5 Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour: Middle Atlas, Sahara and Gorges

Overview

Highlights

• Easy pace with a first night in Midelt
• Ziz Valley palm canyon and the dunes of Erg Chebbi
• Camel trek and Berber camp plus a free day in Merzouga
• Gnawa music in Khamlia and the Rissani souk
• Todra Gorge walk and a night in the Dades Gorge
• Aït Benhaddou and the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech

Itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt

   A relaxed morning pickup in Fes and a scenic drive into the Middle Atlas. Stop in Ifrane, a mountain town of red roofs, parks and a small lake, then walk in the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques live among some of the oldest cedars in North Africa. Pass through Azrou and its Berber market and cross the high plateaus, grazed by flocks of sheep, to Midelt, which sits at around 1,500 m between the Middle and High Atlas. Arrive in the afternoon with time to explore before dinner at your hotel.

   Overnight: Hotel in Midelt Meals: Dinner

2. 2

   Day 2 Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga, camel trek and desert camp

   After breakfast, cross the Tizi n'Talghemt pass and descend into the Ziz Valley, a canyon filled with palm trees and earthen villages, with stops at viewpoints over the oasis. Continue through Errachidia and Erfoud to Merzouga, arriving in time for lunch (not included) and a rest during the heat of the day. In the late afternoon, meet your camels and ride about an hour into the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Climb a crest for sunset, then head to the Berber camp for dinner, drums around the fire and a night beneath the stars.

   Overnight: Desert camp in Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) Meals: Breakfast, dinner

3. 3

   Day 3 Merzouga: Khamlia, Rissani and a night in Merzouga

   Rise for sunrise from the dunes and ride back to Merzouga for breakfast. This is a day without long drives. Visit Khamlia, where families of Gnawa musicians play their hypnotic music of drums and iron castanets, and stay for tea. Then explore Rissani, the historic heart of the Tafilalet oasis, with its monumental gate, its souk and its stalls of dates, spices and baskets. Spend the afternoon as you like: by the pool, sandboarding, on an optional quad or 4x4 ride, or simply on a dune with a book. Dinner and overnight in Merzouga.

   Overnight: Hotel or camp in Merzouga Meals: Breakfast, dinner

4. 4

   Day 4 Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades

   After breakfast, drive west through Erfoud and Tinejdad, where you can see the khettara, centuries-old underground channels that bring water to the oases. In Tinghir, follow the palm grove into the Todra Gorge and walk the narrowest stretch, between cliffs up to 300 m high. After lunch (not included), continue to Boumalne and up the Dades Gorge, past the Monkey Fingers rock formations, to your hotel. There is time for a stroll along the river or a look at the famous hairpin road before dinner.

   Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Gorge Meals: Breakfast, dinner

5. 5

   Day 5 Dades – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech

   After breakfast, follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Kelaat M'Gouna, the center of rose growing, and the palm oasis of Skoura to Ouarzazate. Continue to Aït Benhaddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar of earthen houses that has appeared in films from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator. Walk through its alleys and climb to the hilltop for the view. After lunch (not included), cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m and descend to Marrakech, arriving in the early evening at or near your accommodation.

   Overnight: — (tour ends in Marrakech) Meals: Breakfast

Prices

TT$ 2,216 (€290) per person

Fixed price per person in a small group (max 17 people).

Prices in euros per person. The amount in your currency is an estimate; payment is processed in USD. Some peak-season dates carry a supplement; you will see it when you pick a date.

Included

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