OVERVIEW:

This 3-Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga Sahara desert will start from your hotel/riad in Fes where our driver/ guide will pick you up then finish the way towards Merzouga passing by the most beautiful town of Ifrane and a stop to see monkeys in the cedar forest of Azrou and ziz valley. In the next days, you will walk along the gorgeous Gorges of todgha and visit the famous Kasbah of ait ben haddou before drop you off at your riad/hotel in Marrakech

HIGHLIGHTS:

–  Visit the Moroccan Switzerland (Ifran).
–  Stop at monkey forest (azro).
–  Visit the world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou.
–  Visit Ouarzazate as a Hollywood city.
–  Drive through 1000 Kasbahs.
–  Enjoy stunning views and landscapes of Dades valley.
–  Visit Todgha Gorges.
–  Ride a camel in Merzouga desert.
–  Enjoy the starry and shiny sky.
–  Spending the night in a luxury camp.

Tour Details

Day 1 : Fes – Ifrane– Erfoud – Merzouga.

An hour outside of Fes, we will come across Ifran, a remarkable ski town in the Atlas Mountains with chalets and snow-capped peaks that looks incredibly similar to the famed ski regions of Austria and Switzerland. No matter the season, the temperature here is cooler than in the rest of Morocco, Ifran is very known as well by The Brotherhood private university, established in 1997 by The king of Morocco Hassan II, and the king of Saudi Arabia Fahd. Where all classes are taught in English, it is an international university. Lunch will be scheduled in a Berber village called Midelt. The landscapes here include palm tree oases at Jbel Ayachi (at 3747 m) before driving down the curves and joining the pre-Saharian zone passing first by Errachidia and Erfoud. Heading up to the red-colored sand sea dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga via Rissani, the hometown of the Alaouist dynasty, where Moulay Ali sheriff started to unify Morocco under his red flag in the beginning of the 17th century. From a vast plateau you will get impressed by the huge sand dune of Merzouga appearing from the horizon. in the evening we go on a camel ride for about one hour and a half to meet one of the most magical sights we will ever see. Overnight in Berber-tented desert camp and enjoy a wonderful stars view.

Day 2 : Merzouga – Rissani – Todgha Gorges – Dades Gorges.

Before breakfast, we recommend you wake up early so you cannot miss the spectacle of the sunrise when the color of the dunes and the play of shadow is awesome. Then retaking the camel for going back to the hostel relaxing shower.
Visiting Errisani and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Chrif. This silent town was the ancient capital of Tafilalet. Up to now, Rissani remains a major commercial center in the region, with a large souk, particularly lively today on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday. It was noted for its leather and goat skin trading in the ancient ages.127 km from Errisani the great canyons of Morocco Todgha Gorges are situated beyond the central high Atlas Mountains. The area is populated by Berbers. Here you can enjoy a hike among those fabulous canyons.
From the great canyons of Todgha, We pass a town called Boumalen situated on the edge of Dades valley which rises in the High Atlas Mountains, giving life to a huge Berber community by its rich agriculture. At final we will reach dades gorges, where you will spend your night in a traditional Kasbah.

Day 3 : Dades Gorges – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech.

Another valley called the valley of roses appearing with the green colors of its plants. This valley gives birth to a rose from which locals produces different cosmetic products like soap, perfumes, and skin creams. Locals here celebrate this rose by organizing a national festival each end of April. Getting to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa), is a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs and buildings for which the area is known. One of those buildings is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in 17th century. Why this town is nicknamed Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), 30 km from Ouarzazate there is the fortified city of Aït Ben Haddou, built in the 11th century. Once up on a time, this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah.Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.From this beautiful fortified Kasbah, we head to Marrakech via the high atlas mountains Tizn Tichka Pass (2200 meter of altitude) During the journey we will enjoy many beautiful scenes of the Berber villages, and elevated views of the mountains. finally We get to the magical city of Marrakech where your trip is up to an end.