4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech
Introduction
Experience the Erg Chebbi Dunes on a 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech. On this guided tour through Morocco’s Sahara desert, discover the amazing cultural and geographic diversity of Southern Morocco.
On the first day, leave Fes driving to Merzouga via the Middle Atlas Mountains and along the Ziz Valley.
On the second day, visit a local family in the desert, ride a camel across Erg Chebbi dunes, and get to camp out in the desert.
On the third day, drive to the marvelous Todra Gorges in Tinghir and to Boumalne Gorge.
On the fourth day, drive along the road of 1000 Kasbahs, visit the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and cross the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
There’s so much to marvel at during this 4 days Morocco tour from Fes to Marrakech.
Day 1: Fes to Merzouga via Ifrane - Midelt - Atlas mountains
After breakfast in your riad, you will leave Fes travelling towards Ifran, a beautiful mountains village, referred to as “the Switzerland of Morocco” and then on to Midelt. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. Stopping at Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest – the largest in Morocco – where you may well sight Barbary apes. After sometime within the forest, your journey continues to Midelt along the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas, after Midelt town you will be travelling through the fascinating Tizi Ntalghamt pass and the Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau, you’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia, here you will have lunch and enjoy the Berber hospitality.Afterwards, you will travel along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arrive at Merzouga on the afternoon. Night accommodations will be in a Riad.
Day 2: Tour of the dunes and exploring Merzouga area
After a tasty breakfast in your riad, your exploration day of the Merzouga desert will commence. First, you will visit a small town named Khamlia, where you will listen to a unique style of music (called Gnawa) played by the locals who are originally from the south of Africa. Second, drive off-road to M’Fis, an abandoned village and a place where there are mines of Galena, a mineral from which Mascara was prepared in the old days. Finally, visit a nomadic family living behind the Erg Chebbi Dunes near the borders, and get to sit in one of their traditional Berber tents for a cup of tea. This is also an opportunity to learn about an ethnic group that chose to live a very different life (nomad life) away from the civilizations. Today, you can have a Berber pizza for lunch.
In the evening, you will ride camels traversing the high dunes of Merzouga to your camp. Once you get there, you can try sandboarding while watching a fabulous sunset. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Merzouga - Todra Gorges - Boumalne Dades
Your camelman will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life. You’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga. Enroute you couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast in the riad, you’ll leave for Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodation will be in Hotel Kasbah in the gorges or in a 4 stars hotel.
Day 4: Boumalne Dades - Ouarzazate - Ait ben Haddou - Atlas Mountains - Marrakech
After breakfast in the hotel, you will drive along the road of 1000 Kasbahs to Ouarzazate. Here, you can visit the Atlas Studios or just have some photos from outside. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Hadou Kasbah, which was used for the filming of many famous movies such as Gladiator.
After lunch here, you will drive to Marrakech crossing the High Atlas Mountains. You will see many Moroccan Berber villages along the way.
What is included
Pick up from your accommodation in Fez
A/C modern 4×4 SUV or a van, or a minibus
English speaking driver or a driver and an English speaking tour guide
First, second, and third-night accommodations
Meals: three breakfasts & three dinners
Excursion by a 4×4 vehicle in Merzouga
Camel trekking experience
Sandboarding
Drop off at your accommodation in Marrakech
What’s not included
Lunches
Drinks
Entrance fees if needed
Tips (optional)
