During this 3 days trip from Fes to Merzouga, you will experience the incredible diversity of natural environments in this region of Morocco. You will explore the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi and spend a night under a star-filled sky.
Start by driving through the winter ski town of Ifrane, a Swiss-inspired city built in the 1930s, then drive through the cedar forest near Azrou to feed wild barbary monkeys. Visit the Todra Gorges and more.
Day 1: Fes to Ifrane
Get a taste of Morocco’s mountains, forests, and Berber villages with this trip from Fes. Visit Ifrane, a mountain town built in 1930 with a European feel. Admire the hills and quaint houses of the town, and see Al Akhawaine University. Then, head to the cedar forest of Azrou. Look out for Barbary monkeys in the treetops, and learn about Berber culture from a local family.
Continue on to the Middle Atlas Mountains and see Immouzzer, known for its September Apple Festival. Then, visit the city of Azrou, and see traditional Berber homes in the forest. Take a break to have a cup of tea, and admire the scenery of the town.
After that, you’ll drive to the Erg Chebbi dunes, and spend the night in a desert camp with Standard or Luxury option. Enjoy the beautiful sunset and camel trekking tour, and also explore a traditional nomad camp. You’ll also visit a cedar forest with its playful apes, and the gorge of Ziz along with its valley.
Day 2: Ifrane to Dades
Depart from Fes on a tour that includes transportation, accommodation and breakfasts. During this 3-day adventure trip from Fes to Merzouga, you will take in many incredible sights such as the Erg Chebbi dunes.
On your journey you will pass through the winter ski resort of Ifrane, which is built to resemble a Swiss village and also the cedar forest in Azrou where monkeys reside. You will continue on to Midelt and then head toward the Middle Atlas Mountains where you’ll encounter views of forests, mountain springs, jagged rocks, and more.
From here, you will visit the Kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou and Tiffeltout before reaching Dades Gorge where you can walk along this gorgeous gorge. Afterward, you will drive towards the Sahara Desert and visit Merzouga and Todra Gorge before spending the night at a traditional desert camp. Here you can try a camel ride before taking in the sunset over the sand dunes and enjoying a delicious dinner under a starry sky.
Day 3: Dades to Merzouga
During this 3 days trip from Fes to Merzouga, you will see many gorgeous landscapes, visit some deserts, and meet some local people. This trip is a great way to discover Morocco’s culture, enjoy a night in a desert camp, and see the sunset and sunrise from the top of the high dunes.
You will travel to the middle Atlas, passing beautiful villages and Kasbahs along the way. You will also visit a cedar forest and feed wild monkeys (barbarian monkeys), and have free time to explore Todra Gorges.
Then you will continue towards Ouarzazate, the ‘Gate of the Sahara’. Here you will visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, which has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. After a break in the Kasbah, you will drive to Marrakech via Tizi n’Tichka pass. The road to Marrakech is spectacular and full of many scenic views. You will pass by mountains, olive groves, and many other sites.
Day 4: Merzouga to Fes
The final day of the trip will see you leaving the Sahara desert and Erg Chebbi dunes behind to discover Tinerhir, a town with huge rock gorges that receive avid rock climbers every year. This will be followed by a drive to Fes, passing through Ifrane (built by the French in the 1930’s to resemble a Swiss village) and Azrou, known for its cedar forests.
The tour will also take you to visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ouarzazate with its famous Kasbahs and studios. Finally, you’ll explore Khamlia village (also called Black Town), where the majority of inhabitants are dark-skinned and live with their own culture of Gnawa music.
This 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga allows you to connect two of Morocco’s most important travel destinations in a practical and interesting way. The journey will also include discovering many of the incredible natural environments that this area has to offer, such as deserts, wild lakes, mines and fossils areas.