14 days from Tangier Tour

“Tangier Triangle”

14 days, 13 nights

Start: Tangier
End: Tangier

Overnight stays in: TANGIER – CHEFCHAOUEN – FES (2 NIGHTS) – MERZOUGA/ERG CHEBBI (2 NIGHTS) – KALAAT M’GOUNA (VALLEY OF THE ROSES) – AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKESH (2 NIGHTS) – ESSAOUIRA – CASABLANCA – TANGIER

Introduction

If you want to experience as much of Morocco as possible during your holiday, then a 2 week tour is the way to go. And if you want to start at the “top” of Morocco, then our 14 days from Tangier Tour, “Tangier Triangle” is ideal. We call it the “Tangier Triangle” because the route looks like a triangle on the map! This 2 week Imperial Cities Sahara Atlantic Tour stops in Morocco’s most exciting destinations. It also shows off Morocco’s incredible diversity.

In the first week, travel from Tangier at the northern tip of Morocco roughly southeast to the Sahara Desert. Week 1 includes Chefchaouen (the Blue City), Roman ruins at Volubilis, & the Imperial Cities of Meknes & Fes. Spend 2 nights in the Sahara, with camel-trekking and other amazing desert experiences. Leave the dunes behind to end Week 1 in the Valley of the Roses.

During the second week, head west to the Atlantic Coast before turning north to Tangier. Week 2 includes stops in Ouarzazate & Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to reach the Imperial City of Marrakesh. On the Atlantic Coast, visit Essaouira, Casablanca, & the capital & current Imperial City, Rabat, before returning to Tangier.

This Imperial Cities Sahara Atlantic Tour lasts 14 days & 13 nights. You’ll have your own personal driver/guide throughout, plus local guides in some destinations. But this 14 days from Tangier Tour also includes plenty of free time so you can explore on your own at your own pace.

Outline

Week 1: 14 days from Tangier Tour

Your 14 days from Tangier Tour, “Tangier Triangle”, starts with an airport or ferry port pickup and a night in Tangier.

Travel through the rugged Rif Mountains the next morning to reach Chefchaouen, Morocco’s Blue City. Enjoy free time to explore for the rest of the day.

Head south on Day 3. Tour the ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis, then visit the historic Imperial City of Meknes. Finally, travel a short way to Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s 4 Imperial Cities.

Spend Day 4 exploring Fes with local guides, including the medina, tanneries & a pottery co-operative where Zelig tile is made.

The next day, travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains & Ziz Valley to the Sahara Desert. Camel-trek in the magnificent dunes of Erg Chebbi and spend the night in a desert tent camp.

Explore the Sahara by 4×4 on Day 6 of your “Tangier Triangle” Tour. See ocean fossils in desert rock, have tea with nomads in their desert home, and enjoy live Gnawa music in Khamlia.

Leave the dunes on Day 7 to visit a local souk & Todra Gorge. Next, follow Dades Valley to end Week 1 of your 14 days from Tangier Tour in Kalaat M’Gouna (Valley of the Roses).

Week 2: 14 days from Tangier Tour

Start Week 2 of your 14 days from Tangier Tour with a trip to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco” for a film studio tour. Spend the rest of the day exploring Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.

Cross the High Atlas Mountains on Day 9. Stop at Telouet Kasbah before crossing the Tizi-n-Tichka pass to reach the Imperial City of Marrakesh.

Spend Day 10 of your Imperial Cities Sahara Atlantic Tour exploring Marrakesh. First, tour the medina (including the Saadian tombs & souks) with a local guide, then enjoy free time.

The next day, head west to spend the day in Essaouira on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast. On the way, stop to visit an argan co-operative where local women grind argan nuts into oil.

On Day 12 of your 14 days from Tangier Tour, drive north to Casablanca. Enjoy the beautiful Islamic architecture & decoration of the Hassan II Mosque on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

Drive a short way north to visit Rabat, Morocco’s current capital & Imperial City in the morning of Day 13. Then continue north to arrive back in Tangier in the late afternoon.

Your 14 days from Tangier Tour, “Tangier Triangle” finishes on Day 14. If there’s time, we can do some additional sightseeing in Tangier before we take you to the ferry port or airport.

Tour highlights

Explore the “Blue City” of Chefchaouen
Tour Roman ruins at Volubilis
Visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Visit historic sites in all 4 Imperial Cities (Meknes, Fes, Marrakesh & Rabat)
Go camel-trekking in the Sahara at sunset
Explore the desert near Erg Chebbi by 4×4
Have tea with a local nomad family in their desert home
Enjoy African drumming & live Gnawa music
Experience a local souk (market)
Tour a film studio in the “Hollywood of Morocco”
Explore several Kasbahs, including Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit a pottery co-operative & an argan co-operative
Spend a day in the laid-back seaside town of Essaouira
Go sightseeing in Tangier (details vary, depending on arrival/departure times)

For more information…

For more details about this tour, see the tabs further down this page. You’ll find a detailed itinerary, a route map, & a list of what’s included & excluded in the cost.

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Similar tours

Like this tour but can’t spare 2 whole weeks? Then try the following 8-day tour:

8 day Morocco itinerary from Tangier – “Mountains, Medinas & Nomad Tents”
This 8 day tour from Tangier to Marrakesh features 3 Imperial Cities & 2 nights in the Sahara. It also includes the Blue City of Chefchaouen, Roman ruins, Kasbahs, and the gorgeous Rif & Atlas Mountains.

The 8 day Morocco itinerary from Tangier to Marrakesh is similar to Week 1 of the 14 days from Tangier Tour – “Tangier Triangle”. However, it stops in Marrakesh instead of looping back up to Tangier.

Other Imperial Cities tours

The following tours also include visits to all 4 of Morocco’s Imperial Cities (Rabat, Meknes, Fes & Marrakesh):

14 day Morocco Tour from Casablanca – “Best of Morocco”
This 2 week tour from Casablanca hits all the best spots, with time to linger & enjoy. Features Sahara camel-trekking, 4 Imperial Cities, Asilah, Blue City, Agadir, Essaouira, Ait Ben Haddou & a lot more.

10 day Morocco itinerary – “Imperial Cities, Majestic Dunes”
This round-trip 10 day tour from Casablanca explores Central Morocco. Includes the 4 Imperial Cities, a 2 day camel-trekking adventure in the Sahara, Ait Ben Haddou, Volubilis & more.

5 day Imperial Cities Tour – “Taste of History”
This Casablanca to Marrakesh tour features historic attractions in Morocco’s 4 Imperial Cities (Rabat, Meknes, Fes & Marrakesh). As a bonus, you’ll also tour the Roman ruins at Volubilis.

Back to all Tours from Tangier

see all 10-14 day tours

Details

Itinerary

Route map

Includes/Excludes

Itinerary

Route map

Includes/Excludes

Day 1 :

TANGIER – ARRIVAL

Week 1 of your 14 days from Tangier Tour, "Tangier Triangle" starts with an airport or port pickup. Depending on the time of your arrival, we may have time to see one or two sights before having dinner at a local restaurant to welcome you to Morocco. You’ll spend the night at a hotel or riad in Tangier.

Day 2 :

TANGIER – RIF MOUNTAINS – CHEFCHAOUEN

We’ll leave Tangier the next morning, travelling through the beautiful Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. You’ll immediately see why Chefchaouen is called the "Blue City" of Morocco when you see all the blue-painted buildings nestled on the slopes of the mountain. After lunch, you’ll have the afternoon free. You may want to explore the main square or wander the winding streets of the medina. Chefchaouen has many fascinating arts & crafts shops and the atmosphere is very laid-back. You may also choose to hike to the Spanish Mosque located further up the mountainside above the town. The view from there is worth the climb. You'll spend the night at a local riad.

Day 3 :

CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES

After breakfast at your riad on Day 3, we’ll head south to the Roman ruins at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll explore the partially-excavated ruins of mosaics, buildings, arches, & columns with a local guide. After touring the ruins, we'll drive a short distance to Meknes, one of Morocco’s four historic Imperial Cities. Originally founded as a fortress in the 11th century, Meknes later became the capital of Morocco in the 17th century. We’ll visit the Moulay Ismail shrine and the remains of the Imperial Stables. We’ll also visit the impressive Bab el Mansour gate with its stunning, centuries-old Zelig tilework & carvings. We’ll have lunch in Meknes, then continue our journey in the afternoon to Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities. After checking in to your riad, we’ll have a traditional Moroccan meal at a restaurant in the medina.

Day 4 :

GUIDED TOUR OF FES

On Day 4 of your 2 week Imperial Cities Sahara Atlantic tour, explore the narrow, winding alleys of the Fes medina with a local guide. Fes was established in the Middle Ages and still functions as a medieval city in many ways. Around every corner there’s something fascinating to see. You’ll visit several historic & cultural sites and see some stunning examples of intricate Islamic architecture & decoration dating back centuries. Your guided tour includes a visit to the famous Fes tanneries, where centuries-old methods – all natural & labour-intensive – are still used today to cure and dye leather. Local craftspeople then fashion the hides into world-renowned leather clothing and accessories in every colour of the rainbow. You'll have lunch in the medina with your guide. Later in the afternoon, we'll take you outside the medina to visit a local pottery co-operative. There you’ll learn how Morocco's colourful pottery & zelig tiles are made – completely by hand. You’ll also see skilled artisans at work creating the intricate Zelig tile mosaics for which Morocco is famous. Although it makes for a long day, this stop is fascinating and should not be missed. Back at your riad, you can relax. Dinner will be at the riad and you’ll spend a second night there.

Day 5 :

FES – MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS – IFRANE – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – MERZOUGA/ERG CHEBBI

We’ll head to the Sahara Desert on Day 5 of your 14 day "Tangier Triangle" Tour. You’ll see the amazing change in the landscape as we travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Our first stop will be in Ifrane, a popular ski resort town known as the "Switzerland of Morocco". You’ll notice the rooftops here, unlike elsewhere in Morocco, have steep peaks designed to shed show easily. Next, we’ll pass through Azrou. If you wish, we can make a brief stop to see the Barbary apes that live in surrounding cedar forests. After stopping for lunch in Midelt, the “apple capital” of Morocco, we’ll follow the meandering Ziz Valley with its palm-filled oasis. The Ziz Oasis stretches for hundreds of kilometres. We’ll stop at a lookout point so you can take some panoramic photos. Continuing our drive to the desert, we’ll pass through Erfoud, famous for its annual Date Festival in October and known for its abundant fossils. Eventually, we’ll leave the highway and drive off-road to the Merzouga region of the Sahara Desert and the magnificent sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Erg Chebbi has the highest dunes in North Africa, and the sight of them rising suddenly out of the desert floor never fails to impress! We’ll reach the desert hotel by late afternoon, and your camels will be waiting for you. You’ll leave civilization behind and camel-trek into the high dunes, where you’ll see the sands change colour as the sun moves across the sky. You’ll have time to explore, take pictures, and watch the sunset before camel-trekking back out of the big dunes. When you arrive at the desert camp, you’ll enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal, followed by African drumming around a campfire. You’ll spend the night in tents surrounded by small dunes.

Day 6 :

MERZOUGA – TEA WITH BERBER NOMADS – KHAMLIA

On Day 6, enjoy a full day in the Sahara. After breakfast, we’ll explore the desert around Erg Chebbi by 4x4, including a spot where you can see ocean fossils embedded in desert rock. Then we’ll head across the hamada (black desert) to visit a family of Berber nomads. We’ll take tea with them in their desert home (traditional nomad tent or small house made of mud & straw bricks). Your driver/guide will translate for you. Next, we’ll drive to the desert village of Khamlia, where we’ll have lunch and enjoy a live Gnawa music performance by local musicians. Gnawa is a traditional African form of music involving drums, special metal castanets, & synchronized movements. When we return to the desert hotel in the afternoon, you'll have time to relax and watch the sunset before having dinner at the desert hotel. You’ll spend a second night in tents in the nearby desert camp.

Day 7 :

MERZOUGA – RISSANI – TODRA GORGE – DADES VALLEY – KALAAT M’GOUNA (VALLEY OF THE ROSES)

Leave the dunes behind on Day 7 of your 14 days from Tangier Tour. Our first stop is the town of Rissani, where you’ll visit the local souk (market). This is where local people buy just about everything – food, clothing, household items – even live sheep & goats! On Tuesdays, the travelling market arrives, and people flock from nearby villages to shop. Our next stop is the scenic Todra Gorge. Todra has nearly vertical 300-metre-high walls, which makes it a popular rock-climbing spot. But its shaded river makes it a lovely picnic area as well - especially in the hot summer months. After lunch at a nearby restaurant, you’ll have a chance to walk along the river. In the afternoon, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, known as the "Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs", following the winding road through the mountains. We’ll arrive at Kalaat M’Gouna, the “Valley of the Roses” later in the afternoon. This lush, green valley is Morocco’s rose-growing region, producing millions of rose petals each year. The petals are then processed to make a wide variety of rose-infused products. The harvest is celebrated each May with the Rose Festival – worth attending if you can arrange your visit around this popular festival. You'll spend the night in a hotel overlooking the valley.

Day 8 :

KALAAT M’GOUNA (VALLEY OF THE ROSES) – OUARZAZATE/FILM STUDIO – TAOURIRT KASBAH – KASBAH AIT BEN HADDOU

Week 2 of your 2 week tour from Tangier starts in Kalaat M’Gouna. After breakfast the next morning, we'll visit some shops in the village so that you can see, smell, and, if you wish, purchase some products made from local roses. We’ll then travel a short way to Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Morocco" because of its thriving film industry. Ouarzazate is home to several film studios, both Moroccan and international, and the surrounding barren landscape is often used for on-location filming. You’ll tour one of the Moroccan film studios, then we’ll stop Taourirt Kasbah to take some pictures before resuming our journey. We’ll arrive at the beautiful village of Ait Ben Haddou in time for lunch. Ait Ben Haddou is the oldest Kasbah in the south of Morocco, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the village was originally built in the 17th century, people still live and work there today, their homes built right into the rock or with mud bricks, which are made locally using the same methods as in ancient times. Ait Ben Haddou has also featured in many films, including The Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. You’ll check in to your hotel and have plenty of time for a leisurely walk through the kasbah. It’s a gentle climb through winding streets to the top, where you can see in all directions. If you wish, you can do a bit of shopping for handicrafts & artwork made by local villagers. The atmosphere here is quite relaxed. We'll have dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 9 :

AIT BEN HADDOU – HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS/TIZI-N-TICHKA PASS – TELOUET KASBAH – MARRAKESH

In the morning of Day 9 of your 14 days from Tangier Tour, we'll head deeper into the High Atlas Mountains. We’ll take a side road to visit the ruins of Telouet Kasbah (Palace of Glaoui) before crossing over Morocco’s highest road pass – the Tizi-n-Tichka pass at 2260m. We’ll stop at the top of the pass for refreshment and to take pictures of the stunning mountain views before descending towards Marrakesh. We’ll reach the Imperial City of Marrakesh in the evening. After checking in to your riad, you’ll have the evening free. You can relax or you may want to visit the world-famous Jmaa El Fna square, which fills every night with tourists and Moroccan families alike, out to enjoy fresh-cooked food and be entertained by storytellers, musicians, and dancers. It’s a carnival-like atmosphere and not to be missed!

Day 10 :

GUIDED TOUR OF MARRAKESH

After breakfast in your riad, a local guide will take you exploring for the day in Morocco's "red city". There are many fascinating cultural and historic sites to visit, such as the Saadian Tombs, in addition to the bustling souks in the medina. You'll have lunch with your guide at a local restaurant. After the tour, you’ll have some free time to relax or explore on your own. Or, if you prefer, we can take you outside the medina to visit the famous Majorelle Gardens. You’ll have dinner at the riad, where you’ll spend a second night.

Day 11 :

MARRAKESH – ESSAOUIRA

Day 11 of your 2 week Imperial Cities Sahara Atlantic tour takes you west from Marrakesh to Essaouira on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast. On the way, we’ll stop to visit an argan cooperative where local women shell & process argan nuts by hand to make argan oil & other argan products. Argan oil is sought after world-wide because of its superb conditioning qualities for hair and skin. In addition, oil made from roasted argan nuts is delicious for eating with bread or salad. Argan trees don’t grow outside of Morocco, but in this region, you’ll see them everywhere. If we’re lucky, we might see goats climbing in the argan trees – an unbelievable sight! – as they feast on tasty fruit. We’ll arrive in Essaouira in time for lunch beside the ocean. Afterwards, you can check in to your hotel, and have the rest of the day free to explore, relax, or shop. Essaouira is well-known for its local handicrafts, art, fresh seafood, old Portuguese ramparts & long sandy beach. The medina is small & easy to navigate, and the atmosphere is very laid-back. One of the specialties of this region is carved Thuja (pronounced Twee-ah) wood, which you’ll find in everything from souvenirs to beautiful, intricately carved furniture. Weather in Essaouira is temperate – mild in winter and cool in summer. Every June, Essaouira hosts the Gnaoua Festival of World Music. Musicians from all over the world fill the streets with music – a treat if you can time your visit to coincide with the festival. For dinner, you can’t beat fresh seafood. Just outside the medina you’ll find stall after stall selling the day’s catch. Or, if you prefer, you can have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the medina or along the ocean-front.

Day 12 :

ESSAOUIRA – CASABLANCA

After breakfast on Day 12, we’ll head north to Casablanca. We can follow the coastal road for part of the trip so that you can enjoy stunning ocean views and see green fields growing vegetable crops of all kinds. We’ll stop for lunch en route. We’ll reach Casablanca in the afternoon. After checking in to your hotel, we’ll visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque which sits at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The mosque is the one of the largest in the world and displays breathtaking examples of Moroccan Islamic architecture, beautifully crafted Zelig tilework, intricate plaster carving, & more. We’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 13 :

CASABLANCA – RABAT – TANGIER

After an early breakfast, your 14 day "Tangier Triangle" Tour takes you about 1 hour north to Rabat, Morocco’s current capital & Imperial City. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the 12th century Hassan Tower & Mosque. The tower has been restored in recent years, but the walls & pillars of the Mosque were never completed and are now in ruins, forming a large open-air square where you can walk. Across from the tower is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, built for the king, who died in 1961. His son and successor, Hassan II, who died in 1999, is also entombed here. On the exterior, you’ll find more stunning examples of intricate Moroccan carving & zelig tilework. It may be possible to tour the Mausoleum, depending on the time & date. Later in the morning, we’ll drive further north along the Atlantic Coast to Tangier, stopping for lunch along the way. We'll arrive in Tangier in the afternoon and you’ll check in to your riad/hotel. If time permits, we can do a bit of sightseeing before having dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 14 :

TANGIER – DEPARTURE

If you have enough time before your departure, we can take you to visit a few last sights in Tangier if you wish. Or, you may want to explore on your own or simply relax before your journey home. Regardless, we’ll drive you to the ferry port or airport in plenty of time before your scheduled departure to complete your 14 days from Tangier Tour, "Tangier Triangle.

14 days from Tangier Tour