The desert trips agency offers you the best hand-written itinerary for our Tangier desert tours.
MOROCCO DESERT TOURS FROM TANGIER
Tangier, a beautiful city in Morocco, is a top destination loved by travelers. To help you explore its wonders, our team has created a variety of popular desert tours from Tangier. We offer private and group desert tours starting in Tangier. Check out our well-crafted itineraries if you’re planning an adventure from Tangier. If you have specific preferences, feel free to reach out, and we’ll design a custom tour just for you.
Highlights Of Desert Tours From Tangier
Tangier
Discover Tangier with our Tangier desert tours. This historic city has played a significant role in Moroccan history. Positioned as a gateway to three continents, it welcomed diverse visitors and traders. Tangier is notable for being the first property of the USA outside its territory. Our tours will guide you through its iconic landmarks.
One of Tangier’s notable sites is its grand mosque, originally a Roman temple that saw various transformations. Over time, it served as a church and mosque. Now it’s known as the Grand Mosque of Tangier.
Tangier is also home to the American Legation Museum, reflecting its historical connection with the USA. This unique museum takes you back in time, offering a glimpse of foreign influence on the city.
You’ll explore more of Tangier’s charm with visits to the famous Kasbah and St. Andrew’s Church.
Chefchaouen
Our desert tours from Tangier take you to Chefchaouen, the captivating “Blue Pearl” of Morocco. This picturesque city is renowned for its blue-painted buildings. Some say it was to deter mosquitoes, while others associate it with the city’s Jewish heritage. Locals maintain this charming tradition, regularly repainting the city’s walls.
While in Chefchaouen, you can get lost in its enchanting streets, or venture into the Rif Mountains for scenic hikes and breathtaking vistas. The city’s unique character makes it an unforgettable stop on your Tangier desert tour.
Fes
Fes, the cultural heart of Morocco, is one of the four Imperial cities, known for its rich history. Our desert tours from Tangier offer a chance to explore its wonders.
Your adventure starts with a tour of the old Medina, guided by a local expert. Wander through its colorful narrow streets, filled with vibrant souks and various sights.
Discover the Choura Tannery, a historic tannery, dating back to the 11th century, where leather goods are made using traditional techniques.
Fes is also home to the world’s oldest existing university, Al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859. This remarkable institution was originally a religious school and later expanded to include subjects like languages, science, and more. It’s a testament to the city’s deep historical and educational legacy.
Explore more of Fes’s attractions by booking our desert tours from Tangier.
Meknes
Meknes, another of Morocco’s Imperial cities, awaits your visit with our custom desert tours from Tangier. It’s less frequented by tourists but boasts several noteworthy sites.
One of Meknes’s main attractions is the grand Bab Mansour gate, one of the largest doors in Morocco. The city was founded by the Almoravids and was designed as a military settlement.
Meknes is also home to Qara Prison, one of the longest underground prisons. Local stories suggest it stretches from Meknes to Fes, with an intricate labyrinthine design.
Explore Lhdim Square, the second-largest square in Morocco, where various entertainers and storytellers put on shows. Nearby, discover Lhri Swani, a place where food and goods were once stored.
The journey continues to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 3rd century B.C.
Ifrane and the Cedar Forest
Our desert tours from Tangier take you through the scenic High Atlas Mountains, including a stop in the beautiful city of Ifrane. Often referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” Ifrane is celebrated for its cleanliness, ranking as the first cleanest city in Africa and the eighth cleanest in the world.
In Ifrane, you’ll visit the Atlas Lion statue, crafted by a German prisoner during Morocco’s French colonial period. This city is known for its history and unique stories.
Next, you’ll explore the cedar forest, one of the largest forests in the country. Here, you can enjoy a walk through the forest and even have the chance to feed Barbary macaques, native to the region.
Merzouga Desert
No Morocco tour is complete without a visit to the Sahara Desert. Our desert tours from Tangier will take you on a mesmerizing journey to Merzouga, where you’ll experience the allure of the Sahara.
Arriving early in the evening, you won’t miss the breathtaking sunset over the golden dunes. You’ll embark on a camel ride to a Berber camp through the desert, stopping to take in the awe-inspiring scenery and capture some memorable photos.
At the well-equipped desert camp, you’ll be greeted with mint tea. You’ll have free time to explore the desert at your own pace. The camp offers sandboarding, giving you the opportunity to experience skiing on the dunes.
As night falls, savor a delicious Moroccan dinner. Our team will entertain you with Berber music, creating a magical atmosphere under the starry desert sky. Camping in the Sahara is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Erfoud and Rissani
Erfoud and Rissani are two prominent cities in the southeastern region of Morocco, included in our Tangier desert tours. Depending on the duration of your tour, you might have the opportunity to visit these cities. Firstly, Erfoud, located approximately 60 km from the Sahara Desert, is known for its skilled fossil workers. Our desert tours from Tangier will take you to explore this fascinating aspect of Erfoud. Additionally, Erfoud hosts an annual date festival, attracting visitors from around the world who come to showcase and trade various date varieties.
Rissani, also known as Tafilalt, is one of the oldest cities in southeastern Morocco, with a rich history as a key trading hub, particularly for those journeying to Timbuktu. This city boasts the largest traditional souk in the area, a bustling market where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions. Join our Tangier desert tours to explore Rissani and its historical significance.
Valleys
Morocco is a land of abundance, home to many valleys offering a diverse array of products. Our Tangier-based desert tours allow you to explore several of these picturesque valleys.
Ziz Valley: Situated near Erfoud, this valley is renowned for its abundant date fruit production. The sight of thousands of palm trees adds to the breathtaking view. The river is fed by water from the Errachidia dam, originally sourced from the Atlas Mountains. Additionally, this river is known by another name, Ait Chaker, among the residents of the nearby town of Awfous.
Ourika Valley: Located about 40 km from the vibrant city of Marrakech, this valley is a popular getaway where people seek relaxation and respite from urban noise. It’s a common weekend destination, often visited for camping and leisure.
Todgha and Gorges Valley: The Todgha Valley is famous for its stunning canyons and historic Kasbahs. The towering canyons, reaching heights of around 300 meters, provide a captivating setting for a day of exploration.
The Dades Valley is an ideal location to spend the night when traveling from Marrakech to Merzouga or vice versa. It is also home to the Tissdrine curves, where Cadillac cars once attempted to set a climbing and descending record in just 3 minutes and 19 seconds.
Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate, known as “Ouallywood,” is a city that our desert tours from Tangier, as well as those from Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fes, will introduce you to. Ouarzazate is often referred to as the “Hollywood of the Desert” due to its popularity among filmmakers. This is thanks to its unique Kasbahs, including the famous Kasbah of Taourirt within the city and the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, located about 30 km away from Ouarzazate.
The Atlas Cinema Studios in Ouarzazate are also a significant attraction for filmmakers, offering a space for producing movies and lending out their sets for shooting in other locations. The city boasts a small international airport, reducing the travel burden on actors and directors who previously had to undertake a lengthy journey through the High Atlas Mountains.
Ouarzazate is also celebrated as the “Gateway to the Sahara.” Additionally, the government has constructed one of the largest solar power stations in the area, contributing to its green energy initiatives.
Kasbahs
Morocco is replete with Kasbahs, and one of the most prominent and frequently visited is the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This name originates from the Arabic word “Kasab,” signifying bamboo, which was used for constructing the roofs of the Kasbahs. Therefore, they aren’t referred to as palaces, unlike royal residences. This particular Kasbah was constructed during the Almoravid dynasty in the 11th century by the Glawi family.
The Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou is famous for its historical role in the caravans that traveled between Tombouctou and Morocco, trading in salt and other commodities. Moreover, it has been the backdrop for numerous iconic movies, including:
- “The Gladiator,” an American-British film that features memorable scenes filmed in the Kasbah.
- “Lawrence of Arabia,” a 1962 British epic, also with notable sequences shot in this historic location.
- “Kingdom of Heaven,” produced in 2005, with some segments filmed in the Kasbah.
- “The Mummy,” which may appear to feature Egyptian desert scenes but, in fact, was shot in Merzouga and Ait Benhaddou.
Middle Atlas Mountains
To traverse from western Morocco to the Sahara Desert, our routes take you through the majestic High and Middle Atlas Mountains.
The High Atlas Mountains boast the highest peak, Toubkal, rising to an impressive 4,167 meters. When traveling from Marrakech, you’ll journey through these mountains, reaching an elevation of approximately 2,260 meters. Tours from Fes will also lead you through the High Atlas, although the journey is less extensive than those departing from Marrakech.
The Middle Atlas Mountains are known for their association with apples, particularly the city of Midelt. During the snowy season, Moroccans flock to these mountains for weekend skiing escapades.
Zagora
With our tours from Tangier, you’ll have the opportunity to explore not only the Merzouga Desert but also the Zagora Desert. This offers a unique experience, where you can partake in camel rides and camping in Berber-style tents. However, it’s worth noting that expectations about the Zagora Desert should differ from those of the Erg Dunes in Merzouga. The latter, known as Erg Chebbi, is famed for its impressive sand dunes and provides a more traditional camel trekking and camping experience.
Zagora Desert is inhabited by many nomads who tend to female camels and their offspring, milking them and selling their nutritious produce to locals and tourists.
En route to Zagora, you’ll also come across the largest date palm tree valley, a significant source of dates in Morocco.
Marrakech
Some of our desert tours from Tangier end at the touristic city, Marrakech. Here, most of the tourists start or finish their tour. Also, Marrakech is the biggest city in Morocco that gets the most tourists. Moreover, it’s the fourth biggest city in Morocco.
Marrakech, or Amurakuc, is a Berber word that means the Land of God. Also, it is one of Morocco’s imperial cities. That is to say, it was a capital city during the power of the Almoravid dynasty. Marrakech is full of attractions that tourists like to discover.
Firstly, The Majorelle garden: This garden has been named after the French artist Jhon Jack Majorelle. It took this artist about 40 years to complete it; he started since 1923. After that, the two artists, Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé, came to make some maintenance and open it for the public with an entrance fee.
Secondly, The Menara Garden: This garden is southwest of Marrakech; it was built in the 12th century, and it’s a Menara with a pool in front of it. Also, the name Menara means a lighthouse.
Thirdly, Koutoubia mosque: as known, the mosque is where Muslims worship Allah. This one is the biggest and tallest in Morocco; it’s near the square of Jamaa El fan. Even it’s forbidden for non-Muslims to enter it; it’s an attraction to take pictures from the outside.
Fourthly, Jamaa El Fna: It’s considered the main attraction to visit here. Therefore, you can’t go to Marrakech without visiting it. Here, people shop and entertain tourists; it’s where the monkey’s charmers, the monkeys, and other animals.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a Moroccan coastal city known for its seafood and historic old town, the Medina. It’s also famous for its ports, including the Sqala and Citadel ports.
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