This 4-day journey from Fes to Marrakech traverses the full spectrum of Moroccan landscapes. From the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, and through the dramatic Todra Gorges to the Hollywood of Africa, this route captures the country’s diverse beauty. Sleep in a desert camp, visit nomadic families, explore ancient Kasbahs, and cross the High Atlas Mountains before arriving in the red city.
Departure from your Riad or Hotel in Fes is at 8:00 AM. The journey to the Erg Chebbi sand dunes takes approximately 8 hours. Along the way, we pass through the Atlas Mountains and villages including Tafilalet, Erfoud, and Rissani.
Several stops break up the drive. In Ifrane and Azrou, we pause to enjoy the view of the cedar forests. Here, troops of wild monkeys make their home among the trees.
Lunch is served in Midelt, a town nestled between mountain ranges. The afternoon drive continues through the Ziz Valley, where beautiful views of palm trees unfold before us. The landscape gradually transforms as we approach the desert.
By late afternoon, we arrive at the edge of Erg Chebbi. A camel trek carries us into the dunes toward the desert camp. The night is spent in a traditional Berber tent, with dinner served under the stars.
An early morning camel trek brings you back to the hotel for a refreshing shower. After breakfast, we leave the Erg Chebbi dunes behind. A rough terrain drive crosses the hamada, the black desert landscape, en route to the Saharan town of Rissani.
From Rissani, we head north to Erfoud, a town renowned for its fossils. A stop at a local fossil workshop allows you to see the intricate remains of ancient marine life preserved in the region’s stone.
The journey continues to the amazing Todra Valley. Known as a world-class rock climbing destination, this canyon features towering cliffs and dramatic scenery. Time is allotted for a walk along the river before we drive to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in the Todra Gorges area.
Breakfast at the hotel precedes our departure along the famous Route of a Thousand Kasbahs. Colossal fortified structures line both sides of the road. Some of these ancient, strengthened houses have been beautifully restored. A considerable number, however, remain as atmospheric ruins.
We pass through the Dades Valley and continue off-road into a rocky region. Here, numerous Berber villages dot the landscape, and many nomads live in natural caves. An opportunity arises to visit one of these families. We investigate their day-to-day lives and their fundamental movement: looking after groups of goats and chirping birds in the canyon walls.
The route continues through the brilliant Valley of Roses. Depending on the season, the scent of roses fills the air. We achieve the Skoura palm groves before pushing onward. Forty-five kilometers further, we reach Ouarzazate for the night in a local hotel.
After breakfast, our exploration begins with a visit to the cinema studios of Ouarzazate. This city is regarded as the Hollywood of Africa, having hosted countless international film productions.
Next, we visit the magnificent Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. UNESCO designated this site as a World Heritage Site in 1987. It has served as a setting for more than 20 movies, including Gladiator, Indiana Jones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Time is allotted for a leisurely stroll to investigate the universal Moroccan style of construction modeling that defines these ancient Kasbahs.
We proceed toward Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Lunch is taken up in the center of the mountains, surrounded by breathtaking views. The winding descent brings us closer to the red city.
Drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech marks the end of your 4-day desert journey from Fes.
