Exotic Sahara Desert Tour
5 Day Morocco Desert Exploration Tour From Fes
Carefully selected hotels, Kasbahs, Riads. Includes one night in a traditional Berber camp
Qualified multilingual local guides / drivers.
Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle(s), mini bus or motor-coach
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Ziz Canyon, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi dunes, desert tour, Rissani, Todra Canyon, Dades Valley, Roses valley, Skoura Oasis, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, Atlas Mountains, Marrakech
Conducting preliminary research on flights from your nearest airport to find the most cost-effective options for landing in and departing from Morocco would be valuable. Please note that our tours are flexible, and we can commence from any city that aligns with your schedule.
Fes → Ifrane → Azrou - Midelt → Ziz Canyon & oasis → Erfoud → Merzouga → Camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi.
After picking you up from your hotel in Fes we will embark on a picturesque journey towards Ifrane, through hills covered in forests of cork oak and giant cedar in which a few Barbary apes still make their home. Crossing strikingly beautiful passes over both the Middle and High Atlas ranges, we will catch our first glimpse of the south’s incredible architecture.
After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. Crossing Tizi-n-Talremt (Pass of the She-Camel), we will descend into a desert plain along the Ziz Valley.
We will then head south to Erfoud and Rissani, into a huge oasis containing over six million palm trees and edged by many ksours (fortified villages). Our route will continue through an immense palm oasis and a vast area of stony plain that marks the transition to the desert before reaching the tranquil desert town of Merzouga in the afternoon, from which we will mount our camels (or 4WD if you can't do the camels), and ride into the pink sands of the Erg Chebbi.
We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset, and will spend the evening in a Berber camp amidst the dunes where we will have a campfire and enjoy a Moroccan feast and traditional music. After dark you can relax outside and marvel at the stars and crystal-clear Milky Way like few people have seen them.
If you would like to wake up early so that you can watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the sand contrasts beautifully with the play of shadows on the dunes - after which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them.
On the tour we will visit the oasis of Merzouga, the nomadic depository, and Khamlia Village, where we will be able to hear gnawa music from the local people who are descendants of ex-slaves that found their way to Morocco from Senegal via the Salt Route. We will continue on to meet desert nomads in their tents and discover their way of life.
We will also visit the nearby Lake of Merzouga, with its diverse population of birds. Afterwards we will leave for Rissani. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans coming from Timbuktu, Mali. Here you'll be able to walk through the souk, where you will be able to find spices, vegetables, and clothes. After having a pizza lunch in Rissani we will drive back to our Kasbah, where we will be greeted with a glass of tea or glass of wine and have some time to relax before we go to the camp where you will enjoy a second enchanting overnight.
Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Canyon → Dades Valley
If you would like to wake up early so that you can watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the sand contrasts beautifully with the play of shadows on the dunes - after which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we will ride the camels or fun 4X4 off-road drive through the dunes back to the kasbah in Merzouga town, where we will be able to freshen up before heading out of town to the Todra Gorge, known as "Morocco's Grand Canyon".
We will have lunch here and take the opportunity to explore along the river and through the gardens or up the road on the other side of the gorge to take in the view. In the afternoon we will continue our scenic drive into the Dades Valley, also known as the “Valley of 1000 Kasbahs” for the countless abandoned kasbahs one can see dotting the countryside among the palm trees. Later that afternoon we will arrive in the Dades Gorge, where we will watch the sunset's orange glow against the rocks before having dinner and spending the night in our hotel.
Dades valley → Rose Valley → Skoura → Ouarzazate
After breakfast we will drive through the villages of this charming area, passing fields cultivated by Berber women and getting some brilliant views of the Atlas Mountains towards Marrakech. Our journey will continue via Ouarzazate, going off-road along the piste to visit Berber nomads in their caves and join them for a glass of tea. From here, we will continue through the Valley of the Roses, famous for its Rose Festival in May, and past the "Road of 1000 Kasbahs" by the Skoura Oasis before arriving in Ouarzazate.
In Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco”, we will visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the cinematographic museum, we will have the chance to explore some of the ruined buildings and climb to the top of the hill where the agadir (granary) offers a spectacular view over the village and the surrounding countryside. You may also want to enter one of the houses and share a glass of mint tea with some of the locals to gain a better understanding of their way of life.
Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Atlas Mountains → Marrakech
After breakfast we will head to the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Kingdom of Heaven.. After enjoying the kasbah we will continue north across the High Atlas Mountains to Telouet, a village set right in the middle of the mountains which was the former seat of the last Pasha of Marrakech, El Glaoui, who used the location to control the mountain pass.
We will go through this very same pass on a road which was completed by the French Foreign Legion in 1936 and winds up over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, offering stunning views over the mountains before descending past Berber villages to the plains surrounding Marrakech. Even today, the name Marrakech conjures up scenery straight out of Arabian Nights - alleyways, souks, and market stalls. This remarkable city, with the graceful architecture of the renowned 11th-century Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of its visitors. We will arrive in Marrakech by the afternoon.
Our adventure begins with a mesmerizing desert sunrise, where the golden rays paint the vast expanse of sand in hues of orange and pink.
As we make our way towards Dades Valley, we pass through the enchanting Todgha Gorges. These towering canyons, carved by nature over centuries, offer a truly awe-inspiring sight. The sheer magnitude of the cliffs and the crystal-clear waters flowing through them create a surreal atmosphere that will leave you speechless.
Dades Valley itself is a hidden gem nestled amidst the rugged Atlas Mountains. This picturesque region is known for its stunning landscapes, dotted with lush green palm groves and traditional Berber villages. As we explore this serene valley, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and witness traditional farming practices that have been passed down through generations.
We exclude the entrance fees to monuments and cultural sights from the tour total cost in order to not charge you for things you might not be interested in visiting, Please let us know if you need a list of all the monuments that require a fee for entry.
Our tours are designed to be flexible and accommodating. Our knowledgeable guide will offer various options ( both paid and unpaid worth to visit ) for objectives and sights not only in each city but also along the way. Additionally, we're committed to offering the best possible experience for our clients.
We intentionally exclude dinners in urban areas or big cities for two main reasons. Firstly, dining at Riads or hotels in city settings tends to be relatively expensive. Secondly, the presence of a variety of restaurant options in cities allows our clients to choose according to their budget and preferences.
We can arrange cooking classes/ Hammam & SPA / Hot air balloon / ATV Quads / Dune buggies and any additional activiy available in any destination upon request.
We have over 20 years of experience crafting a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are our most common itineraries, to be used as starting points in developing yours.
Fes → Ifrane → Azrou - Midelt → Ziz Canyon & oasis → Erfoud → Merzouga → Camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi.
After picking you up from your hotel in Fes we will embark on a picturesque journey towards Ifrane, through hills covered in forests of cork oak and giant cedar in which a few Barbary apes still make their home. Crossing strikingly beautiful passes over both the Middle and High Atlas ranges, we will catch our first glimpse of the south’s incredible architecture.
After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. Crossing Tizi-n-Talremt (Pass of the She-Camel), we will descend into a desert plain along the Ziz Valley.
We will then head south to Erfoud and Rissani, into a huge oasis containing over six million palm trees and edged by many ksours (fortified villages). Our route will continue through an immense palm oasis and a vast area of stony plain that marks the transition to the desert before reaching the tranquil desert town of Merzouga in the afternoon, from which we will mount our camels (or 4WD if you can't do the camels), and ride into the pink sands of the Erg Chebbi.
We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset, and will spend the evening in a Berber camp amidst the dunes where we will have a campfire and enjoy a Moroccan feast and traditional music. After dark you can relax outside and marvel at the stars and crystal-clear Milky Way like few people have seen them.
If you would like to wake up early so that you can watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the sand contrasts beautifully with the play of shadows on the dunes - after which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them.
On the tour we will visit the oasis of Merzouga, the nomadic depository, and Khamlia Village, where we will be able to hear gnawa music from the local people who are descendants of ex-slaves that found their way to Morocco from Senegal via the Salt Route. We will continue on to meet desert nomads in their tents and discover their way of life.
We will also visit the nearby Lake of Merzouga, with its diverse population of birds. Afterwards we will leave for Rissani. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans coming from Timbuktu, Mali. Here you'll be able to walk through the souk, where you will be able to find spices, vegetables, and clothes. After having a pizza lunch in Rissani we will drive back to our Kasbah, where we will be greeted with a glass of tea or glass of wine and have some time to relax before we go to the camp where you will enjoy a second enchanting overnight.
Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Canyon → Dades Valley
If you would like to wake up early so that you can watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the sand contrasts beautifully with the play of shadows on the dunes - after which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we will ride the camels or fun 4X4 off-road drive through the dunes back to the kasbah in Merzouga town, where we will be able to freshen up before heading out of town to the Todra Gorge, known as "Morocco's Grand Canyon".
We will have lunch here and take the opportunity to explore along the river and through the gardens or up the road on the other side of the gorge to take in the view. In the afternoon we will continue our scenic drive into the Dades Valley, also known as the “Valley of 1000 Kasbahs” for the countless abandoned kasbahs one can see dotting the countryside among the palm trees. Later that afternoon we will arrive in the Dades Gorge, where we will watch the sunset's orange glow against the rocks before having dinner and spending the night in our hotel.
Dades valley → Rose Valley → Skoura → Ouarzazate
After breakfast we will drive through the villages of this charming area, passing fields cultivated by Berber women and getting some brilliant views of the Atlas Mountains towards Marrakech. Our journey will continue via Ouarzazate, going off-road along the piste to visit Berber nomads in their caves and join them for a glass of tea. From here, we will continue through the Valley of the Roses, famous for its Rose Festival in May, and past the "Road of 1000 Kasbahs" by the Skoura Oasis before arriving in Ouarzazate.
In Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco”, we will visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the cinematographic museum, we will have the chance to explore some of the ruined buildings and climb to the top of the hill where the agadir (granary) offers a spectacular view over the village and the surrounding countryside. You may also want to enter one of the houses and share a glass of mint tea with some of the locals to gain a better understanding of their way of life.
Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Atlas Mountains → Marrakech
After breakfast we will head to the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Kingdom of Heaven.. After enjoying the kasbah we will continue north across the High Atlas Mountains to Telouet, a village set right in the middle of the mountains which was the former seat of the last Pasha of Marrakech, El Glaoui, who used the location to control the mountain pass.
We will go through this very same pass on a road which was completed by the French Foreign Legion in 1936 and winds up over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, offering stunning views over the mountains before descending past Berber villages to the plains surrounding Marrakech. Even today, the name Marrakech conjures up scenery straight out of Arabian Nights - alleyways, souks, and market stalls. This remarkable city, with the graceful architecture of the renowned 11th-century Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of its visitors. We will arrive in Marrakech by the afternoon.
We are experts at creating a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are some of our most popular itineraries, and they may be customized to the utmost extent of your imaginations.
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Casablanca 20300 Morocco
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