Private tour · Tangier round trip · 12 days
12-Day Private Morocco Tour from Tangier: Imperial Cities, Sahara and Atlantic Coast
This 12-day private Morocco tour runs twelve days and eleven nights, from your arrival in Tangier to your departure from Tangier Airport: Chefchaouen, Fes, one night in the Merzouga desert, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat and a free day in Asilah, with guided visits in Fes and Marrakech.
What Does This 12-Day Private Morocco Tour Cover?
This private Morocco round trip from Tangier covers northern Morocco, the imperial cities, the Sahara and the Atlantic coast in twelve days and eleven nights, for your own group only.
Overnights are Tangier (1), Chefchaouen (1), Fes (2), the Merzouga area (1), Ouarzazate (1), Marrakech (2), Casablanca (1) and Asilah (2). The pace varies: days 5, 6 and 7 are long transfer days, while Fes, Marrakech and the Asilah free day are spent in one place.
Who Is This 12-Day Morocco Itinerary For?
This tour suits couples, families and friends who arrive in and leave from Tangier and want the north, the imperial cities, one night in the Sahara and time on the Atlantic coast.
Good fit
Travellers with a return flight or ferry from Tangier who want guided days in Fes and Marrakech and a quiet final stretch on the coast.
Consider another route if
You want more than one desert night, or you are flying home from Marrakech. Our Tangier desert tours page compares other routes.
12-Day Morocco Itinerary: Jump to a Day
The route runs Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Casablanca and Asilah, and back to Tangier Airport on day 12.
Arrive in Tangier · depart from Tangier Airport
Request My Private 12-Day Morocco Tour Quote
Share your travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation preferences so we can prepare your itinerary and quote; sending an enquiry does not confirm a reservation.
What to include
- Your travel dates, and whether you arrive in Tangier by ferry or by air
- Number of travellers, and children's ages
- Your preferred accommodation style
- Your arrival and departure flight or ferry times
- Anything you'd like to change on the route
Good to know
- 1Tangier round tripTransfer to Tangier Airport on day 12.
- 2One desert nightPlus a free day in Asilah near the end.
- 3Nothing is booked yetYou review the proposal before confirming.
Prefer to talk it through?
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Private tour for your own group.
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What Is the Day-by-Day Itinerary?
The itinerary covers the north and Fes on days 1–4, the Sahara and the south on days 5–7, Marrakech on day 8, the Atlantic coast on days 9–11, and your departure from Tangier Airport on day 12.
Arrival in Tangier
Day 1 is your arrival: we meet you at Tangier airport or port and transfer you to your accommodation to settle in.
A first look at Tangier and its medina can be arranged if your arrival time allows.
Tangier to Chefchaouen via Tetouan
Day 2 is the drive through the Rif to Tetouan, whose medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and on to Chefchaouen for the night.
You explore Chefchaouen's blue-and-white lanes at a pace that suits the agreed schedule.
Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes
Day 3 is the drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes, where a local guide shows you around, continuing to Fes.
UNESCO describes Volubilis as
"an important outpost of the Roman Empire"— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Archaeological Site of Volubilis
It is quoted here because Volubilis is the only Roman site on the route. Meknes is also a UNESCO World Heritage city. Entrance fees are paid separately.
Guided tour of Fes
Day 4 is a guided day in Fes with a local guide, covering the medina, its traditional crafts and its historical landmarks.
UNESCO notes that Fes has kept its status as
"the country's cultural and spiritual centre."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Medina of Fez
You visit the souks, tanneries and sites open to visitors. The Qarawiyyin and the Royal Palace are seen from outside; entry to active mosques isn't possible for non-Muslim visitors.
Fes to Merzouga via Ifrane, Azrou and the Ziz Valley
Day 5 is a long drive from Fes across the Middle Atlas via Ifrane, the cedar forests around Azrou and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga, followed by a camel ride to a desert camp.
The cedar forests are home to Barbary macaques, though sightings aren't guaranteed. The Moroccan National Tourist Office calls Merzouga
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
This is your one night in the desert, in a Berber tent at camp.
Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Rissani, the Todra Gorge and the Dadès
Day 6 is the most demanding travel day: from Merzouga via Rissani, the Todra Gorge and the Dadès Valley to Ouarzazate.
Stops are short photo and walking breaks rather than long visits. Rissani's market activity depends on the day. If you'd prefer a gentler pace, ask to split this day with a night in the Dadès.
Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Aït Ben Haddou and Telouet
Day 7 follows the heritage route to Aït Ben Haddou and Telouet, then crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech.
UNESCO describes Aït Ben Haddou as
"a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
At Telouet you visit the village and see the kasbah; going inside depends on current access and is paid separately. The route depends on road conditions over the pass.
Guided tour of Marrakech
Day 8 is a guided day in Marrakech with a local guide, covering historic landmarks, the medina and the souks.
UNESCO describes the main square as
"Place Jamaâ El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Medina of Marrakesh
The guide is included; entrance tickets and optional activities are paid separately.
Marrakech to Casablanca
Day 9 is the drive from Marrakech to Casablanca on the Atlantic coast, with the Corniche and the outside of the Hassan II Mosque.
Guided interior visits of the mosque follow its own schedule and are not included.
Casablanca to Asilah via Rabat
Day 10 is the drive up the coast to Rabat, a UNESCO World Heritage city, for a visit, and on to Asilah.
In Rabat you see the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas, kept to what fits the day's drive.
Free day in Asilah
Day 11 is a free day in Asilah, with no guided sightseeing planned.
Explore the whitewashed medina and seafront or rest. A guide, excursions or driver use are not included unless arranged in your quote.
Asilah to Tangier Airport
Day 12 is the transfer from Asilah to Tangier Airport, timed to your flight.
Where Do You Stay During the Tour?
You stay eleven nights: Tangier (1), Chefchaouen (1), Fes (2), a desert camp near Merzouga (1), Ouarzazate (1), Marrakech (2), Casablanca (1) and Asilah (2).
The published itinerary places the Merzouga night in a Berber tent at a desert camp, reached by camel after a stop at a hotel on the edge of the dunes. Hotels and riads are used elsewhere; exact properties and the camp standard are confirmed with your quote, and you can tell us your accommodation preferences when you enquire. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Which Services Are Included?
The tour includes a private Toyota 4×4 with fuel and driver-guide, airport transfers, eleven nights with dinner and breakfast, the camel ride, and local guides in Meknes, Fes and Marrakech; flights, lunches, drinks and entrance fees are not included.
Included
- Private Toyota 4×4 for your group, with fuel
- Driver-guide throughout (listed as Spanish-speaking; ask for your language)
- Arrival transfer in Tangier and departure transfer to Tangier Airport
- 11 nights' accommodation with dinner and breakfast
- 1 night in a Berber tent at a desert camp
- Camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Local guides in Meknes, Fes and Marrakech
Not included
- Flights to and from Morocco
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and sites (Volubilis, Aït Ben Haddou, Telouet kasbah, palaces, Hassan II Mosque)
- Activities on the Asilah free day
Can This Private Itinerary Be Customized?
Yes, because the tour is private, the route can be adjusted when you request your quote, subject to our confirmation.
A second desert night
Ask to add a night near Merzouga to ease the long day 6.
A Dadès stop
Ask to split day 6 with a night in the Dadès Valley.
Accommodation options
Tell us the standard you prefer for the riad, guesthouse and camp.
A family-friendly pace
Ask about splitting long drives if you're travelling with children.
How Much Driving Does the Itinerary Involve?
The itinerary involves several long driving days, with day 6, Merzouga to Ouarzazate, the most demanding; days 4, 8 and 11 involve little or no driving.
Does the tour start and finish in Tangier?
Yes, the tour starts with your arrival in Tangier and finishes with a transfer to Tangier Airport on day 12.
Where are you picked up in Tangier?
You are picked up at an agreed point in Tangier, such as your hotel, the port or the airport, confirmed with your quote.
What happens on the free day in Asilah?
Day 11 is a free day with no guided sightseeing, so you can explore Asilah's medina and seafront or rest at your own pace.
Why is day 6 so long?
Day 6 links Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Rissani, the Todra Gorge and the Dadès, so stops are short photo and walking breaks rather than long visits.
Sources and further reading
Destination facts on this page are supported by UNESCO and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, neither of which endorses any tour operator.
- Medina of Fez — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Archaeological Site of Volubilis — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Historic City of Meknes — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Medina of Marrakesh — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
12-Day Private Morocco Tour FAQs
This is a private twelve-day round trip for your own group that starts and ends in Tangier, with one night in the Merzouga desert and a free day in Asilah.
Is this a private or group tour?
It is a private tour for your own group, not a shared departure.
Can I visit inside the Telouet kasbah and the Hassan II Mosque?
Interior visits depend on current access and are paid separately; we confirm what is possible for your dates.
Is there a camel alternative?
Tell us if you would prefer not to ride, and we'll confirm the options for reaching the camp.
Is the driver a licensed guide?
No, your driver handles transport and local advice, while the Fes and Marrakech tours are led by a city guide.
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees are not included, for example at Volubilis, Aït Ben Haddou and the Bahia Palace.
What language does the driver-guide speak?
This tour does not list a driver language, so tell us your preferred language when you enquire.
How do you request a price for your travel dates?
You request a price by sending the form with your dates, group size, accommodation style and departure airport; the tour is booked only after you approve our proposal.
More Private Tours from Tangier
If you'd like more time or to return to Tangier, compare our other Tangier tours.
Plan Your Private Morocco Trip from Tangier
Share your travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation preferences so we can prepare your itinerary and quote.