Five days links Marrakech and Fes through the Sahara, taking in a run of amazing sites: the High Atlas and the Tizi n’Tichka pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Amridil Kasbah, the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge, and the Merzouga Sahara, explored by 4×4.
You cross the High Atlas from Marrakech, taking in Telouet and Ait Ben Haddou on the way to Ouarzazate. The second day works east through Skoura and the Amridil Kasbah, the Roses Valley, and the Dades Valley. The third day runs through the Todra Gorge and Erfoud to Merzouga, with a camel trek at sunset, and the fourth is given to the Merzouga region by 4×4. 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, and visit the Telouet Kasbah.
You then continue to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then you head to Ouarzazate, the gate of the desert. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Approx. 4 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate
After breakfast you explore Ouarzazate: the Atlas Studios, then the Taourirt Kasbah. You then drive east to visit the Amridil Kasbah, set among the palm groves of Skoura. You continue to Kalaat M’Gouna, famous for the Roses Valley, then to the Dades Valley through Boumalne Dades, with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and a viewpoint over the valley. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Approx. 3 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Boumalne Dades
After breakfast you continue to the Todra Gorge, a grand, red-walled canyon, with time to wander it. You drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad, with free time for lunch on the way.
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
An early start lets you watch the sunrise over the desert. You return by camel or the camp’s 4×4 to Merzouga, then leave 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.
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 2 to 7 hours of driving a day. The vehicles are new and comfortable and we make regular stops, but if you aren’t used to this amount of travel you may prefer a longer tour.
