10 Days from Fez Desierto de Merzouga Dades Valley

Day 1: Fez

Pick up at the airport of Fez Sais at the estimated time by our guide and transfer to the Riad, well located and is in the middle of the medina, which is the historical part of Fez, according to the time of arrival, possibility to visit a part of Fez. Dinner and accommodation in Riyadh.

Day 2: Visit the Medina & the Monuments of Fez

After a rich breakfast in the Riad, we begin our guided tour through the new part of the city, where we approach the royal palace, Jewish quarter (Mellah), then we will go to a viewpoint where we can see the whole medina from the Torre del south and the few mosques. Then we will have to walk around the medina, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Its labyrinthine streets structured by guilds of potters, dyers, … etc, the bustle of its people will transport you centuries ago. We will notice that it is a medieval city and that time has stopped at the clock ” la Magana Bounania ” 1200 years after its construction. A marvel! dinner and accommodation in Riyadh.

Day 3: Fes – Ifrane – Cedros Forest – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert

We went south to cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach Ifrane, called ‘the little Moroccan Switzerland’ because of its great resemblance to that country. One of the animals that once inhabited here was the Atlas lion, which is why it has become the symbol of the city and to which a stone statue has been dedicated in the center of it. We will take the opportunity to stop and take some photos. We will cross the famous cedar forests and we will be able to admire the Great Cedar Gouraud, the largest millenary cedar in the region and also feed the hundreds of Gibraltar monkeys that live in the area. Lunch in Midélt and from here the land becomes arid and full of spectacular geological formations and deep green valleys, such as the Ziz Valley. We will begin to see the typical architecture of adobe, palm trees, some distant Kasbahs … we are at the doors of the desert. After an hour after Erfoud we arrive at the impressive Dunes of Merzouga and after the Hospitality Tea, we will leave the suitcases in the rooms and go up to the first dunes that are next to the hotel and we will take advantage to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Dinner and accommodation in a hotel that is located a few meters from the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Day 4: Merzouga – Nomadic Families – Riding on Camels & Night in Haimas Nómadas

We are already in the desert and today will be a day of Total Desert. After a copious and rich breakfast, we will go around the Erg Chebbi, an expanse of sand desert where the Great Dune of Morocco is located, of more than 250 meters of altitude, and we will connect by track with part of the route followed by the old Paris-Dakar and with the mountains that border with Algeria in the background. Stop in the oasis of Tissardmin where we can find a race of Fossiles that is still in this region and we will continue towards a nomadic settlement where we will know some of the secrets of his life and customs. Later stop at a panoramic point where we can contemplate the Erg Chebbi as a whole. We will arrive at the village of Khamlia, originally from Mali, where we will relax with a tea while we enjoy a small concert of spiritual music from Gnawa. Return to the hotel to leave in a caravan of camels to enter the heart of the dunes and contemplate an unforgettable sunset. We will arrive with the camels to the camp where we will stay in Haimas ” Shops made with dromedary hair ” like those used by desert nomads. Dinner and night in Haimas in the heart of the desert under a spectacular blanket of stars.

Day 5: Merzouga Desert – Rissani Market – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

‘The date of dawn’ as they are in the desert is recommended to wake up to the highest dune that is around the camp to enjoy the sunrise and the relaxing landscape that nature offers us, back in camels in the village of Merzouga. After a delicious breakfast, we must say goodbye to the desert and leave for Rissani, visit his market (if we are lucky and is one of the market days: Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday) follow the road to Erfoud where there is possibility to visit the fossilized marble factory before continuing to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. An hour later, we will arrive at one of the highlights of the High Atlas: the Todra Gorge. The channel of the Todra River has formed a parade of vertical walls of enormous proportions and great beauty; It is a paradise for climbers and a unique place. Lunch on the site and a half-hour walk would be recommended to see and enjoy the Gorges in detail. In the afternoon, we will continue to the valley of Dades, known for the Valley of Figs, through Boumalne Dadés we will stop at the ” patas de mono ”. Dinner and overnight in the Dades Gorges.

Day 6: Dades Valley – Rosas Valley – Boutagrar – Skoura Palm Grove – Ouarzazate

After breakfast, we can enjoy one of the best views of the Dades Valley. We will do it from one of the most strategic places the mountains offer us. From there, you can see the amount of kasbah and the charm of each, then the exit on a dotted road different kasbah of great interest to reach the Kasbah of Ait Youl where we will make a detour and we will look clues in deeper in the Central High Atlas, to discover spectacular landscapes. We will visit a nomadic family who still lives in the caves of the Vallé de Boutagrar where time seems to have stopped. We will see mountains, canyons and valleys and caves where nomads still live in the mountains. Arrival in the Vall de las Rosas to gather Kelaa M ‘gouna. Lunch in the village and in the afternoon we will go through the palm grove of Skoura, to arrive later in Ouarzazate, dinner and accommodation at the Hotel.

Day 7: Ouarzazate – Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Marrakech

The morning is devoted to the visit of Ouarzazate: kasbah of Taourirt, movie studios. Then departure for the walled city of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit its famous Kasbah (declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO). In this spectacular setting, they have made films such as renowned Gladiator, Obelix, Sahara with Penelope Cruz or Nile lunch gem. From the village and afternoon in Marrakech crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass with photo stops. Here, we will leave behind the lunar landscape that will give way to the predominant green, ocher colors … etc. Arrival in Marrakech around 18h. Afternoon free to discover the famous Jamaa el Fna square. Dinner and accommodation in Riyadh.

Day 8: Free day in Marrakech

Free day to practice the art of haggling through the souks or discover the most remote places of the medina at your leisure. Dinner and accommodation in Riyadh.

Day 9: Marrakech – Beni Melal – Khenifra – Middle Atlas – Fez

We head to Fez crossing the many valleys that make up the Medio Atla; Beni Melal and Khenifran, with technical stops to rest a bit and lunch for some people on the way. In summer, when the days are very long, without possibility of diverting towards the Waterfalls of Ouzoud, but in winter, the days are short, it is impossible, because it takes time, the arrival in Fez. Dinner and accommodation in Riyadh.

Day 10: Fez – Airport

Breakfast and free morning until the scheduled time, transfer to the airport where they accompany you to check your luggage and show them the door, agree that it is advisable to be at the airport two hours in advance, here and at the end of our travel services are over.