4-Day Tour to Marrakech Via Sahara desert

FEZ ⤍ IFRANE ⤍ CEDAR FOREST ⤍ MIDELT ⤍ ZIZ VALLEY ⤍ MERZOUGA DESERT

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel in Fez and head south. The first stop will be in the city of Ifrane, which is known for its beautiful landscapes, clean streets, and European-style architecture. It is often known as the “Switzerland of Morocco” due to its resemblance to Swiss towns, with its alpine-style houses and snowy winters.

Next, we will drive to the Azrou Cedar Forest, which provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the endangered Barbary macaques. Lunch will be at a nice restaurant in Midelt. Later, we will continue our journey, driving along the foothills of the Ziz Valley Mountains, enjoying the mesmerizing landscapes of the valley, we’ll stop for a cup of coffee at the peak of the mountain, where you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Ziz Valley.

Later, we’ll drive towards the Merzouga Desert, where you will end your day with a one-hour camel ride to the Merzouga Desert Camp while witnessing the sunset. Enjoy a traditional dinner under the stars and spend the night enjoying the beats of local traditional folk songs and dancing around the campfire.

MERZOOUGA DESERT ⤍ NOMAD FAMILY ⤍ TOUR OF THE DUNES ⤍ KHAMLIA ⤍ HASSI LABIED OASIS

Our day begins with a morning 4x4 excursion into the spectacular Merzouga Desert. Our first stop is a visit to a local nomadic family, where you can discover their traditional way of life and learn about the customs and traditions that have shaped their daily lives in the Sahara. You may also experience authentic activities such as camel milking and traditional bread preparation.

We then continue with an exciting off-road drive through the dunes and surrounding desert landscapes, offering a closer look at the beauty and vastness of the Sahara. From there, we head to Khamlia Village, home to the Gnawa community, where you can enjoy their distinctive music and discover their West African heritage and traditions.

After this cultural experience, we stop for lunch at a local restaurant, giving you time to relax and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal. In the afternoon, we continue to Hassi Labied Oasis, a peaceful palm-filled oasis surrounded by golden dunes. Here, you can take a relaxing walk and appreciate the striking contrast between the lush oasis and the surrounding desert.

At the end of the day, we return to Merzouga for a relaxing evening and overnight stay at your riad/hotel.

MERZOUGA DESERT ⤍ RISSANI ⤍ TODRA GORGES ⤍ DADES VALLEY

In the morning, you will enjoy a memorable experience as you climb the dunes to watch the sunrise (optional). Then, return to the camp to enjoy a warm, traditional breakfast. Next, we will depart from Merzouga desert and head towards the Dades Valley. Our first stop of the day will be the town of Rissani, where you’ll visit one of the oldest and most authentic traditional markets in the country, with a rich history dating back several centuries.

The next stop will be the Todra Gorges, featuring high limestone cliffs rising up to 300 meters. The landscape of this place, even in summer, leaves a deep impression. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Todra Valley.

The last stop of the day will be the Dades Valley, where we’ll visit the Monkey Fingers, unique rock formations shaped naturally by erosion. Their unusual shapes resemble a monkey’s fingers, creating a stunning desert landscape. Later, we will visit the winding road. It is a spectacular gorge carved out by the Dades River, which separates the High Atlas Mountains from the Anti-Atlas Mountains.

Overnight at your riad/hotel in Dades Valley.

DADES VALLEY ⤍ ROSES VALLEY ⤍ ATLAS STUDIOS ⤍ AÏT BENHADDOU KASBAH ⤍HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS ⤍ MARRAKECH

Today, we will leave Dades and head to Marrakech. First, we will visit Kalaat M’Gouna which is also known as the Valley of Roses. It is a small town known for its roses and Berber traditions. Visiting this place in May, you can observe the famous Rose Festival celebrated after the rose harvest. Next, we will drive to Ouarzazate and Atlas Studios which are one of the biggest film studios in the world. It is known for its huge movie sets which were filmed in lots of famous Hollywood movies and TV-shows.

Our next destination will be Aït Benhaddou – one of the most famous kasbahs of Morocco and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we will have lunch and explore the ancient fortified village. Aït Benhaddou was the important part of the old caravan route between Marrakech and Sahara and was also used as scenery in the films like Gladiator and The Message, Game of Thrones.

Afterwards, we will move towards Marrakech crossing Tizi n’Tichka Pass which is located 2,260 meters above sea level. We will have a small stop to enjoy mountain view and make some photos during our journey.

Overnight at your riad/hotel in Marrakech