Discover the beauty of Morocco on a journey from Fes to Marrakech. Begin in the majestic Middle Atlas Mountains, where you can spot Barbary Macaque monkeys in the sprawling Azrou Forest. Immerse yourself in the mystical beauty of the Sahara Desert, riding camels across golden dunes, witnessing breathtaking sunsets, and sleeping under a star-studded sky in traditional Saharan tents. Explore ancient kasbahs, visit the captivating Todgha Gorges, and delve into the cinematic wonders of Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa. Marvel at the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou and cross the Tizi’n’Tichka Pass. Finally, arrive in the vibrant city of Marrakech.
| Category | standard |
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| Arrival city | Marrakech |
| Departure city | Fes |
| Duration of the trip | 0 Days |
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This day’s journey from Fes to Merzouga promises to be an exhilarating one. You will traverse the Middle Atlas Mountains, reaching the city of Ifrane, affectionately known as the Switzerland of Morocco. This charming town is renowned for its sky-high altitudes and picturesque landscapes, reaching up to 1,665 meters. Next, we will proceed to the Azrou Forest, the largest cedar forest in Africa, where you may have the opportunity to encounter and feed the rare Barbary Macaque monkeys. For lunch, we will make a stop in the town of Medilte and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal at a local restaurant. Our journey continues through the captivating Tiz N’Talghamt pass and Ziz Gorge, allowing you to soak in the breathtaking views of the expansive date palm-filled valley. We will then make our way to the renowned Merzouga, where you will transition from car to camelback for an enchanting trek through the dunes. Prepare to be mesmerized by the magical sunset over the dunes before arriving at our camp. Once at the camp, you will enjoy a delightful dinner followed by a night spent in a Saharan tent, immersing yourself in the serene atmosphere. Experience the joy of sharing music and stories under the starlit sky with the local nomads, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
This morning, you'll want to be sure to get up early to watch the sun rise over the dunes. Grab
some coffee and climb up the nearest dune and watch as the sun sets the sand aflame. After
this near-transcendental experience, you’ll have breakfast at camp and prepare for your day
and when you are ready, you’ll take your camels back to the Kasbah on the edge of the dunes.
(Note: A 4x4 transfers is available if you prefer).From here, you’ll head back towards the
mountains, but first you'll stop at a few interesting stops in the desert region. Your first stop
will be Khamlia, a village comprised of Gnaoua musicians. You'll have tea and a short
concert before moving on to the next stop: a small fossil museum that also provides Moroccan
fossilsNext, you'll stop to visit the ancient irrigation system that once brought water to the
desert from the distant SaghroMountains. After this, you’ll head to the oasis town of Tinghir
where you will visit nearby Todgha Gorge where you will walk through the most impressive
part of the canyon. After this, you’ll head to your accommodations located in the heart of the
Valley of Dades.
After breakfast in your accommodation, you will start travelling through the Dades Valley towards Ouarzazate and then to Marrakech. The road through Dades Valley is called the way of the thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. You will stop at Kalaat M'Gouna -the centre of rose’s valley- , where you will have the option to visit the cooperative for the roses, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over.
Continue to Marrakech via the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 19th century, now the Kasbah is a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260 m) over the High Atlas Mountains, where you will have the opportunity to explore the process of producing the Argan oil- existing only in Morocco – by Berber women in their cooperative, before arriving at your overnight accommodation in Marrakech.
