This four-day journey links Marrakech and Fes by way of the desert, with a whole day in the Merzouga area to break up the driving. Along the route you discover 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 Rose Valley to spend the first night in the Dades Valley. The second day takes you through the gorges and Erfoud to Merzouga, where a sunset camel ride leads you into the dunes. Day three is a full 4×4 day around Merzouga, meeting nomads and visiting Khamlia and the flamingo lake. On the last day you travel north via Rissani, the Ziz Valley, 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. Then you continue to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert, for a visit of the Atlas Studios. Next comes the Rose Valley, where locals sell products made from roses, before the drive to Boumalne Dades.
About 6 hours on the road · Night: Hotel or riad in Boumalne Dades
Following breakfast, you take in the spectacular Dades gorges and continue to the Todra Gorge, a striking red-walled canyon. There is free time for lunch and to explore the gorge.
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 for sunrise over the dunes, then ride your camel back to Merzouga. The rest of the day is dedicated to the Merzouga region: dunes, a wild lake, old mines, fossil sites and oases.
An off-road drive takes you to an ancient kohl (eyeliner) mine, followed by Berber tea with a nomad family. Then you visit the village of Khamlia for Gnaoua music and dance. Free time for lunch. Later, you walk through a palm grove and drive to Merzouga’s wild lake, also called the flamingo lake. Dinner and overnight.
Approx. 2 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga
On the last day you leave the dunes for Rissani and its large souk (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays). Next you visit a fossilised-marble workshop in Erfoud.
The road then follows the Ziz river, with a stop at a 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 3 to 7 hours on the road each day, plus some off-road driving during the desert excursion. Our vehicles are recent and comfortable, and we take regular breaks.