6-day tour from Fez to Merzouga

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6-day tour from Fez to Merzouga

Duration

6 days / 5 nights

Starting point

Fez

End point

Fez

Description

6-day tour from Fez to Merzouga starts by leaving behind the ancient streets of Fez for a fairy-tale journey through cedar forests, mountains and palm-lined valleys to the vast heart of the Sahara. You will reach the magical dunes of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, where the golden sands rise like waves under a sky full of stars. Along the way, you will enjoy local flavors, welcoming people and timeless landscapes that make this experience unforgettable.

Highlights

Explore the historic alleys and madrasas of the Fez medina.
Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains and their cedar forests, home to wild monkeys.
Travel through the lush Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and villages.
Spend two nights near the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, in Merzouga.
Enjoy a camel ride at sunset and sunrise in the Sahara Desert.
Visit Rissani and its traditional local market.
Experience authentic desert landscapes and warm Moroccan hospitality.

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Fez and welcome to Morocco.

Your six-day desert tour, from Fez to Merzouga, begins with a warm welcome in Fez, one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in Morocco. After meeting your driver at the airport or at your accommodation, we will take you to your riad, located in or near the medina.

The rest of the day is free to relax after your journey or take a quiet walk through the nearby streets, where daily life revolves around bakeries, spice shops and small neighborhood cafés. As evening falls, the call to prayer echoes across the rooftops, marking the start of your Moroccan adventure. You will spend your first night in Fez, resting comfortably and getting ready for the discoveries that await you.

Day 2: Guided tour of the Fez medina.

Today we will discover Fez, the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco. After breakfast, your local guide will take you deep into the ancient medina, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You will walk through narrow alleys filled with the sounds of craftsmen at work, passing copper workshops, pottery studios and spice stalls that perfume the air. We will visit historic sites such as the Al-Qarawiyyin University, the oldest continuously operating university in the world, and explore beautiful madrasas decorated with intricate tiles and carved cedar wood.

From panoramic viewpoints over the city to hidden courtyards and fountains, this day will let you experience Fez not as just another visitor, but as someone walking through centuries of living history. In the evening, you will return to your riad for a quiet night.

Day 3: From Fez to Merzouga via the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley

After breakfast, you will begin your journey to the Sahara Desert, leaving Fez and heading into the Middle Atlas Mountains. You will pass through Ifrane, known for its alpine-style buildings and clean streets, and drive through the cedar forests near Azrou, where Barbary monkeys live among the trees. The road crosses wide mountain landscapes to Midelt, a quiet town surrounded by rugged peaks that is often used as a rest stop by travelers heading south.

After lunch, the landscape will change as you descend into the beautiful Ziz Valley, lined with thousands of palm trees and traditional villages. In the afternoon, the first golden dunes of Merzouga will appear on the horizon. There, your camels will be waiting to take you into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, when the sand glows with warm colors. At the desert camp, you will enjoy dinner, local music by the fire and a peaceful night under the stars.

Day 4: Exploring the desert and life in the Sahara, in Merzouga.

Get up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes and see the golden light turn the desert into a magical landscape. After breakfast at the camp, you can return to your hotel by the dunes by camel or 4×4. Today you will explore the Merzouga region and visit villages such as Khamlia, where you will learn about local traditions and Saharan music, and see how communities adapt to life in this arid environment. In the afternoon you can stroll through the palm groves, relax at your accommodation or climb the dunes to enjoy the wide views of the Sahara. As the day goes on, you will be carried away by the peace of the desert and its unique atmosphere. At nightfall, enjoy dinner and another peaceful night under the stars.

Day 5: From Merzouga to Fez via Rissani and the Ziz Valley.

After breakfast, you will leave the desert behind and begin your journey back to northern Morocco. Your first stop will be Rissani, a historic town and old trading center of the region. If you visit on a market day, you will see farmers, traders and nomads from the surrounding areas gathering to buy and sell goods, giving you an authentic glimpse of everyday trade in the desert.

Along the Ziz Valley, you will stop at panoramic viewpoints overlooking endless palm groves and villages with kasbahs that seem to rise naturally from the earth. The return journey through Midelt and the Middle Atlas Mountains will give you new perspectives on the landscapes you have already seen, now with the desert experience behind you. In the afternoon, you will arrive in Fez, where you will spend your last night reflecting on the journey from the ancient cities to the open horizons of the Sahara.

Day 6: Departure from Fez

Your six-day desert tour from Fez to Merzouga comes to an end today. After breakfast, depending on the time of your flight or your next destination, we will take you to the airport or the train station. As you leave Fez, you will take with you memories of mountain roads, palm valleys, desert sunsets and the warmth of Moroccan hospitality; stories that will stay with you long after the trip is over.