4-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakesh to Fez

After a delicious breakfast, we will continue our 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga. Our first stop of the day will be at the Dades Gorge, where we will have the opportunity to admire the stunning landscapes and deep gorges before continuing our journey to Todra Gorge. Upon arrival at Todra Gorge, we’ll be greeted by the towering cliffs that reach 984 feet (300 m) high and were carved by the Todra River through red limestone. You’ll have the chance to take a leisurely walk around the gorge and relax in the cool waters of the shallow river below. After lunch, we will continue our journey to Erfoud, a town famous for its fossil finds that have been crafted into beautiful artifacts. This town marks the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet and its immense arid plateaus. Our final destination for the day will be the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi dunes. A small off-road track will take us to the edge of the golden dunes, where we will spend the night in a traditional hotel at the dunes line.

Today’s itinerary will take us deep into the desert region and the magnificent Erg Chebbi dunes. We’ll embark on a desert dune circuit, giving you the chance to witness firsthand the nomadic way of life and the incredible changing contrasts of the desert landscape. Our first stop will be Rissani, a fascinating town that boasts a rich cultural diversity of Berber, Arab, and desert communities, all easily identifiable by their distinct clothing styles and colors. As a former caravan center, Rissani has retained its status as a major commercial hub in the region, and its bustling souk (market) is a must-see. While here, you may also want to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, one of the founders of the Alaouite dynasty. Later, we’ll drive back to the edge of the dunes, where we’ll mount our camels for a leisurely ride to the middle of the dunes. Here, you’ll have plenty of time to witness the mesmerizing sunset of the Sahara, take beautiful photos, share a laugh, and recharge your soul. After the sunset, we’ll continue our journey to the camp, where we’ll be welcomed with refreshing mint tea. You can then settle into your comfortable tents, freshen up, and sort your luggage, while the delicious dinner is being prepared.

You will be awoken early to witness one of the most breathtaking moments of the desert: the sunrise over the highest dune of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. After enjoying breakfast in the camp, you will pack up and either ride on camels or in a 4×4 vehicle to meet your driver. As you drive along the Ziz Valley, take note of the abundance of palm trees and the high volume of dates produced each year. You’ll see many ksars, fortified houses that merchants built to safeguard their goods. We’ll stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the oasis of Aoufous in the Tafilalte region before continuing on to Midelt, known as the “apple city,” for lunch. Take in the scenery of the Moulouya River and apple orchards as you cross the pass of Tizi N’tlramt. In the afternoon, we will journey to Fes, passing through the Cedar forest near Azrou and the mountain of the middle Atlas, with the possibility of spotting Barbary apes (monkeys). There may be a stop in Ifrane, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco.” Finally, after a long day on the road, you will arrive in the spiritual capital of Morocco – Fes, and be dropped off at your accommodation.