Five days turns the crossing into a proper journey. Nothing is rushed, every drive is broken by something worth stopping for, and you get two nights in the desert and a night in the oasis country before the High Atlas.
Days one and two are the desert: south through Ifrane, Midelt and the Ziz to Erg Chebbi, a camel trek and a night in camp, then a full day among the dunes with Khamlia, the nomad families, the fossil beds and Rissani. Day three runs west to the Todra gorge and the Dades valley. Day four is the oasis day, through the Skoura palm grove and its kasbahs to Ouarzazate and the film studios, ending at Ait Ben Haddou where you sleep opposite the ksar and can walk it at dawn before the buses arrive.
Day five crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n Tichka, with stops at the argan cooperatives and the viewpoints on the descent, and puts you in Marrakech in the afternoon with time left in the day. Luggage stays in the vehicle, and the driver is yours throughout.
Good to know before you book
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
Highlights
- Merzouga dunes, camel trek and camp
- Todra Gorges and Dades Valley
- Valley of Roses and Skoura
- Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas
The route
- i.Cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz gorges
- ii.Camel trek at sunset, night in the camp
- i.Sunrise, Khamlia, nomad families
- ii.Fossil beds, 4x4 dunes, Rissani market
- iii.Second night by the sand
- i.Todra gorge and the palm oases
- ii.Night among the Dades kasbahs
- i.Valley of Roses and the Skoura palm grove
- ii.Ouarzazate and the film studios
- iii.Night opposite the ksar
- i.The ksar at dawn, before the crowds
- ii.Tizi n Tichka pass and the argan cooperatives
- iii.Arrive Marrakech in the afternoon
Included & not included
Included
- Government-approved air-conditioned vehicle and certified driver
- 4 nights (hotels/riads and a desert camp)
- Dinner and breakfast
- Camel trek or 4×4
- Licensed multilingual guide
Not included
- Entrance fees, where applicable
- 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.
