Six days is the full crossing with room to breathe: the Middle Atlas, two nights in the Sahara, the gorges, the oasis valleys, the kasbah country and the High Atlas, ending in Marrakech. It is the trip to take if this is your one journey through Morocco rather than a side trip from Fez.
You go south through Ifrane and the cedars, with a night in the Ziz palm country before the desert rather than a single long haul. Two nights at Erg Chebbi give you a sunset camel trek, a sunrise, and a whole day out in the sand with the gnaoua musicians of Khamlia, nomad families, fossil beds and a four-wheel drive run through the dunes. Then west: the Todra gorge, a night in the Dades valley under the rock formations, the Skoura palm grove and Ouarzazate, and a night opposite Ait Ben Haddou so you can walk the ksar at first light.
The last day climbs the Tizi n Tichka and comes down into Marrakech with the afternoon still ahead of you. One driver, one vehicle, your luggage in the back the whole way, and the route can be adjusted as we go if something catches your interest.
Good to know before you book
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
Highlights
- Ifrane, cedar forest and the Ziz Valley
- Sunrise and sunset in the Merzouga dunes
- Desert camp night with dinner and music
- Todra Gorges, Valley of Roses, Skoura
- Ait Ben Haddou and Tizi n'Tichka
The route
- i.Ifrane, the cedar forest and the macaques
- ii.Midelt, the high plateau and the Ziz gorges
- iii.Night in the palm country near Erfoud
- i.Erfoud fossil workshops and Rissani
- ii.Camel trek into Erg Chebbi at sunset
- iii.Dinner, drums and the first night in camp
- i.Sunrise over the dunes
- ii.Khamlia, nomad tea, fossil beds, 4x4 run
- iii.Second night by the sand
- i.The old caravan road and the Todra gorge
- ii.Night in the Dades valley
- i.Valley of Roses, Skoura palm grove
- ii.Ouarzazate, the studios, night by the ksar
- i.The ksar at first light
- ii.Tizi n Tichka over the High Atlas
- iii.Arrive Marrakech, drop-off at your riad
Included & not included
Included
- Government-approved air-conditioned vehicle and certified driver
- 5 nights (hotels, riad, desert camp)
- Dinners and breakfasts
- Camel trek or 4×4
- Licensed tour guide
- Entrance fees, where applicable
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Tips for driver and guide
Good to know
Where does this trip end?
In Marrakech, not Fez. If you want to return to Fez, see the round trips under Fez Sahara Tours.
Is the vehicle private to our party?
Yes, throughout.
How much driving is there each day?
Morocco is large — Fez to Merzouga alone is about seven to eight hours. The days are long, and we break them with stops rather than driving straight through.
