Overview
3 days adventure from Fes to Marrakech, crossing the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains. Experience camel trekking, desert camping, and explore ancient kasbahs along the way.
Highlights
- Scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains
- Camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Overnight stay in a luxury desert camp
- Visit to Todra and Dades Gorges
- Explore Berber villages, oases, and kasbahs
- End in the vibrant city of Marrakech
Itinerary
Begin your Moroccan adventure with an early departure from Fes, heading south through the ever-changing landscapes of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Enjoy stops in Ifrane, the alpine-style town often called “Morocco’s Switzerland,” and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques. Continuing through the scenic Ziz Valley, dotted with palm groves and kasbahs, you'll arrive in the Sahara gateway town of Merzouga by late afternoon. Here, your desert experience begins: mount a camel for a sunset trek across the sweeping Erg Chebbi dunes. As the golden sun dips below the horizon, you’ll reach a traditional desert camp, where a warm dinner, Berber music around the campfire, and a sky full of stars await.
Wake early to catch the sunrise over the Sahara, then return by camel or 4x4 for breakfast and a refreshing shower. Begin your journey westward, stopping at Rissani, an ancient trading town with a bustling market and deep historical roots. Your path continues through the Tafilalt oasis to the dramatic cliffs of Todra Gorge, where towering limestone walls create a natural canyon perfect for walking and photography. After lunch near the gorge, follow the Dades River through its picturesque valley, filled with almond trees, kasbahs, and unique rock formations known as the “Monkey Fingers.” Settle into a charming guesthouse in the Dades Gorges, where you’ll enjoy local cuisine and mountain hospitality.
After breakfast, travel along the famed Road of a Thousand Kasbahs toward Ouarzazate, Morocco’s Hollywood, where you may visit the impressive Taourirt Kasbah. The highlight of the day is a guided visit to the spectacular Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic clay-built village featured in films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass, take in panoramic views of terraced farms and Berber villages. Arrive in Marrakech by evening, where the energy of Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the medina awaits — marking the end of an unforgettable journey across Morocco’s desert heartland.
Includes/Excludes
What’s Included:
- Private transport in air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan
- Driver/guide
- 1 night in desert camp (dinner & breakfast)
- 1 night in Dades Valley hotel (dinner & breakfast)
- Camel trek in Merzouga
- Sandboarding (optional in camp)
- Fuel, road tolls, and local taxes
What’s Not Included:
- Lunches and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Entrance fees (optional visits)
- Tips for guides and drivers