• Meals: Breakfast included

We start our morning with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, an architectural masterpiece built directly over the Atlantic Ocean. After touring its grand interior, we head north to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant, green capital. Here, we will explore the historic Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the beautiful blue-and-white walled Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the river and sea.

In the afternoon, we continue up the Atlantic highway to the charming coastal town of Asilah. Known for its beautifully preserved 15th-century Portuguese ramparts, clean white-washed buildings, and brilliant street art murals, Asilah offers a peaceful coastal refuge. Spend your evening watching a legendary ocean sunset from the old stone bastions before enjoying a fresh seafood dinner.

• Driving Time: About 3.5 hours total driving time

• Accommodations: Charming coastal Riad inside the Asilah Medina

• Meals: Breakfast included

Today is dedicated entirely to “slow travel.” Asilah is world-renowned for its brilliant white-washed walls covered in vibrant, ever-changing street art murals. Spend your day wandering the quiet Medina alleys, browsing local galleries, or lounging on the nearby Paradise Beach—a wide, sandy stretch perfect for a final dip in the Atlantic. Enjoy a slow lunch of fresh grilled sardines and mint tea at a seaside café as you reflect on your grand Moroccan journey.

• Driving Time: None

• Accommodations: Charming coastal Riad inside the Asilah Medina

• Meals: Breakfast included

Enjoy a final Moroccan breakfast on your Riad’s terrace overlooking the ocean. Depending on your flight schedule, your private driver will provide a direct, seamless transfer from Asilah straight to the Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG) or the Tangier Ferry Port for your journey home, bringing your epic 16-day grand loop to a perfect close.

• Driving Time: About 40 minutes to Tangier Airport / 1 hour to Tangier Port

• Meals: Breakfast included