Four days links Marrakech and Fes by way of the desert, with a full day in the Merzouga region between the drives. Along the way you take in the Atlas mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Dades and Todra gorges, the Merzouga Sahara, and many Berber villages.
You cross the High Atlas from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou, then run through Ouarzazate and the Rose Valley to the Dades Valley for the first night. The second day tracks through the gorges and Erfoud to Merzouga, where you ride camels into the dunes for the sunset. The third day is given to the Merzouga region by 4×4, with nomads, Khamlia, and the flamingo lake. The last day returns north through Rissani, the Ziz Valley, the cedar forest and Ifrane, ending in Fes.
The tour starts with an early pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Marrakech. You drive through the High Atlas and the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with stops for the panoramas.
You then continue to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there you head to Ouarzazate, the gate of the desert, and visit the Atlas Studios. You then continue to the Rose Valley, where locals offer rose products, and drive to Boumalne Dades.
Approx. 6 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel or riad in Boumalne Dades
After breakfast you take in the spectacular landscape of the Dades gorges, then continue to the Todra Gorge, a grand, red-walled canyon. Free time for lunch, with time to wander the gorge.
In the afternoon you reach the Sahara at Merzouga and switch to camels to cross the sand, pausing on a high dune for the sunset. You continue to the luxury camp for Berber drum music and dancing around the fire under a wide sky of stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
An early start is a must, to watch the sunrise over the desert. You return by camel to Merzouga. The day is given to the Merzouga region — dunes, a wild lake, mines, fossil grounds, and oases.
You drive off-road to an ancient eyeliner mine, then visit a nomad family over Berber tea. Next is Khamlia village for Gnaoua music and dance. Free time for lunch. Afterwards you walk in a palm grove, then drive to the wild lake of Merzouga, the flamingo lake. Dinner and overnight.
Approx. 2 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga
On the last day you leave the desert for Rissani, with a large souk (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays). After the souk you continue to Erfoud for a fossilised-marble workshop.
You then drive along the Ziz river, stopping for a view of the Ziz Valley. Free time for lunch in Midelt. You continue to the cedar forest of the Barbary macaques, then visit Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco. Finally you are dropped off at the airport or your accommodation in Fes. The tour is also available in reverse, from Fes to Marrakech.
Approx. 7 hours driving
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It is a private experience: only the travellers who make the enquiry take part, with no one else joining. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised trips, which is why we mainly run private tours.
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has a private bathroom with hot running water.
The camel ride runs from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you stay in. If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that carries people and luggage in and out. ATVs can also be arranged at extra cost.
Either an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both air-conditioned. The 4×4 is a Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 passengers); minivans are a Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo, or similar (up to 8 passengers). For groups larger than 8, a minibus for up to 18 can be provided.
Yes, though it involves roughly 3 to 7 hours of driving a day, plus off-roading during the desert excursion. The vehicles are new and comfortable and we make regular stops.
