On this incredible 4-day trip from Marrakech to Fez, we'll enjoy the best the interior of Morocco has to offer, such as the spectacular desert of Merzouga.
4-Day Trip from Marrakech to Fez
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Roses and Dades Valleys
After picking you up at the airport in Marrakech, or at the hotel or riad of your choice, we'll hit the road and begin this unforgettable 4-day route through the interior of Morocco. On this first road trip, we'll drive through the Atlas Mountains and cross Tizi n'Tichka. Located at 2260 meters (7414 feet) above sea level, this is the highest Moroccan road pass.
The journey through the Atlas Mountains will finally take us to Ouarzazate. We'll head to the outskirts of the city to visit the legendary Kasbah of Ait Ben Hadu: a citadel that has served as one of the scenic film sets for movies like Gladiator or Kingdom of Heaven.
From Ait Ben Hadu we'll continue in the direction of Skoura, where we'll find the jaw-dropping kasbah of Amredhyle. We'll conclude this unforgettable day crossing the Roses and Dades valleys. We'll finish with dinner and relaxing back at the hotel in the Dades Valley.
Day 2: Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga
Refueled with a good breakfast at the hotel in the Dades Valley, we'll set off on the route to the Todra Gorges. We'll contemplate the amazing natural landscapes of these breathtaking gorges, whose steep terrain is populated by local people with ancient customs and traditions.
The route continues to the lush palm grove of Jorf and the small village of Erfoud, where we'll visit a traditional marble workshop. When the orange glow of sunset begins to fill the Moroccan sky, we'll reach the desert of Merzouga. We'll head to the haima camp where we'll spend the next two nights, and before dinner, we'll enjoy an exciting camel ride through the dunes. The day will conclude with a delicious dinner under the desert stars.
Day 3: Desert of Merzouga
No traffic jams. No exhausting schedules. No rush to catch this or that subway. Nope, none of that. Today we'll wake up with a feeling that's pretty different from what we're used to. Waking up will be a totally new experience: a sunrise over the desert of Merzouga, just at the moment when the scarlet tones tint the dunes. Hard to beat, isn't it? We'll have breakfast while we watch this dazzling sight. Then, we'll head out into the desert landscapes again, this time on an off-road tour of the Erg Chebbi dunes, the highest in Morocco.
Afterwards, we'll stop at the village of Khamlia so you can check it out on your own, and then we'll head to the riad hotels to eat dinner and rest up for the final day.
Day 4: Merzouga - Rissani - Ifran - Fez
This morning, we'll again have breakfast at the foot of the dunes of Merzouga. Once ready to go, we'll move north towards Rissani: the ancient capital of the Alawite sultans. After learning about its fascinating history, we'll cross the landscapes of the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas to Ifran, considered the "Moroccan Switzerland".
From Ifran we'll finally head towards Fez. Three hours before your flight departure, we'll take you to the airport. We can also bring you to the hotel or riad in the city if you prefer.
Accommodation
When you make your reservation you can choose between two categories of hotels:
Standard hotels (2 and 3 stars):
- Dades Valley (first night): Hotel Babylon, Auberge Panorama, Kasbah Tifawen or similar.
- Merzouga (second night): Tent camp.
- Merzouga (third night): Riad Mamouche, Dar Tafouyte or similar.
Luxury hotels (4 stars):
- Dades Valley (first night): Dar Rihana, Ksar Sultan, Hotel Xaluca Dades or similar.
- Merzouga (second night): Azawad Luxury Desert Camp or similar.
- Merzouga (third night): Riad Azawad, Riad Madu, Riad Nezha or similar.
Here you can see photos of both camps:
Both in the hotels and in the desert camps, single rooms are not available—they are always doubles. If only one person books, a supplement will apply. Triple and family rooms are also available if preferred.
Standard haimas can accommodate up to 4 people and include a private bathroom. Superior haimas can accommodate up to 5 people and also feature a private bathroom. The standard and superior camps are completely separate, with differences in the meals and the interior decoration of the haimas.
Please note that during peak seasons, such as Easter or Christmas, standard-category camps may sometimes use shared bathrooms.
Departure from Fez
If you prefer, we also have a tour available which departs from Fez and ends in Marrakech.
