How long is the camel ride in the Erg Chebbi desert?

The camel ride usually lasts about 90 minutes to reach the desert camp and watch the sunset over the dunes.

What should I bring for the desert night?

Comfortable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a jacket for the evening as temperatures can become cooler at night.

Are the desert tents private?

Desert camps typically offer traditional tents and many camps provide private tents depending on availability.

Will we see monkeys on the way to Fes?

Yes, during the drive through the cedar forests of Azrou it is common to see Barbary monkeys.

4-Day Marrakech to Fes via desert tours

Arrival City
Marrakech
Departure City
Fes
Meals
Breakfast included
Transportation
Private minivan / 4WD

Overview

This 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes takes you across the High Atlas Mountains and through some of Morocco’s most impressive landscapes. The journey includes visits to the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the Valley of Roses, the dramatic Dades and Todra Gorges, and the Sahara Desert of Merzouga. You will experience camel trekking across the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend a night in a traditional desert camp. The tour continues through the Ziz Valley, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, and the alpine-style town of Ifrane before arriving in Fes.

Highlights

Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tichka Pass
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou
Travel through Skoura Oasis and the Valley of Roses
Explore the spectacular Dades Gorge
Walk through the dramatic Todra Gorge canyon
Camel trekking experience in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Watch the sunset and sunrise in the Sahara desert
Watch the sunset and sunrise in the Sahara desert
Overnight stay in a traditional desert nomad tent
Enjoy Moroccan dinner, mint tea, and Berber music in the desert
Visit the Gnawa musicians in the village of Khamlia
Explore the traditional markets of Rissani
Travel through the Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas Mountains
Stop in the cedar forests of Azrou to see the Barbary monkeys
Visit Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”
Arrive in the historic city of Fes

Day 01 :

Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Gorge

We will make an early morning departure from Marrakech to cross the Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains with a short stop for coffee and a visit the argan oil cooperative. We will stop for lunch at UNESCO World Heritage site, Ait Ben Haddou, the most famous Kasbah in Morocco. After lunch we will continue through the Skoura Oasis, where numerous ancient Kasbahs stand amongst the palm trees. From here, the route takes us through Kela’a M’gouna, the Valley of Roses, with a stop to see cosmetics locally made from the valley’s abundant roses. We will continue to the Dades Gorge where we will stay in a hotel by the river for the night.

Day 02 :

Dades Gorge - Todra Gorge - Merzouga

After breakfast we will take a short drive to Todra Gorge We will take a walk to see the sheer rock walls that rise to 300 m in the narrowest parts before continuing to Merzouga. We will arrive late afternoon to our Erg Chebbi hotel and prepare for departure on the camels. We will take a 90 minute camel ride to see the sunset on top of the dunes before arriving to the desert camp. We will have a traditional tagine, drink delicious mint tea and listen to traditional berber music while watching the stars and the rising moon in the amazing Sahara desert. We will spend the night in a traditional nomad tent.

Day 03 :

We will rise early to see the spectacle of the sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara before making our way back to the hotel for breakfast and a shower. We will will make a circuit of the desert dunes where you will have the opportunity to see the amazing changing contrasts of the of the desert. We will visit the ‘black village’ of Khamlia to see the Gnawa musicians before having a traditional Berber pizza for lunch in the ancient capital of Rissani. After lunch you can visit the traditional markets and/or drink coffee at one of the many cafes while watching the day to day life of the city.

Day 04 :

We will travel via the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas mountains as we depart the desert region to Fes. We will drive through the cedar forests of Azrou and stop to hand feed the monkeys. We will continue via Ifrane, the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ to arrive early evening to Fes.

Office Address

Phone Number

Email Address