7 DAYS Marrakech – Merzouga Desert – Fez

Duration

7 days

Max People

40

Min Age

3+

Pickup

4X4

Overview

This 7-day / 6-night tour from Marrakech to Fez via the Merzouga Desert offers a complete journey through Morocco’s most iconic landscapes and cultural highlights. From imperial cities and ancient kasbahs to dramatic gorges, palm-filled valleys, and the golden dunes of the Sahara, this itinerary combines history, nature, and authentic local experiences.

Travel across the High Atlas Mountains, explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, experience nomadic life in the desert, enjoy camel treks at sunset, and spend magical nights under the stars in a traditional desert camp. The journey concludes in Fez, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital, making this tour ideal for travelers seeking a well-balanced and immersive Moroccan adventure.

Tour Highlights

  • 7-day journey from Marrakech to Fez through southern Morocco

  • Explore Marrakech, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities and home to Jemaa El Fna Square

  • Scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass

  • Visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

  • Discover Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara and land of ancient kasbahs

  • Travel the legendary Route of a Thousand Kasbahs

  • Walk through the spectacular Dades Gorges and Todra Gorges

  • Journey through the lush Tafilalet and Ziz Valley palm groves

  • Experience the Erg Chebbi dunes in the Merzouga Desert

  • 4×4 desert exploration and visit to nomadic villages

  • Enjoy Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia

  • Camel trek at sunset across the Sahara dunes

  • Overnight in a traditional desert camp (haimas) under the stars

  • Watch the sunrise over the Sahara

  • Visit Rissani and its authentic traditional souk

  • Discover Fez, Morocco’s religious and cultural capital, with its historic medina and tanneries

Included/Excluded

  • Private excursion (no shared groups)
  • Pick-up from hotel, riad, airport, or preferred location
  • Accommodation with half board in Hotels/Riads (Dinner + Bed + Breakfast)
  • Air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle
  • Spanish-speaking driver/guide throughout the tour
  • Fuel
  • Camel ride to reach the desert camp (one camel per person)
  • One night in nomadic tents (haimas) in the dunes
  • Flights
  • Lunches
  • Tips and personal expenses not mentioned in the program

Tour Plan

Day 01 Arrival in Marrakech

Arrival in Marrakech. Free day or guided visit to get acquainted with the city, one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. Famous for its many monuments recognized as World Heritage sites and for the well-known Jemaa El Fna Square.

You may explore its different and characteristic districts: the modern city such as Gueliz, Hivernage, Palmeraie, Mellah (the Jewish quarter), or wander through the winding streets of the Medina leading to Jemaa El Fna Square, a stage for countless outdoor activities: jugglers, musicians, fakirs, snake charmers, storytellers… awakening all your senses with its sounds, aromas, flavors, and colors.
Overnight in a Hotel or Riad.

Day 02 Marrakech – High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou – Dades Gorges

After breakfast, departure from Marrakech towards the Dades Gorges.
On the way, we cross the High Atlas Mountains, passing through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, driving through numerous Berber nomadic villages that inhabit the region.

This spectacular landscape takes us to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, famous for being the filming location of more than twenty movies, including Babel.
Continue via Ouarzazate, crossing the Valley of Roses, and then enter the Dades Gorges, where the famous “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” begins.
Overnight in the Dades Valley and dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 Dades Gorges – Todra Gorges – Merzouga

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure towards the Todra Gorges, where you can enjoy a pleasant walk through its impressive canyon with vertical walls rising over 200 meters high.

Continue towards the desert through the Tafilalet palm grove.
Arrival at the hotel located at the foot of the dunes, where you can walk on the fine sand of Erg Chebbi, relax, and enjoy the stunning scenery.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner.
Overnight in a hotel room near the dunes.

Day 4 Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Desert – Nomadic Villages

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, departure by 4x4 to explore the Erg Chebbi dunes, a sandy desert region.

During the many stops, you will discover how and where local nomadic families live, wild desert oases, spectacular landscapes, small desert villages, and palm groves.

Unmissable stop in the village of Khamlia, whose inhabitants are originally from Mali. Here you will enjoy a live Gnawa music performance while tasting traditional Moroccan tea.

Back at the hotel, camels will be waiting for a 1.5-hour camel trek, crossing the dunes to reach the heart of the desert and admire the beautiful sunset.

At the camp, enjoy drum music, dinner, and Moroccan tea.
Overnight in nomadic desert tents (haimas) under an immense, star-filled sky.

Day 5 Merzouga – Rissani – Ziz Valley – Middle Atlas – Fez

Early morning wake-up to enjoy another great spectacle of the Moroccan Sahara: the sunrise over the dunes.
Return by camel to the hotel. Breakfast and shower.

Continue towards Rissani, where you will visit what is known as the most authentic and traditional souk in Morocco, and the largest in southern Morocco, trading handicrafts, food, and animals.

Continue via Erfoud, the former gateway to the desert, famous for fossil craftsmanship, and cross the impressive Ziz Valley, home to more than 18,000 palm trees, until reaching Midelt.
Stop for lunch, then continue to Fez, passing through Ifrane, also known as the “Moroccan Switzerland” due to its architecture.

Arrival in Fez and transfer to the hotel.

Day 6 Fez

Free day in Fez, another of the four imperial cities of Morocco and considered the religious and cultural center of the country.

Its university, famous for the study of Arabic and Islamic religion, attracts many Moroccan students.
You will have time to explore its different districts: Fez El-Jdid with the Mellah (Jewish quarter), the Ville Nouvelle (French quarter), and of course Fez El-Bali, the ancient medina within the walls.

Walking through its streets feels like traveling back in time, where potters, blacksmiths, craftsmen, and donkeys loaded with goods coexist with visitors navigating its labyrinthine alleys.
Also famous for its tanneries, you can witness the traditional medieval process used to dye leather in vivid colors.
Overnight in a riad.

Day 7 Fez – Airport

Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
End of your Marrakech – Merzouga Desert – Fez tour.

Tour Map

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