4 Day Sahara Desert Tour Fes to Marrakech

DAY 1: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga Dunes (Erg Chebbi)

Pickup from your accommodation in Fes is scheduled for 8 a.m. The drive to the Erg Chebbi dunes takes approximately 8 hours, offering views of the Atlas Mountains and passing through regions like Tafilalet, Erfoud, and Rissani along the way. We make stops in towns such as Ifrane and Azrou, where you can admire the cedar forests and see the wild monkeys that inhabit them.

Lunch is served in the town of Midelt. Afterward, we continue our journey through the Ziz Valley, enjoying scenic views of the palm groves. Upon reaching Erg Chebbi, you will embark on a camel trek across the sands to reach the desert camp, where you will spend the night in a traditional Berber tent.

Day 2: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorges

Following breakfast, you will ride the camels back to the hotel to freshen up with a shower. We then depart from the Erg Chebbi dunes, taking a rough off-road route across the hamada (black desert) to reach the Saharan town of Rissani.

From there, we travel north to Erfoud, an area famous for its fossils. We can stop here to visit a local fossil workshop and see the artisans at work. Continuing onward, we arrive at the impressive Todra Valley, known for its towering cliffs and as a popular spot for rock climbing. You will have time for a walk in the gorge before heading to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Todra Gorges – Dades Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our drive along the route known as the Way of a Thousand Kasbahs. Numerous historic fortified homes line both sides of the road. Some of these ancient structures have been restored, though many unfortunately remain in ruins.

We pass through the Dades Valley and continue off-road into a rocky area where Berber villages are scattered and many nomads live in caves. Here, we have the opportunity to visit one of these families and learn about their daily lives, which mainly involve herding goats.

We are then treated to the beautiful scenery of the Rose Valley before reaching the palm groves of Skoura. Driving another 45 kilometers brings us to Ouarzazate, where we will spend the night at a local hotel.

Day 4: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – High Atlas – Marrakech

Following breakfast, our day begins with a visit to the film studios in Ouarzazate, a city often referred to as the Hollywood of Africa. After exploring the studios, we head to the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a site designated as a UNESCO World Heritage destination in 1987.

This historic Kasbah has served as a filming location for more than 20 movies, including well-known films such as Gladiator, Indiana Jones, and Lawrence of Arabia. You will have time to stroll through the site and appreciate the traditional Moroccan architectural style used in constructing these Kasbahs.

We then continue our journey toward Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. We stop for lunch in the mountains along the way. The tour concludes with drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech.