6-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fez

Day 1: Marrakech-High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou-Ouarzazate – Dadès Valley.

Pick-up at 8:00 a.m. at your hotel or riad in Marrakech. We will depart for the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi N’Tichka Pass. We will continue south, where we will later turn off onto a 6 km track that will take us to the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddoud, where we can visit its Kasbah, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This spectacular setting has been used as a backdrop for such renowned films as Gladiator and The Jewel of the Nile. Lunch in the village. We will then continue on to Ouarzazate, considered “the great gateway to the desert,” where the Kasbah of Taourirt stands out. We will continue towards the Valley of Roses, passing through the large palm groves of Skoura and Boumalne. We will take a detour in Boumalne de Dadès to enjoy the “monkey fingers,” a rocky landscape known as “the brain of the Atlas.” We will then arrive at our destination. Dinner and accommodation in the Dadès Valley.

Day 2: Dadès Gorges – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga.

After breakfast, we will visit the spectacular Dadès Gorges, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way. We will return to take a road dotted with Kasbahs, each one different from the last. We will arrive at one of the highlights of the south, the Todra Gorges.

The Todra River has carved out a gorge with vertical walls of enormous proportions, up to 200 meters high, and of great beauty. It is a paradise for climbers and a unique place. Lunch on your own.

Next, we will continue towards the desert through the Tafilalet palm grove and passing through Erfoud until we reach the impressive Merzouga Dunes. Arrival at the hotel located at the foot of the dunes, where we will have a welcome tea while we rest a little. Then you can walk on the fine sand of Erg Chebbi, relax, and enjoy this breathtaking landscape. In the evening, you will savor a delicious Berber dish. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Merzouga – Tour of Erg Chebbi in a 4×4 – night in the desert.

After a hearty Moroccan breakfast, we will climb into the 4×4 to leave Merzouga behind and begin our tour around the Erg Chebbi dunes, a desert region covered in sand. Among the many stops that await us, we will discover how and where the nomadic families of the area live, wild oases in the middle of nowhere, spectacular landscapes, small desert villages, palm groves…

An unmissable stop on our way through the village of Khamlia, home to people originally from Mali, where we will enjoy a beautiful concert of Gnawa music while sipping delicious tea. On our return to the hotel, our dromedaries will be waiting for us to take us to the foot of the Great Dune of the Erg Chebbi desert. During the ride, which lasts approximately an hour and a half, we will be able to watch the beautiful sunset, admire the contrast of colors, and enjoy the calm of the dunes.

We will arrive at the camp. We will savor an authentic Berber dinner and enjoy the music of the drums. We will sleep in nomadic tents in the heart of the desert under the spectacular immense sky filled with stars.

Day 4: Merzouga – Rissani-Ziz Valley- Midelt -Middle Atlas – Fez.

We will wake up early in the morning to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over the dunes. Then we will return to Merzouga with the dromedaries, taking in the spectacular scenery. After breakfast and a shower at the hotel, we will set off on our journey.

We will head to Rissani, where we will stroll through what is known as the most authentic and traditional souk in Morocco, and the largest in the south of the country, where all kinds of handicrafts, food, and animals are traded.

We continue towards Erfoud, the ancient gateway to the desert, a city famous for its fossil work, crossing the impressive Ziz Valley, with its more than 18,000 palm trees, until we reach Midelt. Stop for lunch.

We will continue our journey to Fez via Ifrane, also known as the Moroccan Switzerland due to the aesthetic appeal of its buildings. Arrival in Fez. Dinner and accommodation in Fez.

Day 5: Fez – Fez.

Free day in Fez to explore the city considered to be the religious and cultural center of the country. Its university, famous for the study of Arabic and the Muslim religion, is a stopping point for many Moroccan students.

You will have time to stroll around and explore its different neighborhoods, the new area or Fès el-Jdid, where you will find the Mellah (the Jewish quarter), the Ville Nouvelle (New Town), the French area in the northeast of the city, and of course, Fez el-Bali, the old town, within the city walls.

You can stroll through its streets and feel as if you have been transported to a bygone era, where potters, blacksmiths, artisans, and donkeys laden with goods from various places coexist with tourists wandering through its labyrinthine alleyways.

Also famous for its tanners’ souk, you can witness the medieval craft process used to give leather its vibrant colors. Accommodation in a riad.

Day 6: Fez – Marrakech.

After breakfast, we will depart for Marrakech, crossing the numerous valleys that make up the Middle Atlas: Ifrane, Azrou, Khenifra, Beni Mellal…

Lunch stop along the way. We will continue our journey until we reach Marrakech.

Transfer to your riad, and we encourage you to continue discovering the hidden corners of this city at the end of your 6-day trip to Marrakech.