This three-day journey links Marrakech and Fes by way of the desert and fits in many unforgettable places: the Atlas mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Dades and Todra gorges, the Sahara at Merzouga and plenty of Berber villages.
From Marrakech you cross the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou, then continue past Ouarzazate and the Roses Valley to spend the first night in the Dades Valley. The second day follows the Dades and Todra gorges to Merzouga, where a sunset camel ride leads you into the dunes and to your luxury camp for the night. On the last day you travel north via Rissani and Erfoud, up the Ziz Valley to Midelt, the cedar forest and Ifrane, ending in Fes.
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 the airport or your accommodation in Marrakech. You cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with stops to take in the scenery.
Then you continue to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that appeared in Gladiator, The Mummy and Game of Thrones. Then you continue to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert. After free time for lunch, the road leads through the vast Skoura palm grove to the Roses Valley and on to Boumalne Dades for the night.
Approx. 6 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Boumalne Dades
Following breakfast, you drive through the Dades Valley and stop at a viewpoint over the spectacular Dades gorges. Then you continue to the Todra Gorge, a striking red-walled canyon, with time to explore on foot. The route then crosses the Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves, with free time for lunch on the way.
In the afternoon 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 luxury camp for Berber drums and dancing around the fire under a sky full of stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After riding your camel back to Merzouga, you set off for Rissani, the old capital of Tafilalet, whose large souk is busiest on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Next you visit a fossilised-marble workshop in Erfoud.
The road then follows the Ziz river, with a stop at a panoramic viewpoint over the Ziz Valley. Lunch break in Midelt (free time). Then you drive through the cedar forest, home of the Barbary macaques, and visit Ifrane, often called the Switzerland of Morocco. The day ends with a drop-off at the airport or your accommodation in Fes. This itinerary also works the other way round, from Fes to Marrakech.
Approx. 7 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.
Yes. Every tent at the luxury camp is just for you, with its own en-suite bathroom and hot water.
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.
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.
Yes, but plan for roughly 5 to 7 hours of driving per day. Our vehicles are recent and comfortable and we take regular breaks, but if long drives are not for you, a longer itinerary may suit you better, such as our 5-day Marrakech to Fes.