4-Day Desert Tour from Rabat

Day 1: Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fez

The first day of your 4-day trip from Rabat to the desert begins with pick-up at your hotel or riad in Rabat. Before leaving the capital, you will have the opportunity to admire some of its most representative monuments, such as the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a symbol of Morocco’s Andalusian past. From Rabat, the tour continues to Meknes, one of the country’s four imperial cities.

In Meknes, you will visit the impressive Bab Mansour, considered one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco, as well as the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and its lively medina. Next, we will head to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where you can walk among mosaics, temples, and ancient buildings that tell the story of the Roman Empire in North Africa.

In the afternoon, we will continue on to Fez, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. Upon arrival, you will check in at a traditional riad located in the medina. You will have free time to rest or enjoy the local atmosphere.

Day 2: Fez – Ifrane – Azrou – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

After breakfast, we begin one of the most scenic days of the 4-day Rabat desert tour. We leave Fez and head for the Middle Atlas, crossing green hills and mountain villages. The first stop will be in Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine architecture, clean streets, and cool climate.

We continue to the cedar forests of Azrou, home to the famous Barbary macaques, where you can observe them in their natural environment and take photographs. As we head south, the landscape changes dramatically as we cross the Ziz Valley, a vast oasis full of palm trees and traditional kasbahs, ideal for a scenic stop.

In the afternoon, we arrive at Merzouga, at the gateway to the Sahara Desert. Here begins the most eagerly awaited experience: a camel ride through the dunes of Erg Chebbi, enjoying an unforgettable sunset. Upon arrival at the camp, you will be welcomed with mint tea before enjoying a traditional Berber dinner, live music, and a magical night under the stars.

Day 3: Merzouga – Khamlia – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

The day begins early to watch the sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara, one of the most memorable moments of the 4-day trip from Rabat to the desert. After breakfast at the camp, you will return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4 vehicle, with time to shower and relax.

Our route continues to Khamlia, a small village known for its Gnawa music, where you can enjoy traditional African rhythms performed by local musicians. Next, we will visit Rissani, the former capital of the Tafilalet region, famous for its traditional market and delicious medfouna, also known as Berber pizza.

In the afternoon, we head to the impressive Todra Gorges, a spectacular canyon with vertical walls reaching over 300 meters high. You will have time to walk and enjoy the natural surroundings. The day ends in the Dades Valley, famous for its mountainous landscapes and rock formations called “monkey fingers.”

Day 4: Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

After breakfast, we begin the last leg of the 4-day tour from Rabat to the desert, traveling along the famous Route of a Thousand Kasbahs. We arrived in Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Morocco,” where you can visit the Kasbah of Taourirt and, optionally, the film studios.

The next stop is the iconic Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified ksar declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for numerous international films and series. You will have time to explore its narrow streets and enjoy panoramic views from the top.

Finally, we will cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains, offering spectacular scenery before arriving in Marrakech, where this unforgettable 4-day trip from Rabat to the Merzouga Desert ends.