4 Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech

Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga

Departure from Fez heading south, crossing the heart of Morocco. The route begins in Ifrane, known as “Moroccan Switzerland” for its alpine architecture. We continue to the Cedar Forest, home of the emblematic Barbary macaques, where we stop to watch them in their natural habitat.

We cross the impressive Ziz Valley, a palm oasis that contrasts with the mountains, until we reach Erfoud, famous for its fossils. Finally we arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, where we spend the night.

Accommodation: Night in Merzouga — Dar Hassan or similar

Full Exploration of the Merzouga Desert

We spend the day immersing ourselves in the magic of the Sahara Desert. We explore the area around Merzouga, including nearby villages such as Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music, and visit local nomads to learn about their way of life.

In the late afternoon comes the highlight: a sunset camel trek, riding gently into the heart of the golden dunes. We spend the night at a desert camp, enjoying a traditional dinner, music and an unforgettable starry sky.

Accommodation: Night in Merzouga — Tawada Camp or similar

Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley

After watching the sunrise over the dunes we ride the camels back to the accommodation to freshen up and have breakfast. We set off for Rissani, a historic town with a lively souk and the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty.

We continue to the imposing Todra Gorge, a canyon of vertical walls perfect for a walk and for marvelling at nature. Finally we reach the Dades Valley, known for the rock formations called “Monkey Fingers”, where we spend the night in a hotel with spectacular views.

Accommodation: Night in Dades — Riad Gabsi or similar

Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech

We start the day travelling the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” towards Ouarzazate, gateway to the desert and film-making centre. We visit the fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and setting for famous films such as Gladiator.

We cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, enjoying mountain landscapes and Berber villages. In the afternoon we descend to the vibrant city of Marrakech, where our journey ends.