Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Early departure from Fes, we travel through the heart of middle atlas mountains to Ifrane known as ” Switzerland of Morocco ” because of its similarity to a Swiss ski resort. then, we head to the cedar forest -largest in North Africa- and home to barbary monkies, time to feed and take pictures with them. We continue south passing through Berber villages, countryside, and see nomadic shepherds with their flocks spread out in the terrain. Midway, a stop for lunch in Midelt. Our first day of 5 days Fez Marrakech desert tour, will take us through Talghmt pass, then to Ziz gorge, before we get to the Sahara desert, we’ll stop for some panoramic views to the impressive hidden oasis of Ziz valley filled with palm trees and mud villages. Around one hour, we’ll get to the Sahara desert in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 2: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi desert sightseeing – Camel trekking – Camp
After breakfast, we will begin our desert excursion for a half day in the Sahara. We drive to visit nomads that still live in tents in the middle of the Sahara desert; see how they live, sip a cup of tea with them. After, continue our way to visit old mines that once used to be exploited by French. Later, we will visit the village of Khamlia that is home to black Berber people who are descendants from Sudan, Mali…We’ll have a chance to listen to their Gnaoua music and have lunch in the town. Before the camel ride; we’ll see an oasis in the edge of the Sahara desert. After a rest, begin the camel trekking over the high dunes of the erg-Chebbi desert. You will see the magnificent sunset on top of a high dune, you will reach the desert camp in the heart of Sahara. After a delicious dinner, time to listen to Berber music played by local nomads under a starry sky.
Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani- Todra Valley and Gorges – Dades Valley
Wake early morning is a ” must do” to see the sunrise of your life . then ride the camels back to the hotel where you will meet your driver again. We set off west through the city of Rissani: Once a major stop for trade-caravans across and from Morocco to neighboring countries. If it coincides day markets which take place every Tuesday, Thursdays, and Sundays …we will visit the souk -largest in the region. Then, we continue to Arfoud- fossils town, drive through Atlas mountains, towns towards Todra valley; a fertile green valley surrounded by old mud villages. Lunch in the town, then drive around 15 km, we get to Todra gorges; a corridor rising dramatically up to 300m with vertical cliffs and water streaming from natural springs, time to enjoy it. Later, we’ll go through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the spectacular sand castles and the astonishing rock formations known locally as “monkey toes”. Spend the night in a hotel/riad overlooking the Dades valley.
Day 4: Dades Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate
This morning, after breakfast, we leave to Ouarzazate via Boutghrar, Rose Valley and Skoura. We start our journey by visiting the snaky road – a backdrop for so many car advertisements and the Dades gorges with its impressive rock formations. We travel off-road to Boutghrar, a place where nature and colors meet, the path will lead us to nomads that live in caves, we visit, sip a cup of tea with them. We continue to El Kalaa Mgouna ( Rose Town) where locals pick over 400 tons of rose petals that are processed into rosewater, cremes, and perfumes in local cooperatives. A festival is held every May here. Time to enjoy your lunch in the town. Then, We take the road of thousand kasbahs to Skoura which is home to the most beautiful kasbahs in Morocco, we visit the 17th century Kasbah of Amridil, drive in the oases of Skoura towards Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight in a Hotel/Riad.
Day 5: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou Kasbah – Marrakech
Today, we start our journey by visiting the biggest cinema studios of ”Hollywood of Africa”, Ouarzazate where so many movies were filmed such as Games of Thrones, Prison break season 4…Ouarzazate is also home to the biggest solar power station in Africa, and famous by its handicrafts ( wooden gates, silver, rugs…) as well. Later, we head to visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou- the Unesco world heritage site- where many international movies were filmed ( Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, games of thrones…). Your adventure will continue through the breathtaking Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains where you will admire the special Berber villages before arriving at your Hotel in Marrakesh, end of our 5 days Fez Marrakech desert tour.