18 Days Morocco Tour from Tangier: A Full Loop Back to the Ferry
Arrive by ferry, leave by ferry: a complete loop of Morocco from Tangier, through the north, the Sahara and the High Atlas, then back up the Atlantic coast.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 18 days Morocco tour from Tangier
Our 18 days Morocco tour from Tangier is a full loop for travellers coming by ferry. We meet you at the port, and you leave from the same port.
First, you visit Tangier, Tetouan and blue Chefchaouen, with a hike to the Akchour waterfalls. Then you see Volubilis and the medina of Fes. After that, you cross the Middle Atlas and sleep in a desert camp in Merzouga. Next, the gorges, Aït Benhaddou and Marrakech lead you to Essaouira for a surf day. Finally, you kayak on the lagoon of Oualidia and drive north via Rabat and Asilah. In short, this 18 days Morocco tour from Tangier is private and planned on your dates.
Highlights of this 18 days Morocco tour from Tangier
- Medina of Tetouan
- Akchour waterfalls hike
- Guided Fes medina
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Buggy & sandboarding
- Todra Gorge walk
- Aït Benhaddou
- Guided Marrakech
- Surf in Essaouira
- Kayak on the Oualidia lagoon
18 days Morocco tour from Tangier: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Welcome in Tangier
We meet you at the port. Walk the kasbah, then drive to Cap Spartel for sunset over the Strait.
- 2dayDay 2
Tetouan & Chefchaouen
The white medina of Tetouan, then into the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen.
- 3dayDay 3
Akchour waterfalls hike
A day on the river paths of Talassemtane park, with waterfalls and God’s Bridge.
- 4dayDay 4
Volubilis, Meknes & Fes
The Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial gate of Meknes, then on to Fes.
- 5dayDay 5
The Fes medina
A guided day in the oldest medina in Morocco, and a free evening.
- 6dayDay 6
Middle Atlas to the Sahara
Ifrane, the cedar forest and its macaques, the Ziz Valley and the dunes of Merzouga.
- 7dayDay 7
Camels into Erg Chebbi
A slow morning, a nomad family visit and a sunset camel ride to the desert camp.
- 8dayDay 8
A day in the Sahara
Sunrise on the dunes, a buggy ride and sandboarding, and Gnawa music in Khamlia.
- 9dayDay 9
Todra Gorge & the Dades
A walk in the Todra Gorge, then the Dades Valley.
- 10dayDay 10
Rest day in the Dades
A short canyon walk in the morning, or nothing at all.
- 11dayDay 11
Skoura & Aït Benhaddou
Cycle in the Skoura palm grove, then the ksar of Aït Benhaddou at sunset.
- 12dayDay 12
Over the High Atlas to Marrakech
The Tizi n’Tichka pass and the Berber villages.
- 13dayDay 13
Marrakech
A guided visit of the palaces and souks, and the night show of Jemaa el-Fna.
- 14dayDay 14
To Essaouira
An argan cooperative on the way, then the ramparts and the port at sunset.
- 15dayDay 15
Surf day in Essaouira
A surf or kitesurf lesson in the bay, and a free afternoon in the medina.
- 16dayDay 16
Up the coast to Oualidia
Follow the Atlantic north to the calm lagoon of Oualidia, with a kayak trip at the end of the day.
- 17dayDay 17
El Jadida & Rabat
The Portuguese cistern of El Jadida, then Rabat for a walk along the river.
- 18dayDay 18
Asilah & back to Tangier
The murals of Asilah, then the port of Tangier for your ferry.
What’s included in this 18 days Morocco tour from Tangier
Included
- 17 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Tangier and drop-off in Tangier (hotel, riad, airport or port)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- Local guide for the guided visits
- Surf lessons with board and wetsuit
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Riad in Tangier
- Night 2Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 3Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 4Riad in Fes
- Night 5Riad in Fes
- Night 6Riad in Merzouga
- Night 7Desert camp
- Night 8Riad in Merzouga
- Night 9Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 10Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 11Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 12Riad in Marrakech
- Night 13Riad in Marrakech
- Night 14Riad in Essaouira
- Night 15Riad in Essaouira
- Night 16Guesthouse in Oualidia
- Night 17Riad in Rabat
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
Spring and autumn are best for a loop from the Mediterranean to the Sahara and back up the Atlantic. Summer is very hot in the desert, and winter brings rain to the Rif and cold desert nights.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Passport (checked at the port)
- Walking shoes with grip for Akchour
- Light rain jacket for the north
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Warm layer for the desert night
- Headtorch for the camp
- Small overnight bag for the camp
- Swimsuit and quick-dry towel for surf and kayak
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the medinas
- Refillable water bottle
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
18 Days Morocco Tour from Tangier: your questions
Why choose an 18 days Morocco tour from Tangier that ends in Tangier?
It suits travellers who come by ferry or by car from Spain and need to go back the same way. The loop sees the whole country without retracing the same road.
How do I reach Tangier for the 18 days Morocco tour from Tangier?
Take the fast ferry from Tarifa to the port of Tangier city, or a ferry from Algeciras to Tanger Med. We meet you at either port.
How long are the drives on the 18 days Morocco tour from Tangier?
Most days have three to five hours on the road with stops. The longest day is from Fes to Merzouga, about eight to nine hours with breaks.
Can we leave our car in Tangier?
Yes. Many travellers leave their car in Spain or at a guarded car park in Tangier and travel with our driver. Ask us and we suggest the easiest option.
Do I need a visa?
Citizens of the EU, the UK, the US, Canada and many other countries can visit Morocco without a visa for up to 90 days. Check the rules for your passport before you travel.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Quad & buggy ridesDay 8 – A day in the SaharaDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 7 – Camels into Erg ChebbiDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 7 – Camels into Erg ChebbiDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 11 – Skoura & Aït BenhaddouDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Welcome in TangierDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 15 – Surf day in EssaouiraDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 18-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →
Optional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →Optional · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee the activity →Optional · extraWindsurfing adventureWindsurfing sessionSee the activity →
Optional · extraCultural explorationExtra guided visit with a local guideSee the activity →Request this 18-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
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