3 Days / 2 Nights Desert tour from Fes to Marrakech

Fez Charm Tours' driver will pick you up from your hotel or riad at 7 am for an incredible journey into the Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first stop will be the charming town of Ifrane, built by the French in the 1930s, known as "Morocco's Switzerland" due to its Alpine chalet-styled architecture. In winter, the town is blanketed in snow, and the nearby Michliffen ski resort offers winter sports activities. Next, you will travel through the vast cedar forests surrounding the Berber village of Azrou, known as "The Rock" in the local Berber dialect. Here, you may encounter the famous Barbary apes—actually macaque monkeys—who will attempt to share your lunch in their natural habitat. As you pass through the Atlas Mountains, often described as holding up the sky, you'll wind your way through forested peaks, twisting mountain streams, gushing springs, and spectacular jagged rock walls. Your journey will lead you to the important town of Rissani, the edge of the Sahara. Continuing south, you will be amazed by the sudden appearance of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, which rise up to 50 meters in height and stretch eastward into the Algerian Sahara. Enjoy an unforgettable ninety-minute camel trek into the breathtaking sunset, navigating through the shifting sands before arriving at a traditional Berber desert encampment to spend the night in a cozy tent, surrounded by towering dunes. Relax and enjoy a delicious dinner while listening to the sweet strains of traditional Berber music, and then drift off to sleep under a myriad of glittering stars that shine so brightly, you might feel you could reach out and touch them.

Awake early to experience the splendid sunrise over the sand dunes, then ride your camel gently back to your hotel for breakfast. During your ride, take note of the shifting shadows cast by the dunes, lengthening and shrinking as the day progresses. After breakfast, the journey to Ouarzazate begins with a drive through the stunning 300-meter-deep canyon of the Todgha Gorges, which cut through the easternmost tip of the High Atlas Mountains. Here, you can enjoy some hiking around the picturesque village of Tinghir. The Tinghir and Todgha Gorges are the highest and narrowest in Morocco and are often regarded as some of the most beautiful. Your next stop is the Berber town of Kelaat Mgouna, known as the "Rose City," where every year in mid-May, during the rose harvest, the Festival of Roses takes place. This vibrant celebration allows local growers to showcase their products, most notably rose water, which leaves a delightful fragrance on your clothes, body, and bed linen long after it is applied. Following this, you will continue to the fertile oasis of Skoura, surrounded by vast palm groves and stunning views of the mighty Atlas Mountains. You will conclude your day with an evening arrival in Ouarzazate, where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night at a hotel.

After a hearty breakfast, explore the film sets and studios of Ouarzazate, often referred to as "Africa's Hollywood." Its breathtaking scenery has attracted some of the world's leading filmmakers and directors. You may visit the studio museum to see props and other interesting items from films such as "Gladiator," "The Mummy," and "Indiana Jones," as well as parts of the popular TV series "Game of Thrones." Next, take a pleasant stroll to examine the traditional Moroccan architecture that comprises the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. This vibrant central region of the country is one of the most romantic in Morocco, nestled between lush green river valleys filled with extensive palm groves and striking mud-brick houses glowing under the blazing Moroccan sun. It's time to continue your journey through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the astounding Tizi n'Tichka Pass, which rises over two and a quarter kilometers above sea level. You'll navigate winding mountain roads dotted with picturesque Berber villages and crystal-clear waterfalls until you reach the end of your journey in Marrakech. The desert tour concludes when Fes Charm Tours drops you off at your hotel or riad.