3-day program for Fes, Merzouga, Marrakech
We pick you up in the morning and start the journey to the desert. The passage to the desert will be through the scenic slopes of the Atlas Mountain Range. You get to drive through the cedar forests in the Middle Atlas. The first stop will be in Ifrane, which nationally known as the little Switzerland of Morocco. the name comes from the shape and design of the buildings as they resemble the ones of switzerland to a great extent. Alongside its weather. On your way to the south east of the kingdom, you stop again in the cedar forest near Azrou city. You shall see monkeys and feed them if you wish. In Midelt, you stop for lunch and enjoy the unique backdrop of this town that is located between the middle and High Atlas Mountains. You continue driving towards the desert via Erfoud. You arrive in Merzouga before the sun set so that you ride camels to the camp where you will spend an indelible night. The camp consists of several comfortable Berber tents equipped with mattresses and linen, a restaurant, a kitchen, and toilets. The evening will consist of dinner followed by entertainment provided by Berber drums.
Wake up early to enjoy the ravishing sunrise. After breakfast and a shower, you head to Rissani. The latter used to be called Sijilmassa, which was the contact zone for the salt caravans coming from Timbuktu in Mali. Here you will walk through the souk, selling spices, vegetables and cloths. The trip continues to Todgha Gorges through Erfoud, then El Jirf. Few kilometers after El Jirf, you will stop to discover the underground connected chain of wheels that people used to get water to their gardens where they grow vegetables, fruits, and dates. The chain of the connected wheels is designed as a sign of collective cooperation and as well to protect water from evaporation as the weather gets very hot, especially in summer. The locals will explain more once you are there. The ticket for going underground is 20 Moroccan dirhams per a person (2 Dollars). The journey then continues to Tinjdad where you will have lunch. The next stop is Jewish Villages near Tinghir on your way to Todgha Gorges. Our guide will explain in details once you get there. In Todgha Gorges, you enjoy the ravishing views and panoramas. A short walk in the Gorges is included before going to Dades where you will spend the night.
After breakfast, you will take a short walk in the gorges before departure to Marrakech. There are still many sites and things to explore on your final day before arriving in Marrakech. You will follow the Dades Valley through El Kelaa Magona, the Valley of the Roses and the road of a thousand Kasbahs. You visit Ouarzazate and stop for lunch in the ancient desert village of Ait Ben Haddou. It is now a protected UNESCO site and famous as the nest of many films like the Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and many others. You can climb to the peak of the Kasbah where you will get to see a heart-taking view.
You will drive via Tichka Pass on your way to Marrakech, where you will see many Berber villages along this way. We will drop you off at your desired location, either at a Riad, Hotel or airport.