4-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakesh to Fez
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About This Tour
Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fez 4-day Saharaoffers an incredible opportunity to journey between two imperial cities while immersing yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of southern Morocco. This adventure begins with a drive through the dramatic High Atlas Mountains, where you’ll marvel at the awe-inspiring views and visit historic sites such as Kasbah Telouet and the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you venture deeper into Morocco’s heartland, you’ll explore the lush Skoura Oasis, filled with towering palm trees and ancient kasbahs. You’ll then traverse an off-road route through the Valley of Roses to the stunning Dades Valley, where you’ll enjoy traditional tea with cave-dwelling nomads, gaining insight into their unique way of life.
Our 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fez continues with visits to the majestic Dades Canyons and the towering cliffs of the Todra Gorge, one of Morocco's most impressive natural wonders. From there, you’ll embark on a once-in-a-lifetime camel excursion across the sweeping dunes of the Erg Chebbi Desert. As you ride into the desert, the serene silence and golden sands will captivate you. You’ll experience the unforgettable sight of the Sahara sunset, capturing beautiful photos as the colors change across the dunes.
You will spend the night in an opulent desert camp in the evening, beneath a blanket of stars and surrounded by the vastness of the Sahara. Savor authentic Berber hospitality, savor a dinner cooked over a campfire, and drift off to sleep in your luxurious tent while taking in the peace and beauty of the desert.
When your four-day journey through the Sahara desert from Marrakech to Fez comes to an end, you will travel north through the verdant Ziz Valley, which is well-known for its enormous date palms and yearly date festival. You’ll continue across the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains, making a stop to see the Barbary apes in the cedar forests near Azrou, before arriving in the imperial city of Fez.
This 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fez combines cultural exploration, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences, making it a journey you’ll treasure for a lifetime
Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fez Highlights:
- Tizi n'Tichka Pass and High Atlas Mountains:
- Depart from Marrakech, traveling through the winding roads of the High Atlas Mountains.
- Enjoy stunning views and picturesque Berber villages along the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, the highest mountain pass in Morocco.
- Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah:
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, a historic fortified village that has served as a backdrop for numerous films and shows.
- Explore the ancient kasbahs and learn about their history and architecture.
- Ouarzazate and Film Studios:
- Stop in Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Africa," where you can visit film studios and the impressive Taourirt Kasbah.
- Discover the history of the city and its connection to Moroccan cinema.
- Skoura Oasis and Rose Valley:
- Explore the lush palm groves of Skoura Oasis, dotted with traditional kasbahs.
- Pass through the Rose Valley, famous for its annual rose festival and fragrant rose products.
- Dades Gorge and Valley:
- Spend time in the Dades Valley, known for its dramatic landscapes and unique rock formations, such as the "Monkey Fingers."
- Enjoy an overnight stay in a charming guesthouse, where you can relax and take in the natural beauty.
- Todra Gorge:
- Visit the stunning Todra Gorge, where towering cliffs reach heights of up to 300 meters.
- Take a walk along the riverbed, or simply enjoy the spectacular views of this natural wonder.
- Merzouga and Erg Chebbi Dunes:
- Arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, and embark on a camel trek into the vast Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Witness the unforgettable sunset over the dunes and spend the night in a luxury desert camp, complete with traditional Berber music, a campfire, and a sky full of stars.
- Desert Adventures and Nomadic Culture:
- Wake up early to catch the mesmerizing sunrise over the dunes.
- Experience desert life with optional activities like sandboarding, quad biking, or visiting a nomadic family to learn about their culture and way of life.
- Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas Mountains:
- Travel through the scenic Ziz Valley, known for its vast palm groves and date production.
- Continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through towns like Midelt and Azrou, famous for their cedar forests and Barbary macaques.
- Ifrane, "Little Switzerland," and Arrival in Fez:
- Make a brief stop in Ifrane, a charming town known for its alpine-style architecture and cool climate.
- Arrive in Fez, where the tour concludes, providing a mix of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and desert adventures from Marrakech to Fez.
What’s Included
- Private SUV Toyota Landcruiser
- Pick up & Drop off at your Hotels
- Local Guide in Ait Ben Haddou
- Camel Trek to and from the camp
- Option to go to/from the camp by 4×4
- Private rooms/tents with en suite bathroom
- Entrance fees in Skoura & Telouet
- Luggage service to the camp
- Berber drumming and music in the camp
- The opportunity to stop anytime
- Free time to explore the sites and Breaks
- No forced Shopping stops
- 3 Dinners
- 3 Breakfasts
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments, studios and Kasbahs ( these are optional visits )
Tour Plan
Expand allCollapse all1: Marrakech - Dades Valley
At 8:00 am, your driver will pick you up from your hotel or a nearby accessible point and embark on your 4 days journey from Marrakech to Fez towards the Dades Gorges, located in the southeast region of Morocco, via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass of the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, we will make several stops for coffee, restroom breaks, and to admire the breathtaking panoramic views, providing opportunities for photos. After a morning of travel, we will stop for lunch in the medieval town of Aït Benhaddou, followed by a guided exploration of the town's alleys and passageways. From there, you'll climb to the old Granary for an excellent vantage point to view the kasbah and its surroundings. Following lunch, we will continue our 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga, traveling further east through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, many of which are in disrepair as they were constructed of rammed earth. We'll pass Skoura and the Valley of Roses before finally arriving at the awe-inspiring Dades Valley, where we will spend the night.
2: Dades Gorge - Merzouga Desert
After a delicious breakfast, we will continue our 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga. Our first stop of the day will be at the Dades Gorge, where we will have the opportunity to admire the stunning landscapes and deep gorges before continuing our journey to Todra Gorge. Upon arrival at Todra Gorge, we'll be greeted by the towering cliffs that reach 984 feet (300 m) high and were carved by the Todra River through red limestone. You'll have the chance to take a leisurely walk around the gorge and relax in the cool waters of the shallow river below. After lunch, we will continue our journey to Erfoud, a town famous for its fossil finds that have been crafted into beautiful artifacts. This town marks the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet and its immense arid plateaus. Our final destination for the day will be the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi dunes. A small off-road track will take us to the edge of the golden dunes, where we will spend the night in a traditional hotel at the dunes line.
3: Erg Chebbi Dunes Tour
Today's itinerary will take us deep into the desert region and the magnificent Erg Chebbi dunes. We'll embark on a desert dune circuit, giving you the chance to witness firsthand the nomadic way of life and the incredible changing contrasts of the desert landscape. Our first stop will be Rissani, a fascinating town that boasts a rich cultural diversity of Berber, Arab, and desert communities, all easily identifiable by their distinct clothing styles and colors. As a former caravan center, Rissani has retained its status as a major commercial hub in the region, and its bustling souk (market) is a must-see. While here, you may also want to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, one of the founders of the Alaouite dynasty. Later, we'll drive back to the edge of the dunes, where we'll mount our camels for a leisurely ride to the middle of the dunes. Here, you'll have plenty of time to witness the mesmerizing sunset of the Sahara, take beautiful photos, share a laugh, and recharge your soul. After the sunset, we'll continue our journey to the camp, where we'll be welcomed with refreshing mint tea. You can then settle into your comfortable tents, freshen up, and sort your luggage, while the delicious dinner is being prepared.
4: Erg Chebbi Dunes - Fez
You will be awoken early to witness one of the most breathtaking moments of the desert: the sunrise over the highest dune of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. After enjoying breakfast in the camp, you will pack up and either ride on camels or in a 4x4 vehicle to meet your driver. As you drive along the Ziz Valley, take note of the abundance of palm trees and the high volume of dates produced each year. You'll see many ksars, fortified houses that merchants built to safeguard their goods. We'll stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the oasis of Aoufous in the Tafilalte region before continuing on to Midelt, known as the "apple city," for lunch. Take in the scenery of the Moulouya River and apple orchards as you cross the pass of Tizi N'tlramt. In the afternoon, we will journey to Fes, passing through the Cedar forest near Azrou and the mountain of the middle Atlas, with the possibility of spotting Barbary apes (monkeys). There may be a stop in Ifrane, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Morocco." Finally, after a long day on the road, you will arrive in the spiritual capital of Morocco - Fes, and be dropped off at your accommodation.