3 Days Marrakech to Fez via Merzouga Desert

Day by day

1. 01
   Day 1Marrakech → High Atlas Mountains → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley+

   • Distance ~370 km
   • Driving 7–8 hrs (with stops)

   - Depart Marrakech early in the morning . Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m) . Along the way, enjoy panoramic views, traditional Berber villages, and terraced slopes.

   - Stop at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous filming location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Walk through narrow streets, admire the ancient mud-brick towers, and take photos from the hilltop viewpoint.

   - Continue to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa” . Optional short visit to Taourirt Kasbah or one of the local film studios to experience Morocco’s cinematic history.

   - Drive through Skoura Oasis , known for its lush palm groves and historic kasbahs. Take photos of the oasis and stop at scenic viewpoints along the way.

   - Arrive in the Dades Valley, famous for its dramatic red cliffs, winding roads, and ancient kasbahs perched on the rocks.

   - Overnight: Guesthouse or riad in Dades Valley, with dinner included.

2. 02
   Day 2Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga Desert+

   • Driving 5–6 hrs (with stops)

   - Depart early from Dades Valley and continue along the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs” . Stop at panoramic viewpoints to admire the kasbahs, red cliffs, and oasis villages along the road.

   - Visit Todra Gorge , a spectacular canyon with sheer cliffs reaching over 300 meters high. Take a short walk at the base, enjoy the dramatic scenery, and capture photos of the gorge’s unique geology.

   - Continue east towards Merzouga, passing small desert towns and watching the landscape transition from mountains and palm oases to the golden Sahara sands .

   - Arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Meet your camels and ride into the dunes to reach your desert camp.

   - Enjoy a sunset over the Sahara, one of Morocco’s most magical experiences.

   - Dinner under the stars with traditional Berber music and overnight in the desert camp .

3. 03
   Day 3Merzouga → Rissani → Erfoud → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Ifrane → Fez+

   • Driving 8–9 hrs (with stops)

   - Wake early for a magical sunrise camel trek across the dunes (optional).

   - Breakfast at the hotel .

   - Drive through Rissani, an ancient trading town with a lively market . Discover traditional Berber culture, spices, and handicrafts.

   - Pass Erfoud, famous for fossil workshops, and continue through the Ziz Valley , Morocco’s longest oasis with lush palms, kasbahs, and small villages.

   - Continue through Midelt, crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains. The scenery changes from desert to rugged mountains with forests and rivers.

   - Stop in Ifrane, nicknamed “Little Switzerland” , a charming alpine-style town with clean streets, cedar forests, and European architecture.

   - Continue to Fez, the cultural capital of Morocco, arriving in the evening. Drop-off at your hotel or riad.

What to bring

Photos