Marrakech to Fez: Merzouga Desert 4-Day Tour

Set out on an extraordinary journey across the rugged terrains of Morocco with this 4-day itinerary that takes you from Marrakech to Fez, showcasing remarkable sites including the renowned Merzouga desert. This adventure promises to be unforgettable!

Tour Overview

Day 1: Marrakech - Aït Benhaddou – Dades Valley

At the prearranged time, our team will greet you at either Marrakech Airport or your hotel to kick off this 4-day expedition through Morocco. The drive, estimated to last around 4 hours, leads us over the Atlas Mountains, passing through the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which rises to 2,260 m (7,414 ft) above sea level.

Our first stop will be Ouarzazate, where we'll detour to explore the historic Aït Benhaddou kasbah, a striking backdrop for films such as Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. After our visit, lunch will be available at a nearby restaurant at your leisure.

Once refueled, we continue to Ouarzazate to admire the impressive Taourirt kasbah. The day progresses as we traverse the scenic Roses and Dades valleys, culminating with dinner and an overnight stay at a charming hotel in Dades Valley, roughly a two-hour drive from Ouarzazate.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Merzouga

After enjoying a morning meal in the Dades Valley, we set off for a roughly 1.5-hour trip to the majestic Todra Gorges, where we'll appreciate these towering cliffs that the Berber people call home.

Next, we will continue our route towards Merzouga, making various stops along the way. We will pause for lunch in either Tinjdad or Touroug. Energized, we’ll proceed through the Jorf palm grove, celebrated for its dates, and the quaint village of Erfoud, well-known for its marble workshops and fossil finds.

Upon arriving at the Merzouga desert, we'll embark on a camel ride across the dunes until we arrive at the haimas camp, our accommodation for the night. Once settled, take a moment to embrace the tranquility of the desert night while enjoying a traditional Moroccan dinner beneath the stars.

Day 3: Merzouga Desert

Today is particularly special, as we'll awaken early for a camel ride to witness the breathtaking sunrise in the Merzouga desert. Picture the sand dunes lit in vibrant hues as we savor breakfast in this stunning setting. For the adventurous, there’s the option to explore the Erg Chebbi dunes through an exhilarating off-road experience.

After lunch at your leisure, we'll visit the nearby village of Khamlia and you’ll have free time to explore the area. At dusk, we’ll return to Merzouga for dinner and an overnight stay at a riad.

Day 4: Merzouga – Ifrane – Fez

Post-breakfast at the Merzouga dunes, we embark on our journey towards Fez, traversing the captivating sceneries of southern Morocco. Along our route, we’ll enjoy the vistas of the stunning Ziz Valley, celebrated for its palm groves and twisting river.

We'll take a midway lunch break in Midelt, a scenic town situated amidst the mountains approximately 4 hours from Merzouga. Following this, we'll navigate through the Middle Atlas until we reach Ifrane, a charming town recognized for its Alpine-esque architecture and cool atmosphere, affectionately referred to as Moroccan Switzerland.

Ultimately, we’ll arrive in Fez, where we bid farewell at your accommodation or the airport around 6:30 pm.

Accommodation Overview

On the first night, we will settle in Dades, with all guests enjoying similar standards, accommodating in establishments like Dar Essyaha, Hotel Babylon, Hotel Le Vieux Chateau, Kasbah Tifawen, or comparable options.

For the second night, we’ll stay in a haima camp in Merzouga (such as Azawad Luxury Desert Camp or equivalent). The standard haimas are private and can accommodate up to 4 guests, equipped with private bathrooms. The superior haimas, also private, cater to up to 5 guests and feature private bathrooms as well.

The standard and superior accommodations differ in culinary offerings and decor. Please be informed that not every camp provides Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning in superior haimas incurs an extra cost of 30EUR per haima. Additionally, during peak seasons such as Easter or Christmas, standard accommodations might consist of campsites with shared facilities.

On the third night, we will stay at a riad in Merzouga.

• Standard options: Riad Mamouche, Dar Tafouyte or similar
• Superior options: Riad Azawad, Riad Madu, Riad Nezha or similar

Neither the hotels nor the desert camps provide single occupancy. For solo travelers, a supplement fee will apply. Sharing with strangers is not permitted under any conditions. Triple or family accommodations are also available, with pricing variations based on the category chosen.

Pickup Information

This tour includes pickup from Marrakech Airport and from locations outside the Medina of Marrakech. Guests staying within the Medina will need to reach the meeting point at KFC Marrakech in the Medina on their own.

If your accommodation is situated outside Marrakech, you will incur an additional fee ranging from 10EUR to 40EUR per person on the day of the activity.

Schedule & Flight Information

When reserving your flight to Marrakech, be sure your pickup is set for 7:30 am, which requires your arrival no later than 5:30 am. 

On the tour's final day, we expect to reach Fez around 6:30 pm. At this point, we can arrange transport to the airport or other destinations within the city. Therefore, if departing from Fez Airport that day, avoid scheduling flights before 9:30 pm.