4 days Fez to Sahara desert and Marrakesh
Duration
Tour Type
Explore Tours
Buckle up for an unforgettable adventure on this 4-day journey from Fez to the magical Merzouga Desert and bustling Marrakech. Traverse the Middle Atlas Mountains, encountering Berber villages and charming landscapes. In the heart of the Sahara, experience an iconic camel trek across the golden dunes and spend a night under a canopy of stars at a desert camp. The return journey takes you through dramatic gorges, lush valleys, and the awe-inspiring High Atlas Mountains before culminating in the vibrant city of Marrakech. This whirlwind tour offers a taste of Morocco’s diverse culture, breathtaking scenery, and iconic landmarks.
Highlights:
- Cultural immersion: Explore the historic city of Fez and soak up the energy of Marrakech, the “Red City.”
- Traverse the Middle Atlas Mountains: Enjoy scenic vistas and charming Berber villages along the way.
- Unforgettable camel trek: Explore the vast Sahara Desert on a traditional camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Magical desert night: Spend a night at a desert camp, enjoying a delicious dinner under a blanket of stars.
- Dramatic landscapes: Witness the beauty of the Ziz Valley, Todra Gorges, and the High Atlas Mountains.
- Optional UNESCO World Heritage Site: Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a stunning fortified village and a popular filming location.
Included/Exclude
- Transportation: Roundtrip transportation throughout the journey, likely in a comfortable minibus or 4x4 vehicle.
- Accommodation: Three nights' accommodation in a desert camp (tent).
- Meals: Breakfast
- Activities: Camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Driver/Guide: An English-speaking driver or guide for the entire journey.
- Lunches: You'll need to factor in the cost of lunch on most days
- Entrance fees
- Drinks
- Gratuities
Tour Plan
We will come to your hotel or the airport in Fez, pick you up, and drive you to the Sahara desert. En route, we will stop at Ifrane and then in the Cedar Forest, where you can observe Barbarian Apes in their natural environment (but we can’t guarantee this as they don’t usually visit).
We may stop for lunch in Midelt while Travelling through different landscapes (typically here, but we can be flexible depending on when you used to have lunch and your desire).
We’ll go via Ziz Valley and Tizi Ntlghamt after lunch before reaching the Sahara desert.
A camel guide will be ready for you when you arrive in the Sahara desert so you can begin your camel ride across the sand dunes and enjoy the sunset.
We get together around the fire after supper to enjoy the nighttime desert trek, with traditional Berber drums.
After breakfast in the big tent at the desert camp you will start an explorative journey of the area. You’ll visit the Gnawa people (originally slaves brought from Sudan) to experience their music and lifestyle. Not far away there’s the lake of Merzouga, with its bird populations (NOT always available as it become dry if there is no rain for long time).
You may also visit the souks in Rissani , a traditional town which was the origin of the ruling family in Morocco and the meeting place of the Caravans trading as far as Timbuctou in Mali. Here you will see a lot of men hooded and women veiled.
Overnight will be at our desert camp, where you will have your dinner. For your convenience, the camp is equipped with western bathrooms
In the morning, we will get up early to enjoy a beautiful sunrise on the dunes then take a camel ride back to the hotel for bathing. After freshening up and breakfast we’ll leave for Tinghir and the Todra GorgYou’ll get up early to witness what might be the most beautiful sunrise of your life.
You will return to the camp for breakfast after sunrise. You will depart for Rissani or Erfoud, Toudra Valley, and the Todra gorges—the highest and narrowest canyons in Morocco—after breakfast at the camp.
We’ll drive to Dades Valley after lunch in the middle of the gorge (or even before, if you plan to undertake other desert activities). The places to stay the night will be Dades Valley, Kelaa Magouna, or Ouarzazate Kasbahs, Riads, or Hotels and finally arrive in the Dades Valley, where we will have a dinner and spend the night.
We will go through the Dades Valley in the direction of Skoura and Ouarzazate after breakfast in our accommodations. The Skoura Valley road is known as the “way of the thousand Kasbahs,” and it offers plenty of chances to capture some of your best travel photos. Proceed to “the Hollywood of Africa,” Ouarzazat. The largest kasbah in Morocco, Ait Ben Haddou, is the location of lunch. Following our tour of this UNESCO-designated matrimonial historical monument, we will cross the High Atlas Mountains and go through the magnificent Tizi ‘n’ tichka pass (2260m). We will have time to pause, take in the breathtaking scenery, and tour the cooperative producing argan oil. It will be late afternoon when we get to Marrakech.
Related Tours
4.4
This 4-day adventure with the family was a perfect blend of sightseeing and relaxation. We started in the vibrant city of Fez, where we explored the bustling souks and marveled at the intricate mosaic tiles. The journey through the Middle Atlas Mountains was scenic, with plenty of opportunities for photo stops and stretch breaks. The highlight for the kids was definitely the camel trek in the Sahara Desert, a unique and exciting experience. The desert camp itself was a haven of relaxation, with comfortable tents, delicious meals, and a swimming pool (a welcome surprise!). Marrakesh offered a final treat – a visit to a traditional hammam for a relaxing massage and steam bath. A fantastic tour for families who want to experience the wonders of Morocco without feeling rushed
4.4
This 4-day Fez to Marrakesh tour was a delightful exploration of Moroccan cuisine! We began in Fez, indulging in a cooking class where we learned to prepare the iconic pastillas and fragrant tagines. Throughout the journey, our guide, Ismail, ensured we stopped at hidden culinary gems – family-run restaurants serving traditional Berber dishes and roadside stalls offering the freshest local fruits and dates. Even the meals at the desert camp were a highlight – traditional Berber stews cooked over an open fire under a blanket of stars. Marrakesh offered a final culinary adventure, from the mouthwatering street food in Djemaa el-Fnaa to the elegant rooftop restaurants overlooking the city. A perfect tour for food lovers who want to experience the diverse flavors of Morocco.
4.2
This 4-day tour was a fantastic way to see a lot of Morocco on a tight budget. The price was very reasonable, and everything was included – transportation, meals, accommodation, and even the camel trek! Sure, the accommodations were basic (especially the desert camp tents), but they were clean and functional. Our guide, Ismail, was a real character – funny, informative, and always willing to help us find the best deals on souvenirs. For budget travelers who want to experience the highlights of Morocco, this tour is a great option!