5 days tour from Marrakech to Fes
Join the best 5 days tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara desert of Merzouga with camel trekking and camping at Berber tents. This Trip itinerary can be customized under your needs, feel free to contact us!
Main info:
Departure location:
Marrakech
Return location:
Fes
Departure time:
08:00 AM
Itinerary duration
5 days/ 4 nights
Highlights of our tour:
- Tizi Ntichka
- The Atlas mountains
- Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
- Merzouga desert
- Camel trekking and camping
- Ifrane
- Ouarzazate
Tour overview:
Join our package of 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes and enjoy the picturesque vistas of Morocco’s most frequented destinations. A glimpse of the itinerary would be as follows. On the first day, we drive through the High Atlas Mountains and Ait Benhaddou before arriving at Ouarzazate, where we will spend the night. Second, on the second day, we will drive you to the desert, which is a must-see on every Morocco vacation. The third day will be spent touring desert areas and meeting Nomad Berbers. However, on the fourth day, we shall take a different route to Midelt. Finally, on the final day, we will take you to Meknes before returning to Fes, where our vacation concludes.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Marrakech to dades:
It all starts with a pick-up from our meeting location in Marrakech, on day one of the 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes. On our way up, we will cross the Tizi Ntichka pass( 200 kilometers long), which has a panoramic view of 2260 meters high. We’ll make a quick stop at the cooperative that produces argan oil for cosmetics, where we’ll rest for a little and learn how they do it. Ait Benhaddou Kasbah will be our destination after going through Telouet and other kasbahs.
Ait Benhaddou, a Unesco world heritage site, is well-known around the world and has been a popular destination for visitors and filmmakers alike. Traveling to Morocco’s Ouallywood, we’ll visit the Atlas Studios, where they make movies and rent the equipment. As an example, the Game of Thrones and Prison Break shows were filmed in Ouarzazate’s vicinity. In this city, we’ll have lunch before continuing on our journey to Dades Gorges, where we’ll spend the night.
Day 2: Gorges Dades to Merzouga:
On this day, our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes will be a visit to the desert. First, we’ll drive through several lovely valleys on the route to Todra Gorge, our first stop. Here, we’d stop for a little to explore the surroundings and take a stroll down Todra Canyons. Climbers and photographers consider it to be one of Morocco’s greatest climbing and photography locations because of its 300m-high canyons. We’ll continue on through the Berber settlements, stopping for lunch at Tinghir or Tinjedad.
As soon as we’ve finished eating, we’ll go on to our final destination. A trip to Morocco’s Merzouga desert is often regarded as the highlight of the journey. A camel ride across the golden sand dunes is usually the first part of the desert trip for most people. We will, however, stop along the way to take in the scenery and watch the sunset. Finally, we’ll arrive at our desert Nomadic camp. First, a traditional Moroccan dinner will be served to kick off the evening. Next, our crew will light a fire and perform drums beneath the bright starry sky as a finale.
Day 3: Merzouga desert tour:
This will be the third day of our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, and we will be exploring the desert on this day. Nomads, the indigenous inhabitants of Morocco, are usually the first stop on the desert excursion. With these individuals, you’ll get a taste of the authentic Moroccan way of living. Meaning that Berber Nomads continue to preserve the country”s traditional customs. While seeing the Nomads, we will stop at Glb Nass (the people’s heart in English) to take in its panoramic perspective and marvel at Saharan dunes’ magnificence for a while. Onward to M’Ifiss, where the French colonial empire formerly owned and operated a kohl mine that is not active today.
We’ll continue on to Khamlia, where we’ll have lunch and visit the Gnawa people, before heading back. As a general rule, they’re from Mali and Gabon, respectively. As a result, they made Morocco their home and settled in a variety of areas, including the region we are currently visiting. Enjoy their music and distinctive motions while watching them perform. Last but not least, we’ll spend the rest of the day touring other areas, such as the Oases of Hassi Labied.
Day 4: The Sahara desert to Midelt:
As soon as you’ve had breakfast in your desert lodging, we’ll travel to Midelt. On our way there, we’ll stop at one of the largest traditional marketplaces in the south of Morocco, Rissani. Second, we’ll make a pit stop at Erfoud, where we’ll participate in fossil workshops. You’ll get the opportunity to see a variety of fossils that have been unearthed in the region. Our next stop is Ziz Valley, Morocco’s largest supplier of dates.
Next, we’ll drive over the Ait Chakr hill and stop at one of Morocco’s greatest panoramic viewpoints, where you can see the Ziz Valley’s hundreds of palm trees from the top. In the following, we’ll continue our journey to Midelt. The dam at Errachidia is the next stop. One of the places set up by the government for the purpose of providing local residents with access to national water. In the evening, we will arrive in Midelt, where we will stay for the night and conclude our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.
Day 5: Midelt to Fes:
Unlike the other days, the final day of our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes program is unique. A journey to one of Morocco’s royal cities is on the agenda for the day. While driving through the Atlas Mountains, we’ll make a quick halt at the Cedar Forest, which is our first destination. In a few minutes, we’ll be in Meknes. A visit to Sahrij Souani, the city’s central lake is the first stop. After that, we’ll continue our exploration of Meknes with a walking tour. As a result, we’ll be exploring Lhdim Square and Bab Mansour this time. Our next stop is Volubilis, the former capital of the Mauritanian monarchy, which is a short drive away from the city. As a result of this, we’ll be heading straight to Fes, where our mission will conclude.
Tour includes:
- Pickup and drop off from accommodation.
- Camel for each in Merzouga
- Berber tent accommodation.
- Vehicle with gasoline
- Dinner and Breakfast
Tour excludes:
- Monuments fees
- Lunches
- Tips
- Soft drinks
Testimonials:
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Highlights overview:
This 5 days Morocco tour from Marrakech to Fes takes you to Marrakech, Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, and many more lovely cities and locations around Morocco. Some of these locations are described in detail in the trip section, along with important information that you should be aware of before going.
Merzouga desert:
Tourism and business in Morocco have relied heavily on the Merzouga desert in recent years. Known for its stunning golden sand dunes, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Morocco. Despite its location in the deep southeast of Morocco, barely 50 kilometers from Algeria, it is not a remote area. A night in the Berber tents is a popular tourist attraction, with many tourists traveling long distances to get there. Some people travel considerable distances to go to the desert in their own automobile, while others take public transportation. There are also those that book excursions to see other locations on their route to the desert. Merzouga’s desert and the activities it offers are typically regarded as the highlight of any Morocco vacation.
Merzouga is derived from the Merzoug family, who used to dwell in the region. As a result, tourism is the primary source of revenue in the area. However, there are certain areas where agriculture is the primary source of income.
To get to Khamlia from the town of Tighmert, the desert of Merzouga is 30km long and is named Erg Chebbi. You will discover many additional deserts if you travel to Rmlia and Jdaid, though. Merzouga’s most renowned desert is Znigui, where around 10% of visitors go.
Camel rides and glamping amid the sand dunes are what made Merzouga desert renowned. There are also spectacular sunsets and sunrises to behold.
Ait Benhaddou
On our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, we will take to visit the historical fortress of Ait Benhaddou. About 30km from Ouarzazate, it’s located on the tip of the High Atlas Mountains. This fortified town was inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1987, and is still classified as such today.
To me, Ait Benhaddou symbolizes the best of Moroccan architecture. In addition, it is unusual since it was created by Berbers, yet with an Berber touch to it. Great towers and walls surround the city, which was built primarily as a defensive fortress. In the form of Moroccan clay art, its towers are decorated in a distinctive way.
Thami el Glaoui, a member of one of the wealthiest families in Moroccan history, is said to have erected the palace in the 11th century, according to legend. Yet, despite the fact that its residents have left and gone to other locations, it has remained standing for generations. In the main village, just around 40 households remain. The majority of them reside on the other side of the river, on the opposite side of the river from the settlement. In order to survive, they must rely on tourists who arrive in large numbers. The region attracts more than 130 thousand visitors a year.
Not only are tourists attracted to this kasbah, but it is also a popular filming location. Using Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and many more as examples. There’s no question that the kindness of the residents of this town and Moroccans as a whole is what draws travelers from within and outside of Morocco to this village.
The Moroccan Ouallywood
Must-see destination is the Sahara Desert’s gateway. On the 5 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, you’ll pass via Ouarzazate, a beautiful city in Morocco. Because it has an national airport, it’s a popular location for individuals who enjoy desert excursions. When it comes to solar energy, Ouarzazate may be the most important city because it is home to the world’s largest solar station. The latter is only available to the public while it is being used for the production of movies and television shows for which this city is well-known.
Near the Sahara desert of Merzouga, it is roughly midway between the two. Because of this, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. According to its original Berber name, it signifies quiet city or location. Indeed it doesn’t have much noise but well-known worldwide.
Tourists are drawn to the Atlas Studios. As soon as you enter the city, you’ll see that there are two Atlas Studios to choose from. Of course there’s The Oscar Studio, which is the most frequented. About 5 kilometers from downtown, it is located in the city’s northwest. This is a location where you may get a glimpse of amazing designs from the past. However, CLA Atlas Studio, which is a bit further away than the Oscar studios, is a viable alternative to the Oscar Studios. In fact, despite being the oldest studio in the city, it receives very little attention from tourists.
Furthermore, Ouarzazate is not only an attractive tourist destination, but a great location for filming movies and television shows. You may use the fifth season of Prison Break as an illustration of what I mean.
Moroccan valleys
Many lovely valleys may be seen along the majority of the highways on our 5 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes program. All of them share a common characteristic: beautiful and lovely vistas. They are arranged in ascending order of importance due to the fact that some of them are more significant than others.
Firstly, there is the Draa or Dra valley which is located in the Southeast part of the High Atlas mountains. It is the longest river and valley in Morocco, with a length of roughly 1,100 km. There are a lot of palm and olive groves in the area. Agdz and Ouarzazate are the two main cities that profit from this valley and its products, respectively. Along this river, however, are a number of Berber communities that rely only on this kind of revenue.
Second, there’s the Ziz Valley, which is the country’s largest source of dates. It is located between Erfoud and Errachidia, in the province of Erfoud. As a way to celebrate this valley and its dates, the city of Erfoud hosts an annual celebration.
Most of the other main valleys are located in Between Marrakech and Merzouga desert. Firstly, there is Ounila valley and it is the same that goes in front of the fortress of Ait Benhaddou. Out of the Maleh, which meaning salty river is the name of this portion of the Oued. So-called because in the past it was utilized as a salt market. Second, there is the Rose Valley, which is famed for its cosmetics. Dades in Boumalne is one of the smaller valleys.
Erfoud and Rissani
Several cities in Morocco, particularly in the southeast, have played a significant role in the country’s history. This 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes will take you to Rissani & Erfoud, two of Morocco’s most prominent desert cities.
Rissani
Rissani, the capital of the Tafilalt area, is the first stop. Tafilalt is a Berber word that meaning jug in Berber. It is also known as Sijilmassa and was the primary stopping point for caravans going from Niger to the north of Morocco. As a result, it became well-known and had a long period of success. In reality, the present royal family and the Alaouiet dynasty originated in this city.
In Tafilalt, one of Morocco’s largest Oasis, you’ll find one of the world’s largest palm groves. Rissani is also home to the largest traditional Souk in the Southeast, if not the entire country. When it comes to transferring and selling products, the locals rely on conventional methods. Citizens and vendors still rely on donkeys and horses as their primary means of transportation, as well. Rissani provides a significant amount of dates for Morocco, and it also contributes to the development of the desert region.
A large crowd gathers here every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday since it is the only time when there is a larger selection of goods on display for the public. There are a lot of purchases coming from Rissani or Erfoud, thus this city is bustling.
Erfoud
Meanwhile, Erfoud, a lovely city located approximately 50 kilometers from Merzouga Desert, is another option. Since it contains several tiny workshops that create different types of fossils throughout the year, it is the primary source for the fossils found in Southeast of Morocco. Erfoud also holds a festival every year to commemorate and display different kinds of dates. As well as Moroccans, visitors from all over the world attend this festival.
Cedar forets and Ifrane
On the 5 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, we’ll take you to the cedar forest and Ifrane, among other places.
We have Ifrane, or Little Moroccan Switzerland as it is affectionately referred to by locals. In the Middle Atlas Mountains, it has one of the greatest temperatures and meteorological conditions in the world. It’s a Berber word that meaning “cave”. It is known as the Switzerland of Morocco because it is the cleanest city in Africa and the sixth cleanest city in the world.
For obvious reasons, the ski resort has become more well-known. Many visitors from within and outside the country flock to the city in the winter. Al Akhawayn, one of Morocco’s top universities, is located in Ifrane. Not just Moroccans, but tourists from all over the world, travel to this location. As a result of its location, visitors come to the city to see its famous Atlas Lion statue. An escaped German prisoner erected it to gain his release, according to legend.
While traveling to Fes, you’ll pass through a cedar forest, which is a beautiful place. Located near the city of Azrou, it’s also known as Gouraud Forest or Gouraud Forest. Many creatures formerly inhabited this area, but they are now extinct. The Barbary macaque is the only animal people go to see these days.