Multi-day · 7 days
The Grand Tour — Seven Days
Marrakech, the Atlas, Dades, Todra, Merzouga and Fes in one sweep
Duration
7 days
Group size
2–6 travellers
Difficulty
Moderate
Languages
English, French, Berber
From / person
$2,180
Overview
Our most comprehensive private circuit: Marrakech, High Atlas, Dades and Todra gorges, Merzouga Sahara dunes, and Fes — seven days, one dedicated driver, no compromises.
If you want to see the breadth of Morocco in one journey, this is it. We start in Marrakech's medina and end in Fes el-Bali, crossing everything in between: the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka, the dramatic pink-rock Dades gorge, the sheer walls of the Todra gorge, two nights in the Sahara at Erg Chebbi, and finally the imperial city of Fes with a private historian.
Seven days, one dedicated English-speaking driver-guide, seven hand-picked guesthouses and camps — from a converted kasbah on the Draa to a solar-powered Sahara camp at Merzouga. We pace this itinerary carefully: never more than 4.5 hours of driving in a day, always with meaningful stops en route.
Trip highlights
- Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n'Tichka and descend to Aït Ben Haddou
- Dades gorge — a canyon of ochre cliffs and Berber villages
- Walk the floor of Todra gorge between 300m rock walls
- Two nights in the Merzouga Sahara, camel ride and sunrise dune climb
- Ziz valley palm oasis and the road to Fes
- Full day in Fes el-Bali with a private historian guide
Photo gallery
Inside the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Marrakech → Fes
- 1
Day 1 · Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou
High Atlas · 250kmMorning riad pickup. Climb the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m) with stops for Atlas views, then descend to Aït Ben Haddou — a UNESCO-listed ksour of earthen towers used as a film set for dozens of international productions. Sunset walk inside the ancient village, dinner below the kasbah.
Kasbah guesthouse, Aït Ben Haddou L · D - 2
Day 2 · Aït Ben Haddou → Skoura → Dades Gorge
Rose Valley · 200kmMorning in the Skoura palm grove — a dense oasis famous for its roses (and rose oil in season). Lunch in Kelaat M'Gouna, the 'capital of roses', then onwards to the Dades gorge: a dramatic canyon of layered ochre and crimson rock with Berber villages clinging to the valley walls. Walk the upper gorge before dinner.
Kasbah lodge, Dades Gorge B · L · D - 3
Day 3 · Dades → Todra Gorge → Erfoud
Gorges road · 150kmMorning walk in the Dades gorge when the light is best. Drive east to the Todra gorge — a narrow slot canyon where the river has cut 300m walls just wide enough for one vehicle. An hour on foot in the canyon, then continue across the flat stone desert (hammada) to the Erfoud region by evening.
Kasbah hotel, Erfoud B · L - 4
Day 4 · Erfoud → Merzouga · First night in the Sahara
Erg Chebbi · 50kmA short morning drive into Merzouga village, where your camel team is waiting. One-hour camel ride into the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi — some 180m high and a deep amber gold at golden hour. Settle into your private luxury camp: real beds, en-suite facilities, solar power. Berber dinner and gnaoua music around the fire.
Private luxury Sahara camp, Erg Chebbi B · L · D - 5
Day 5 · A full day in the Sahara
Erg ChebbiDawn dune climb for sunrise, breakfast in camp. A free morning: sandboarding, a 4x4 excursion to the Khamlia village of gnaoua musicians, or simply watching the light change on the dunes. Afternoon rest, second sunset over the erg, second night under canvas.
Private luxury Sahara camp, Erg Chebbi B · L · D - 6
Day 6 · Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt
North through the mountains · 320kmAfter breakfast and a last look at the dunes, we head north through the Ziz valley — a long palm corridor through the High Atlas — stopping at the Ziz gorge viewpoint and the market town of Er Rachidia. Overnight in the mountain town of Midelt, famous for its apple orchards and carpet workshops.
Mountain guesthouse, Midelt B · L - 7
Day 7 · Midelt → Fes
Cedar forest road · 240kmFinal driving day through the cedar forests of Ifrane — where Barbary macaques sit by the roadside — and the elegant French-built town of Azrou. Arrive in Fes by early afternoon with time for a first medina walk before dinner. We end with a rooftop view of the world's oldest living medina from the Bou Nord medrassa terrace.
Riad in Fes el-Bali B · L
Cities & regions on this trip
You'll experience 8 destinations.
Each stop has its own deep-dive guide — geography, history, best season, things to see, and other tours that visit it. Tap any card to open its dedicated page.
Imperial city · Central Morocco
Marrakech
The red city: souks, riads, gardens and the gateway to the Atlas.
Open guide
Imperial city · Northern Morocco
Fes
The world's largest car-free medieval city, and Morocco's spiritual capital.
Open guide
Erg Chebbi · Southeast Morocco
Sahara & Merzouga
Real Sahara: 150m dunes, camel caravans, and luxury camps under more stars than you've ever seen.
Open guide
High Atlas · Imlil & Toubkal
Atlas Mountains
Berber villages, walnut groves and North Africa's highest summit — an hour from Marrakech.
Open guide
Pre-Sahara · Southern Morocco
Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou
The Hollywood of Africa: kasbahs, film studios and the gateway to the dunes.
Open guidePre-Sahara · Kasbah road
Dadès & Todra Gorges
Towering red canyons, palm oases and the famous switchback road — the dramatic heart of the desert route.
Open guideMiddle Atlas · High Atlas crossroads
Midelt
Midelt is the apple capital of Morocco — a crossroads town between the Middle and High Atlas, gateway to the Cirque Jaffar and the Moulouya gorges.
Open guideTafilalt oasis · Drâa-Tafilalet
Rissani
Rissani is the historic gateway to Merzouga — the ancient Tafilalt capital, cradle of the Alaouite dynasty and Morocco's most atmospheric Thursday market.
Open guideThe route
Map of The Grand Tour — Seven Days
9 stops across Multi-day. Distances and timings are flexible — every itinerary is reshaped to your pace.
- 1
Marrakech
Start
- 2
Tizi n'Tichka
Pass
- 3
Aït Ben Haddou
Night 1
- 4
Dades Gorge
Night 2
- 5
Todra Gorge
- 6
Erfoud
Night 3
- 7
Erg Chebbi
Nights 4–5
- 8
Midelt
Night 6
- 9
Fes
Night 7 · End
What's included
- Private English-speaking driver-guide for the duration
- Vehicle (sedan, 4x4 or minivan) with fuel, tolls and parking
- All listed accommodation in hand-picked riads, kasbahs or desert camps
- Daily breakfast and meals as noted in the itinerary
- All listed entrance fees and guided activities
- Airport pickup and drop-off with flight tracking
- Bottled water and snacks on board
- 24/7 WhatsApp concierge based in Marrakech
Not included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Travel insurance (we recommend a provider)
- Alcoholic drinks and personal shopping
- Optional activities marked “add-on” in your quote
- Tips for driver, guides and camp staff
What to bring
Pack light, pack smart.
- Comfortable walking shoes (medina cobblestones)
- Layers — even desert nights can drop to 5°C
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 30+
- Modest cover-up for mosques and conservative areas
- Reusable water bottle (we refill on the road)
- Adaptor for Type C/E plugs (220V)
- Warm layer for Sahara nights (can drop to 5°C in cooler months)
- Headlamp for dune sunrise climb
Frequently asked
Questions about this tour.
Is "The Grand Tour — Seven Days" private or a group tour?
100% private. Just you and the people you book with — your own driver, vehicle and pace from start to finish. We never pool travellers.
Can I change the dates or itinerary?
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. Add a day, swap a riad, change the start city — we'll re-quote in 24 hours and lock the price in writing before any deposit.
How fit do I need to be?
Moderate. Expect 2–4 hours of light walking per day and one or two longer driving days. We pace days carefully and stop often.
When should I book?
For high season (Oct–Apr) and any trip involving the Sahara or hot-air balloon, book 8–12 weeks ahead. Last-minute (under 14 days) is usually still possible with a phone call.
Can we extend into Chefchaouen or the coast?
Absolutely. We frequently add two nights in Chefchaouen after Fes, or start in Casablanca with a day on the Atlantic coast. We re-quote any extension in 24 hours and can book everything in one go.
Is seven days enough, or should we take longer?
Seven days covers the essential Morocco beautifully, but ten to twelve lets you breathe properly — slower dune days, a Chefchaouen extension, or a rest day in Fes. We'd always suggest more time rather than less.
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