4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes
4 Days tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
Go Camping and take the best camel ride at Merzouga with our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes all inclusive package.
Note: This tour is customizable, you can end the trip in Marrakech instead, pleach check out an itinerary here.
Main info:
Departure location:
Marrakech
Return location:
Fes
Departure time:
08:00 AM
Itinerary duration
4 days/ 3 nights
Highlights of our tour:
- Hike up Ait Benhaddou
- Ouarzazate atlas studio
- Camel trekking in Zagora
- Camping in Berber tents
- Azrou Barbary apes
Tour overview:
It is the best 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara. It highlights the imperial cities of Marrakech and Fes. Hence, you travel via the High Atlas Mountains and discover Kasbahs and the Atlas Studios. Next, you visit Rose Valley and Todra Gorges then Merzouga desert. The best desert tour and a camel trip are planned here. Finally, you travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains to visit Ifrane and Cedar Forest. And then end 4 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Marrakech- Ait Ben Haddou- Ourzazate- Dades Valles:
We will start your 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes by picking you up from your Raid. And then we drive through the High Atlas Mountains and stop to visit Argan oil cooperation. Then, we visit the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site where movies filmed places. Secondly, we will visit Ouarzazate town. It is the Hollywood of African where there are Atlas Studios. After your visit to the Studios, we drive to explore the rose valley in Kalaa Magna. Finally, we head to your accommodation for a night in Dades Valley.
Day 2: Dades Valley- Todra Gorges- Merzouga:
After breakfast, we start on the second day of 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes. Thus, we will drive to Todra Gorges. There, you will enjoy walking through high rocks at around 300 m high. Thereafter, we pass by Berber villages and their farms and stop in an old irrigation system in Jorf. Finally, we drive to Erfoud and reach Merzouga desert. Here, you start your camel trip to the desert camp. You will enjoy the sunset view and play music around the fire after your dinner. Overnight is under the starry sky.
Day 3: Desert Areas Explorations by 4×4:
Our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes offers a desert tour. After your breakfast and shower, we will lead to explore the Sahara of Merzouga. Firstly, you will visit Khamlia Village. It is inhabited by people originally from Mali. They offer traditional music for tourists. Later on, we drive to the mines of Mifis behind the dunes. Besides, you meet Berber nomad families who live near the border and have Berber pizza and tea with them. Finally, you visit the lake of the desert and visit also one of the palm tree groves. Next, we check into your accommodation for a night
Day 4: Merzouga- Ziz Valley- Ifrane – Fes:
The last day of our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes will end in Fes after we discover different sites. Firstly, you visit an old souk in Rissani and a fossil shop in Erfoud. Moreover, you experience a panoramic view of Ziz Valley. It is home to many Kasrs and different types of date fruit. Secondly, we drive along the Middle Atlas Mountains. We will stop for lunch in Midelt and visit Cedar Forest to enjoy barbarian apes. In addition to that, you will admire the most beautiful town in Morocco. Ifrane town or the Switzerland of Morocco offers great nature and architectural design. You will also visit the lion statues in the park and enjoy the fresh air. Finally, we end our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes in Fes at your Raid.
Tour includes:
Tour excludes:
- -Pick-up and drop-off service.
- -English-speaking driver/guide.
- -Camping.
- -Overnight stay in a camp in Erg Chebbi with a private bathroom and shower.
- -Mint tea at the camp.
- -Sandboarding in the camp.
- -Berber music in the camp.
- -The flexibility to stop when and where you want.
- -Stops for panoramic views and free time for lunch.
- -Private and comfortable 4×4 vehicle with fuel and air conditioning included.
- -Breakfasts.
- -Dinners.
- -Camel for each in the desert for 1h30m.
- -Lunches.
- -Tips.
- -Drinks.
Testimonials:
Related Morocco tours:
We have customized different tours itineraries from Marrakech, desert tours, and city tours. However, if the plans below do not match what you are looking for, please fill in our contact form with your needs.
Highlights overview:
Merzouga desert
The sand dunes that surround the village are more important than the village itself. Merzouga is commonly used to refer to the entire desert area, which includes major villages such as Hassi Labied, Takojt, Tanamoust, Tiharyin, Taboumyat, Khamlia, and many others. There are two different stories behind the village’s name. For starters, some people believe that in the past, there was a family called Merzoug, and that this is the origin of the word Merzoug. Second, some people believe that the name originated in Arabic because Merzouka means “rich land” in Arabic.
Another unique myth that the majority of the Berbers in Merzouga believe in. It is said that in the distant past, there was a wealthy tribe who lived in peace in Merzouga. When they had finished their meals (mostly Couscous), they began to fight with it. Because they were wasting food, God punished them with massive sand dunes and storms until they were completely engulfed in dunes.
The sand dunes are known as Erg Chebbi and are approximately 30/15 km long. However, if you travel further east, you will come across other sand dunes such as those in Znigui, Jdaid, and Ramlia.
Ait Benhaddou Kasbah:
Thami El Gloaui, one of Morocco’s wealthiest Bashas, constructs the small village or Ksar. This small Berber village is in a strategic location that allows it to be one of the most important villages in Morocco’s southeast. Why not, and the majority of the camel caravan traveling from Sijilmassa to Marrakech used it as a rest stop or even to save their commodities. Ait Benhaddou is situated at the southernmost tip of the High Atlas Mountains. Clearly, it provides some of the best views on this 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes. The best example of Moroccan architecture is the great wall and high towers made of clay.
Most of the people who used to live in the village have moved to the other side of the river. In addition, only a few families remain, and their primary source of income is tourism.
Ouarzazate, Oualywood of Africa:
Many people refer to it as the “Hollywood of Africa,” and it is located just a few kilometers from the village of Ait Benhaddou. Before delving into what this city has to offer, we’d like to first discuss the origins of the city’s name. Ouarzazate, like most Moroccan cities, is a Berber city, and the name says it all. It is made up of two words: “Ouar,” which means “without,” and “Zazate,” which means “noise.” As a result, the entire name means “a place without noise.”
Ouarzazate is well-known for being a popular destination for filmmakers and directors from all over the world. The fifth season of Prison Break and parts of Game of Thrones are being shot in Ouarzazate. The city has two major studios known as the Atlas Studios, which offer the best designs and views that will transport you back in time. This city is also known as the gateway to the Sahara desert, and in recent years, they have built an international airport specifically for desert tour enthusiasts.
Rissani and Erfoud
Two major desert cities where the majority of Sahrawis have built new modern houses and streets. The first stop is Rissani, which, as mentioned in the itinerary, is the birthplace of the ALaouite dynasty. Not to mention that it was the starting point for the well-known caravan routes leading to Tombouctou. Rissani is home to one of the country’s oldest and largest traditional souks. You should be able to find most of what you’re looking for there. The souk, on the other hand, is only open on three major days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
The amazing thing about Rissani is that vendors who bring goods to the city continue to use traditional modes of transportation. It’s the donkey, so don’t be surprised if you go on a souk day and find a park full of donkeys with saddles.
There is, on the other hand, the city of Erfoud. It is about a half-hour drive from the Sahara desert of Merzouga, which is the true gateway to the sand dunes rather than Ouarzazate. Erfoud is more likely to be the desert region’s capital because it is the largest city closest to the Merzouga desert. The fossil workshops, which are abundant in Erfoud, are among the things you should not miss when visiting this city. Furthermore, Erfoud is in charge of the Ziz Valley, Morocco’s largest source of dates. Not to mention that the city hosts or organizes a date festival every year. People from all over the world come to buy and sell various types of dates from all over the world.
Cedar forest and Ifrane
The 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes allows you to visit both Ifrane and the Cedar Forest in Azrou. On the one hand, there’s Morocco’s Little Switzerland, the cleanest city in Africa and the eighth cleanest in the world. When you first enter this incredible city, you will notice a difference. Ifrane, located in the Middle Atlas Mountains, is Morocco’s coldest city. It has a lovely atmosphere, landscapes, gardens, and clean air. Not to mention that it is Morocco’s number one skating destination.
The Atlas lion statue is clearly the main attraction in Ifrane. According to the residents of Ifrane, the latter was carved by a German prisoner in exchange for his freedom. Furthermore, Al Akhawayine University, one of Africa’s best and highest-quality universities, is located in Ifrane. It provides many different branches that other Moroccan universities do not.
On the other hand, the cedar forest, which is not far from Ifrane, is worth a visit. It was home to a variety of animals, many of which are now extinct. It is now home to the friendly Barbary macaques. The setting is similar to a zoo, where you can relax and take in some fresh air.