Highlights
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
- Visit the Todra Gorges and the lush palm grove of Tinghir
- Ride a camel through the dunes of Erg Chebbi to a desert camp
- Discover the hidden life of the local nomads in the Sahara Desert
- See the Ziz Valley, Cedar Forest, and the city of Ifrane on your way to Fes
Description
Embark on a 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga dunes. Discover the High Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, Dades Gorge, Todra Gorges, and the city of Erfoud. Ride a camel to a bivouac and enjoy a sunset over the dunes.
Day 1: Marrakech – Atlas Mountains - Ait Benhaddou Kasbah – Dades Gorge
Begin your journey with a pickup from your Marrakech hotel or the nearest meeting point. Drive east past quaint villages to reach the High Atlas Mountains. As you drive through the mountains, occasionally stop for scenic photos, stretch your legs, and have a quick cup of coffee. After driving through the famous Tizi Ntichka pass, stop at the Berber fortified village, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah.
See the filming locations of the Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and the Kingdom of Heaven as you spend about 1.5 hours exploring this famous UNESCO sight with a local guide (guide fees not included). Enjoy a delicious lunch before continuing to Tinghir, driving past Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, Klaa Mgouna, and Dades. Reach your hotel late in the afternoon. Relax with dinner in Dades before retiring for the night.
Day 2: Dades Gorge - Todra Gorges - Erfoud - Merzouga
After a traditional breakfast at your hotel, continue to Merzouga. Walk in the gorges of Todra and in the luxuriant palm grove of Tinghir, which stretches for about 30 km. Because the river springs from rocks in the gorges, its water is distributed throughout the palm grove via canals.
Continue east towards Tafilalet, the meeting point of old caravans. Have lunch in a local restaurant, and then continue to reach the city of Erfoud, known for its Goniatite quarries (fossilized black marble). Continue driving towards the great sand dunes.
Ride a camel to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dunes, then settle into the bivouac’s comfortable private nomadic tents.
Day 3: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi And Visit To Nomads
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy a spectacular sunrise. Enjoy a typical breakfast in a Berber tent, then ride camels back to the hotel in Merzouga village for a new adventure desert tour to explore the wonders of the Sahara.
Experience a quad biking tour to stroll the dunes (Extra), then, continue to visit the nomads and discover the hidden silent life of the local nomads. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the Gnaoua village, home to people originally from sub-Saharan Africa.
Drive back to your hotel. In the afternoon, experience sandboarding, or just relax at your hotel enjoying a moment at the swimming pool. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Cedar Forest – Ifrane – Fes
Wake up to enjoy a traditional breakfast and get ready to start a new journey towards the eldest imperial city in Morocco, Fes. Drive towards Errachidia, passing through Erfoud. Continue to Fez via Imouzar Kander and arrive in the afternoon, where you will be dropped off at your riad or hotel.
Includes
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Camel ride
Overnight desert camp stay (standard or luxury tent), depending on the option selected
Overnight hotel stay
3 breakfasts and dinners
Local guide
Nomad tour by 4x4 if the luxury desert camp is selected
Excludes
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Lunches
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
