Fez to Marrakech Kasbah, Sahara & Camels Tour

3-4 Days Morocco Desert Tour itinerary from Fez to Marrakech: Atlas valleys, the desert & South

Morocco Premier Desert Tours Fez to Marrakech 3-4-5Day 

On our unique Morocco Premier Desert Tours Fez to Marrakech 3-4-5 Day you’ll discover the heights and valleys of the High Atlas before exploring the south of Morocco on your way to the endless dunes of Erg Chebbi—one of Morocco’s two Saharan seas of wind-blown sand dunes and back. Over 3 amazing days you’ll walk through the Palm Valleys of the ziz valley, stay in the beautiful Dades Valley, pass through the spectacular Todra Gorge—a narrow, 300m high canyon—ride a camel into the Sahara at sunset, discover the rocky landscapes and hidden oases of the Dades Valley, and visit the once prominent trading post of Ait Ben Haddou—famous for its 17th century fortified kasbahs. Along the way you’ll pass through Berber villages where locals are always friendly, cross some spectacular mountain passes of Tichka, soak up the sweet, pungent scent of the High Atlas junipers, travel through the gorgeous green valleys of rural Morocco that lead you to its vast desert plains, witness a caravan of camels silently passing you by, sleep under the stars of the brilliantly clear night sky and wake to a spectacular desert sunrise like no other. This journey through the High Atlas and Sahara has all the ingredients for an unforgettable nature adventure!

Morocco Premier Desert Tours Fez to Marrakech 3 Day Option.

DAY 1: FES – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA

Meet your Guide at 8am in your Riad, and embark a long driving day, where we will meet different colors of the kingdom by leaving the old Moroccan city of Fes. In the way we will pass through the most modern and clean city in the country Ifran. This Berber name of Ifran means caves and it is nicknamed in Morocco as a little Switzerland since it is a very green town and is a ski resort in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco because of its high altitude at 1665 meters. Ifran is very known as well by The Brotherhood private university, established in 1997 by The king of Morocco Hassan II and the king of Saudi Arabia Fahd. Where all classes are taught in English, it is an international university. Lunch will be scheduled in a Berber village called Midelt which is situated on the foothills of the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. From vast plateau we start crossing up those tough mountains which are still settled by a big Berber community. The landscapes here includes palm tree oases at Jbel Ayachi (at 3747 m) before driving down the curves and join the pre-saharan zone passing first by Errachidia.

Stop for the photo in Ziz valley which is the beginning of palm grovesand dates. Erfoud is the capital of Fossils in Morocco so you will have this chance to visit one of the factories where they make beautiful articles out of marble. And right after that we may if time permit, visit the mausoleum of Mouay Ali Chref in Rissani the founder of the actual Alaouite dynasty of Morocco at 17th century. We drive to Erg Chebbi time for a cup of tea and packing for desert camp. Meet up with Camels for camel-ride and head to the dunes to watch the sunset .Overnight in the Berber tent in the middle of the most spectacular dunes of morocco, Highest dunes, spend 1 night the friendly berbers enjoy their music, dance around the fire… dinner in the camp.

Accommodation: Luxury Desert Glamping

Included Activities

Photography, Macaque Monkeys ( barbary apes )Camel Trekking, Desert Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 2- MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGE – DADES GORGE
Early wake up for the sun rise from the highest dunes, chance to see some wild life. Time for breakfast and shower, last chance to enjoy the dunes, we set off to Rissani to explore the capital of ziz valley, Moroccan 2nd dates basket, famous for Sijilmasa in the old times, a carrefour of Caravans, where Merchants from Tombouctou Trade, Gold, Silver, Ivory, Silk, Slaves, Camels… visit to dates market and drive to arfoud to explore the fossils, then we drive along the stone Sahara, to reach the impressive underground irrigation channels from 12th centure. Stop for mint tea and some drums, then we drive to the most spectacular gorge of Morocco, Todra gorge, enjoy a walk with your guide to explore the irrigation system and traditional farming gardens, a visit to a berber family to learn about carpet, recommended, to knock your socks off, after the berber family co-operative, showing their goods and carepets, great place to shop from mohamed’s family ( situated in the other side of the river near the mosque ) great place to buy genuine berber carpets and souvenirs, then you walk to the gorge, drive back to your hotel in the Tinghir.

Accommodation: Hotel

Included Activities

Photography, walking, Carpets Co-operative

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 3: DADES VALLEY – OUARZAZATE – AIT BENHADDOU – MARRAKECH

From the great canyons of Todgha we go along the road of 1000 kasbahs, since there are enormous Kasbahs on both sides of the road. Some of those old fortified houses are restored but unfortunately a lot of them are ruins. We drive up to visit the Dades gorge & valley, and we head to the Berber family for Lunch, cooking course, a walk o discover the valley and spend some time wit the Berbers before we head to visit to one of those kasbahs is scheduled by seeing Amrhidil Kasbah. We pass a town called Boumalen situated on the edge of Dades valley which rises in the High Atlas Mountains, giving life to a huge Berber community by its rich agriculture. Along this valley another valley called valley of roses appearing with the green colors of its Alfalfa plants, olive trees, fig trees and grapes. This valley gives birth to a rose from which locals produces different cosmetic products like soap, perfumes and skin creams. Locals here celebrate this rose by organizing a national festival eachend of April. Getting to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa, Noiselessly town, The door of the desert), is a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs and building for which the area is known. One of those building is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in 17th century.

Why this town is nicknamed as Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997) and Babel (2005). the we continue to Marrakech via

We start our day visiting the fortified city of Aït Benhaddou, built in the 11th century. Once up on a time this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah.

Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004). From this beautiful fortified house we head to Marrakech.

Accommodation: None

Activities

Visit Ouarzazate

Visit Cinema Museum or Visit Studios

Ait benhaddou Kasbah

Optional Traditional Hammam

Meals Included: Breakfast

Morocco Premier Desert Tours Fez to Marrakech 4-5Day 

DAY 1: FES – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA 450 KM

Meet your Guide at 8am in your Riad, and embark a long driving day, where we will meet different colors of the kingdom by leaving the old Moroccan city of Fes. In the way we will pass through the most modern and clean city in the country Ifran. This Berber name of Ifran means caves and it is nicknamed in Morocco as a little Switzerland since it is a very green town and is a ski resort in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco because of its high altitude at 1665 meters. Ifran is very known as well by The Brotherhood private university, established in 1997 by The king of Morocco Hassan II and the king of Saudi Arabia Fahd. Where all classes are taught in English, it is an international university. Lunch will be scheduled in a Berber village called Midelt which is situated on the foothills of the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. From vast plateau we start crossing up those tough mountains which are still settled by a big Berber community. The landscapes here includes palm tree oases at Jbel Ayachi (at 3747 m) before driving down the curves and join the pre-saharan zone passing first by Errachidia.

Stop for the photo in Ziz valley which is the beginning of palm grovesand dates. Erfoud is the capital of Fossils in Morocco so you will have this chance to visit one of the factories where they make beautiful articles out of marble. And right after that we may if time permit, visit the mausoleum of Mouay Ali Chref in Rissani the founder of the actual Alaouite dynasty of Morocco at 17th century. We drive to Erg Chebbi time for a cup of tea and packing for desert camp. Meet up with Camels for camel-ride and head to the dunes to watch the sunset .Overnight in the Berber tent in the middle of the most spectacular dunes of morocco, Highest dunes, spend 1 night the friendly berbers enjoy their music, dance around the fire… dinner in the camp.

Accommodation: Desert Glamping

Activities

Photography, Macaque Monkeys ( barbary apes )Camel Trekking, Desert Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

Optional DAY 2: MERZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI DUNES SAHARA DESERT – 30km

Exploration 4×4 & Camel Trek for sunset) Throughout the sand dunes we go for a drive on these fabulous landscapes on the edge of the Erg Chebbi, the largest sand dunes in Morocco. We will see plenty of nomadic black tents in the middle of nowhere. We shall stop by a nomadic family to have tea and see what a nonadic life looks like. We go on our drive and let’s discover the nomadic life of Touareg people by visiting Alkhamliya, a village where nothing has been changed through centuries. Either we lunch here in Alkhamliya village or we go back to our hotel and lunch there. After a nape we go on a camel ride to meet one of the most fascinating sight we will ever seen, the superb sunset in the middle of the high sand dunes of Merzouga. Tonight we stay in Berber tented desert camp and enjoy a wonderful stars view.

Accommodation : Luxury Desert Camp

Included Activities

Camel Trekking

4X4 TOUR

Meet Nomads and Lunch with Berber Pizza at Gnaoua house

Meals Included : Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 3: MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGE – DADES GORGE
Early wake up for the sun rise from the highest dunes, chance to see some wild life. Time for breakfast and shower, last chance to enjoy the dunes, we set off to Rissani to explore the capital of ziz valley, Moroccan 2nd dates basket, famous for Sijilmasa in the old times, a carrefour of Caravans, where Merchants from Tombouctou Trade, Gold, Silver, Ivory, Silk, Slaves, Camels… visit to dates market and drive to arfoud to explore the fossils, then we drive along the stone Sahara, to reach the impressive underground irrigation channels from 12th centure. Stop for mint tea and some drums, then we drive to the most spectacular gorge of Morocco, Todra gorge, enjoy a walk with your guide to explore the irrigation system and traditional farming gardens, a visit to a berber family to learn about carpet, recommended, to knock your socks off, after the berber family co-operative, showing their goods and carepets, great place to shop from mohamed’s family ( situated in the other side of the river near the mosque ) great place to buy genuine berber carpets and souvenirs, then you walk to the gorge, drive back to your hotel in the Tinghir.

Accommodation: Hotel

Activities

Photography, walking, Carpets Co-operative

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 4: DADES VALLEY – OUARZAZATE – AIT BENHADDOU – MARRAKECH

From the great canyons of Todgha we go along the road of 1000 kasbahs, since there are enormous Kasbahs on both sides of the road. Some of those old fortified houses are restored but unfortunately a lot of them are ruins. We drive up to visit the Dades gorge & valley, and we head to the Berber family for Lunch, cooking course, a walk o discover the valley and spend some time wit the Berbers before we head to visit to one of those kasbahs is scheduled by seeing Amrhidil Kasbah. We pass a town called Boumalen situated on the edge of Dades valley which rises in the High Atlas Mountains, giving life to a huge Berber community by its rich agriculture. Along this valley another valley called valley of roses appearing with the green colors of its Alfalfa plants, olive trees, fig trees and grapes. This valley gives birth to a rose from which locals produces different cosmetic products like soap, perfumes and skin creams. Locals here celebrate this rose by organizing a national festival eachend of April. Getting to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa, Noiselessly town, The door of the desert), is a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs and building for which the area is known. One of those building is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in 17th century.

Why this town is nicknamed as Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997) and Babel (2005). the we continue to Marrakech via

We start our day visiting the fortified city of Aït Benhaddou, built in the 11th century. Once up on a time this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah.

Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004). From this beautiful fortified house we head to Marrakech.

Accommodation: None

Included Activities

Visit Ouarzazate

Visit Cinema Museum

Visit Studios

Ait benhaddou Kasbah

Meals Included: Breakfast

Morocco Premier Desert Tours Fez to Marrakech 3-4-5Day Extension

DAY 5 MARRAKESH, FULL GUIDED CITY TOUR

A Full guided tour will be scheduled to discover Marrakesh which is known as the “Red City”. Marrakesh is the most important former imperial city in Morocco’s history, it is situated near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountain. Like all the old cities, Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city The Medina and an very modern city called Gueliz built during the French occupation. Marrakesh has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna. The square is full of story-tellers, water sellers, dancers, snakes charmers and musicians. During the night the square turns into a huge open-air restaurant.

During our visit we will see The Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century in the reign of Almoravid Dynasty. We will go among narrow streets and allies in ancient city. We pass by “seven saints” during the reign of Moulay Ismail, the festival of the seven saints was founded to the request of the Sultan. The tombs of several renowned figures were moved to Marrakesh to attract pilgrims. Marrakesh was dominated in the first half of the 20th century by T’hami El Glaoui, “Lord of the Atlas”, and Pasha of Marrakesh. Still there is a house called Dar Pacha El Glaoui from where he used to rule the whole southern part of Morocco.

Included Activities

Guided walking tour Marrakech

Majorel Gardens

Bahia Palace

Souks

Jamaa lfna & Koutoubia

Coranic medrassa ben youssef

Monuments and Heritage Tour

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 6: ESSAOUIRA (EXPLORE ESSAOUIRA AT YOUR OWN PACE)

A one day on your pace will be for sure wonderful, since there is no way to get bored. Due to the plenty activities you will be able to enjoy amazingly as Essaouira is well renowned for its kite surfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind. Horse riding, camel riding along the beach, quad biking are activities that one can enjoy while staying in Essaouira. It is known by the delicious seafood too.

In Essaouira, several small art galleries are found all over the town. Since 1998 Essaouira is getting known by its Gnaoua Festival of World Music, normally it is scheduled in the last week of June. It brings artists from all over the world. Although focused on Gnaoua music, it includes rock, jazz and reggae. In the early 1952 the film director and actor Orson Welles made his movie Othello. Now there is a square named Orson Welles.

Along the half way between Essaouira and Marrakesh you will see enormous Argan tree on both sides of the road. These Argan trees are frequently climbed by goats. Argan oil is produced by several women’s cooperatives and it is used to prepare couscous, salads. Moreover it was traditionally used as a treatment for skin diseases before being founded as good enough for cosmetics by Europeans manufacturers. Still stop by one of these cooperatives is worthy to see how Berber women squeezed the Argan fruits between hands to extract this precious oil. We arrive to our hotel in Marrakesh and if time permit we go out for a walk.

Included Activities

Walking tour Essaouira ( free time )

Visit to Argan Co-operative

Port, Medina & Skala

Meals Included: Lunch

Visited Places on your Morocco Premier Desert Tours Fez to Marrakech 3-4-5Day

• Fes
• Ziz Valley
• Tizi n’Tichka Pass
• Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
• Ouarzazate
• Valley of roses & Todra Gorge
• Errissani Traditional Markets
• Erfoud
• Berber village
• Sahara Desert

Travel Experience : Morocco Premier Desert Tours Fez to Marrakech 3-4-5Day

• Moroccan Culture & People, Food & History
• Berber family
• Hisorty Talks
• Camel trekking
• Berber music and animation
• Sleeping in desert camp

Pick Up : Pick up at your Hotel in Fes () Drop Off : Drop off at Your Marrakesh Hotel

What’s included?

• A very comfortable and air conditioned 4×4 vehicle (land cruiser)
• Fuel for entire journey
• English speaking guide (you can specify other languages)
• Inside visit to Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
• All nights accommodation
• Camel trekking
• Berber music and animation
• Dinners and Breakfasts during the tour
• Visit to Oasis Museum
• Real life experiences

The Best of Morocco.

10 day Tours & Trips Around Morocco, offer fabulous experiences in Morocco´s most attractive zones: from The most vibrant cities and Medinas, Architectural tours, Food and Wine Tours, Roman Ruins archeological sites, Culture of the Berbers, Moroccan History, Luxury hotels and Riads, the High Atlas Mountains; The rural villages of the countryside and the Sahara Desert itself. There is also one very unique stay in the Sahara dunes where we travel in and out by camel and stay in a Bedouin style camp.

We invite you to join a life enhancing journeys visiting Morocco landscapes in comfort on our The Best of Morocco 15 days Private Tour – leading to the most charming, historical Medinas and Monuments in Morocco, from Hassan 2 Mosque in Casablanca, through the Blue City of Chefchaouen and the archaeological Roman town of Volubilis, breaking the journey at Fez, Morocco’s most inspiring Medina, travel to the famous Erg Chebbi dunes where we’ll travel on camel back and spend a night under the stars in a Bedouin camp. Consider this a personal reward for your efforts!

Highlights

• – View the stunning contrast of Morocco
• – Deep Introduction to Culture, Nature, Life Philosophy
• – Enjoy authentic Berber’s hospitality
• – Taste delicious traditional Berber food
• – Explore one of Morocco Beautiful deserts
• – Ride in a 4×4 in Sahara & Atlas Mountains
• – Spend three full days seeing the best of what Sahara has to offer

Essential Information:

Why Us?:

– Your hotel Pick-up, so you spend the maximum time exploring real & Authentic, Sahara Desert & Atlas Mountains, Private tour at your own pace

– Top Rated tour, with 5 star customer feedback and a Excellence reviews from Trip Advisor

– One guide that is with you from the moment you arrive in Morocco until you leave, taking care of your entire trip.

Visited Places

• Rabat & Casablanca
• Chefchaouen
• Fes Medina
• Meknes
• Volubilis
• Tizi n’Tichka Pass
• Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
• Ouarzazate
• Dades & Todra gorge & Valley
• Valley of roses & Ziz Valley
• Errissani Traditional Markets
• High Atlas Mountains
• Berber villages
• Sahara Desert
• Atlantic ocean

Travel Experience

• Moroccan Culture & People, Food & History
• Berber Culture
• Camel trekking
• Berber music and animation
• Sleeping in desert camp

Travel Preparation:

The list below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please contact us or consult your nearest outdoor store.

Clothing & Footwear:

• Comfortable walking clothes that are suitable for layering
• Fleece jacket/warm jumper
• Lightweight raincoat/windbreaker
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Synthetic/woollen socks
• Hat
• Swimsuit
• Sarong/scarf/loose cotton trousers that can easily be pulled on over shorts to cover shoulders/legs when walking through villages

Equipment:

• 3 season sleeping bag
• Day pack
• Beach towel
• Water bottle/hydration bladder
• Water purification pen/tablets
• Sunglasses
• Head torch
• Camera, memory card and charger
• Spare batteries
• Personal items (including hand sanitiser, lip balm, microfibre towel, sunscreen, toilet paper, toiletries, wet wipes etc)
• Medicine and copy of doctor’s prescription which states medication and quantity carried
• Personal first aid kit (including blister tape, insect repellant, oral rehydration salts, plasters, tweezers, diarrhoea tablets etc)
• Rubbish bag