6 Day Tour From Marrakech To Merzouga Via Fez
Tour overview
Get ready for a unique journey across Morocco, combining the charm of its imperial cities with the beauty of the desert. This 6-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga via Fes takes you through breathtaking landscapes, historic towns, and unforgettable cultural encounters.
Along the way, you’ll explore the lively Medinas of Marrakech and Fes, pass through the Middle Atlas Mountains, walk among cedar forests, and visit picturesque villages like Ifrane and Midelt.
Once in Merzouga, experience the magic of the Sahara with a camel trek and a night under the stars in a desert camp. It’s the perfect tour to discover the diversity of Morocco in just under a week.
Duration: 6 days
Day 1
Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorges
Your private 6-day tour from Marrakech starts with views of the Atlas Mountains as we wind through the 2,260m-high Tizi ’Tichka Pass to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou. This site was added to the UNESCO list in 1987 and is famous for appearing in movies like Gladiator (2000) and the popular HBO series Game of Thrones (2013).
We’ll then continue to Ouarzazate, known as “The Gateway to the Desert,” to visit Atlas Film Studios and the Taourirt Kasbah located in the city. Later, we’ll head towards the Valley of Roses, well-known for its yearly festival of roses. Then, we’ll drive to the Dades Gorges and its stunning canyons, where we will spend the first night in a traditional Riad/hotel with complimentary dinner and breakfast
Day 2
Dades Gorges – Draa Valley – Rissani – Erg Chebbi Dunes (Merzouga) [269 km]
Here, we’ll continue our 6-day tour from Marrakech by visiting Todra Gorge, a colorful and narrow canyon popular among outdoor enthusiasts. Then, we’ll drive through the Ziz Valley to reach Erfoud via Tinjdad, an oasis town known as the gateway to the impressive Erg Chebbi dunes and recognized for its unique fossils and fossil workshops.
While there, we can visit a local fossil factory that produces artisan pieces and home furniture made from fossils. Afterwards, we’ll drive to the Sahara Desert to reach Merzouga.
Upon arriving at the edge of the golden sand dunes, you will swap your vehicle for the “ship of the desert,” (the camel), to ride into the rolling desert dunes, guided by experienced camel guides. There will be a stop to admire one of the most beautiful sunsets, as the diminishing daylight changes the color of the sand, and you can also enjoy sandboarding.
Finally, we’ll arrive at the well-equipped Merzouga Desert Camp, where we will spend the night in Berber-style tents.
This spectacular night will be made unforgettable with a unique and traditional starlit Berber dinner, topped off by tribal drum music around a desert campfire.
Day 3
Exploring Merzouga area & Visit nomad families
Today, in 3rd day of our tour from Marrakech will be spent exploring the Merzouga desert. You’ll get a chance to “do your own thing”, with the option of camel trekking, or exploring via the comfort of a 4×4. We’ll also visit the Khamlia village well-known for its traditional Gnawa music.
We will continue our 4×4 excursion to an abandoned small town called Mefes and its lead mines, this town was and still is a source of different minerals since the French colonizer.
We simply can’t miss the opportunity of appreciating a visit to a generous nomad family living behind the dunes of the Merzouga Sahara desert. Our night will be topped off at Riad/hotel in the Merzouga area.
Day 4
Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Azrou Cedar forest – Fez
After breakfast, at the hotel, we’ll drive through Rissani, and its local souk, the biggest market in the region, until we reach Midelt in the Atlas Mountains via Ziz Valley and palm groves.
There, we can stop for lunch in a local restaurant before driving to Azrou cedar forest and its Barbary Apes, before continuing to Fez where we’ll stay overnight in a local hotel.
We will visit Ifrane city, the stunning architecture, green gardens, very clean town, and the perfect destination for Ski lovers due to its big Ski resort of Mishlifen. Because of its magnificent characteristics and location, Ifrane knows “Switzerland of Morocco”.
Day 5
Fez (Visit the city with a local guide) – Casablanca
Fez is known as a scientific city and is home to the oldest university in the world. The city consists of three distinct parts. First, Fez el Bali, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
Fez-Jdid, or “New Fez,” is actually the oldest of the three, with more than 8,500 narrow alleys and streets surrounded by high walls. This area is also home to the Jewish Quarter. The third part is the Ville Nouvelle, the most modern district of Fez, built during the French occupation.
The guided sightseeing tour includes visits to the Tanneries, the Attarine Museum, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss. You will also visit various cooperatives before enjoying a picturesque panoramic view of the entire Medina of Fez.
After finishing the tour and having lunch, we will drive to Casablanca. Dinner and overnight stay in Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco by population and recognized as the economic capital of the country.
Day 6
Casablanca – Marrakech
Today, we will visit the main attractions and monuments of Casablanca, including the Hassan II Mosque. Before, we will drive towards the Red City of Marrakech. This will be the final part our 6-day tour that started in Marrakech and will end with your drop-off at the airport.
- Included
- Pick-up & drop off at/from your accommodation/airport
- Transport by private modern vehicle with A/C
- Experienced English-speaking Driver/Guide
- Car Fuel
- 4 nights in a private room in the hotel (Dinner & Breakfast)
- Camel Trekking (Camel per person)
- Sunset camel ride
- Sanboarding in the desert
- Hearty dinner and party around the campfire (Berber Drums)
- Overnight at a private tent in Camp (Breakfast & dinner)
- 4×4 transfer from and to the camp (Alternative to Camels)
- Local guide in Fez
- Not Included
- Flight tickets
- Drinks
- Lunches
- Entrance to monuments (Optional)
- Tips
