Yes, a 3-day desert tour is the most popular way to travel between Fez and Marrakech. It allows you to cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, spend a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes (Sahara), and explore the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah before reaching Marrakech.
Overview
Follow Ancient Routes on a 4-Day Caravanserai Desert Adventure
Step back into a time of nomadic traders and ancient spice routes with our exclusive 4-day caravanserai desert adventure. This extended desert itinerary allows for a deeper, more relaxed exploration of Morocco’s incredible southern landscapes, ancient fortified villages, and the majestic Sahara Desert. It is perfect for travelers who want to truly soak in the atmosphere of the deep south without rushing.
The Valley of Roses and Dades Gorges
Starting from Marrakech, you will cross the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The journey brings you to the “Hollywood of Africa,” Ouarzazate, and the iconic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Because this is a 4-day caravanserai desert adventure, you have the luxury of spending more time exploring the lush Skoura Oasis and the fragrant Valley of Roses. You will spend a night nestled in the spectacular Dades Valley, surrounded by dramatic rock formations known locally as “monkey fingers.”
The Mighty Sahara
Continuing along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, you will walk through the towering cliffs of the Todra Gorges before arriving at the edge of the Sahara in Merzouga. Here, you will embark on a sunset camel trek across the towering Erg Chebbi dunes. Spending a night in a traditional luxury desert camp, enjoying Berber music under an incredibly clear, starry sky, is an experience you will never forget. You can learn more about the fascinating ecosystem of the Sahara Desert to enrich your journey. Your 4-day caravanserai desert adventure concludes with a scenic drive back to Marrakech, leaving you with memories of a lifetime.
Sahara Desert (Erg Chebbi)
1 nightsDay 1: Fez - Ifrane - Azrou - Midelt - Ziz Valley - Sahara Desert
Dinner
One of the most adventurous Desert tours from Fez starts today with your pick up from your hotel in Fez at 8 am. We will depart for the South of Morocco by visiting at first Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco. Enjoy its beauty and take some memorable photos in this unique city. After that, we will head toward Azrou to see the monkeys in the cedar forest before we continue to Midelt for a lunch meal stop. Afterward, we will cross the pass of Tizi N Talghamt to reach Errachidia while admiring the views of Ziz Gorges.
The drive continues to Erg Chebbi Dunes passing by Aoufous and Erfoud (the last is famous for fossils and dates) where you may want to visit a local fossil craft workshop. On arrival, get ready for a camel trek during the sunset to the captivating dunes of Erg Chebbi, and continue to your “home” for tonight, a camp in the middle of the dunes. Later, you will taste a delicious dinner and have fun with a spectacle of Saharan music, before you sleep in your bivouac.
Dades Valley
1 nightsDay 2: Sahara Desert - Erfoud - Tinejdad - Todra Gorges - Dades Valley
Breakfast, Dinner
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise from the top of a dune, before you have your breakfast. After these beautiful moments, we will depart towards Tineghir passing by Erfoud and Tinejdad. Later, we will have a break for lunch before we continue to Todra gorges stopping along the way for photos and admiring the beautiful views. On arrival at Todra Gorges, enjoy its marvelous views while hiking on foot. Then, we will continue for a panoramic view of Dades Valley, before check-in at the accommodation. Later, you will enjoy a delicious typical Moroccan dinner before your overnight stay in the hotel.
Marrakech
Day 3: Dades Valley - Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech
Breakfast
This morning after breakfast in the hotel, we depart for Marrakech. Our first stop for today is at Rose Valley as we pass through the big Skoura palm grove. A beautiful place with more than 700.000 palms and numerous kasbahs that are built in the surrounding area. In this Valley, damascenes roses are raised for cosmetic use. after that, we will continue to Ouarzazate, also known as “The gate of the desert”. Here we´ll see the Taourirt Kasbah, one of the most spectacular ksars in Morocco. We admire the panoramic view of the Kasbah of Taourirt before we continue to the Atlas film studios.
Later, we visit the ksar (fortified village) of Aït Ben Haddou where we will see the famous Kasbah (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986). Famous films have been shot on this spectacular stage, such as the Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, etc. Free time for lunch in town. During the afternoon, we will drive to Marrakech over the mountains of high Atlas passing through the Tizi N’Tichka pass (2260 m in altitude). We continue to Marrakech where one of the most beautiful desert tours from Fez ends with your transfer to your hotel/riad.
Details
Departure Time 8 AM
Price Includes
- Private transport with an air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle or minibus
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Fuels & tolls
- 2 Overnights in selected accommodations in half board
- Camel ride
- All applicable taxes
Price Excludes
- Drinks & Lunches
- Fee to enter the monuments
- Any Private Expenses
- Travel insurance
Important Info
- This activity must book at least 72 hours in advance
- A deposit of 30% of the total price is required to secure your booking
- You can change your travel date without penalty 30 Days before the tour date
- Good to have with you: Comfortable shoes – Change of Clothes – Camera – Sunblock – Sunglasses – Scarf/Hat
FAQ
Absolutely. Private desert tours are family-friendly and can be customized to fit your pace. Children usually love the camel ride and the experience of sleeping in a desert camp.
It is highly recommended to bring comfortable walking shoes, sunblock, sunglasses, a hat or scarf, and a camera. If you are traveling during winter (December to February), make sure to pack very warm clothes, as temperatures in the desert and the Atlas Mountains drop significantly at night.
Yes, on our private tours, you will be provided with your own private tent in the desert camp. You can also request to upgrade your stay to a luxury desert camp with en-suite bathrooms for a more comfortable experience.
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