Camel Ride Trips7-Day Morocco Tour from Marrakech to Chefchaouen via the Sahara
Cross Morocco from south to north in one week. Start in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley, walk into the Todra Gorge, and ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night in a desert camp. Enjoy a full day in the Sahara, then cross the Middle Atlas to Fes for a guided visit of the medina and finish in Chefchaouen, the blue city of the Rif Mountains, close to Tangier and the ferry to Spain.
What is the best way to travel from Marrakech to Chefchaouen?
Through the Sahara. Chefchaouen is in the north of Morocco, about 600 km from Marrakech by the direct highway, but this 7-day private tour turns the journey into the trip: the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, the gorges, two nights by the Erg Chebbi dunes with a camel trek, a guided morning in Fes, and the blue city to finish. It is ideal if you fly into Marrakech and leave from Tangier, or take the ferry back to Spain. If you would rather end in Fes, see the 7-day Marrakech to Fes tour; for a loop back to Casablanca through the north, see the 9-day Imperial Cities tour from Marrakech.
- 1 night Marrakech
- 1 night Dades Valley
- 1 night desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- 1 night Merzouga hotel or second camp night
- 1 night Fes
- 1 night Chefchaouen
🏜 Local desert team
We are based in Rissani, next to Merzouga, so the camels and camp are run by our own people.
🧭 Licensed guide in Fes
A half-day in the Fes medina with a licensed local guide.
🚙 Private vehicle
Air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with your own English-speaking driver-guide.
🛏 Three comfort levels
Basic, Mid-Range or Luxury riads, hotels and desert tents.
7-Day Marrakech to Chefchaouen Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Your driver meets you at Marrakech Menara airport or your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, explore Jemaa el-Fna square, the souks and the historic medina, and enjoy Moroccan mint tea on a rooftop terrace as the sun sets over the Red City.
🛏 Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Day 2
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
Cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, past traditional Berber villages. Visit Ait Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar seen in many films, then continue through Ouarzazate, the Skoura oasis and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley.
🛏 Overnight: Hotel or kasbah in the Dades Valley, dinner included
- Day 3
Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Erfoud → Rissani → Merzouga
Walk into the Todra Gorge near Tinghir, between rock walls up to 300 m high. Continue through Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga.
In the late afternoon, ride a camel across the golden Erg Chebbi dunes and watch the sunset from the sand. Enjoy dinner, traditional drum music and a night in a desert camp under the stars.
🛏 Overnight: Desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, dinner included
- Day 4
A full day in the Merzouga desert
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then ride back for breakfast. Spend the day discovering the Sahara by 4x4: visit Khamlia to listen to Gnawa music, explore the black desert and wide desert landscapes, and learn about nomadic traditions, with visits to nomad families arranged respectfully when possible.
Enjoy free time in the afternoon, or climb a dune for a second sunset.
🛏 Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga or a second night in the desert camp, dinner included
- Day 5
Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Azrou → Ifrane → Fes
After breakfast, travel north through the palm groves of the Ziz Valley. Continue through Midelt and the cedar forests near Azrou, with stops to see Barbary macaques, then pass through Ifrane, the 'Switzerland of Morocco', and reach Fes in the evening. Allow most of the day for driving and sightseeing stops.
🛏 Overnight: Riad in Fes
- Day 6
Fes with a local guide → Rif Mountains → Chefchaouen
In the morning, explore the Fes medina, the largest car-free medieval city in the world, with a licensed local guide: the Bab Boujloud blue gate, traditional artisan workshops, the famous Chouara tannery and the winding souks.
After lunch, drive through the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. In the evening, walk the blue streets and enjoy dinner in the medina.
🛏 Overnight: Riad in Chefchaouen
- Day 7
Chefchaouen → end of tour or transfer to Tangier
After breakfast, explore the blue-painted lanes, Outa el Hammam square and the local handicraft shops. If time allows, walk up to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint for a beautiful view over the town.
The tour ends in Chefchaouen, or we can arrange a private transfer to Tangier airport, Tangier city or the ferry port for Spain.
🏁 Tour ends in Chefchaouen, or private transfer to Tangier airport, city or ferry port on request
From the Sahara to the blue city
Choose Your Comfort Level
Choose the level that suits you. The route and guides stay the same; only the hotels, riads and desert camp change.
Basic
- Clean 2–3 star hotels and guesthouses
- Simple traditional riads
- Standard tent in a desert camp
- Private rooms, breakfast included
Mid-Range
- Selected 3–4 star hotels
- Traditional riads with character
- Comfort desert tent with private bathroom
- Private rooms, breakfast included
Luxury
- Premium 4–5 star hotels and boutique riads
- Suites available on request
- Luxury desert tent with en-suite bathroom
- Breakfast included, selected dinners
Included & Not Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and 4x4 in the desert
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport or hotel pickup in Marrakech
- 6 nights in riads, hotels and a desert camp
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Licensed local guide in Fes
- Breakfast every day
- Dinners in the Dades Valley and Merzouga
- Drop-off at your riad in Chefchaouen
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Activities not listed in the itinerary
- Transfer from Chefchaouen to Tangier (available on request)
Questions About the 7-Day Marrakech to Chefchaouen Tour
How far is Chefchaouen from Marrakech?
About 600 km by the direct highway. This tour goes through the Sahara instead, so the trip takes 7 days with stops in the Dades Valley, Merzouga and Fes.
Can I end the tour in Tangier?
Yes. The tour ends in Chefchaouen, and we can arrange a private transfer to Tangier airport, Tangier city or the ferry port for Spain. Chefchaouen is about 2 hours from Tangier.
How many nights are in the Sahara?
Two nights in Merzouga: one in a desert camp after the camel trek, and one in a hotel or a second night at the camp, as you prefer.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast every day, plus dinners in the Dades Valley and both nights in Merzouga. Lunches and other dinners are not included.
Is there a guide in Fes?
Yes. You visit the Fes medina with a licensed local guide in the morning of day six.
Can we do this tour in the other direction?
Yes. Every tour is private, so we can start in Tangier or Chefchaouen and end in Marrakech. See also our tours from Tangier.
Can I choose a different hotel level?
Yes. This tour is available in Basic, Mid-Range and Luxury. The route, driver-guide and local guides stay the same; only the hotels, riads and desert camp change, along with the price.
Related tours: 7-day Marrakech to Fes, 9-day Imperial Cities from Marrakech, 7-day Tangier to Marrakech and all Chefchaouen tours.
Your Journey, Your Pace, Your Morocco
Tell us your dates and we'll prepare this private tour around you, with clear pricing and no obligation.