Description
Embark on a captivating 4-day journey between Fez and Marrakech, revealing Morocco’s rich cultural heritage and diverse natural beauty. This immersive tour offers an unforgettable blend of historical exploration, Saharan adventure, and mountainous landscapes. From the scholarly streets of Fez to the golden dunes of Merzouga, each day promises discoveries and authentic encounters.
Travel through fragrant cedar forests, explore vast valleys, and ride a camel into the heart of the desert, where traditional music and starry skies await you. Continue through spectacular gorges and lush oases before crossing the High Atlas Mountains and descending to the colorful rhythms of Marrakech. Every aspect of the trip is carefully planned to ensure comfort, authenticity, and adventure.
Whether you are drawn to the thrill of the desert or the charm of Morocco’s ancient kasbahs and mountain passes, this itinerary offers the perfect balance between relaxation and exploration.
Would you prefer to start in Marrakech? You can also take this trip in reverse with our desert tours from Marrakech to Fez.
Or explore other experiences in our wide selection of tours in the Moroccan desert.
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel
- Driver/guide speaking English or Spanish
- Accommodation (hotels and desert camp)
- Camel ride in the dunes of Erg Chebbi
- Panoramic stops and cultural visits along the route
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Personal purchases
- Entrance fees to monuments and attractions
Highlights of the tour
- Crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains with stops in charming towns such as Ifrane and Azrou
- Visit the cedar forest and observe Barbary macaques in the wild
- Discover the fertile Ziz Valley and the gateway to the desert at Erfoud
- Camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes and spectacular sunset
- Night in a traditional camp in the Sahara Desert under a starry sky
- Explore the Todgha and Dadès Gorges, shaped by centuries of erosion
- Crossing the Valley of Roses and stopping in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s cinema capital
- Visit to the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
- Crossing the majestic High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Discover the cultural and architectural treasures of Marrakech with a local guide
Itinerary
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Day 01: Fez – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Begin your adventure early in the morning, leaving Fez and heading towards Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert. On the way, stop off in the charming alpine town of Ifrane, often
called the "Switzerland of Morocco" for its European chalet-inspired architecture and peaceful atmosphere. Then continue on to the cedar forest of Azrou, a magical place where Barbary macaques live in the wild, which you can observe in their natural habitat. The road continues through picturesque mountainous landscapes to the Ziz Valley, famous for its vast lush palm groves and traditional kasbahs. Finally, arrive in Merzouga, where you will begin an unforgettable camel ride in the heart of the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, just in time to admire a spectacular sunset over the desert. The evening takes place in a nomadic camp, with a typical dinner and Berber rhythms played around the fire under a starry sky.
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Day 02: Desert excursion – Nomads – Rock carvings – Sunset walk
Spend this day
discovering Saharan life in depth. After breakfast at the camp, set off to explore the surrounding villages and learn more about the traditions of the local nomads. Visit a village known for its Gnawa music and immerse yourself in this African-influenced culture by sharing a mint tea with the locals. Continue your exploration by discovering ancient rock carvings, fascinating testimonies to the region's ancient history, then try your hand at finding fossils in this area rich in geological remains. In the afternoon, return
to the dunes for another camel ride, ideal for enjoying the calm and the magnificent sunset over the desert. A second magical night awaits you in the camp under the starry sky.
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Day 03: Merzouga – Rissani – Todgha Gorges – Dadès Valley – Skoura Oasis
After breakfast, leave the desert behind and head to Rissani, an ancient caravan town and birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty. Explore its colorful, lively, and authentic market, where merchants trade local products and handicrafts. The road continues to the impressive Todgha Gorge, a spectacular canyon with steep cliffs rising over 300 meters high, perfect for a walk along the river. Continue your journey along the Dades Valley, passing through picturesque Berber villages and agricultural landscapes nestled between the mountains. At the end of the day,
arrive in Skoura, a peaceful oasis known for its palm groves and ancestral kasbahs, where you will spend the night in a quiet lodge surrounded by nature.
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Day 04: Skoura – Aït Ben Haddou – Telouet – High Atlas – Marrakech– Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – High Atlas – Marrakech
The morning begins with a visit to the Amridil Kasbah, a perfectly preserved gem of traditional architecture and a symbol of southern Moroccan heritage. Then continue on to the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its adobe dwellings, which have been used as a backdrop for numerous films and television series. Next, take the road to the more isolated Telouet Valley to discover the ruined kasbah of a former pasha, an imposing building steeped in history and charm. The journey continues through the High Atlas Mountains, with breathtaking panoramic views of Berber villages nestled in terraced valleys. You will cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at an altitude of over 2,260 meters, before descending to the plains of Marrakech, where your tour will end in the early evening.
