3-Day tour from Fes to Marrakech

Departure in the morning at 08:30 from your hotel or riad in Fes for the start of your 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech. Heading southwards, you will pass through Ifrane, often dubbed as the Switzerland of Morocco, where houses boast sloping roofs, a distinctive feature uncommon in this North African nation, designed to manage the annual winter snowfall.

Continuing, your route takes you over the Middle Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Talremt pass, along scenic roads lined with oak and cedar trees up to Azou. Here, a stopover to observe Barbary macaques frolicking about and seeking treats awaits.

Next, you will proceed to Midelt, aptly nicknamed the “apple capital,” nestled at the base of Ayachi Mountain, just in time for lunch. The journey further south unfolds amidst mountainous terrain, offering splendid vistas and passing through Berber villages. Descending from the mountains, you will be greeted by extensive green oases and towering palm groves, marking the onset of the Ziz Valley.

Arriving at Errachdia and then Erfoud, renowned for its date festival and fossil treasures, a visit to a local workshop unveils the intricate craft of transforming fossil-rich rocks into functional and decorative artefacts.

Your day culminates with reaching the Merzouga dunes for a sunset camel ride, leading to the desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes (250m). Witnessing the spectacular sunset from atop the dunes sets the scene for a memorable evening, where dinner and overnight accommodation await amid the vast dunes.

An early morning wake-up rewards you with the serene spectacle of sunrise, painting the dunes in a mesmerising palette of hues. After a camel-back return to the camp and breakfast, the journey retraces eastward towards Marrakech.

Traversing the paved road, you will reach Tinjdad, notable for the curious mounds of sand flanking the road, marking the “khettarat,” ingenious underground water channels devised to minimise evaporation in the desert heat. Exploring these channels offers a glimpse into ancient engineering ingenuity and a respite from the desert warmth.

In the Toudgha Gorges, lunch at a local eatery overlooking the valley precedes a riverside stroll, exploring villages and venturing into the mountains. Arriving at the Dades Gorges, you will marvel at the striking rock formations, kasbahs, and picturesque villages along a scenic walk.

Your night is spent in a charming guest house with a panoramic view of the valley.

After breakfast, the journey continues through the scenic Valley of the Roses, with an optional stop at the cosmetics cooperative in Kalaat M’Gouna, producing cosmetic products from the valley’s abundant roses.

Travelling via the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs, you will reach Skoura Oasis, where a visit to Kasbah Amredhil and its museum showcases exemplary adobe architecture typical of southern Morocco.

Lunch in Ouarzazate precedes a visit to the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its role as a filming location in numerous Hollywood blockbusters.

Continuing along the Ounila Valley, with picturesque villages and stunning mountain vistas, a stopover at Telouet Kasbah offers insight into the former residential palace of the Glaoui Family. Crossing the Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, you will arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon.