This five-day journey links Marrakech and Fes by way of the Sahara and fits in many remarkable places: the High Atlas and the Tizi n’Tichka pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Amridil Kasbah, the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge, and the Sahara at Merzouga, which you explore by 4×4.
Leaving Marrakech, you cross the High Atlas and visit Telouet and Ait Ben Haddou on the way to Ouarzazate. The second day takes you east via The Amridil Kasbah in the Skoura oasis, the Roses Valley and the Dades Valley. On day three you travel through the Todra Gorge and Erfoud to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride, and day four is a full 4×4 day around Merzouga. 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, and visit the Telouet Kasbah.
Then you continue to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and on to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Approx. 4 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate
Following breakfast, you explore Ouarzazate, starting with the Atlas Studios and then the Taourirt Kasbah. Then you drive east to the Amridil Kasbah, set among the palm groves of Skoura. Next is Kalaat M’Gouna, famous for the Roses Valley, followed by the Dades Valley via Boumalne Dades, with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and at a valley viewpoint. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Approx. 3 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Boumalne Dades
Following breakfast, 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 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
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes. You head back to Merzouga by camel or in the camp 4×4, then set off 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.
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 2 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 tour may suit you better.