8-Day Morocco Cultural & Sahara Desert Tour

ARRIVAL AT FEZ AIRPORT

Welcome to Morocco! Your guide will pick you up at Fez Airport and take you to your riad/hotel.

FEZ GUIDED TOUR WITH A LICENSED LOCAL GUIDE

Today, you will discover Fez, one of Morocco’s most famous imperial cities and a place known for its rich history and cultural heritage. In the morning, you'll meet your local guide at your riad/hotel, who will then take you to the Royal Palace, which was built in 1276 by Sultan Abu Yusuf Yaqub. From there, you will continue to a panoramic viewpoint where you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Medina and the city of Fez.

After that, you will visit the potter’s quarter, where you can see the traditional Moroccan pottery and learn more about this local craft. You will also pass by Bab Bou Jeloud, one of the most famous gates of the Medina, before visiting the well-known Chouara Tannery. Then, you will start a walking tour through the Medina of Fez. Founded in the 9th century, the Medina was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It is also home to Al-Qarawiyyin, one of the oldest universities in the world.

While walking through the narrow streets of the Medina, you will see old houses, traditional shops, historic buildings, and important monuments. Your guide will tell you more about the history of these places and the traditions that are still part of everyday life in Fez.

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

Today, we’ll pick you up from your riad or hotel in Fez and begin our journey towards the Sahara Desert. Our first stop is Ifrane, a charming mountain town surrounded by green landscapes and known for its clean streets and European-style architecture. Often called the “Switzerland of Morocco,” Ifrane offers a refreshing change of scenery before we continue south.

From Ifrane, we’ll make our way through the Cedar Forest, where you may spot Barbary Macaques among the trees. It’s a lovely place to stretch your legs, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. We’ll then continue to Midelt for lunch at a local restaurant before heading through the dramatic mountain landscapes towards the Ziz Valley.

Along the way, we’ll stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the valley, giving you a chance to take in the scenery, enjoy a coffee, and capture some memorable photos. From there, we continue towards Merzouga, where the landscape gradually changes and the vast Sahara begins to appear.

As we arrive in the desert, the adventure truly begins. You’ll enjoy a one-hour camel ride across the golden dunes, making your way towards your desert camp as the sun begins to set. Once at the camp, you can relax and take in the peaceful atmosphere of the Sahara. In the evening, a traditional Moroccan dinner will be served under the stars, followed by local music, folk songs, and dancing around the campfire—a memorable way to experience the magic of the desert.

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

After breakfast, we’ll set out for a memorable 4x4 adventure through the Merzouga Desert. Our first stop is with a local nomadic family, where you’ll have the chance to step into their traditional way of life and learn about the customs and traditions of life in the Sahara. You may also experience some of their daily activities, such as camel milking and preparing traditional bread.

We’ll then continue off-road across the desert, driving through the dunes and remote landscapes that make this part of Morocco so special. Our next stop is Khamlia Village, home to the Gnawa community. Here, you can enjoy their traditional music and discover the fascinating West African heritage that is part of their identity.

Afterwards, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can relax and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Hassi Labied Oasis, a peaceful spot surrounded by palm trees and golden dunes. Take some time to walk through the oasis, enjoy the quiet atmosphere, and admire the beautiful contrast between the greenery and the desert around it.

At the end of the day, we’ll return to Merzouga for a relaxing evening at your riad/hotel, giving you time to unwind after a day filled with culture, adventure, and desert scenery.

MERZOUGA DESERT ⤍ RISSANI ⤍ TODRA GORGES ⤍ DADES VALLEY

In the morning, you’ll enjoy a memorable experience as you climb the dunes to watch the sunrise (optional), but definitely worth doing if you want to enjoy the desert when it’s quiet and peaceful. After sunrise, head back to the camp for a traditional Moroccan breakfast.

After breakfast, we’ll leave Merzouga and continue towards the Dades Valley. On the way, we’ll stop in Rissani to visit the local souk. It’s a lively traditional market where people from the surrounding villages come to shop and sell their products. You’ll find everything from dates, spices, and fresh produce to livestock and other local goods. It’s a nice chance to see how people in this part of Morocco go about their everyday life.

From Rissani, we’ll continue towards the Todra Gorge. The drive takes us through the changing landscapes of the south until we reach the impressive gorge, surrounded by huge limestone cliffs. We’ll have some time to walk around, take in the views, and enjoy the scenery before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant nearby.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll make our way to the Dades Valley. Once we arrive, we’ll visit the famous Monkey Fingers, a unique rock formation shaped by years of erosion. The surrounding landscape is beautiful, with red rock formations, small villages, and the green fields of the Dades Valley creating a striking contrast.

We’ll then continue through the valley and stop at the famous winding road overlooking the Dades Gorge. It’s a great spot to take in the views and enjoy the scenery before heading to your accommodation.

Overnight at your riad/hotel in Dades Valley.

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

Today, we’ll leave the Dades Valley and start our journey towards Marrakech. It’s a beautiful drive with a few interesting stops along the way.

Our first stop will be Kalaat M’Gouna, also known as the Valley of Roses. The town is famous for its roses, which are used to make different local products such as rose water, oils, and cosmetics. If you’re visiting during the rose season, you may also see the local rose harvest taking place. It’s a small town with a strong Berber character and a nice place to get a feel for local life in the area.

From there, we’ll continue to Ouarzazate, where we can visit the Atlas Studios, one of Morocco’s best-known film studios. Many famous movies and TV shows have been filmed here, and you’ll have the chance to walk around some of the old sets and see how the area has become such an important location for the film industry.

We’ll then continue to Aït Benhaddou, one of the most beautiful and well-known kasbahs in Morocco. Before exploring the site, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we’ll take a walk through the old kasbah and its narrow streets, while enjoying the views over the surrounding landscape.

Aït Benhaddou was once an important stop on the old caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara. Its unique architecture has also attracted filmmakers from around the world, and the kasbah has appeared in movies and series such as Gladiator, The Message, Black Hawk Down, and Game of Thrones.

After visiting Aït Benhaddou, we’ll continue towards Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which reaches around 2,260 metres above sea level. We’ll make a short stop along the way to enjoy the mountain scenery and take a few photos.

MARRAKECH GUIDED TOUR WITH A LICENSED LOCAL GUIDE

After breakfast, you’ll spend the day discovering Marrakech with a local guide, exploring the places that reveal the city’s history, architecture, and everyday character. Your morning begins with a visit to the Bahia Palace, one of Marrakech’s most beautiful historic landmarks. Built in the late 19th century, the palace is filled with peaceful courtyards, gardens, colorful zellige tiles, carved plaster, and beautiful Moroccan craftsmanship. You’ll then continue to the Saadian Tombs, dating back to the late 16th century. Hidden for centuries, these beautifully decorated tombs offer a fascinating glimpse into the history and traditions of Marrakech.

Next, you’ll visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a former Islamic school and one of the finest examples of Moroccan architecture in the city. As you explore its courtyard and rooms, you’ll see intricate zellige tilework, carved plaster, and finely crafted cedarwood details that reflect the incredible skill of Moroccan artisans.

From there, you’ll continue on foot through the narrow streets of the Medina, where the experience becomes more lively and personal. Small shops, traditional workshops, colorful souks, and local life surround you at every turn. You’ll have time to discover handmade crafts, leather goods, spices, textiles, and traditional Moroccan jewelry before reaching Jemaa el-Fnaa, the famous heart of Marrakech. After exploring the square and its surroundings, you’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant and have the opportunity to enjoy some traditional Moroccan flavors.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the peaceful Majorelle Garden, one of Marrakech’s most iconic attractions. Created by French painter Jacques Majorelle, the garden is known for its exotic plants, quiet pathways, and distinctive blue buildings. It was later restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, helping preserve this special place for future generations.

After the visit, your guide will take you back to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, enjoy Marrakech at your own pace, or perhaps return to the Medina for some shopping and a little more exploration.

MARRAKECH ⤍ AIRPORT (RAK)

Today is a free day, so you can enjoy some time at your own pace before we arrange your transfer to Marrakech Airport for your flight to your next destination.