5 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes

Day 1: Marrakech ⇢ High Atlas mountains ⇢ Ait Ben Haddou ⇢ Ouarzazate

We will leave the red city of Marrakech at 8 am for the Dades Valley. We drive across the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2260 meters, which offers fantastic panoramic views. We will have time to enjoy impressive landscapes, Berber villages, and a break for coffee or mint tea in a picturesque location.

We will continue our journey along the Ounila Valley to the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous as a film set location. This Berber Kasbah has played a significant role for international filmmakers, serving as the backdrop for over 50 movies. Historically, it was one of the most important fortress strongholds along the old Salt Road, where caravans transported goods such as enslaved people, gold, ivory, and salt. You can still see the salt pans in the valley today.

Next, we will pass through the strategic city of Ouarzazate, often called the "Hollywood of Africa." We will enjoy dinner and spend the night in a traditional riad here.

Day 2: Ouarzazate ⇢ Skoura Oasis ⇢ Rose Valley ⇢ Dades Valley

After breakfast, we will drive through the Skoura Oasis to visit the Kasbah Amridil. Following our visit, we will continue to the Valley of the Roses. After lunch, we will head to the Dades Valley to see the amazing rock formation known as "the monkey fingers" because of the shapes in the eroded landscape. You will also see the still-standing 19th-century Kasbah of Ait Youl. We will enjoy dinner and spend the night in a riad.

Day 3: Dades Valley ⇢ Todra Gorges ⇢Merzouga Desert

After a delicious breakfast, we will leave the Dades Valley and continue towards Tinghir and the spectacular Todra Valley. Here, you'll see panoramic views of the old adobe Berber villages overlooking this valley. In the Gorge, we will walk to stretch our legs between the 300 m high red cliff walls, where many rock climbers come to enjoy the challenges it presents.

We'll continue to Erfoud and Rissani, where we'll have lunch before leaving for the Sahara Desert village of Merzouga—a welcome with a glass of mint tea before entering your accommodation. You can spend the night in the desert instead of at the hotel.

Day 4: Merzouga Discovery⇢ Camel trek and night in the desert camp

After a traditional local breakfast, we will explore the area, meet some locals, and discover different ways of living. Descendants of enslaved Sudanese people inhabit the village of Khamlia, and through their Gnaoua music and songs, they tell stories of their past. Not far from this village, you can see the seasonal Lake Merzouga, which has a flock of flamingos. There will be time to visit local Berber handicrafts for sale, which is a good opportunity to buy from locals.

After enjoying lunch and resting, you will prepare for a camel ride to explore the sea of sand, guided by an experienced camel guide. Erg Chebbi dunes, the largest in this region of Morocco, offer a unique silence as you traverse the stunning red and golden sands. The experience of riding a camel to your desert camp and spending the night under the stars alongside residents is unforgettable. After dinner, you can enjoy music and songs before settling in in a traditional Berber camp.

Day 5: Merzouga Desert ⇢Ziz Valley ⇢Middle Atlas Mountains ⇢Fes

One of the best times of the day is just before sunrise. Our staff will wake you up early in the morning, and you will have the opportunity to witness perhaps the best sunrise of your life. The light changes as the sun rises, which can be incredible. Followed by breakfast; then you will ride your camel back to Merzouga.

We will travel to Fes via Erfoud and the magnificent Ziz Valley. We'll stop to enjoy the panoramic view over the Ziz Gorge before reaching Midelt. We will stop in to enjoy lunch and refresh with a mint tea. From there, we drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, home to the great cedar forests and the indigenous Barbary monkeys. They are fun to watch and often steal food from parked cars.

Then we drive to Ifrane, known as the little Switzerland of Africa because of its alpine-style architecture; we will stop for photos and coffee before we drive the last part to Fes, where the 5-day desert tour ends.