3-Day Adventure: Merzouga Desert, from Marrakech to Fez

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley
6 stops
1
Marrakech-Safi
After meeting at 8 am, we'll leave Marrakech and set off for Ouarzazate. During the journey, which takes approximately 4 hours, we'll enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Atlas as we cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which is over 2,000 metres high. At the halfway point of our journey, we'll stop at the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, which you might recognise from films such as Gladiator or The Kingdom of Heaven. After the brief stop, we'll resume our journey to reach the town of Ouarzazate, to be amazed by the impressive Kasbah of Taourirt. Finally, we'll set off again to travel along the Thousand Kasbahs Road towards Skoura until we arrive approximately 30 minutes before sunset at the Roses Valley. We'll end the day in the Dades Valley, a unique spot where we'll enjoy our first night's accommodation
Admission ticket free
2
Tizi n Tichka
Tizi n'Tichka is a mountain pass in Morocco, linking the south-east of Marrakesh to the city of Ouarzazat through the High Atlas mountains. It lies above the great Marrakesh plains, and is a gateway to the Sahara Desert
15 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
Aït Benhaddou is a historical figure on the longest route of the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech in modern Morocco. It is considered a great example of the architecture of the marble bar arch and has been a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1987.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
4
Kasbah Taourirt is a historical complex of fortified residences or kasbah in Ouarzazate, Morocco
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
5
Vallee Des Roses
If the Valley of the Roses begins its path with the round rocks of Imassine, virtually placed in equilibrium precinct, it is from Kelaat Mgouna, leading to the river Mgoun, which gives us all its splendor. It is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Alto Atlas and the south of Morocco. Ascending this succession of palm trees and gardens, which make up the valley of roses, is a true charm. It’s one of the most beautiful valleys of the High Atlas and the South of Morocco. Ascend this succession of palm groves and gardens, that constitutes the roses valley, is a true enchantment.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
6
Dades Gorges
The Dadès gargants are a series of wadi gargantons excavated along the Dadès river in Morocco. The river originates in the cordillera of the Alto Atlas of the Atlas Mountains, flows about 350 kilometers to the southeast before uniting with the Draa River on the shores of the Sahara.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Day 2: Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga
4 stops
7
Merzouga Desert
With the first rays of light shining on the Dades Gorges, we'll have breakfast and head towards the Dades Valley. Once there, we'll go through the spectacular Todra Gorges and walk around them while being surprised by the incomparable panoramic views of this valley. We'll then resume our journey towards Merzouga by crossing the Jorf Palm Grove, famous for having the best dates in Morocco. Would you like one as an aperitif on the way to Erfoud? Just before we arrive in this small village we'll enjoy a relaxing break to enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal. After visiting the fossil remains in Erfoud, we'll continue our journey to Merzouga. Once there, we'll change our vehicle to go up on the back of a camel and head into the desert to the camp where we'll sleep. Once settled in, we'll let the darkness of the night and the silence of the desert surround us while eating an authentic Moroccan dinner in Erg Chebbi under the stars - one of the most unforgettable experiences of your trip!
Admission ticket free
8
Todra Gorge
The gargantas of Todgha are a series of rocky rock canals, or wadi, in the eastern part of the Alto Atlas mountains in Morocco, near the city of Tinerhir. As far as the Todgha River as the vecino Dades River is concerned, they are responsible for excavating these deep caves in the culverts, at its last 40 kilometers through the mountains.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
9
Merzouga
Merzouga is a small Moroccan city in the Sahara desert, close to the border with Algeria. It is known as the entrance gate to Erg Chebbi, a huge extension of sand dunes north of the city. To the west of Merzouga, Dayet Srji is a stationary salty lake that often dries up in the summer. When full, you will find a large herd of migratory birds and the desert, including desert currants, Egyptian chotacabras and, occasionally, flamencos.
Admission ticket free
10
Erg Chebbi Dunes
Erg Chebbi is one of the several ergios in Morocco: large tides of dunes formed by sand torn by wind. There are several other ergios like Erg Chigaga near M'hamid. Technically, all these ergonomics are located within an area of ​​semiarid precincts and do not form part of the Sahara desert, which is located a short distance to the south.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
Day 3: Rissani - Ziz Valley - Middle Atlas - Fez
3 stops
11
Fez
Can you think of a better plan to start the last day than witnessing the sunrise in the desert? After enjoying an unforgettable experience and being fascinated by the reddish tones of the sun on the desert dunes, we'll ride our camels to a hotel, where we'll be able to take a shower and have breakfast (depending on the option chosen, breakfast and shower can be taken before the camel ride). Then we'll set off for Fez, passing through Tafilalet and Rissani, the ancient capital of the Alaouite sultans and the birthplace of this famous dynasty that still reigns in Morocco today. The tour will continue through Azrou and Ifrane, where we'll stop at the monkey forest to respectfully admire these beautiful animals and even feed them. After our meeting with the friendly primates, we'll resume our journey to arrive in Fez approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes later, around 6 pm
Admission ticket free
12
Azrou Cedar Forest
The Azrou Cedar Forest is a source of great pride throughout the country. Moroccan cedars, some more than 400 years old, grow to heights of close to 200 feet and cover some 320,000 acres on the slopes of the Middle Atlas, Living among the enormous cedars to the south of Azrou are troops of bold Barbary macaques and birdlife ranging from the redheaded Moroccan woodpecker to owls and eagles
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
13
Ifrane
In the “Switzerland of Morocco,” we’ll make a stop to rest for a bit
20 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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