4 days excursion from Marrakech to Fez
Day 1: Marrakech > Alto Atlas > Kasbah de Ait Ben Haddou > Ouarzazate > Valle del Dades.
Pick up at 8am at the Hotel or Riad where you are staying in Marrakech to head towards the High Atlas Mountains, sub-cordillera of the Moroccan Atlas through the Tizi-N’Tichka Pass, where we will make several stops to appreciate its beautiful panoramic views and take pictures of the Berber villages that are camouflaged with the color of the earth. Then we head south to reach the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou or Fortified City, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. In this spectacular setting have been filmed countless films as well known as: Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Gladiator, Obelix, Jewel of the Nile…etc. Lunch in the village to continue to Ouarzazate, known as the Gateway to the desert and whose name in Berber means without noise or without Confusion. Noteworthy is its kasbah or citadel whose name is Taourit. We will continue to the Valley of the Roses passing through the Great Palm Grove of Skoura where we can admire the more than 700 palm trees and the large concentration of kasbahs that are scattered throughout the oasis and its surroundings, then llagermos to the Valley of Roses, as its name suggests is a beautiful place where the most beautiful damascene roses are grown to make cosmetic products such as the highly prized rose water. In this Valley once a year and in the month of May the Musseum of the Roses is celebrated. We will arrive in the Dades Valley where we will spend the night at the hotel.
Day 2: Valle del Dadés – Gargantas del Todra – Dunas de Merzouga – Noche en Jaimas
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 that the mountains offer us. From there we will be able to observe the number of kasbahs and the picturesque of each one of them. After making several stops along the way, we will arrive at the Todra Gorges. Located near the town of Tineghir, they give way to the desert. Surrounded by a valley full of palm trees and adobe villages, here are the mountains most appreciated by lovers of climbing. These Todra and Dadès faults are the best known and also the most impressive in Morocco. After a walk in the Todra Gorges and lunch in Tinejdad or Touroug, we leave for the desert to reach the impressive dunes of Merzouga where we will leave in a caravan of camels on a journey of about an hour to reach our nomadic haimas, located in the middle of a sea of dunes ( Erg Chebbi ), we take the opportunity to see one of the most impressive sunsets you have ever seen. Dinner and overnight in nomadic tents in the heart of the desert under a spectacular blanket of stars.
Day 3: Desierto de Merzouga > Familias Nómadas > Pueblo de Khamlia > Vuelta de Erg Chebbi
Today will be a day of Total Desert » Appointment with the Dawn » as they are in the desert, it is worth getting up early to walk to the highest dune that is around the haimas to enjoy the sunrise and this relaxing landscape that nature offers us, we will return on camels to the village of Merzouga. After a hearty and rich breakfast, we will surround the Erg Chebbi, an extension of sandy desert where the Great Dune of Morocco is located, over 250 meters high, and we will connect by track with part of the route followed by the old Paris-Dakar and with the mountains bordering Algeria in the background. Stop at the oasis of Tissardmin where we can find Fossil race that are still found in this region and continue on route to a nomadic settlement where we will know some of their secrets and customs. Subsequent stop at a panoramic point where we can see the Erg Chebbi as a whole. We will arrive at the village of Khamlia, originally from Mali, where we will relax with a tea while enjoying a small concert of spiritual music of Gnawa. Return to the hotel and free afternoon to stroll around the village or climb the dunes nearby to enjoy the sunset. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Desierto de Merzouga > Valle de Ziz – Medio Atlas > Bosque de Cedros > Ifrane > Fez
Once ready, we will head north through the palm grove of Tafilalet where, in 20km, we can see countless palm trees, which makes it one of the largest palm groves in the world. Crossing it we will arrive at the Ziz Valley, named after the river that flows down from the High Atlas and feeds the palm grove. Here we will make a mandatory stop to observe the valley from above and see the village of Aoufous.
Stop in Midelt, right in the heart of the Middle Atlas, to rest for a while and have lunch. In the afternoon we will continue our last day passing through the Cedar Forest where if we are lucky, we can find some monkeys, while passing through Ifrane, located on the northwestern slope of the Middle Atlas, at 1,630 meters above sea level. The width of its avenues, its urban development, its impeccable state of cleanliness, its gardens and green areas and especially its architecture, more typical of an alpine city, makes Ifrane feel out of place in Morocco and has earned the nickname of (the Moroccan Switzerland) where the ski slope Michlifen, one of the most important ski slopes in the world is located. Arrival in Fes around 18h more or less, transfer to the hotel and end of the trip.
Whats Included
- 4×4 all-terrain vehicle with air conditioning.
- Private excursion, there will be no other people in the group.
- Accompanying driver guide.
- Fuel
- Accommodation (3 nights)
1 night in hotel in Dades Valley, half board.
1 night in nomad tent camp, half board.
1 night in hotel in Merzouga, half board - Dromedary ride to the heart of the dunes and back.
- Visit to the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou.
- Breakfast and dinner
- Double rooms with private bathroom
No Included
- Meals (at noon)
- Beverages
- Flights
- Entrance fees to historical monuments
- Gratuities and what is not in the program