Departure from Marrakech in the early morning, heading east across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest paved road in North Africa at approximately 2,260 meters above sea level. The mountain road winds through a series of spectacular switchbacks with sweeping views of rocky peaks, deep valleys, and small Berber villages perched on the hillsides. Stop along the way for panoramic photographs and to visit a roadside Berber village before beginning the descent toward the pre-Saharan plains of the south.
The first major stop of the day is the legendary Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic fortified villages in Morocco. This ancient ksar, built entirely from red earthen clay, has stood as a key stop along the trans-Saharan trade routes for centuries and has appeared in productions including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Mummy. Your guide will walk you through the narrow alleyways, explain the history of the ksar, and take you up to the top granary for a panoramic view of the surrounding desert landscape.
Continue to Ouarzazate, the Gateway to the Sahara and the Hollywood of Africa, for a lunch stop and a brief visit to the Taourirt Kasbah before heading east through the Valley of Roses. This stretch of road passes through the town of Kelaat M’Gouna, where Damask roses are cultivated by local Berber farmers and celebrated every May during the famous Rose Festival. Continue into the Dades Valley, arriving in the late afternoon.
Check into your riad overlooking the valley and enjoy a traditional dinner surrounded by the red rock formations and ancient kasbahs of one of Morocco’s most beautiful landscapes.
Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast
After breakfast, begin the day with a drive through the Dades Gorge, one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in southern Morocco. The road winds through a narrow canyon flanked by towering red rock formations and the famous Monkey Fingers rock formations near Ait Oudinar, one of the most photographed spots along the entire route. The valley is lined with ancient kasbahs and terraced gardens clinging to the cliffsides, and the light in the morning hours is particularly beautiful on the red rock walls.
Continue east to the Todra Gorge, a spectacular natural canyon carved by the Todra River through limestone cliffs that rise over 300 meters on either side. At its narrowest point the walls close in to just a few meters wide, creating one of the most dramatic corridors of rock in Morocco. Take a walk along the river through the gorge and absorb the extraordinary scale of the landscape before continuing south through Erfoud, a desert town famous for its fossil-rich black marble terrain, toward Merzouga.
By late afternoon, the towering orange dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon. Your camels will be waiting at the edge of the desert for a sunset trek across the golden sands. As the sun descends, the dunes glow in shades of amber and rose and the silence of the Sahara settles around you. Arrive at your luxury desert camp to a warm welcome of mint tea and Berber bread. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner around the campfire under a sky full of stars, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of live Berber music.
Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast
Rise before dawn to witness the Sahara sunrise, one of the most peaceful and memorable moments of the entire journey. As the first light creeps over the dunes, the desert awakens in shades of gold and pink. After breakfast at the camp, say farewell to the Sahara and begin the long journey north toward Fes.
The road out of Merzouga passes through wide open pre-Saharan plains before entering the stunning Ziz Valley, one of the most beautiful and photogenic landscapes in southern Morocco. The valley follows the Ziz River through a long corridor of date palms, ancient mud-brick kasbahs, and small Berber villages lining the riverbanks. Stop at the panoramic viewpoint high above the valley for sweeping photographs of the palm groves stretching out below, framed by red rock cliffs and desert mountains, before continuing through the Foum Zabel tunnel and across the Tizi-n-Talghemt mountain pass.
Continue north into the Middle Atlas Mountains, where the scenery shifts dramatically from desert plains to rolling hills, cedar forests, and picturesque Berber villages. A stop near Azrou offers a chance to see the famous Barbary macaque monkeys roaming freely among the ancient cedar trees, one of Morocco’s most charming wildlife encounters. Continue to Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, a spotlessly clean alpine town with European-style stone chalets, manicured parks, and cool mountain air that provides a striking contrast to the desert landscapes left behind. A brief stop in Ifrane for a coffee and a walk through the town before the final stretch north to Fes. Arrive in Fes in the late afternoon, where your Navigate Morocco driver will drop you off at your accommodation or Fes Airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
Is this a private tour?
Yes. This is a fully private tour operated exclusively for you and your travel companions by Navigate Morocco. You will have a dedicated vehicle and driver-guide for all 3 days and will not share with any other group.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Marrakech with a pickup from your hotel or riad and ends in Fes with a drop-off at your accommodation or Fes Airport, depending on your onward travel plans.
What type of accommodation is included?
You will stay in a carefully selected riad in Dades Valley and a luxury desert camp in Merzouga. Both are chosen for their comfort, cleanliness, and authentic Moroccan character.
Is the camel trek suitable for beginners?
Yes. The camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes is slow-paced and guided by experienced local handlers, making it suitable for all travelers including those who have never ridden a camel before. A 4×4 transfer to the desert camp can be arranged as an alternative if preferred.
What meals are included?
The tour includes 3 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Dinner is served at your riad in Dades Valley on night one and at the desert camp in Merzouga on night two. Lunches are not included, giving you the freedom to explore local restaurants along the route.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Absolutely. Navigate Morocco offers fully flexible itineraries. Stops, pacing, accommodation preferences, and optional activities can all be adjusted to match your group’s interests and schedule.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
The best months are March to May and September to November, when temperatures are comfortable across all regions of the route. Summer can be very hot in the Sahara Desert, while winter is cooler but still manageable with appropriate clothing.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, light layered clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential. Bring a warm layer for cool evenings in the mountains and desert. A small daypack is ideal for daily excursions and the camel trek.
