5 Days Sahara desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga & Fes

Meet your Private English-speaking driver at your hotel and then depart Marrakech on a journey through the famous Tizi N’Tichka Pass to Ouarzazate. Marvel at the scenic drive of High Atlas, 2260 m altitude. Upon Arrival at Ait ben haddou, take time to visit this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. A ksar – or fortified city – along a former caravan route. Furthermore, it’s dotted with crenelated towers, is considered one of the most beautiful in the country and has often been a filming location for many series from Gladiator to Game of Thrones. Other than that, this fortified city’s high-angled towers stand out above the family dwellings.

After lunch and at your convenience, then hit the road for Ouarzazate city, famed also for being a prime filming location for many Hollywood TV shows and Blockbusters including James Bond, The Mummy and more recently Game of Thrones. The balance of the day is at leisure upon arrival.

This morning, you’ve the opportunity to explore the World’s largest film studio and Taourirt Kasbah, An amazing example of Moroccan architecture which was built to house a hundred of people. Thereafter, head off towards Boumalne Dades. On route, you will stop at skoura, visit one of the jewels of Morocco, Amridil Kasbah. It is considered among the most impressive kasbahs of its kind in Morocco. After your visit to this ancient Kasbah, head on to Boumalne dades through the perfumed rose’s valley of Kaalet M’gouna, famous for the miles of rose hedgerows that color the landscape pink. Stop for lunch and then continue onwards with great views of the atlas Mountains and valleys to our former kasbah hotel for the night.

After breakfast, drive a bit further for an amazing panoramic view of Dades Valley and the Mountains beyond. Next, a magnificent place known as Monkey fingers for taking some pictures. Afterwards, we set out towards the Majestic Merzouga desert. En route, stop at the captivating Gorge of Todra. One of Morocco’s popular natural sights, you may enjoy a walk in the towering Todra Gorges that reach heights of 987ft, a deep ravine carved by the Todra River over millennia. You’ve the opportunity to browse for Moroccan rugs in a carpet store here.

Afterwards, continue the journey through the beautiful Berber villages as you cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Along the way, view glimpse of Morocco’s nomadic tribes, travelling across the mountains and also often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination.

Next, stop for lunch in the village of Tinjdad. Along the route there’s Khettarat, ancient wells dug by the nomads to find water, now dry. As approaching the destination, pass through Erfoud, the gateway to majestic Moroccan Sahara. It is well known among archeologist due to fossils dating back to hundreds of years. Upon arrival at Merzouga, you’ll then take a camel trek for an hour across the rolling sand dunes of Erg chebbi. Enjoy a mesmerizing sunset over the dunes and spend the night in a Berber Camp in the heart of the desert under an endless canopy of Saharan stars. 

Wake up to enjoy an early morning sunrise just over a high dune of Erg chebbi near your Tent. After freshening up and breakfast, then take a tour around the Erg chebbi dunes by 4-wheel drive vehicle through the gorgeous landscapes on the edge of the Sahara desert dunes. Afterwards, stop at Khamlia village, enjoy some Gnawa music. Next, share a cup of tea with a nomadic Berber family in their tents, experience the nomadic lifestyle. Thereafter, head back to Merzouga center. Enjoy a Berber pizza for lunch in a traditional local restaurant, it is a Berber calzone filled with meat. Last but not least, visit the lake of Tifart (usually it’s dry due to lack of precipitation).

The balance of the day is at leisure. Opt to independently experience Quad biking and a chance to watch sunset once again in the heart of Erg chebbi.

After breakfast, take a long however quite scenic drive, heading up north into the remarkable Ziz Gorge, vast valleys and Middle. Once arrive at Midelt famed for its apple cultivation, Plenty of time to enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, you cross the 6,000-foot pass and continue along a beautiful route of Berber hamlets towards Cedar forest (full of Barbary Macaque monkeys) and jagged rock faces as you cross the middle atlas mountains and begin to descend towards Fes. Eventually, drop off at your preferred location in Fes – End of Morocco desert tour – 5 days from Marrakech to Fes.