The classic crossing: Fez on one side, Marrakech on the other, and the Sahara in the middle. Three days, one way, with a private driver, so you finish where your next flight or riad is rather than doubling back.
Day one takes you south through Ifrane and the cedar forest, over the plateau at Midelt and down the Ziz gorges to Merzouga, with a camel trek into Erg Chebbi at sunset and a night in a desert camp. Day two leaves the dunes after sunrise and runs west along the Ziz and the old caravan route to the Todra gorge, a slot of red cliff with a river at the bottom, then on to the Dades valley for the night among the kasbahs and the rock formations.
Day three is the big scenery day: the Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate and its film studios, the earthen village of Ait Ben Haddou where half of Hollywood has filmed, and the Tizi n Tichka pass over the High Atlas, dropping you into Marrakech in the evening. Luggage stays in the vehicle throughout, and we can drop you at your riad, a hotel or the airport.
Good to know before you book
- Length
- 3 days · 2 nights
Highlights
- Erg Chebbi camel trek and camp
- Todra Gorges and Dades Valley
- Skoura and the Valley of Roses
- Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO)
- Tizi n'Tichka pass
The route
- i.Pick-up at your riad, Ifrane and the cedars
- ii.Midelt, the Ziz gorges and the palm valley
- iii.Camel trek at sunset, dinner and night in camp
- i.Sunrise over the dunes, then west
- ii.Todra gorge and the river through the cliffs
- iii.Night in the Dades valley among the kasbahs
- i.The Valley of Roses and Ouarzazate
- ii.Ait Ben Haddou, the earthen ksar
- iii.Tizi n Tichka pass over the High Atlas
- iv.Arrive Marrakech in the evening, drop-off
Included & not included
Included
- Air-conditioned, government-approved vehicle
- Certified driver
- 1 night desert camp and 1 night in the Dades Valley
- Dinner and breakfast
- Camel trek or 4×4 to and from camp
- Approved 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.
