5 Days sahara Desert Tour from Rabat to Marrakech

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. ★Highlights⌄

   Enjoy the comfort Departure early in the morning from Rabat and drive east across the fertile Saïss plains toward Meknes before continuing to Fes.

   Meknes Stop: Explore the historic Imperial City of Meknes. Visit the grandiose Bab Mansour gate, explore the ancient royal granaries and stables ( Héri es-Souani ), and wander the quiet medina square.

   Arrival in Fes: Reach Fes by afternoon. Settle into your traditional riad inside the historic car-free medina. Evening: Take a stroll near the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) and enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner. Overnight: Riad/Hotel in Fes.

   Leave the medina behind after our visit with local guid in fez and begin driving south, ascending into the Middle Atlas Mountain range. Ifrane: Stop in Ifrane, often called the "Switzerland of Morocco," known for its European-style architecture, clean parks, and cool mountain air.

   Drive through the dense cedar forests in Atlas Mountain Pass: Continue driving through changing mountain landscapes, passing rural Berber villages and limestone peaks. Arrival in Midelt: Arrive in Midelt by late afternoon. Located on a high plateau between the Middle and High Atlas ranges, this quiet town famous for its apple orchards provides a comfortable rest stop. Overnight: Hotel/Auberge in Midelt.

   after brikfast Travel south from the high plains into the dramatic desert landscapes of the Sahara. Ziz Gorge & Valley: Drive along the stunning Ziz River canyon, stopping at panoramic viewpoints overlooking vast palm groves stretching for miles.

   Erfoud: Pass through Erfoud, famous for its date harvesting and ancient fossil workshops.

   Merzouga & Camel Trek: Arrive at the edge of the dunes in Merzouga by late afternoon. Board camels for a trek into the Erg Chebbi sand dunes to reach your desert camp just in time for sunset. Overnight: Sahara Desert Camp in Merzouga with a Berber dinner, campfire, and traditional music under the stars.

   Wake up early to catch the desert sunrise before beginning your drive west along the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs." Rissani Market: Stop in Rissani to visit its lively traditional souk, a historical trading hub at the edge of the desert.

   Todra Gorge Walk: Continue to Tinghir and venture into the Todra Gorge , walking alongside the river under 300-meter-high sheer limestone cliffs.

   Dades Valley: Drive into the winding Dades Valley, famous for its dramatic rock formations known as the "Monkey Fingers" and serpentine mountain roads. Overnight: Kasbah-style hotel or riad in the Dades Valley.

   The final leg takes you past historic clay fortresses and across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Ouarzazate: Travel through the Valley of Roses to Ouarzazate, Morocco's cinema capital. Option to see the historic Taourirt Kasbah or Atlas Film Studios. Aït Benhaddou: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou , an impressive earthen village featured in movies like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia .

   Tizi n'Tichka Pass: Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m elevation), enjoying sweeping views of mountain valleys and Berber villages. Arrival: Reach Marrakech by late afternoon or early evening for drop-off at your hotel or riad.