7 Days desert tour from Marrakech to Imperial Cities
OVERVIEW :
This 7-day tour starts in Marrakech, where you’ll explore its Medina and Jmaa el Fna Square. Then, travel through the High Atlas Mountains to Dades Gorges, visiting Ait Benhaddou Kasbah along the way. On Day 3, visit Todra Gorges before arriving in Merzouga for a desert experience, including a camel ride and sunset in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Day 5 takes you through Rissani, Ziz Valley, and the Middle Atlas to Fez, where you’ll explore the historic medina and tanneries on Day 6. The tour ends with a transfer to the airport on Day 7.
highlights :
- Marrakech Medina: Wander through the historic souks and the lively Jmaa el Fna Square.
- Tizi n’Tichka Pass: Drive through the High Atlas Mountains, enjoying breathtaking views of Berber villages.
- Ait Benhaddou Kasbah: Visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, a backdrop for many films.
- Dades Gorges: Explore the scenic “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” and the dramatic canyon landscapes.
- Todra Gorges: Stroll through towering cliffs and experience the beauty of the desert.
- Merzouga Desert: Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes, enjoy a stunning sunset, and spend a night in a nomadic bivouac.
- Gnawa Music in Khamlia: Enjoy traditional music and dance by the Berber people of Mali origin.
- Rissani Souks: Discover authentic, traditional souks known for crafts, food, and animal trade.
- Ziz Valley: Drive through lush oasis landscapes with thousands of palm trees and panoramic views.
- Fez Medina: Explore the cultural heart of Morocco, visiting the famous tanneries and winding streets filled with history.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Marrakech – Marrakech
Arrival in Marrakech.Free day to make contact with the place: One of the four imperial cities of Morocco. Famous for having numerous monuments recognized as world heritage, and its famous square of Jemaa el Fna.You can visit its different and characteristic neighborhoods, the modern city: Guéliz Hivernage Palmeraie, Mellah (the Jewish Quarter) … or carried away through the winding streets of the Medina, to Jmaa el Fna Square, the scene of countless outdoor activities: jugglers, musicians, fakirs, snake charmers, jugglers … to awaken all your senses with its multiple sounds, aromas, flavors and colors that characterize it. Accommodation in Riad.
Day 2 : Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Dades Gorges
After breakfast we will address Marrakesh Dades Gorges.On the way we cross the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka, threading our way among many peoples of nomadic Berbers who inhabit the area.Spectacular scenery that will take us to the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, famous as the scene of more than two dozen films, including “Babel”.Continue to Ouarzazate via the Valley of Roses crossing, to get into the Dades gorges, where begins the “road of the thousand kasbahs”.Dades Valley Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
Day 3 : Dades Gorge – Todra Gorges – Merzouga Sahara
Breakfast at the hotel.We headed to the Todra Gorge, where you can take a leisurely stroll through its imposing canyon walls over 200 meters high, to exit into the desert through the palm of Tafilalet.Arrival at the hotel on foot of dunes, where you can walk the fine sand of the Erg Chebbi, relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.At night, will savor a delicious Moroccan dish.Overnight in hotel room.
Day 4 : Merzouga – Tour around Erg Chebbi
After a hearty Moroccan breakfast, we will go up to 4×4 to start our tour around the Erg Chebbi dunes, populated desert region of sand: Among the many stops that lie ahead, we will discover how and where nomadic families living in the area, wild oasis in the middle of nowhere, spectacular desert landscapes and small towns, palm …Inevitable stop as we passed through the village of Khamelia of people originating in Mali, we will enjoy a nice concert of Gnawa music, while a delicious tea taste.Back at the hotel we expect from our camels for an hour and a half route, threading our way among the dunes and into the heart of the desert to watch the beautiful sunset. Wrapped by the Great Dune, and enjoying the music of drums, dinner and Moroccan tea, you can contemplate the immense sky of stars and sleep in nomadic tents.
Day 5 : Merzouga – Rissani – Ziz Valley – Middle Atlas – Fes
We wake up early in the morning, to see another great show in the dunes of the Moroccan Sahara: the spectacular sunrise.
Again ye shall go up on your camels for another route back to the hotel.Breakfast and shower, and we proceeded to Rissani. Where we walk by is known as the most authentic and traditional souks of Morocco, and the largest in the south, where it trades with all types of crafts, food and animals.We continue via Erfoud, the ancient gateway to the desert, famous for the work offossils, crossing the Ziz Valley impressive, with more than 18,000 palm trees, reaching Midelt.Stop for lunch and continue the way up through Ifran Fez (also known as the Switzerland Moroccan aesthetics of their buildings)Arriving in Fez, and transfer to the hotel.
Day 6 : Fes Guided Tour
Free day to explore the city Fez Another of the four imperial cities. In Morocco is considered as the religious and cultural center of the country. Its university, famous for the study of Arabic and Islam, is a crossing point of many Moroccan students.You will have time to stroll and meet its various districts, the new area or Fès el-Jdid, where you will find the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), the Ville Nouvelle (Villa Nueva) French zone in the northwest of the city and of course, the Fez -Bali, the old, within the walls.You can walk around the streets and you feel transported to past worlds in which potters, blacksmiths, craftsmen and donkeys laden with goods from diverse backgrounds coexist with tourists transiting its labyrinthine alleys.
Also famous for the tanners’ souk, you will be able to partake of medieval roots artisan process by which they get to take those brightly colored leather. Accommodation in Riad.
Day 7 : Fes – Airport
Transfer to the airport for your flight out (should be the last day of your trip). Or, add one or more days.
included :
- Transport in 4×4 car with Air condition
- Private driver/English speaking guide
- Accommodation (dinner and breakfast) in hotels
- Camel ride through the desert
- Sleep in desert tent
excluded :
- Airline tickets
- Noon meals
- Drinks
- Entrance fees