This three-day journey links Fes and Marrakech by way of the desert and fits in a long list of highlights: Ifrane, the cedar forest, the Ziz Valley, the Sahara at Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, the Todra and Dades gorges, and Ait Ben Haddou.
Starting in Fes, the route crosses the Middle Atlas via Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley to the Sahara at Merzouga, where a sunset camel ride takes you to camp. On the second day you pass Rissani and Erfoud on your way to the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley. On the last day you travel west through the Roses Valley, Skoura, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, before crossing the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech.
Good to know: the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, one of the stops on this itinerary, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your journey starts with an early pick-up from your accommodation in Fes. You travel south via Imouzzer to Ifrane, often called the Switzerland of Morocco, and then through the cedar forest, home of the Barbary macaques. After a lunch stop in Midelt, the road crosses the Tizi n’Tilghmt pass and follows the Ziz river to the desert.
Then you arrive in the Sahara at Merzouga, where camels carry you over the sand to a high dune for sunset. Then it is on to the desert camp for Berber drums and dancing under a sky full of stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 7 hours driving · Overnight: Desert camp, Merzouga
Wake up early for sunrise over the dunes, then ride your camel back to Merzouga and set off for Rissani and its large souk (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays).
Next you visit a fossilised-marble workshop in Erfoud, then drive through the Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves to the Todra Gorge, with free time for lunch. The road continues to the Dades Valley via Boumalne Dades, with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and at a valley viewpoint. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
About 5 hours on the road · Night: Hotel in the Dades Valley
Following breakfast, you drive to Kalaat M’Gouna to discover the Roses Valley, then continue through the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate for a visit of the film studios.
Then you head for the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive then continues to Marrakech across the Tizi n’Tichka pass and the High Atlas, with stops for lunch and photos, and ends at the airport or your accommodation in Marrakech. If you would rather return to Fes, see our 3-day Fes to Merzouga round trip.
Approx. 6 hours driving
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The tour is fully private: only you and the people in your booking travel together, with no other guests added. We focus on quality, personal journeys, and that is why nearly all of our tours run privately.
Depending on the camp, the camel ride takes from 40 minutes up to about 1.5 hours. If you would rather not ride, a camp 4×4 can drive you and your bags to and from the camp. Quad bikes (ATVs) are also available at an extra cost.
Yes. Every tent at the luxury camp is just for you, with its own en-suite bathroom and hot water.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the ideal seasons, with mild, comfortable weather across most of the country. Winter is also a good choice, especially for the south and the Sahara.
We use air-conditioned 4x4s and minivans. Our 4×4 is a Land Cruiser Prado for up to 4 travellers; our minivans are a Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo or similar for up to 8. Larger groups of more than 8 travel in a minibus with up to 18 seats.