This 4-day journey from Marrakech to Fes is a passage through the soul of Morocco. Traverse the High Atlas Mountains, explore UNESCO-listed Kasbahs, and walk through dramatic gorges before reaching the Sahara’s golden dunes. Experience Gnawa music in Khamlia, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi desert, and sleep under the stars in a traditional Berber camp. The journey north then takes you through cedar forests and alpine towns before arriving in the imperial city of Fes.
Your 4-day journey from Marrakech to Fes begins this morning. After leaving the red city, we head south over the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters. Superb mountain views unfold around every bend, with glimpses of traditional Berber villages clinging to the hillsides.
A significant stop comes at the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This UNESCO World Heritage site has served as a famed backdrop for over 20 films since 1987. Time is allotted to explore its winding alleys before lunch at a traditional restaurant.
The route continues through Ouarzazate, the gateway to the south. We push onward to the fertile Skoura oasis, with its immense palm groves. The journey next leads through the Valley of the Roses. In season (typically April-May), roses become a vital crop for the local economy, and the annual Rose Festival draws visitors from near and far. The day concludes at the spectacular Dades Gorge, where dinner and a peaceful night await in a local hotel.
Breakfast precedes our departure from Dades Gorge. We head for the dramatic Todra Gorges, a massive 300-meter-high fault carved through a narrow valley. Palm groves and Berber villages dot the landscape along the way. Following lunch in the gorge, we venture deeper into the Sahara.
By late afternoon, we arrive at the edge of the great sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, near the village of Merzouga. This town sits above the largest natural underground body of water in Morocco. You will have dinner and spend the night in a Merzouga hotel, resting before tomorrow’s full desert immersion.
A leisurely breakfast starts the day. We then explore the Merzouga oasis and visit Khamlia village, home to the Gnawa people originally from Sudan. Here, you’ll enjoy mint tea with local families and listen to their unique and spiritual Gnawa music. The exploration continues with visits to Mfis, a village historically tied to mining, and Merdane, where we meet Berber families.
In the afternoon, the adventure intensifies. You mount a camel to cross the golden dunes. The caravan stops at a virgin oasis, allowing you to appreciate the profound silence and natural beauty of the Sahara. From a high dune, you’ll witness a majestic sunset paint the landscape.
The evening unfolds under a stunning canopy of stars. Dinner is served, and the peaceful ambiance of the desert surrounds you. The night is spent in traditional Berber tents (jaimas) .
A sunrise breakfast in the desert prepares you for the journey north. We depart for Rissani to visit its traditional Berber market (souq). From there, we travel through the striking Ziz Valley and Errachidia, stopping for lunch along the way.
The route continues through the Midelt region to Azrou. Here, we stop at the Cedar Forest, home to troops of wild Barbary macaques. These playful primates are a delight to observe in their natural habitat.
Finally, we pass through Ifrane, known as “the Switzerland of Morocco” for its unique Alpine-style architecture. The journey concludes as we arrive at your final destination in the early evening. You will be dropped off at your Riad or Hotel in Fes, marking the end of our memorable four-day journey from Marrakech.
