3 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech

Day 1: Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Ziz Valley, and Erg Chebbi dunes (km 463).

Meeting in Fes to start the enjoyable 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, after breakfast at the Riad where you are staying and departure from Fes through the Middle Atlas mountain range, you reach Ifrane, a small town known as the “Little Switzerland of Morocco”. After that, we continue towards the Azrou cedar forest, inhabited by friendly families of barber macaques. We will continue towards Midelt through ever-changing landscapes.

After lunch, in the early afternoon, Will cross the wonderful Ziz Valley between typical Berber villages and spectacular palm oases. After about an hour’s journey, we will reach Erfoud, at the gates of the desert, famous for hosting the date festival in October.

From here, you will begin to see the wonderful Erg Chebbi dunes. Once in Merzouga, we will leave the 4×4 and go up on the back of a dromedary for a walk of about an hour and a half in the heart of the dunes.

Free time on the dunes to observe the splendid sunset that only the desert can offer. Return to the camp, at the foot of the dunes, on the back of a dromedary. Dinner, Berber musical entertainment, and overnight in a private tent.

DAY 2: Merzouga, Rissani, Todra Gorges and Dades Valley (Km 255)

Today, the second day, we will wake up at dawn to admire the sunrise from the Sahara Dunes and take photographs from the highest dune.

Camels ride in the heart of the dunes and return. After a delicious breakfast, depart towards the Todra Gorges. The journey continues along a beautiful road and landscape, within which you will see numerous Berber villages.

We will cross the splendid city of Rissani, surrounded by the largest palm grove in all of Morocco and by beautiful landscapes that indicate the proximity of the desert; the ancient caravan route with sub-Saharan Africa; a town of great historical importance and religious center, a witness of the Alaouite dynasty; and a very high number of still-inhabited kasbahs. We will stop to visit the lively souk and the Moulay Ali Sharif Mosque, the founder of the Alaouite dynasty.

Continue in the direction of Tinghir towards the deep Todra Gorges, one of the most beautiful points of the High Atlas. We will continue towards the Dades Valley, following the road that will lead us to cross the canyons and admire the Jebel Saghro mountain range, known for its gold and silver mines, which, at the time of the war, were evidence of the resistance of the Berber people against the French army.

Arrive in Boumalne Dades for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 3: Boumalne Dades, Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi n’Tichka, Marrakech (Km 330)

On our last day, we took in one of the better views of the Dades Valley from a key mountain lookout. From there, we can take in the abundance of kasbahs and the distinctive aesthetic features of each one.

Then we proceed along a road lined with various tourist-attractive kasbahs. We’ll go to Ouarzazate to explore the Kasbah of Taourirt, the former home of the Glaoui or Marrakech pasha, after making a few stops to enjoy the “One Thousand Kasbahs Road,” the Roses Valley, and the large Skoura palm grove.

Additionally, if you’re interested, we can go to the movie studios and the movie museum on Tuesday. We will make a stop at the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou, which is about an hour away from Ouarzazate. Here, we will explore the well-known Kasbah, which UNESCO designated as a World Heritage Site in 1986. Famous movies like Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, Sahara with Penélope Cruz, etc. were filmed on this magnificent set. Lunchtime in the town is free.

Depart for Marrakech in the afternoon, passing through the mountain port of Tizi N’tichka and making a few photo stops along the way. We now leave the moon’s surface behind to arrive at another colorful vista. We’ll arrive in Marrakech at 6 o’clock, travel to the hotel, and conclude our 3 Days Desert Tour Fes to Marrakech.