5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes
5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary
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Easy tour navigation:
- Comfortable vehicle
- +4 Hours
- +1 People
- Multilingual drivers
Tour info:
- DEPARTURE LOCATION➥ Airport/accommodation in Marrakech.
- RETURN LOCATION➥ Fes/ Airport
- DEPARTURE TIME ➥8 am.
- DURATION➥ 5 days/ 4 nights.
5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary includes and excludes:
Includes:
- Pickup & dropoff service.
- English/Spanish speaking driver.
- Accommodation.
- 4 WD vehicle with fuel.
- Breakfast.
- Dinner.
- Camel for each in the desert.
Excludes:
- Plane ticket.
- Travel insurance.
- Monuments fees.
- Lunches.
- Tips.
- Drinks.
5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes Highlights:
- High, Anti, And Middle Atlas mountains.
- Ait Ben haddou Kasbah.
- Rose valley.
- Todgha canyons.
- Camel ride Merzouga.
- The desert trip.
- Ziz valley.
- Ouarzazate Atlas studio.
5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes overview:
Join our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary and enjoy the charming views of the most visited attractions in Morocco. In general, on the first day, we pass by the High Atlas Mountains and Ait Benhaddou arriving at Ouarzazate where we will spend the night. Secondly, on the second day, we will take you to visit the desert, the highlight of all Morocco trips. The third day will be all about exploring the desert areas and the Nomad Berbers. However, on the fourth day, we will take another way of traveling to Midelt. Finally, on the last day, we will take you on a visit to Meknes before heading to Fes where our tour ends.
Itinerary for 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes:
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Gorges:
The first day of the 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes begins with picking you up from our meeting point in Marrakech. Firstly, we will take the Tizi Ntichka pass that is 2260 m high and about 200km long. We will drop by the cooperative argan oil where we will stop for a while to relax and see the way they produce argan oil for cosmetic stuff. Thereafter, we will be heading to the kasbah of Ait Benhaddou passing by many other kasbahs such as Telouet.
The Unesco world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou is famous worldwide and has been a destination not only for tourists but also for moviemakers. Next on the tour, we will travel to the Ouallywood of Morocco and discover the Atlas Studios where they film movies and rent the materials for that. Many movies have been shot in Ouarzazate’s area, for instance, there is the famous series of Game Of Thrones and Prison Break. After having lunch in this city, we will continue our way of traveling to Dades Gorges where we will spend the night.
Day 2: Dades Gorges to Merzouga desert:
Today, our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes will be a visit to the desert. Firstly, we will pass by some of the beautiful valleys on the way before arriving at the first destination that is Todra Gorges. In this latter, we would stop for a while to discover the area and have a walk along the famous Todra canyons. In general, it is seen as one of the best destinations for climbers and photographers in Morocco with its canyons that reach about 300m high. Further, we will drive along with the small Berber villages and stop by Tinghir or Tinjedad to have lunch.
After enjoying the meal we will leave for our last destination. Merzouga desert is usually seen as the highlight of all Morocco tours. In general, we will start the desert tour with a camel ride through the golden dunes. However, on the way, we will stop to enjoy the views and watch the sunset. Finally, we will arrive at our Nomadic camp that is set in the desert. We will start the night by serving a traditional Moroccan meal. Thereafter, our team will make fire and play drums under the shiny stars.
Day 3: Merzouga desert/The desert trip:
The third day of our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes will be a trip discovering the desert. Usually, the desert tours start with visiting the Nomads, the original people of Morocco. With these people, you will get to know the real Moroccan lifestyle. That is to say, the Berber Nomads still protect the original traditions and culture of the country. After spending some time with the Nomads, we leave to Glb Nass(the people’s heart in English), where we will stop by its panoramic view and enjoy the beauty of the Sahara dunes. The next destination is the mine of kohl in M’Ifiss, a place that was owned and used by the French colonial empire in the past.
Further, we will drive to Khamlia where we would have lunch and meet the Gnawa people. In general, they are people who came from places such as Mali and Gabon. they made of Morocco their homeland and settled in many places such as the village that we are visiting. You will have the chance to listen to their music and watch their unique moves. Finally, the rest of the day will be about exploring some other places such as the Oases of Hassi Labied.
Day 4: Merzouga desert to Midelt:
After having breakfast in your accommodation in the desert, we will leave heading to Midelt. Firstly, we will travel to Rissani and discover one of the biggest traditional markets in the southeast of Morocco. Secondly, we will stop by the city of Erfoud where we will join some workshops of fossils. You will get the chance to see many different fossils that are found in the area. After that, we will leave to discover Ziz Valley, the biggest source of dates in Morocco.
Next, driving on the pass of Ait Chakr, we will stop by one of the best panoramic places in Morocco, where you can see the Ziz valley’s thousands of palm trees from the top. Thereafter, we will continue traveling to Midelt. The next destination is the dam of Errachidia. A place that is set by the government to offer national water to the citizens of the area. Finally, we will arrive at Midelt where we will spend the night and end the fourth day of your 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.
Day 5: Midelt to Fes:
The last day of our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary is different from the last days. Today we will go on a visit to one of the Moroccan imperial cities. However, before that, we will drive by the High Atlas Mountains again passing by the Cedar forest, where we will have our first stop. In a while, we will have reached the city of Meknes. Firstly, we will take you to visit Sahrij Souani, a lake in the heart of the city. Thereafter, we will continue our discovery tour of Meknes. This time we will head to explore Lhdim square and Bab Mansour. After that, we will leave the city heading to discover a near place that is called Volubilis or the Roman ruins, the old capital of the Mauritanian kingdom. Then, we will head directly to Fes where our service ends.
5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes's reviews:
Wonderful tour! Highly recommended.
Amazing five days!
Awesome guide!
Stunning Views
Join our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes and enjoy the stunning of this beautiful Morocco. Starting from the golden desert dunes to unique kasbahs and Mountain ranges.
Hotel Pickup & Dropoff
With our tour, you will not only be picked up from your accommodation/airport But also dropped off at any point you choose back in Marrakech.
Professional Guide/driver
Touring In Morocco has only a team of experts and professionals. Book your tour and discover the real Morocco with us. Our Guides and drives are there to help you experience an unforgettable journey.
Photography locations
If you are a photographer, picture lover, our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes is your chance to explore the most visited colorful attraction in Morocco.
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5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary destinations' overview:
Merzouga desert
For the last years, the Merzouga desert played a big role in the Moroccan tourism and economy. With its beautiful golden sand dunes, it became an unmissed and most visited destination in Morocco. Although it is in the far southeast of Morocco and only about 50 km to Algeria, that doesn’t make it an isolated place. Tourists drive for days to spend a night with the Berber locals in the tents. Some drive long ways heading to the desert in their own car. Others Book tours to discover many other places on the way to the desert. Above all, the desert of Merzouga and what it offers of activities are usually seen as the highlight of all Morocco tours.
The word Merzouga came from the family of Merzoug that used to live in the area. The place mainly depends on tourists that is the first and biggest source of income. Yet, there are also some places where they depend on agriculture in the first place.
The desert of Merzouga is called Erg Chebbi and is about 30km long from the village of Tighmert to Khamlia. However, if you go deeply towards Rmlia and Jdaid, you will find many other deserts. The famous one is the Znigui desert, where about 10% of tourists that visit Merzouga head.
In general, what makes Merzouga desert famous is the camel rides and the glamping in the dunes. Besides the beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
On our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, we will take to visit the historical fortress of Ait Benhaddou. It lies along the High Atlas mountains and exactly on the tip and about 30km from the city of Ouarzazate. This fortified village is listed as a Unesco world heritage site in the year of 1987.
Ait Benhaddou is a real living masterpiece that represents the great Moroccan architecture. Furthermore, what makes it more unique is that it was built by Berbers but has an Arabic touch. It is home to great towers and walls that are mainly constructed to be defensive castle. Its towers have a unique decoration that is pure Moroccan clay art.
They say that it was built in the 11th century by Thami el Glaoui that belongs to one of the richest families in the history of Morocco. Yet, it is still up for centuries although its inhabitants have left it and immigrated to other places. Nowadays, only about 40 families are still living there but not in the main village, most of them live on the other side of the river. Their main income is from the tourists that visit the area as the place knows a big number of tourists that reach more than 130 thousand tourists yearly.
This site is not just a kasbah that tourists visit, but also a destination for moviemakers and directors. Taking the examples of Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia and many more. Undoubtedly, what attracts more tourists from inside or outside Morocco is the hospitality of the inhabitants of this village and Moroccans in general.
Ouarzazate
The gate to the Sahara desert is a must-visit destination. With the 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, you will be passing by the Gorgeous city of Ouarzazate. It’s one of the important destinations in Morocco as it has an international airport that makes it easy for most people that like to do desert tours. Ouarzazate could be the most important city when it comes to solar energy as it has the biggest station in the world. This latter is not open for public only in cases of shooting movies and series that this city is well known for.
It is located in about halfway to the Sahara desert of Merzouga. As a result, it is one of the main stops that most tourists don’t miss visiting. In its name that is originally in Berber, it means the city or place without noise. Indeed it doesn’t have much noise but well-known worldwide.
The Atlas Studios is what attracts tourists the most. when you visit this city, you will figure out that there are two Atlas Studios. On the first hand, there is the Oscar Studio and it is the most visited one. It is located in the Northwest of the city and about 5 km from the center. Here is a place that offers phenomenal views of great designs that will take you back into history. On the other hand, there is the CLA Atlas Studio that is more a bit farther than the Oscar studios. In fact, although it is the oldest studio in the city but it is less visited by tourists.
Above all, Ouarzazate is not just a mere tourist destination, but also it is a good site for shooting movies and series. For example, there is the fifth season of Prison Break.
The desert tour
On the third day of our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary, you are going to pass by many different destinations. The desert tour allows you to discover how is the desert life of Moroccan Berbers is and offer you a chance to live and experience it.
Firstly, on the tour we usually go to visit the Berber Nomads. These people are still living the simple life in tents. Most of the people that are living in Merzouga and other villages in the area were nomads in most recent times. In other words, it is to say that all the citizens in Merzouga were nomads at first and used to live in tents before building a house and settling down. These nomads that we are going to visit make their living from rising their herd and selling it whether in the traditional souk of Rissani or Erfoud. Clearly, what makes these people worth the visit is that they kept the simple and original life of the desert people and Berber Nomads that are known for their hospitality and generosity.
Secondly, the desert tour allows you to visit the Gnawa people. As known, these people came from many different countries such as Niger, Gabon, and Mali. Yet, the people that live in Khamlia, about 4 km from Merzouga center, nowadays became Berbers and they speak Tamazight. They adopted to the Berbers life and become a very important part of Merzouga. As they become very famous they built a house and named it Dar Gnaoua, it is where they gather to play Music and make shows. Many tourists and Moroccans from the area go there to entertain themselves with this unique culture.
Furthermore, when you take this tour, you are going to visit the Moroccan National Auto Museum.
Valleys
Along to most of the roads that we pass by in this 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary, you will pass by many different beautiful valleys. The main thing that they all have in common is the picturesque and charming views. As some of them are more huge and important than others, we choose to talk about them from the most important to the less.
Firstly, there is the Draa or Dra valley which is located in the Southeast part of the High Atlas mountains. It is the longest river and valley in Morocco in about 1,100 kilometers. Definitely, it is home to big groves of palm and olive trees. The main cities that benefit from this valley and its goods are the city of Agdz and Ouarzazate. However, along this river lies many Berber villages that also benefit from this latter and it is their only living income.
Secondly, there is the Ziz valley, the biggest source of dates in the country. It is located in Between the cities of Erfoud and Errachidia. Every year, the city of Erfoud organizes a festival to honor this valley and its dates.
Most of the other main valleys are located in Between Marrakech and Merzouga desert. Firstly, there is Ounila valley and it is the same that goes in front of the fortress of Ait Benhaddou. This part is called the Oued El Maleh, and it means the salty river. It is called so because in the past it was a place where they used to sell salt. Secondly, there is the Rose valley known for cosmetic products. Finally, there are some small valleys such as Dades in Boumalne.
Erfoud and Rissani
In Morocco and especially in the southeast there some cities that have played a big role in the country’s history. Clearly, the cities of Rissani and Erfoud are one of the most important desert cities in the country that you will see in the 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.
Rissani
First of all, there is the city of Rissani that is the capital of the Tafilalt region. The word Tafilalt is in Berber and it means the jug. It has another name which is Sijilmassa and it was the main stop for caravans that were coming from Niger to the north of Morocco. As a result, it got famous and faced centuries of prosperity. In fact, this city was the starting point for the current royal family and the Alaouiet dynasty.
Tafilalt is the biggest Oases in Morocco is it it has one of the biggest groves of palm trees. Moreover, in Rissani lies the biggest traditional Souk in the Southeast if not in the whole country. People there use traditional ways to transfer and take goods to sell them. Donkeys and horses are still the main transportation for the citizens and sellers. The area of Rissani produces very important quantities of dates for Morocco and helps somehow in developing the desert area.
Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday people gather in this traditional spunk as these days are the only when there are bigger souks and more things are shown for the public. Most of the purchases are from the city of Rissani or Erfoud, which means that this city is active.
Erfoud
On the other hand, there is the beautiful city of Erfoud, located in about 50 km from Merzouga desert. It is the home and the main resource of fossils in Southeast as it has small workshops that produce different kinds of fossils year-round. Besides, Erfoud, organizes a yearly festival to celebrate and show different kinds of dates. This festival is not only to show Moroccan dates as other people from many different countries attend it.
Ifrane and cedar forest
On the 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, we will take you to stop by both the cedar forest and Ifrane.
Firstly, there is the city of Ifrane or the Little Moroccan Switzerland as many like to call it. It is located in the Middle Atlas mountains, offering one of the best climates and weather. The name Ifrane is in Berber and it means caves. It is called the Switzerland of Morocco as it is the cleanest city in Africa and the 6th in the world.
Clearly, what makes it more famous is being a good spot for skiing. Every winter it welcomes a huge number of tourists from and outside of the country. Moreover, Ifrane is home to one of the best universities in Morocco, Al Akhawayn. This latter is a destination not only for Moroccans but for many people from other nations. Also, it is home to the Atlas lion statue, that is the most thing that attracts tourists to this city. As the story says, this latter was built by a German prisoner in order to get his freedom.
Cedar forest is another destination that you will be passing by on the way to Fes. They also call it Gouraud Forest and it is located near to the city of Azrou. Here was once a place for many animals that unfortunately have extinct. Nowadays, the only thing that people go to visit is the Barbary macaque.
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