10-Day Tour from Fes: Imperial Cities and the Sahara

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Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Departure: Morocco tours
Type: Private, tailor-made

10-day tour from Fes: imperial cities and the desert

10-day tour from Fes: a private, tailor-made trip with your own driver and a flexible itinerary.

This tour starts and ends in Fes. First, it crosses the Middle Atlas to the Merzouga desert. Then it continues through the Todra, the Dades, Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Finally, it returns to Fes via the Ouzoud waterfalls.

Day 1: Airport – Fes

We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in the new town of Fes. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 2: Guided tour of Fes

Today you spend the day in Fes with a local guide. For centuries it was the country’s cultural capital. Its medina is also one of the largest in the Arab world. You visit the madrasas, the spice souk and Al Qaraouine University. You also walk through the Andalusian quarter, the potters’ quarter, palaces and museums. Dinner and night in Fes.

Day 3: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Ziz Valley

After breakfast we head into the Middle Atlas. First, we stop in Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Then we cross the great cedar forests, home to nomad shepherds. Next, we reach Midelt, an old mining town. In the afternoon we enter the Ziz Gorges. Dinner and night.

Day 4: Ziz Valley – Errachidia – Erfoud – Merzouga

We head south to Errachidia, with the first big palm groves. Then we continue to Erfoud, capital of the Tafilalt. Fossils are everywhere here, because millions of years ago this was sea. From here we take desert tracks to the Merzouga dunes. Dinner and night.

Day 5: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi

Today we tour the oases around Erg Chebbi. We visit the village of Khamlia and the abandoned town of Mifis. We also share tea with nomad families. In the afternoon we ride dromedaries into the sea of dunes for sunset. Berber dinner and night.

Day 6: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Tinghir

We get up early for sunrise from the top of a dune. After breakfast we visit Rissani, heir to the ancient city of Sijilmassa. Then we go to Erfoud and see fossil quarries over 350 million years old. In the afternoon we reach the Todra Gorges and take a walk. Dinner and night at the Todra.

Day 7: Tinghir – Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate

After a short visit to the village we take the road of a thousand kasbahs. First, we reach the Dades Gorges, with rocks carved by the river. Then we continue to Ouarzazate, famous for its film industry. Gladiator, Troy and The Mummy were shot here. We visit the Taourirt kasbah. Dinner and night.

Day 8: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

After breakfast we go to Ait Ben Haddou, the queen of kasbahs and a World Heritage Site. Then we cross the Tizi n’Tichka, at 2,260 metres, to Marrakech. In the afternoon we visit the “red city”. We end in Jemaa el Fna square, full of musicians, storytellers and craftsmen. Dinner and night.

Day 9: Marrakech – Ouzoud waterfalls – Fes

We drive to the Ouzoud waterfalls, about 150 km from Marrakech. They are over 100 metres high and the setting is very peaceful. Then we continue through the Atlas and skirt the Bin el Ouidane reservoir. In the afternoon we reach Fes. Dinner and night.

Day 10: Fes – airport

Breakfast and free time until your airport transfer. End of the trip.

Why choose this tour

You see three imperial cities, the desert and the Ouzoud waterfalls in one tour. You also start and finish in Fes. The tour is private, so you can change anything in the programme.