3 days from Fez to Marrakech via the Merzouga desert

Fez, Marrakech

6 photos

Duration

3 Day

Maximum number of people

Minimum age

Tour type

From Fez

Overview:

This 3-day tour connects Fez with Marrakech, traversing the most breathtaking landscapes of southern Morocco and the majestic Merzouga Desert. The journey begins by crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains, with stops in Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” and the forests of Azrou, home to the famous Barbary macaques. After lunch in the Berber village of Zaida, the route continues to Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud, before arriving in Merzouga. There, a camel trek leads to the Erg Chebbi dunes, where you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner, a Berber music performance, and a magical night in traditional Berber tents under the stars.

The second day begins with a spectacular sunrise over the dunes, followed by a drive to the historic city of Rissani, the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty, and a visit to the fossilized marble workshops in Erfoud. Later, the route passes through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad before reaching the imposing Todra Gorge, a canyon with vertical walls ideal for climbers and nature lovers. After lunch and a walk through the gorge, the day continues to the Dades Valley, famous for its mountainous landscapes and traditional kasbahs, where you’ll spend the night in a typical hotel with dinner and breakfast included.

The third day offers an unforgettable journey through the Valley of Roses, the Skoura oasis, and the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, before arriving in Ouarzazate, known as the “city of cinema.” Here, you’ll visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the famous film studios. Later, the trip continues to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for many celebrated films. After lunch and the visit, the route crosses the High Atlas through the Tizi N’Tichka pass until reaching Marrakech, where this unique journey that combines history, culture and the beauty of the Moroccan Sahara ends.

Included/Excluded

Transportation and Guide
Accommodation and Meals
Tourist Visits

Meals
Additional Expenses
Travel insurance

Tour Plan

Day 01 Fez – Midelt – Azrou – Ziz Valley – Merzouga (Camel Ride and One Night in the Merzouga Desert)

After breakfast, we depart from Fez for the Merzouga desert, passing through Ifrane (the "Switzerland of Morocco"). There, you'll have 20 minutes to take photos and stroll through the town square. We then arrive at the forests of Azrou, home to wild monkeys. This will be a great opportunity to photograph Moroccan nature. We'll have lunch in the Berber village of Zaida. We continue across the Middle Atlas Mountains, enjoying the scenery of Midelt until we reach the small village of Rich. We then proceed to the Ziz Valley, where we'll make a panoramic stop for photos. In the afternoon, we arrive in Erfoud, where we begin to experience the Saharan air with the Tafilalet oasis. We continue to Merzouga, where we switch to camels for our overnight stay in traditional Berber tents (haimas) in the Erg Chebbi desert. Accommodation in haimas includes dinner, breakfast, and a live Berber music performance.

Day 2 Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Erfoud Fossils – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

We will wake up early before dawn to watch the sunrise over the dune behind the camp. We will have breakfast and then return by 4x4 or camel to the hotel for our 3-day, 2-night excursion back to Marrakech from the Merzouga Desert. We will pass through Rissani, one of Morocco's oldest cities and the capital of the Alaouite dynasty, where we will stop at the edge of town to take a photo of the "Gateway to the Desert." We will then continue to Erfoud, where there is an opportunity to visit a fossilized marble factory, before heading to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Afterward, we will arrive at the Todra Gorge, where the river has carved out canyons with vertical walls—a paradise for climbers. We will have lunch there and walk around to enjoy the gorges. In the afternoon, we will continue to the Dades Valley, where we will spend the night.

Hotel accommodation with dinner and breakfast.

Day 3 Dades Valley – Rose Valley – SKoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Marrakech

After breakfast, we depart for the Valley of Roses, where we will make a stop if you are interested. Afterward, we continue our journey to Skoura (Route of a Thousand Kasbahs). We will arrive in Ouarzazate, the city of cinema, where we will stop at the Taourirt Kasbah for a panoramic photo. Then we will visit the film studios for another photo stop. Afterward, we continue our route toward the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou (an ancient 11th-century fortress, declared a World Heritage Site). We cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tinifift pass. Around 12:00 PM, we will arrive at the famous village of Ait Ben Haddou. Free time to visit the Kasbah and have lunch. In the afternoon, we return to Marrakech. Crossing the High Atlas Mountains, we travel to the Red City of Morocco (Marrakech). We will transfer you to the nearest point accessible by car, and this concludes our 3-day, 2-night tour from Fez to Marrakech, including a stop in the Merzouga Desert.