7 Days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech

Day 1 FES –> IFRAN –> MIDELT –> MERZOUGA

• The start of the 7 Days desert tour will be from Fez, in the morning we’ll start our drive towards the desert, with our first stop in Ifran, known as Little Switzerland.

• We’ll continue through the Cedar Forest where, with luck, you could see some Barbary apes. Most of the drive will be through the scenic Atlas Mountains and the Ziz Valley.

• We’ll arrive in the village of Merzouga on the edge of the desert around 5 p.m. and check in to Riad Nezha/Riad Madu, HB.

Day 2 EXPLORING THE AREA AND A CAMEL TREK

• After breakfast, you can explore Merzouga and see how the villagers irrigate their crops in an oasis.

• Then it’s on to the village of Kamila, known as the home of the “black people” who were brought to Morocco as slaves decades ago.

• You’ll be treated to a performance of their unique Gnawa music and have lunch in the village.

• Return to your riad for a rest before heading out on camels into the Sahara Desert where you will become more than just a tourist as it will be the highlight during the 7 days desert tour. You’ll spend the night in tents in our comfortable desert camp, equipped with flush toilets and showers. Dinner will be served under the stars, HB.

Day 3 MERZOUGA -> TODRA GORGES -> DADES VALLEY

• In the morning, your camel guide will awaken you to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise over the dunes. This experience is considered one of the trip’s highlights.

• After your breakfast in the middle of the Erg Chebbi dunes, you’ll ride your camels back to the village of Merzouga.

• Then it’s off for a drive through the Todra Gorges and Dades Valley.

• Our first stop will be at the city of Erfoud, known as the Paradise of Geology. If you are interested, a tour can be arranged for one of the big fossil factories and showrooms before heading out to the Todra Gorges and Todra Valley.

• Once in the Gorges, you can hike around old kasbahs and then enjoy lunch by the Gorges, considered the highest and narrowest gorges in the country where rock climbers from all over the world come here to test their skills.

• You’ll spend the night at Hotel Xaluca Dades. HB

Day 4 DADES VALLEY -> ROSE VALLEY -> OUARZAZATE

• After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll drive to Ouarzazate via the Dades Valley, with its dramatic rock formations and ancient kasbahs, and then on to the Rose Valley, known for its damask roses that are harvested in April.

• Continuing on our journey, we’ll head to Ouarzazat, known as African Hollywood, where you can see the Taourirt kasbah and tour the movie studios.

• Check into your accommodations at Riad dar Chamaa. HB

Day 5 OUARZAZATE –> AIT BEN HADDO KASBAH –> MARRAKECH

• After breakfast at your riad, we’ll drive to Marrakech via a UNESCO Heritage site which is the Ait ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco where movies like The Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Jewel of the Nile were filmed.

• Then it’s on to Marrakech through the Tichka Pass, one of the highest mountains in Morocco. Arriving in Marrakech, you’ll spend the night at Riad Maialou/Ksar Anika. BB

Day 6 EXPLORING MARRAKECH

• After breakfast, our local guide will take you through some of the historical sites of “The Red City,” including the Bahia Palace, the Saadienne tombs, Jamaa Lafna Square, and Ben Youssef Madrasa. Walking through the souks, you’ll enjoy the sights, sounds, and bright colors of the market. The city tour ends around 3 p.m.

• Then it’s on to the new part of Marrakech and the beautiful Majorelle Gardens, created by Yves St. Laurent, before heading back to your accommodations.

• After sundown, we suggest you walk to Jamaa el Fna, the main square in the old city, that comes alive with snake charmers, storytellers, merchants, and tourists enjoying the sights and sounds of Marrakech.

Day 7 DEPARTURE (THE END OF THE 7 DAYS DESERT TOUR FROM FES)

• After breakfast at your riad, we’ll drive you to the airport where your tour ends. You’ll return home with a heart full of happy memories.

• The 7 days desert tour from Fez ends at the airport in Marrakech or Casablanca depending on your schedules.