Tour Overview
One of Morocco's classic desert crossings, run in reverse: from the ancient medina of Fes, south through the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga for a night of camel trekking beneath the stars. The return leg winds through Rissani's historic souk, the palm-lined Draa Valley, and the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Benhaddou before the High Atlas delivers you into Marrakech — three days that trade one imperial city for another, with the Sahara in between.Tour Highlights
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage kasbah of Aït Benhaddou
- Cross the High Atlas via the spectacular Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2,260m)
- Stop at the legendary film studios of Ouarzazate, "Hollywood of Africa"
- Follow the Draa Valley, historic gateway to the Sahara
- Sunset camel trek into the dunes
- Ride the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara
✓ Included
- 2 nights accommodation (hotel + desert camp)
- Breakfast & dinner daily
- Camel trek in Merzouga
- Guided tour of Ait Benhaddou
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Private transport
- Hotel/riad pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water during the trip
- All local taxes
✗ Not Included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
Day by Day Itinerary
Departure from Fes (7:30 AM). Drive south through the Middle Atlas, stopping at Ifrane — Morocco's prettiest mountain town, built in alpine style by the French colonial government and now a ski resort, at 1,665m altitude. Continue through the Azrou cedar forest where wild Barbary macaques can be spotted in the trees. Lunch in Midelt, the "apple capital of Morocco" surrounded by the Jbel Ayachi mountains. Afternoon drive through the spectacular Ziz Gorges — 50km of dramatic red-rock canyon carved by the Ziz River — and the Ziz Valley with its extraordinary palmeries stretching as far as the eye can see. Arrive in Merzouga village as the afternoon light turns the Erg Chebbi dunes gold. Mount your camel for the iconic sunset trek into the Sahara. Arrive at the Berber camp for dinner, live Gnawa music under the stars, and overnight in a traditional luxury tent.
Wake before sunrise to walk up a dune and watch the Sahara come alive — the silence is total, the light extraordinary. Traditional camp breakfast. Drive west through Rissani — the ancient trading city that was the cradle of Morocco's Alaouite dynasty, still ruled by King Mohammed VI today. Browse the vibrant Tuesday and Thursday souks. Continue south through Erfoud (fossils) and down the magnificent Draa Valley — 200km of date palm oases, mud-brick kasbahs, and Berber villages, with the Anti-Atlas mountains as a backdrop. Stop to explore the 17th-century Kasbah Tamnougalt. Late afternoon arrival at Ait Benhaddou — UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the best-preserved earthen ksour in Morocco. Guided walk through the ksar and climb to the hilltop granary for panoramic sunset views. Overnight near Ouarzazate.
Morning at leisure around Ouarzazate — optional visit to the Atlas Corporation Studios (sets from Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Kingdom of Heaven, Ridley Scott's Exodus) or the Taourirt Kasbah in town. Begin the High Atlas crossing via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2,260m) — the most dramatic mountain road in Morocco. Stop for photos at the summit with panoramic views of ridgelines stretching to the Sahara and Atlantic. Pass through Berber villages of pink and ochre earthen houses. Descend into Marrakech through the Haouz plain, arriving early to mid-afternoon. Drop-off at your riad or hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the legendary Jemaa el-Fna square, the Koutoubia minaret, or the souks of the medina. Tour ends.
