3 Days Marrakech - Fes

Morning:

• Departure from Marrakech (08:00 AM): Start your trip early, leaving the busy city of Marrakech. You’ll travel southeast, heading towards the High Atlas Mountains. The road will take you through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which is 2,260 meters above sea level. You’ll see amazing views of mountains and valleys.

• Visit Ait Benhaddou (180 km from Marrakech): Ait Benhaddou is a famous old village made of clay and rocks, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It has appeared in many movies. Explore its narrow streets and old houses.

Afternoon:

• Lunch in Ouarzazate: After visiting Ait Benhaddou, head to Ouarzazate, a city known as the “Gateway to the Sahara.” Enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch here. The city is known for its film studios, where many movies have been shot.

• Drive through the Valley of Roses: After lunch, you’ll drive through the Valley of Roses, known for growing roses and making rosewater. The drive is especially beautiful in April and May when the roses are in bloom.

Evening:

• Arrive in Dades Valley (320 km from Marrakech): By the evening, you’ll reach the Dades Valley, often called the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs” because of its many old fortresses. The valley is also famous for its unique rock formations. You’ll have dinner and spend the night in a local guesthouse or riad.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Kasbah Didis or similar
Luxury: Hotel Ksar Sultan or similar

Morning:

• Explore Dades Gorge: After breakfast, spend some time exploring the Dades Gorge, a deep valley with high cliffs and winding roads. The gorge is known for its beautiful rock formations, including the “Monkey Fingers” rocks, named because they look like monkey fingers.

• Drive to Todra Gorge: Continue your journey to the Todra Gorge, another spectacular canyon with high walls, popular with climbers. Take a short walk along the river to enjoy the scenery.

Afternoon:

• Lunch in Tinghir: Have lunch in Tinghir, a small town surrounded by palm trees, near Todra Gorge.

• Drive to Merzouga: After lunch, drive toward Merzouga, a village at the edge of the Sahara Desert. As you get closer, you’ll see the large sand dunes of Erg Chebbi appearing on the horizon.

Evening:

• Camel Trek into the Desert: When you arrive in Merzouga, you’ll meet your camel and take a ride into the desert. The camel ride takes about 1-1.5 hours, and you’ll see the sunset over the sand dunes.

• Overnight in a Desert Camp: You’ll spend the night in a traditional Berber camp in the desert. Enjoy a Moroccan dinner around a campfire, with Berber music and stories. You’ll sleep in a tent under the stars.

Accommodation:
Standard: Mouhou Standard Camp or similar
Luxury: Mouhou Luxury Camp or similar

Early Morning:

• Sunrise over the Dunes: Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Sahara Desert. It’s a beautiful sight as the colors of the sand change with the sunlight. After breakfast, ride your camel back to Merzouga.

Morning:

• Drive through Ziz Valley: Start your drive towards Fes, passing through the Ziz Valley, which is full of palm trees and old kasbahs. It’s a great place to stop for photos.

• Stop in Midelt: Midway to Fes, stop in the town of Midelt for lunch. Midelt is located at the base of the Middle Atlas Mountains and is known for its apple orchards. Enjoy a meal here with views of the mountains.

Afternoon:

• Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains: Continue driving through the Middle Atlas Mountains. The route takes you through cedar forests and small Berber villages. If you’re lucky, you might see Barbary monkeys in the forests around Azrou, a town known for its woodwork.

• Stop in Ifrane: Before reaching Fes, stop in Ifrane, a town that looks more like a European village. Ifrane is known for its clean streets and is popular for skiing in the winter.

Evening:

• Arrive in Fes (470 km from Merzouga): You’ll arrive in Fes in the late afternoon or early evening. Fes is one of Morocco’s oldest cities, famous for its old medina (market area) and rich culture. This is the end of your 3-day journey from Marrakech to Fes, filled with wonderful memories and experiences.