10 Day Desert Tour from Fez
Duration: 10 Days/9 Nights Distance: 1779 km
Start: Fez End: Fez
Type: Private Tour
Highlights at a Glance
- Explore the medieval medina of Fez (UNESCO World Heritage & world’s first university)
- Admire the landscapes of the Ziz Valley, the Cedar Forest with Barbary macaques & alpine Ifrane
- Sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes & overnight in a luxury desert camp
- Experience authentic Berber nomad life and live Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Walk through the stunning Todra Gorges and palm groves
- Explore Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa” & Atlas Film Studios
- Visit UNESCO site Aït Ben Haddou, famous film location (Gladiator, Game of Throne)
- Scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi N Tichka.
- Discover the vibrant medina of Marrakech: Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs & Bahia Palace
- Start your journey in Casablanca, home to the impressive Hassan II Mosque
- Visit Rabat: Mausoleum of Mohammed V & the Kasbah of the Udayas
- Stroll the enchanting blue streets of Chefchaouen, the “Blue Pearl”
- UNESCO world heritage site of Volubilis
- Meknes, A brief excursion around the city
Tour Program
Day 1 : Arrival at Fez airport-visit fez with local guide
Distance: 35km Time on the road: 45min
When you arrive at Fes Airport, our driver will transfer you to the hotel and our local guide will come to meet you at your Riad. We will go on a tour of the city that is considered to be the cultural and religious center of Bahrain. In this tour, you will be immersed in the enchanted atmosphere of a medieval oriental city, you will stroll through the winding and narrow streets of the ancient Medina, and you will become familiar with the numerous historical and architectural monuments that adorned the former capital of the Kingdom of the Sultans from the Merinid and Alaouite dynasties. The majority of these monuments are outstanding examples of the architectural style known as Moorish influence. During your trip, you will go to the Bu Inanya mosque, as well as the madrassas, which are Islamic educational institutions, Nejarin plaza, and the fountain. You will find yourself in the handicraft quarters, where artisans who deal with leather and ceramics do their work according to the techniques that they have acquired from their grandfathers and great-grandfathers. These techniques are carefully passed down from one generation to the next. Once it is done, we will go to the Jewish quarter that is still there at the current day. It demonstrates that the Jewish community and the Muslim community coexist in the same space. After a long day in the Medina, the driver will meet you, then he will pick you up to your hotel. Overnight in Fez.
Day 2 : Fes - Ifrane - Cedar Forest - Medelt - Ziz valley - Sahara Desert
Distance: 463km Time on the road: 7h 30min
After breakfast, we depart from Fez around 8:00 AM and begin our scenic journey towards the Sahara Desert. The drive takes us through some of Morocco’s most fascinating landscapes and towns.
Our first stop is Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its alpine-style architecture and clean mountain air. From there, we continue to the cedar forests of Azrou, home to the famous Barbary apes, where you can observe these playful monkeys in their natural habitat.
The road then winds through the breathtaking Middle Atlas Mountains, offering panoramic views of valleys, lakes, and villages along the way. We will stop in one of the villages on our way to enjoy a traditional lunch.
In the afternoon, the journey continues through the impressive Ziz Valley, with its endless palm groves and dramatic gorges carved by the Ziz River. In the evening, we get to Merzouga desert. You will be welcomed at your desert hotel with a refreshing mint tea, where you can relax, shower, and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Merzouga hotel.
Day 3 : Sahara Desert sightseeing
Following a typical breakfast at the hotel, you will tour Erg Echebbi’s neighborhood. You can learn more about culture, traditions and the way people live by visiting the Khamila village, where you can take in folk dances and black Gnaoua music. Then, you can explore the magnificent Merzouga. After that, we’ll return to the hotel, where you can leave your extra luggage because today you’ll have an unforgettable experience. Camels will be waiting to take you through the golden sand dunes of Erg Echebbi, transporting you to another world, while you’re perched atop one of the camels and admiring the spectacular sunset in the middle of the desert. You will eventually reach our customarily well-equipped camp, where you can partake in a traditional dinner in a convivial atmosphere while taking in a berberine music concert under the stars. Overnight in the camp.
Day 4 : Desert - Rissani - Toudra Gorges - Boumaln Gorges
Distance: 270km Time on the road: 4h:30min
Wake up early to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Sahara dunes, a magical moment not to be missed. After enjoying breakfast at the desert camp, you will ride your camels back to Merzouga, where you can refresh before continuing the journey.
Our first stop will be Rissani, home to one of the oldest and most traditional souks (markets) in Morocco, where locals trade spices, livestock, and handicrafts. From there, we travel through Tinjdad on the way to the spectacular Todra Gorges, famous for their towering cliffs reaching up to 300 meters high. Here, you will have time to walk along the gorge and enjoy the stunning natural scenery.
The journey continues through the Dades Valley, where we will spend the night.
Day 5 : Dades - Ouarzazate - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech
Distance: 323km Time on the road: 5h:30min
Our journey to Marrakech will begin with a brief stop in the Dades gorges. We are going to travel by Mgouna, which is the location of the flowers festival that takes place annually. After that, we continue to Ouarzazate. This city is often referred to as the “Hollywood of Morocco” owing to the fact that a great number of historical films were shot in the city. We have a stop Atlas film studio. Following that, we will take a short trip to Ait Ben Hadou, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kasbah is famous for making series and films such us Game of Thrones and Gladiator. After our visit to the Kasbah, we will continue to Marrakech passing by the high Atlas Mountains, Tizi n-Tishka, which is located at an elevation of 2260 meters. Along the route, we will be stopping for photographs at several locations. There are vistas of the verdant river valleys with adobe settlements and the remnants of old kasbahs when traveling along this route, which is considered to be one of the most scenic ways in Morocco. We will arrive in Marrakech and check into your Riad.
Day 6 : Marrakech sightseeing with local guide
Today, your Morocco tour continues with a full-day exploration of Marrakech, one of Morocco’s most fascinating imperial cities. Accompanied by a professional local guide, you will discover the city’s most important landmarks and hidden gems.
Your sightseeing begins at the lively Rahba Kedima spice market, where the air is filled with the aromas of cumin, cinnamon, saffron, dried peppers, and many other exotic spices. From there, you will stroll through the old Jewish Quarter (Mellah) before visiting the elegant Bahia Palace, an architectural masterpiece of 19th-century Moroccan design.
The tour also includes the majestic Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech with its iconic 12th-century minaret, as well as the peaceful Menara Gardens, a symbol of Marrakech’s heritage. You will also visit the historic Saadian Tombs, beautifully decorated mausoleums dating back to the 16th century.
Overnight stay in a riad in Marrakech.
Day 7 : Marrakech – Casablanca - Rabat
Distance: 337km Time on the road: 4h
Today we will drive towards Rabat, which is the capital of Morocco, but first we will stop in Casablanca to visit Hassan second mosque, it is the only mosque in Morocco which is allowed for non-Muslims to go in. It is the largest mosque in Morocco. You will buy your ticket to go inside discovering its decorations and amazing architecture. and then you will make your way toward Rabat, which is the capital of Morocco and one of the imperial cities in the country. The city’s most popular tourist destinations will be on our agenda. There is the Oudaya, the ancient medina and the tower of Hassan. Overnight in Rabat.
Day 8 : Rabat - Chefchaoun
Distance: 202km Time on the road: 3h:50min
We will come to pick you up from your place in Rabat, we will drive to Chefchaouen. It is known as the “pearl of the north” and is one of the most beautiful places in northern Morocco. You will be able to enjoy the magnificent hues of fading blue and white that are found throughout the city. To get to Chefchaouen, we will go via the Rif Mountains, which are known for their breathtaking scenery. Following your arrival in Chefchaouen, you will have the opportunity to explore the city at your own leisure. You can visit the ancient Kasbah, the Outa Hamam plaza, the Chaouen art museum, and take a walk along the narrow blue street to take in the breathtaking views of the city. In the afternoon, you can walk up to the Spanish mosque where you have a nice panoramic view to the whole city and wonderful sunset.
Day 9 : Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes - Fez
Distance: 263km Time on the road: 4h:30min
Your Moroccan tour of 10 days will make its way to Volubilis, which is around three hours away from Chefchaouen. The UNESCO has designated the remains of the city of Volubilis as a world historic site. Volubilis was established around the beginning of the fourth century BC. The ruins cover a large area and are dispersed over landscapes that are breathtakingly beautiful. This city is home to magnificent palaces, administrative buildings, and spas that are adorned with exquisite mosaics. Our next stop on our journey will be Meknes, which is one of the imperial cities. A brief excursion around the city will be followed by a break for lunch, and then we will go to Fez, where we will spend the night.
Day 10 : Transfer to the Airport
Distance: 35km Time on the road: 45min
Depending on your departure schedule, our driver/guide will transport you to the international airport after breakfast, marking the regrettable conclusion of our unforgettable journey.
Accommodations
| Category 1 | |
|---|---|
| Fez | Riad Tahra |
| Desert Night 1 | Sahara Desert Luxury Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Riad Dar Hassan |
| Dades | Hotel Babylon Dades Gorges |
| Marrakech | Riad El Walida |
| Rabat | Riad Dar Alia |
| Chefchaouen | Riad Hicham |
| Category 2 | |
|---|---|
| Fez | Palais Houyam |
| Desert Night 1 | Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Riad Chebbi |
| Dades | Riad Dades Paradise |
| Marrakech | Riad Nesma |
| Rabat | Riad Al Bahi |
| Chefchaouen | Dar Echchaouen |
| Category 3 | |
|---|---|
| Fez | Palais Faraj |
| Desert Night 1 | Desert Luxury Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Desert Luxury Camp |
| Dades | Eden Boutique Hotel |
| Marrakech | La Maison Arabe |
| Rabat | Rabat Mariott Hotel |
| Chefchaouen | Lina Ryad & Spa |
*In case the listed hotel is fully booked, we will provide a similar option of the same category and inform you accordingly.
What’s included in our Morocco desert tours
- Included:
- Transport in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide (or request other preferred language)
- Dinners and breakfasts throughout the tour
- Camel ride experience in the Sahara Desert
- Overnight stay in a Merzouga desert camp
- Accommodation in carefully selected hotels and traditional riads
- Sandboarding
- Local guides in Fez and Chefchaouen
- Transfer to the airport
- Pick up from the airport
- Not Included:
- Lunches and beverages
- Personal expenses and optional activities
* Final price depends on the accommodation category selected and the group size
- Map for Marrakech Private tour
- Book this Tour now!
