Six days links Marrakech and Fes through the Sahara and finishes with a full guided day in Fes. Along the way you take in 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 to Ait Ben Haddou, then run through Ouarzazate and the Roses Valley to the Dades Valley for the first night. The second day tracks through the gorges to Merzouga, with a camel trek at sunset, and the third is given to the Merzouga region by 4×4. The fourth day returns north through Rissani, the Ziz Valley, the cedar forest and Ifrane to Fes. The fifth is a guided day in the Fes medina, and the sixth is the transfer to the airport.
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. Then you head to Ouarzazate, the gate of the desert. Free time for lunch, then you continue to the Roses Valley, passing through the palm grove of Skoura, and drive to Boumalne Dades for the night.
Approx. 6 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Boumalne Dades
After breakfast you drive through the Dades Valley, stopping at a viewpoint over the Dades gorges. You then 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 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 or 4×4 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
After breakfast 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. You reach Fes for the night, with a free evening in the medina.
Approx. 7 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Fes
You are collected from your accommodation in Fes after breakfast to explore one of Morocco’s most iconic imperial cities. A driving tour covers the Royal Palace Gate, the Mellah, the Borj Sud fortress view, and the Ceramic Village and School. The walking tour of the medieval medina with a local guide takes in the Al Attarine Madrasa, the University and Mosque of Al-Qarawiyyin, and the colourful Chouara tanneries.
Approx. 30 min driving / 3–4 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Fes
Depending on your flight time, you are collected from the riad and driven to Fes airport. This is the end of the tour.
Approx. 30 min 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, easier-going tour.