5 Day tour from Fez to Marrakech

Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga

Our 5-day journey from Fes to Marrakech begins as we head south toward the Sahara Desert. We cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, enjoying the fresh air of the ancient cedar forests, where we will stop for an hour to enjoy the company of wild monkeys. We will make several stops for photographs at splendid panoramic viewpoints as we drive through the Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet palm grove (the largest oasis). Finally, we reach the Erg Chebbi dunes, the majestic Great Dunes of Merzouga. Overnight stay at a lodge.

Day 2: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Exploration

We rise before dawn to witness the sunrise over the dunes. After returning to the lodge by dromedary for a shower and breakfast, we set out to explore the Erg Chebbi—the vast expanse of sand home to the Great Dune of Morocco, standing over 250 meters high. We travel along tracks used in the original Paris-Dakar Rally, with the mountains bordering Algeria in the background. We stop at the Tissardmine oasis and continue to a nomad settlement to learn the secrets of their traditional life and customs.

Next, we stop at a panoramic viewpoint to contemplate the entirety of the Erg Chebbi dunes. We then visit Khamlia, a village originally settled by people from Mali, where we can relax with tea while enjoying a performance of Gnawa music. After returning to the lodge for lunch, you will have a free afternoon to climb the dunes and enjoy a romantic sunset. After dinner, a traditional Berber drum show awaits. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges

You will return to the hotel by camel for breakfast and a shower. Afterward, we travel through the desert to the ancient city of Rissani and continue to the Todra Gorges, where you can walk along the riverbanks. We stop to enjoy panoramic views of ancient mud-built Berber villages overlooking the valley. Lunch will be served at a restaurant beneath the towering red cliffs, a favorite spot for rock climbers. Later, we continue to Dades for an overnight stay at a lodge in the heart of the Dades Gorges.

Day 4: Dades Gorges – Kalaat M’Gouna – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate

A scenic drive awaits as we pass through Kalaat M’Gouna, the “City of Roses,” famous for its rose products and the annual Rose Festival held in May. We follow the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” toward Skoura and Ouarzazate until we reach the photogenic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. A historic resting point for caravans, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 and the backdrop for many international films, including *Lawrence of Arabia*, *The Mummy*, *Gladiator*, and *Asterix & Obelix*. After lunch overlooking the Kasbah, we spend the night at a hotel in Ouarzazate.

Day 5: Ouarzazate – Marrakech

Today is a highlight of the journey. The 200 km between Ouarzazate and Marrakech run through the High Atlas Mountains. This road is meant to be traveled slowly to appreciate its beauty, as it crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass at nearly 2,300 meters. To add to the day’s spectacle, we follow the ancient caravan route through the Ounila Valley, famous for its kasbahs built into caves, which leads us to the historic Kasbah of Telouet. Finally, we arrive in Marrakech, marking the end of our services.