From Fes: 3 Days and 2 Nights Desert Trip to Marrakech

4.5

184 reviews Event

WHEN Friday 3 January to Friday 10 January

ADDRESS Directions

This trip from Fes to Marrakech takes you through the Cedars forest, Atlas mountains and deserts. Visit kasbahs, ride a camel and stay overnight in a Berber tent.

Highlights

Drive through the cedar forest and see monkeys
Ride a camel across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi
Spend a night under the stars in a Sahara desert camp
Explore the UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
Discover the dramatic Todra and Dades Gorges

Description

Unforgettable 3-day journey from Fez to Marrakech, crossing the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, visiting Morocco’s most iconic landmarks, and experiencing the magic of the Sahara Desert. Day 1: Fez – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert: Your journey begins at 7:45 AM with pick-up from your hotel or the nearest meeting point in Fez. Travel through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping first in Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine-style architecture and clean streets. Continue to the cedar forests of Azrou, home to playful Barbary macaque monkeys, before driving south past charming Berber villages. In Midelt, take a lunch break (no included) before descending into the Ziz Valley, a striking oasis lined with date palms and fortified villages. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Merzouga, gateway to the Sahara. From here, begin your camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes, watching the golden sands shift as the sun sets. At your desert camp, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, music by local nomads, and a night under a star-filled sky. Day 2: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate: Wake early to catch a breathtaking sunrise over the dunes, then return to camp for breakfast. Leaving the desert behind, you’ll stop in Rissani, the historic capital of the Alaouite dynasty, with its bustling souk and traditional kasbahs. Next, journey to the spectacular Todra Gorge, where towering limestone cliffs create one of Morocco’s most impressive natural wonders. Stretch your legs with a walk through the canyon before continuing into the Dades Valley, a dramatic landscape of winding roads and red cliffs. By evening, you’ll reach Ouarzazate, known as Morocco’s “Hollywood,” where dinner and an overnight stay at a local hotel await. Day 3: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Marrakech: After breakfast, explore Ouarzazate’s Atlas Studios, where world-famous films and series have been shot. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, a stunning fortified ksar made of clay and stone. Wander its narrow alleyways, enjoy lunch, and climb for panoramic views of the valley. The final stretch takes you through the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m). Stop along the way for photos of terraced fields, Berber villages, and snow-capped peaks before descending toward Marrakech. Arrival is expected by late afternoon (around 6:00 PM more or less), with drop-off either at Jamaa El Fna Square or your hotel if accessible.

Includes

Transportation for 3 days in an air-conditioned car Professional English- and French-speaking driver Breakfast Dinner 1 night in a standard/deluxe/luxury desert camp (depending on the option booked) 1 night at a hotel in Ouarzazate/Dades Camel ride Hotel pickup and drop-off