Itinerary
- Day 1
Riad to Merzouga Desert
You'll start early from your Riad and head toward Merzouga Desert with several stops along the way. First comes Ifrane, sometimes called the Switzerland of Morocco because of its mountain setting, then the cedar forests around Azrou where you might spot Barbary apes. After lunch in Midelt, the drive takes you through the Atlas Mountains and Ziz Valley, passing through oases and Berber villages before reaching Erfoud. By evening you'll arrive at Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, check into your hotel, and ride camels to a traditional desert camp. There's a local music show by the fire to finish off the day.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Midelt), Dinner, Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ifrane city in the Middle Atlas
- Explore cedar tree forest of Azrou and observe Barbary apes
- Lunch in Midelt
- Drive through Atlas Mountains and Ziz Valley
- Visit Erfoud fossil site
- Camel ride to desert camp in Erg Chebbi dunes
- Traditional local music live show around campfire
Landmarks/POIs Ifrane Cedar Forest of Azrou Midelt Er-Rachidia Erfoud Erg Chebbi Dunes - Day 2
Merzouga Desert Exploration
After leaving your desert camp, you'll spend time on the dramatic Erg Chebbi sand dunes. A stop at a nomad's tent gives you traditional tea and the chance to connect with local culture. The coal mines in Mefis village show you something of the area's history, and then you'll head to Khamlia Berber village for traditional Gnaoua music and lunch featuring Berber pizza. In the afternoon, there's a surprising desert lake where flamingos and desert birds gather. Desert sports can be arranged if you want something extra. You'll return to your hotel in the late afternoon to rest and take in the dune views from your terrace.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch in local restaurant specializing in Berber Pizza), Dinner, Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Erg Chebbi sand dunes
- Visit nomad's tent and enjoy traditional tea
- Visit coal mines in Mefis village
- Visit Khamlia Berber village
- Enjoy traditional Gnaoua music live show
- Lunch in local restaurant specializing in Berber Pizza
- Visit desert lake with flamingos and desert birds
Optional Activities
- Multiple optional desert sports and activities
Landmarks/POIs Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes Mefis Village Coal Mines Khamlia Berber Village - Day 3
Merzouga to Dades Valley
This morning starts with a walk to a nearby tall dune to catch the sunrise, then you'll shower and have breakfast before leaving the camp. Rissani town comes next, a former trading post where you can wander through crowded souks and see authentic local life. From there it's on to Tinghir and then the Todgha Gorges, a dramatic 300-meter limestone canyon with water flowing from the Anti-Atlas Mountains. The drive continues through the Road of Thousands of Kasbahs into Dades Valley, known for its fig trees. You'll settle in for the night in Dades Gorges, surrounded by green fields with fig and walnut trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning walk to nearby tall dune for sunrise
- Shower and breakfast before leaving desert
- Walk through Rissani souks and local markets
- Visit Todgha Gorges
- Drive through Road of Thousands of Kasbahs
- Explore Dades Valley
Landmarks/POIs Rissani Todgha Gorges Dades Valley Tinghir - Day 4
Dades Valley to Marrakech
After breakfast, you'll drive toward Marrakech through Imgoun valley (the Valley of Roses) and Skoura Oases, stopping to visit the authentic 17th-century Amridil Kasbahs. Next is Ouarzazate, Morocco's Cinema capital, where the Touarirt Kasbahs are worth seeing before heading to Ait-Benhaddou. This UNESCO-protected red mudbrick village is an 11th-century caravan settlement that served as a filming location for movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Later you'll cross the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi N'tichka pass at 2260m for dramatic scenery, then arrive in Marrakech where you'll be dropped at your accommodation in the old city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Valley of Roses and Skoura Oases
- Visit Amridil Kasbahs
- Visit Touarirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate
- Visit Ait-Benhaddou UNESCO-protected village
- Cross High Atlas Mountains through Tizi N'tichka pass
Landmarks/POIs Imgoun Valley Skoura Oases Amridil Kasbah Ouarzazate Touarirt Kasbah Ait-Benhaddou Tizi N'tichka Pass Marrakech
