Tour

Moroccan Express: From Marrakech-Merzouga-Fes and back in 4 days

4 days

Challenging

If you have a little more time than just a weekend getaway in Marrakech, don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit some spectacular gorges and spend the night under the shining stars in a Berber tent!

DAY 1: Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Valley
This memorable trip starts with the scenic drive from Marrakech over the Tizi-N-Tichka pass (2’260 m), where you can spot the traditional Berber villages with its inhabitants working and chatting at the roadside. We can stop in a local co-operative run by women who extract the Argan oil from the trees and discover how it is processed into cooking oil and cosmetics. You can taste and buy the products if you like. Shortly before the desert capital Ouarzazate, you have the opportunity to visit the famous Kasbah Aït-Ben-Haddou, the fortified clay city with its numerous ksars and kasbahs, where several famous movies such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Prince of Persia have been shot.
After your lunch break in a typical restaurant in Aït-Ben-Haddou or Ouarzazate, you can visit the old kasbah of Ouarzazate named Taourirt or have a look at the movie museum just on the other side of the road.
Continue your journey through the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley, where we stay overnight.

DAY 2: Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga
After breakfast, we continue along the road of the Kasbahs to the Todra Gorges. The river Todra has formed these enormous and impressive stone walls over thousands of years. This is a great opportunity to take photos and go for a short walk in the gorges.
After lunch along the way it is time for the desert! Upon arrival in Merzouga, you have time to rest a bit in the lodge where you can put your luggage. Meet your camel driver and head to the desert on top of your friendly camel. After arriving at the Sahara Desert Camp, you can climb the high dunes and enjoy the incredible views while the sun sinks below the horizon. Settle in your private tent and drink some mint tea before the traditional dinner is served. You can spend the night watching for shooting stars or dance around the camp fire to the beat of the desert drums.

DAY 3: Merzouga - Middle Atlas - Ifrane - Fes
Today, you can get up early to enjoy the first rays of sunlight over the desert. Enjoy your breakfast in the camp and hop on your camel or 4x4 for the ride back to Merzouga.

We start our journey in direction Fes after and head for the Middle Atlas Mountains. We'll drive through several typical villages and you will have the opportunity to spot nomad families living in their tents along the road. Stop for a coffee in Ifrane, also known as «Switzerland of Morocco» with its chalet like houses. Shortly after it’s time to feed the monkeys! They life in a cedar forest and love the sweet bananas which you can buy at the roadside. Evening arrival in your Riad in Fes.

DAY 4: Fes - Marrakech
After breakfast in your Riad in Fes, your local city guide will pick you up for the half day city visit in Fes. We start the day at Bab Boujloud, one of the gates which lead into the Medina. We will visit some of the beautiful ancient buildings like the Medersas of Bou Inania or El-Attarine (Koran schools for religious studies) and the University and Mosque of Karaouine. Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts and discover traditional tools, carpets, furniture and musical instruments in a beautifully restored caravanserai.
Continue our tour to the famous tanneries, where the leather is processed still the same as a hundert years ago. You can observe the workers from a lookout and they will be glad to explain you the different workings steps if you are willing to bargain for a bag or new belt afterwards. But be aware of the bad smelling of the furs and coloring goods! After lunch break, you'll start your drive back to Marrakech (over the highway), where you'll arrive in the evening.


What's included?

    Included:

    • Private tour with local driver-guide (english/spanish/french)

    • Transportation in a comfortable 4x4 car incl. fuel

    • Overnight with Dinner and breakfast in the Riad in Dades Valley

    • Overnight in a tent in the desert camp

    • Overnight with breakfast in the Riad in Fes

    • Camel ride to/from the camp (about 1 h each way)

    • Wifi in the Riad and in the Desert camp  

    • local guide for the visit of Ait-Ben-Haddou

    Exclusions
    • Entry or admission fee
    • Food & drinks
    • Tip or gratuity
    Please note

      Pick up at your Hotel/Riad in Marrakech at 07:30 am on the first day, return at around 8:30 pm on the 4th day. Distance per day: 350/250/550/530 km. 

      What to bring

        It is highly recommended that you wear hiking shoes and take a small backpack with you for the overnight in the desert camp.
        Bring sun protection: sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.

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