10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech
10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech
Overview:
This 10 days desert tour from Marrakech is designed to help you discover the enchanting beauty of Morocco. In general, it offers a perfect mix of Moroccan culture, desert adventures, popular attractions and relaxation. This is a tour that gives you a unique experience of Morocco, including more than twelve cities in the northern and southern parts of the country. The trip has activities to enjoy, such as panoramic trips, desert tours, off-road driving, luxury camps in the desert, camel rides, excursions and visits to kasbahs, to name a few.
First, we start with the Marrakech variant, called the Red City because of its appearance. Then, we continue our journey to the majestic Atlas Mountains and relax in the Todra gorge as we head towards the Sahara desert. In fact, this part of the trip is particularly interesting because you can admire how the elevated mountainous landscape changes to an environment similar to the desert. After leaving the desert behind, we will cross the part of the country covered with cedar forests and then the beautiful undulating hills of the Moroccan agricultural district with olive trees and wineries. Finally, we head towards the northern part of the country where the climate becomes a little cooler and the landscape changes between valleys and mountains. In general, this route is the best way to see many different parts of Morocco and learn about life in different Moroccan regions. Book your trip today!
Itinerary:
Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
In the morning at 8:30 we will start our first day of our best 10 days desert tour from Marrakech. Our guide will pick you up at your hotel/riad in Marrakech in a comfortable vehicle with air conditioning. We will start our route from Marrakech, our first site being Ait Ben Haddou. The path offers stunning views of the Atlas Mountains. We will make several stops along the way so that you can enjoy the beauty of the snowy peaks and the magnificent landscape along the Tizi n’Tichka pass. On the site, we will visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most popular kasbahs in Morocco. This town fortified with clay structures is an impressive historical landmark. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the town, we can learn about pre-Saharan construction techniques, although none of the houses is older than the 17th century. Strolling through the ancient passages of this desert kasbah feels like being in another time. After lunch, we will tour the Kasbah of Tamdaght, a little less than 4 miles (6 km) from Ait Ben Haddou. At night, we will go up to the fortress of Ait Ben Haddou to get a magical view of the sunset. Our guide will then take you to your accommodation for the night.
Day 2: Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
If you are interested in capturing a spectacular sunrise in Ait Ben Haddou, get ready to get up early. After breakfast, we will head to Ouarzazate. Closer to the city, the climate becomes more desert offering a splendid desert landscape. There are also several Berber villages on our way, and we will stop to see them.
Unlike Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate offers a more diverse range of attractions. First, we will stop at the Atlas Film Studios, before heading to the center to explore the city. Ouarzazate is loved for its incredible characteristics of the old era, and it is one of the reasons why the location has been popular among Hollywood filmmakers.
We will visit the Kasbahs of Tifoultoute and Taourirt. From there, we will go sightseeing to the main square of Ouarzazate. The square is lined with restaurants and cafes that sell local food. It’s also a good place to watch the sunset. At night, our guide will take you back to your hotel or ride to spend the night.
Day 3: Ouarzazate – Dades Gorges – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert
After breakfast, we will continue our 10 days desert tour from Marrakech. We will head to the Todra Gorges. The picturesque road cross Kalaat M’Gouna, Boumalne Dades and Tinghir. In the gorges, you will be greeted by the impressive canyons of approximately 1,300 feet (400 m) deep. We will walk through the valley and tour important oases in the surrounding area. You will enjoy hiking through the Todra Gorges and marveling at this natural wonder.
After the Todra Gorges, we will continue to the oasis city of Erfoud. The city has many quality restaurants and cafes, so we will have our selection of excellent places to choose from for lunch. You will be able to enjoy the traditional cuisine of the local people. Erfoud is a city known for its rich fossil deposits and we will visit a craft workshop to see how they extract the fossil from the mother rock.
Then comes a road trip to the Merzouga desert. You will get on one of the best camel rides in Morocco. It is a walk of about an hour and a half to the Berber camp where we will stay. You will climb the giant dunes of the sea of sand of Erg Chebbi and enjoy a quiet sunset over the dunes. The night will be spent in a Berber camp in the desert, with traditional food served and Berber music played.
Day 4: Exploration of the Merzouga Desert
We will wake up early in the morning to experience the magical sunrise at the top of the dunes in the Merzouga desert. Set the alarm so you don’t miss the show. A camel ride will take us back to Merzouga, where our driver will be waiting to take us on a deeper journey to the desert.
We will cool off and go to the dunes of Erg Chebbi. We will visit Hassilabied, Khamlia and other towns in the area. We will meet the nomads camped in the desert and we will have the opportunity to enjoy live Gnawa music performed by the Gnawa tribe.
The trip will continue further into the desert, where we will see Lake Dayte Sarje and several oases in the dunes. Then we will make a stop in Rissani to explore its famous soks and markets for most of the afternoon. At night, we will take you back to your hotel or hotel in Merzouga.
Day 5: Merzouga Desert – Ziz Valley – Midelt
After breakfast, get ready for a long road trip from Merzouga to Midelt. There will be several stops along the way so you can see some of the popular attractions. Some of the main places we will find are Aoufous, Ziz Valley, Errachidia and Er-Rich on the way to Midelt. There will be opportunities to enjoy the beautiful landscape and interact with local tribes, including Berbers. The oasis of Aoufous in the area is another unmissable place.
In the afternoon we will have arrived in Midelt. We will explore the city for the rest of the day. Some of the main attractions to visit are Aguelmous, the Church of Midelt, the Notre Dame de l’Atlas monastery and the spectacular Gorges d’Aouli. We will also go through the Berber villages to explore local life. The afternoon will be spent watching the sunset in Midelt.
Day 6: Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes
After breakfast, we will head to Fes, making several scenic stops along the way. Notable stops include the town of Zaida and Timahdte, before reaching the cedar forest near Azrou. This forest is famous for its friendly Berber macaque monkeys. We will take a break here to enjoy fruits and berries from the forest and interact with the monkeys.
From Azrou, we will continue to Ifrane, often referred to as Moroccan Switzerland due to its clean environment and European-like architecture. The city’s cool climate, snowy winters, and moderate summers provide a stark contrast to the rest of Morocco.
A visit to Ifrane wouldn’t be complete without seeing the monument to the stone lion in a city park. After exploring, we will make another road trip to the medieval city of Fes, where we will take walks through the ancient streets before returning to the hotel for the night.
Experience the diverse landscapes and unique cities on this unforgettable 10 days desert tour from Marrakech.
Day 7: Visit Fes with a local guide
In the morning, our tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation, and we will spend the entire day exploring Fes. Founded over 1200 years ago, Fes is rich in history and culture, offering a glimpse into medieval Morocco. We will begin our tour by walking through the two medinas, navigating the centuries-old streets. Fes el-Bali, one of the most renowned medinas, is also the largest intact medina in the world, providing an impressive view of the minaret of the famous Medersa Bou Inania.
Next, we will visit the Medersa el-Attarine before breaking for lunch. In the afternoon, our exploration continues with a visit to the Quaraouiyine Mosque, built in 857. This mosque’s prayer room can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers and houses the world’s oldest library, which includes a Quran dating back to the ninth century.
We will then explore the old Jewish quarter (Fes el-Jedid) and the adjacent Royal Palace. Additional highlights of the day include Bab Bou Jeloud, the Chouara tannery, and the Ibn Danan synagogue.
Discover the rich heritage and timeless charm of Fes on this immersive 10 days tour from Marrakech.
Day 8: Fes – Meknes
perfect for early morning photography, and you’ll also have the opportunity to capture a spectacular sunrise over the city. After breakfast, we will continue exploring Fes, starting with the Bou Jeloud Gardens and Jnan Sbil Park. From there, we’ll head to Ville Nouvelle, which boasts many attractions, including striking fountains, shopping areas, mosques, and cultural sites. The dramatic contrast in architecture as you enter Ville Nouvelle is truly astounding.
After lunch, we will go on an exciting road trip to Meknes. The imperial city of Meknes shares a mix of ancient and modern qualities with Fes. Among its main attractions is the bustling local medina. With roots dating back to the ninth century, Meknes offers numerous historical sites to visit. We’ll also explore the lively souks of Meknes. In the evening, our driver will take you to your hotel for the night.
Experience the vibrant cities of Fes and Meknes on this captivating 10 days desert tour from Marrakech to Tangier.
Day 9: Meknes – Volubilis – Chefchaouen
We will get up early to enjoy a beautiful sunrise. Photography enthusiasts will have the perfect opportunity to capture the deserted streets of Meknes in the early morning light. After breakfast, we will embark on an exciting trip to the excavated city of Volubilis.
We will spend the entire morning exploring the well-preserved Roman ruins, including its architecture, mosaics, art, and other ancient features. With roots dating back to the 3rd century BC, Volubilis offers a wealth of historical insights, particularly about the Roman Empire. History enthusiasts will find this site especially captivating, though it has something to offer everyone.
In the afternoon, we will continue our journey towards the Blue Pearl, Chefchaouen. This spectacular road trip is characterized by a stunning mountainous landscape. We will spend the night in Chefchaouen, soaking in its unique charm.
Discover the ancient wonders of Volubilis and the picturesque beauty of Chefchaouen on this unforgettable 10 days tour from Marrakech to Tangier.
Day 10: Exploring Chefchaouen – Tangier
Waking up and finding yourself in the beautiful Chefchaouen is a magical feeling. We will have breakfast and then we will start exploring the city. Chefchaouen is a city with history and a very unique place in the whole world. It has preserved its appearance since the 15th century, thus providing an impressive atmosphere. We will visit the main attractions, including the old town and the historic medina, also known as the Blue City.
The architecture and the houses washed in blue make it a paradise for photographers. We will go through the streets before going to the souks. We will visit Plaza Outa el-Hamman, which is lined with local traditional restaurants and cafes, and we will have lunch here. Afterwards, we will see more attractions, including the Kasbah Museum, the Great Mosque, Ras el-Ma, the souks and bazaars, and we will take a panoramic walk in the Rif mountains.
In the evening, we will go on the last road trip of our 10 days Desert tour from Marrakech North to the coastal city of Tangier. The trip offers stunning views of the mountainous landscape that surrounds us. In Tanger, our driver will drop you off in your riad/hotel, marking the end of a memorable route from Morocco from South to North.
Included
- Private tour & Transportation with A/C and seat-belt.
- Pick you up & drop off at your accommodation in Marrakech.
- 2 nights hotel accommodation & breakfasts in Marrakech.
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Dades Valley.
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Merzouga.
- 1 night accommodation in desert camp.
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Ouarzazate.
- Experienced driver/guide English speaking.
- Local guide in Marrakech.
- Fuel, tolls and all associated expenses.
- Dinners and breakfasts (Vegetarians are welcome) in Dades Valley, Merzouga, desert camp and Ouarzazate.
- Camel warden.
- Camel ride for 1 hour. (If you are not interested to ride the camels, it is possible to drive you to the camp with the 4×4).
- Sand boards ( available in the camp without charge).
Not Included
- Airfare (Flight Ticket)
Noon meal. (Possibility of picnic or restaurants). - Dinners in Marrakech.
- Drinks at meal.
- Tips and personal miscellaneous expenses.
- Entry fees to Monuments / Museums / Kasbahs
- Anything not mentioned in the program