1st day: Fez >> Ifrane >> Azrou >> Ziz Valley>> Merzouga (480 km)

After breakfast, early departure for Fez heading for Ifrane, a village built by the French during the 1930s with the declared intent to reproduce an Alpine resort village. We will then continue towards Azrou, a small town offering ample views over cedar and pine-tree woods and mountain meadows, which fill with colourful flowers in springtime. Travelling through the Ziz Valley, where thick palm groves are flanked by high rocky walls dating back to the Jurassic period, we will reach Rissani, to enjoy the authenticity of the characteristic local market. We will get to Merzouga in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight accommodation in a hotel.

2nd day: Merzouga – Khamlia – Hassi Labied – Erg Chebbi

The day will start with a drive in the black desert, so called because of the rocky formations of volcanic origin, sharply contrasting with the gold-coloured dunes of the Erg Chebbi, in our 4×4. We will then head for the Khamlia village, home to the Gnawa, the descendants of African slaves from Mali, Senegal and Mauritania, mainly known for their sweeping percussion music; this is where – during the first week of August – a dance and music festival of country-wide renown is held. After swinging to the sound of drums, lunch break at Merzouga or Hassi Labied. We will take the road back through the desert in time to watch the sunset among the dunes, before reaching our Berber-style tents on camelback. Once in the camp, you can savour the silence of the desert and, after nightfall, watch the starry sky while sitting by the bivouac-fire. Dinner and overnight accommodation in a tent.

3rd day: Erg Chebbi >> Erfoud >> Todra Gorges >> Dades Valley (270 km)

For those who wish, wake-up call before dawn, in time to admire the sunrise. After a shower and breakfast, we will head for Erfoud, where we can visit the fossil museum, this area being rich in stunning fossils. We will continue towards the Todra Gorges; from here, the road from Tinghir meanders through green palm groves and Berber villages until it is closed in by tall, pink rocky walls, forming a narrow canyon 300m deep coloured in incredible red-orange hues, a favourite for rock climbing lovers. Later on, we will drive to Boumalne du Dades or Kalaa M’gouna, and we’ll stop to admire a splendid view of the entire Dades Valley.
Dinner and overnight accommodation in a beautiful riad overlooking the valley.

4th day: Dades Valley >> Ouarzazate >> Ait Ben Haddou >> Marrakech (330 km)

After a night’s rest and breakfast at the hotel, we will leave for Skoura, where we will visit the Kasbah Amridil. Located in the “Street of a Thousand Kasbahs”, it was recently restored, and still holds truly suggestive and authentic colours and atmospheres. We will go on towards Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”; here we can stop to visit the Taourirt Kasbah. Feeling refreshed after this break, we will drive on and then stop again at the ksar Ait Benhaddou, a wonderful fortified village which was declared part of UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will head for the High Atlas mountains and, travelling through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 m.a.s.l.), we will reach Marrakech in the afternoon, where you will be driven to the riad of your choice.

Included in the price

• Transportation as described
• 4×4 jeep vehicle, air-conditioned; for groups of over 6 people, air-conditioned minibus
• Driver guide
• Fuel and transportation costs
• 2 nights at a hotel/riad with half board (breakfast and dinner); accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
• 1 night in the desert in a tented camp (dinner and overnight accommodation)
• Camel ride to and from the camp
• Exclusive service (not accompanied by other visitors)

Not included in the price

• Flights from and to your country
• Lunch meals
• Beverages
• Sightseeing admission tickets
• Tips and personal expenses
• All that is not included under “Included in the price”