7-Day Morocco Tour from Fez: Ait Ben Haddou & the Sahara

The day the itinerary makes room for. With no transfer to drive, the desert opens up past the dune crest: nomad families still working the hamada, the Gnawa village at Khamlia, and the dry lake north of the erg.

• Sunrise over the dunes, then breakfast at camp
• Camel trek back to Merzouga
• 4x4 circuit around the erg
• Khamlia, the Gnawa village, for a session of their music
• Visit to a nomad family living out on the hamada
• Dayet Srji, the dry lake where flamingos gather after rain
• Afternoon at leisure, or sunset from the dune crest

Overnight in Merzouga.

A moderate day west along the edge of the pre-Sahara, ending where the Todgha river cuts through the High Atlas. Around four hours of driving with a long stop at the gorge.

• Morning departure from Merzouga
• Rissani and its souk, on the site of Sijilmassa
• West across the hamada by Tinejdad
• The Todgha Gorges, where the cliffs close to a few hundred metres apart
• Lunch in Tinghir
• The palm oasis strung along the valley floor
• Afternoon into the Dades gorge and its switchback road

Overnight in the Dades Valley.

West along the old kasbah road, reversing the way most itineraries run it, with the afternoon at Ait Ben Haddou. Around three hours of driving.

• Morning walk in the Dades gorge
• Kelaat M'Gouna and the Valley of Roses
• The Skoura palm oasis and the Amridil Kasbah
• Lunch en route
• Ouarzazate and the Taourirt Kasbah
• Ait Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar
• Time to walk up to the granary at the summit

Overnight in Ouarzazate.

The return crossing of the High Atlas, which looks entirely different travelling north in morning light. Around four hours with stops on the switchbacks.

• Morning departure from Ouarzazate
• Ait Ben Haddou, if you have not already stopped there
• Ascent of the Tizi n'Tichka pass, around 2,260 metres
• Photo stops on the northern switchbacks
• Stop in an Amazigh village on the mountain road
• Lunch en route
• Descent through terraced valleys to the Haouz plain
• Afternoon arrival in Marrakech

Overnight in Marrakech.

A day off the road. The medina rewards slow walking, and the gardens on the edge of the new town are where the city goes to escape it.

• Morning in the souks north of Jemaa el-Fna
• The Koutoubia minaret and its gardens
• The Bahia Palace and its painted cedar ceilings
• The Saadian Tombs, sealed up until 1917
• Lunch on a medina terrace
• The Jardin Majorelle or the Menara gardens
• Evening on Jemaa el-Fna as the food stalls open

Overnight in Marrakech.

The long return north, climbing out of the Haouz plain and across the Middle Atlas by Beni Mellal and Khenifra. Around seven hours, so we leave early.

• Early departure from Marrakech
• North-east across the Tadla plain to Beni Mellal
• The Middle Atlas foothills and their olive terraces
• Lunch en route
• Khenifra and the cedar country
• Azrou and the descent through Ifrane
• Evening arrival and drop-off in Fez

A long final day on the road. Ending in Marrakech instead removes it entirely, if that suits your onward plans.