4 days Desert tour from Marrakech to Fez

Your adventure begins in Marrakech, where we pick you up from your riad or hotel and drive towards Ouarzazate through the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m) in the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, we admire breathtaking landscapes, passing through Berber villages nestled in the hills. Our first stop is the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, Morocco’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient fortified village has been the backdrop for many Hollywood movies, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. After a guided tour, we enjoy lunch with a view of the Kasbah before continuing to Ouarzazate, often called the Hollywood of Africa due to its film studios. From here, we follow the scenic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing through Skoura Oasis and stopping in Kalaat Mgouna, known as the Valley of Roses, where we learn about the famous Damask rose products. By evening, we reach the stunning Dades Valley, where we check into our hotel or riad, enjoy dinner, and relax for the night.

After breakfast, we explore the Dades Valley, known for its Monkey Fingers rock formations and the impressive Kasbah of Ait Yul, a 19th-century fortress still standing today. Continuing towards Todra Gorge, we travel through Tinghir, a lush palm oasis with incredible panoramic views. At Todra, Morocco’s most famous canyon, we take a short walk beneath towering 300-meter-high red cliffs, a favorite spot for rock climbers. We then head towards the desert town of Erfoud, known for its fossils and date markets, and pass through Rissani, home to the Moulay Ali Cherif Mausoleum, an important historical site. By late afternoon, we arrive in Merzouga, where you will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking into your accommodation. Enjoy dinner and a night in a comfortable hotel near the Erg Chebbi dunes.

After breakfast, we begin an exploratory journey of the Merzouga region. We will visit Khamlia village, home to the Gnawa people, and enjoy their unique spiritual music and dance. Then, discover Merzouga’s seasonal lake, a habitat for migratory birds, including flamingos. Visit a nomadic Berber family, experience their daily life, and enjoy traditional mint tea in their tent. Stop by a traditional Berber market or the Nomad Wire House, where you can find authentic handicrafts at lower prices than in big cities. In the afternoon, your camel guide will lead you on a magical trek through the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. As the sun sets, you’ll arrive at your desert camp, where you will settle into your traditional Berber tent. After dinner, enjoy live music and drumming around the campfire, followed by an unforgettable night under the stars in the Sahara.

Wake up early to witness the sunrise over the dunes, a truly magical moment. After breakfast at the camp, we ride camels back to Merzouga, freshen up, and start our journey towards Fes. Our first stop is Errachidia, where we take in the breathtaking views of the Ziz Valley, home to thousands of palm trees. We continue to Midelt, nestled between the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, where we enjoy lunch. The journey continues through the Cedar Forests of Azrou, home to the Barbary macaque monkeys. Here, you’ll have the chance to interact with these playful creatures before we pass through Ifrane, often called “Little Switzerland” for its European-style architecture. By early evening, we arrive in Fes, where we drop you off at your hotel or riad, marking the end of an unforgettable Sahara adventure.