Travel from the ancient city of Fes to lively Marrakech on a classic 3 days trip. You’ll see mountains, valleys, and the Sahara Desert. Spend a night in the desert under the stars and see the real Morocco along the way. This classic 3-day desert tour traverses the majestic Atlas Mountains, ancient kasbahs, and sweeping dunes of the Sahara. Experience a magical night in a desert camp under a blanket of stars, and discover the dramatic landscapes and rich culture that define this iconic route.
We’ll pick you up early from your Fes hotel and drive south into the Middle Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifrane, known for its alpine-style architecture, and the Cedar Forests of Azrou, where you might spot troops of Barbary macaques. After lunch in Midelt, the landscape transforms as you descend into the desert region. Follow the lush Ziz Valley, a vast ribbon of palm groves, before arriving at the edge of the golden Erg Chebbi dunes in the late afternoon. Here, you’ll swap the car for a camel and ride into the dunes to watch a spectacular sunset. The evening is spent at a desert camp, enjoying a traditional dinner, Berber music, and a night in a private tent under a star-filled sky.
Accommodation: Private tent at a desert camp (Dinner included).
Wake early for a breathtaking desert sunrise. After a peaceful camel ride back to the village, enjoy breakfast and refresh at a local hotel. Then, hit the road to the stunning Todra Gorge, where you can take a short walk between its towering 300-meter-high cliffs. Continue your drive along the famous “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” dotted with ancient clay fortresses. Spend the night in the Dades Valley, where your hotel offers incredible views of the valley’s unique rock formations, known as “Monkey Fingers.”
Accommodation: Hotel in Dades Valley (Dinner included).
After breakfast, travel through the scenic Dades Valley and into the fragrant Rose Valley (especially beautiful in spring). Arrive in Ouarzazate, known as “Africa’s Hollywood,” where you can optionally visit a film studio. The main highlight is Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and ancient clay fortress featured in many famous films. After exploring, begin the final leg of your journey, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views before descending into Marrakech, where your tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation in the evening.
Drop-off: At your hotel or riad in Marrakech.
