4 days from Fez to Marrakech via the Merzouga and Ouzina desert

Fez, Marrakech

6 photos

Duration

4 Day

Maximum number of people

Minimum age

Tour type

From Fez

Overview:

This 4-day trip from Fez to Marrakech is a unique experience combining spectacular landscapes, Berber culture, and the magic of the Sahara. You’ll begin 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. You’ll then travel through the Ziz Valley to reach the Merzouga Desert, where a camel trek will take you to a traditional camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with an overnight stay under the stars and a Berber music performance.

On the second day, you’ll enjoy the authentic desert atmosphere, with visits to the village of Khamlia and its Gnawa musicians, the route of the legendary Dakar Rally, and the rock carvings of Taouz. Experience local hospitality with lunch at a Berber family’s home and discover the wild charm of the Ouzina Desert, where you can witness an unforgettable sunset among pristine dunes and stay in an authentic Kasbah Hotel surrounded by nature.

The route continues to the Dades Valley, passing through Rissani, the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty, and the breathtaking Todra Gorges, a paradise for climbers and nature lovers. On the final day, you’ll travel the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, stopping in the Valley of Roses and Skoura, before arriving in Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa.” You’ll also visit the legendary Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass and ending your adventure in the vibrant city of Marrakech.

Included/Excluded

Transportation and Guide
Accommodation and Meals
Tourist Visits

Meals
Additional Expenses
Travel insurance

Tour Plan

Day 1 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 through 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 an overnight stay in traditional Berber tents (haimas) in the Erg Chebbi desert.

Accommodation in traditional Berber tents with dinner, breakfast, and a live Berber music performance.

Day 2 Merzouga – Khamlia – Taouz – Dakar Rally Track – Jdaid Village – Lunch with a Berber family – Ouzina Desert and Sunset in the Erg Ouzina Dunes.

We'll wake up early to watch the sunrise from atop a dune, then have a leisurely breakfast. You can choose to return to the hotel by camel or 4x4. We'll continue along the route, or you can relax by the pool or explore the dunes if the weather is nice. You can also take a quad bike or buggy excursion through the Erg Chebbi dunes. Afterward, we'll take the 4x4 to the village of Khamlia, home to the Gnawa people, musicians of sub-Saharan origin (Black Africa). They'll entertain us with music and dance while we enjoy mint tea (Berber whiskey). You can buy a CD of their music for €10 or give them a tip of at least €5. We'll then continue to Taouz, from where we'll travel along the old Paris-Dakar Rally track to see some wonderful rock engravings. We'll pass through the village of Jdaid, where we'll have lunch at a Berber family's home (Berber pizza and tea). There, you can also get a henna tattoo from a specialist (a tip is customary). If you're interested, you can take a stroll through the village of Ouzina and its oasis. In the afternoon, we'll go to our hotel nestled in the Ouzina desert to drop off our luggage. We can also visit the Ouzina dunes to watch the sunset and enjoy this wild and pristine desert in southern Morocco.

Accommodation at Kasbah Hotel Porte de Sahara Ouzina with dinner and breakfast

Day 3 Ouzina – Taouz – Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Valley and Gorges – Dades Valley

We will wake up and have breakfast at 9:00 AM. We will then depart from the hotel for a 4-day, 3-night excursion to the Dades Valley, starting from the Ouzina Desert. We will pass through Rissani, one of the oldest cities in Morocco and the capital of the Alaouite dynasty. There, we will stop at the edge of town to take a photo of the "Gateway to the Desert." We will continue on to Erfoud, where there is an opportunity to visit a fossilized marble factory, before heading towards the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Afterwards, we will arrive at the Todra Gorge. The riverbed has carved out canyons with vertical walls, a paradise for climbers. We will have lunch there and walk to enjoy the gorges. In the afternoon, we will continue to the Dades Valley where we will spend the night.

Accommodation in a hotel with dinner and breakfast.

Day 4 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 noon, 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 4-day, 3-night tour from Fez to Marrakech, including a stop in the Merzouga Desert.