From the big city to the desert and the mountains to discover the most spectacular part of the country. This tour goes from Marrakech to the desert and northern Morocco in just 5 days, so it is presented as the best option for those who have little time but don’t want to leave any important destination out of the program. Below, we present it in detail and, if you wish, you can buy it on our website and enjoy it privately, without any travel companions other than those you decide.
This tour starts in Marrakech, whether you land here or stay in this city the days before. And although its visit is not part of the program, many other charming towns are included, both large cities and small towns. This is the case of Fez (with guided tour included), Chaouen or Rissani, in addition to other small towns that we will see along the way in the Dades Valley or in the north of the country. In this way, you will be able to appreciate the differences and similarities in architectural styles, in the rhythm of daily life and many other details that make Morocco a country full of contrasts.
But if we talk about contrasts, on this tour you will discover another of the most spectacular: the one of the most arid desert and the one of the most humid mountain. One of the great attractions of the trip is arriving at the Erg Chebbi dunes, where the landscape is dominated by the soft elevations of fine sand. And shortly after we will cross the green and humid environment of the Middle Atlas, the epicenter of winter tourism in the country. In addition, the peaks of the High Atlas (snowy several months of the year) or the oases of the pre-Saharan valleys will also be a magnificent counterpoint to the inhospitable places of the desert.
Start in Marrakech and end in Tangier, after completing 5 days (4 nights) throughout the Moroccan geography, from south to north. And always by road and in a comfortable private vehicle, except for the section of the Erg Chebbi dunes, which are done by dromedary (unless 4×4 vehicles are preferred). This is a detailed description:
Marrakech will be the starting point of this tour, where we will meet, either at the airport or at a point in the center. And without further delay, we will get on board our private vehicle to head towards the desert.
On the way, many places of interest, where we will stop as it deserves. For example, in the Tizi n’Tichka pass, a natural passage from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. This pass is located at 2,260 meters above sea level and, therefore, offers a magnificent panoramic view of the High Atlas, the highest mountain range in the country and North Africa.
After the descent, we will also visit Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified town that represents one of the best examples of the military and popular architecture of the Berber civilization. It was a ‘stopping station’ on the caravan routes of centuries ago and preserves some spectacular adobe walls, hence its particular reddish color. Two details confirm its interest: it is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and has been a filming set for Game of Thrones.
A little more than 20 km from here is Ouarzazate, the goal of this day. But before checking in at the hotel where you will rest and dine tonight, one more point of interest: the kasbah of Taourirt, residence and castle of the El Glaoui family. Its style is very similar to that of Ait Ben Haddou, but in this case with a more elegant interior, as Islamic architecture has accustomed us.
On this second day we will travel a section of the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs: although we will have seen two of the most iconic Berber fortifications the day before, on this road trip we will see small towns grouped around ancient castles, some of them in ruins.
We will also see palm groves and cultivation areas, such as the rose bushes of the Valley of Roses, which represent an important source of income for the region since the times of the French Protectorate.
But the main stop on this first section of the day will be the Todra Gorges, a spectacular canyon carved by that stream that has left a very narrow gorge through which you can walk, and even climb: its walls of more than 100 meters high, of great verticality, are the great aspiration of climbers from all over the world.
Erfoud is also known worldwide, but in this case for a very different reason: its fossils and minerals, which attract the attention of ‘treasure hunters’ in search of paleontological and geological pieces of great value.
Next, we will arrive at Merzouga, where we will begin to feel the exciting embrace of the deepest desert: behind this town are the Erg Chebbi dunes, famous in the country for its smooth and perfect undulations of fine sand. To travel them, nothing better than noble dromedaries, accustomed to making this journey since time immemorial.
The end of that walk will be the haima camp where we will spend the night. But before sleeping, there will be time for a welcome tea, a typical Berber dinner and a look at the sky, beautiful at sunset but also in the dark night, with its bright constellations of stars.
On this third day of the tour, the contrasts of landscapes do not cease. In fact, they are even more accentuated if possible. We will start the day very early, if possible getting up earlier than the sun to see the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
After that, breakfast and return to Merzouga for a shower (if the chosen package does not include it in the camp) and to resume the march by road. Shortly after that resumption, a brief walk through Rissani: if it coincides with market day, we will see typical scenes from another time, such as a donkey parking lot at the gates of the medina, which is also worth knowing for its beauty.
Going up the Ziz Valley we will arrive at the Middle Atlas and, when crossing to the northern slope, we will see how the landscape becomes greener and more humid. This is what we will see in the Monkey Forest, whose official name is Ifrane National Park. The Barbary macaques find in the cedars of this reserve the ideal habitat to live, and that is an authentic refuge to take care of: this colony is the most numerous of a species declared in danger of extinction.
And not far from here, in the town of Ifrane, we will believe we are in the Alps: its buildings with gabled roofs remind us that it rains a lot here, and even snows in winter, attracting many tourists in the coldest months of the year.
Ifrane is located at an altitude of about 1,700 meters, so the last section will be in continuous descent until leveling and arriving at Fez, to put the brakes on the riad where you will stay tonight.
Capital of the kingdom in the times of the Idrisid and Merinid dynasties, and therefore, one of the ‘imperial cities’ of Morocco. Symbolic capital of the country at a cultural and religious level. And historical medina declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With all these wickers, a guided tour is necessary to discover its most characteristic corners in the historical center.
The route to be done on foot will depend on what our official guide has prepared for us, but the list of possible places to choose is very long: mosques of Karaouine and of the Andalusians (exteriors), madrasa of Bou Inania, square of Nejjarine, neighborhood of Chouwara, Mellah Jewish, square of the Alauoitas in front of the Royal Palace… Whatever the itinerary, it will be full of beauty and local customs, because the best artisans in the country are also concentrated in the medina.
Already in the afternoon, we will resume the route, in this case to Chaouen. There, freely, you will discover why it is called the ‘blue town’: that color dyes most of the houses in the medina, which is worth getting lost in. The riad tonight will be precisely there, not far from the main points of interest, such as the Plaza de Uta el-Hammam and its kasbah.
The fifth day is the last of this tour that will have taken you from Marrakech to the desert and northern Morocco. And the schedules will be conditioned by the time of the flight or the ferry that you will have in Tangier. We will transfer you to its airport or its port from Chaouen, or if you prefer we can leave you at another point in the center to enjoy free time in this city bathed by the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Whatever the option chosen, we will do it with punctuality and we will say goodbye with gratitude and hope for a next reunion to travel to other equally interesting regions of Morocco.
This tour is designed in detail so that no important service is missing and everything runs smoothly, safely and on time. This is what the contracted package includes:
The following services are not included in the travel package. Your choice or not will depend on each client:
Fill out the form with your information, be specific with the circuit you are interested in and also if you want to customize it in any way.
We will respond as soon as possible.