Day 1 : Fez – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Desert of Merzouga Erg Chebbi
Pick up at the hotel or Riad where you are staying in Fez at 8:00 am and depart south to cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach Ifrane, called ” the small Moroccan Switzerland ” for its great resemblance to that country. One of the animals that once lived here was the Atlas lion, which has become the symbol of the city and has been dedicated a stone statue in the center of the city. We will take the opportunity to take some pictures. We will cross the famous cedar forests and we can admire the Great Cedar Gouraud, the largest ancient cedar in the region and also feed the hundreds of Gibraltar monkeys that inhabit the area. Lunch in Midélt or Rich and in the afternoon we will pass through the Ziz Valley. More than 20km of palm groves and 10 million palm trees make it one of the largest in the world. Arrival in the desert of Merzouga and we leave in a camel caravan to enter the heart of the dunes and contemplate an unforgettable sunset. We will arrive with the camels to the camp where we will stay in tents made of dromedary hair as those used by the nomads of the desert. Dinner and night in haimas in the heart of the desert under a spectacular blanket of stars.
Day 2 : Desert of Merzouga Erg Chebbi – Rissani market – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges.
Rendezvous with the sunrise ” since you are in the desert is advisable to get up early to walk to the highest dune that is around the camp to enjoy the sunrise and this relaxing landscape that nature offers us, we will return by camels to the village of Merzouga. After a delicious breakfast, we will say goodbye to the desert and depart to Rissani where we will visit the market (if we are lucky and it is one of the market days: Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday). We will follow the road to Erfoud where there is also the possibility to visit the fossilized marble factory before continuing to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. 1 hour later we arrive at one of the strongest points of the High Atlas: The Todra Gorges. The Todra riverbed has formed a gorge of vertical walls of enormous proportions and great beauty; it is a climber’s paradise and a unique place. Lunch on site and a half hour walk would be advisable to enjoy in detail the Gorges. Later we will continue to the Dadès Valley, also known as the Valley of figs, passing through Boumalne Dadès we will stop at the ” monkey’s paws ” Dinner and overnight in the Dadès Gorges.
Day 3 : Dades Gorges – Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech
After breakfast, we will enjoy one of the best views of the Dades Valley. We will do it from one of the most strategic places offered by the mountains. From there we can observe the number of kasbah and the picturesque of each of them, then departure to a road dotted with several Kasbah of great interest. After several stops to enjoy the route of the Thousand Kasbah, the Valley of the Roses and the great palm grove of Skoura, we will arrive in Ouarzazate and visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, former residence of the Glaoui or Pasha of Marrakech, Film Studios and Film Museum if you are interested. We will also go to the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit its famous Kasbah (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986). In this spectacular setting have been filmed several famous films such as Gladiator, Obelix, Sahara with Penelope Cruz … etc..
Lunch in the village and in the afternoon we will leave for Marrakech crossing the mountain pass of Tizi Ntichka with photo stops. Here we will leave behind the lunar landscape that will give way to the predominant colors of green, ocher … etc.. Arrival in Marrakech around 18h more or less, transfer to the hotel and end of our services.
What’s Included
- Private high-end vehicle with A/C and gasoline.
- English speaking driver guide
- Pick up from your accommodation in Fez and drop off at your accommodation in Marrakech.
- Free time to explore the sites such as kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, walks, photo stops, Etc….
- One night in Hotel/Kasbah with bathroom – A/C, breakfast and dinner (vegetarians are welcome).
- One night in haimas in the dunes of Erg Chebbi Merzouga, in nomad camp with dinner and breakfast.
- Camel ride to reach the haimas.
What is not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
NOTE: If the itineraries we offer do not match what you are looking for, do not hesitate to contact us and we will prepare the trip to your needs and requirements.