Sample Custom Morocco Tours
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Fez to Marrakech Tours
Fes to Marrakesh Desert Tours
Travel from Fez to Marrakech through the heartlands of South Morocco. See the cedar forests, valley of one thousand kasbahs, oasis river valleys and Berber villages. Include an Erg Chebbi camel trek across the dunes at sunset, with a local guide, and sleep under the stars in a nomad tent.
Journey through the Berber heartlands of South Morocco and experience the culture and traditions of the Berber people as you travel through the dramatic landscapes of the Atlas Mountains and verdant oasis valley gorges. Visit Glaoua kasbahs that once guarded lucrative caravan routes and wander through colourful village souks. Immerse yourself in the timeless quality of desert life and camel trek at Erg Chebbi in the setting sun.
Quick Links
- Timescales, Accommodation and Transport
- Fez to Marrakesh Desert Tour Itinerary
- What to expect on Erg Chebbi Camel Treks
Timescales, Accommodation and Transport
- Recommended Duration: 4 days, 5 days or more
- Accommodation: hotels, riads, auberges, bedouin nomad tent
- Transport: 4x4 vehicles with aircon and local driver
Fez to Marrakesh Desert Tour Itinerary
Fes to Merzouga via Azrou and the Ziz Valley Gorge
Meet your driver in the Reception of your hotel and transfer South from Fes via Azrou and the cedar forests. Pass along the Ziz valley gorges, North of Erfoud, and then continue to Merzouga via Rissani. It is an interesting route and you can stop for lunch in a Berber café.
Desert Exploration and Erg Chebbi Camel Trek
Relax in the desert or spend the morning exploring with your driver e.g. fossil beds, seasonal lakes, Gnawa musicians or hire quad bikes and explore alone. Late afternoon meet your desert guide and camel trek over the Erg Chebbi dunes to sleep under the stars in a bedouin tented desert camp. After dinner the nomad guides often drum and sing traditional Berber folklore songs.
Transfer to Tamtattouchte via the Oasis Valley Gorge of Todra
Wake early to see the rising sun and, after breakfast, camel trek back to Merzouga. Transfer from Merzouga to the oasis valley of Todra Gorge, the highest oasis valley gorge in Morocco. Drive along the oasis valley to the mouth of the gorge that is just 20m wide and 300m high. Continue from Todra Gorge to the Berber village of Tamtattouchte.
Transfer from Tamtattouchte to Dades Gorge
Return along the river valley of Todra Gorge and take the main highway to the oasis valley of Dades. At Boumalne Dades leave the main route and continue passed ruined hilltop Kasbahs, valley-floor gardens and the strange rock formations of the Tamnalt Hills.
Transfer from Dades Gorge to Ait Benhaddou
From Dades, pass through Kelaa Mgouna (valley of the roses) and, in Spring, buy a rose garland from one of the Berber children that line the route. Visit Kasbah Imridil in the Skoura palmerie and Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate. Overnight in a hotel close to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, a World Heritage Site that once guarded the lucrative caravan route through the Atlas mountains.
Transfer to Marrakech via Telouet and the Ounila Valley
Transfer from Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech via Telouet. Cross the old trading route via the salt mines and the villages of the Ounila Valley to Telouet and visit the Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Pasha of Marrakech Continue to Marrakech across the High Atlas mountains, enjoying the far-reaching views of small Berber villages that cling to the mountainsides.
The Imperial Cities of Marrakech and Fes
After witnessing the lifestyle of the traditional Berber people, in the villages and desert of South Morocco, we recommend that you take a day or two to explore the Imperial City of Marrakech or Fez.
PAGE TOPWhat to expect on Erg Chebbi Camel Treks
Your desert guide, and camels, will meet you on the edge of the desert and take you over the sandy dunes of the Sahara. Camel trek in Erg Chebbi as the sun sets across the landscape, for 1-2 hours to reach your shelter for the night - a Bedouin tent in a desert camp.
At your desert shelter a simple meal of tagine is freshly prepared for you by your guide and, after dinner, it is usual for the camel guides to sing Berber songs under a desert night sky.
Rise early to greet the new day and camel trek back across the Erg Chebbi to Merzouga; shower and depart. Or continue your camel trek, with your desert guide, for 2 days, 3 days, 4 days or 5 days and more.
