Marrakech – Dades – Chebbi - Fez
Private Tour – dates to suit you
Depending on your available time the trip from Marrakech to Fez via Erg Chebbi (or Fez to Marrakech) can be undertaken in 3 or 4 days. Both tours spend one night in the desert at a luxury desert camp. There are so many things to see and do en route, that spending one or two nights on the journey enables you to really savour and enjoy the unique drive through rural Morocco. The scenery is spectacular and there are many sites to visit en route. There are some lovely walks from your guest house at both Dades and Skoura
The luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has been chosen due to its location which is well away from other camps in a tranquil setting directly facing the dunes. The tents are well appointed and each feature a private en suite bathroom. The camp is a good place to walk and enjoy your own private sunset. Camel rides can be taken in the morning or evening from the camp. The food is excellent.
At the camp breakfast and dinner (excluding drinks), camel treks, sand boarding and evening entertainment are included. At the guest houses en route breakfast and dinner (excluding drinks) are included.
The transport for your tour is private in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with a charismatic and responsible English-speaking driver. Because your trip is private you may stop wherever you like en route for sightseeing, photography and refreshments. Whilst your driver will be highly experienced and knows the best places to stop, it’s your trip and he will always adapt it according to your interests.
Sample Desert Itineraries
3 days / 2 nights trip from Marrakech to Fez via Dades and Erg Chebbi.
Day 1: Dades Gorge
Depart from Marrakech at about 8.30am. Overnight at a unique guest house in Dades Gorge. The drive is about 6 hours plus stops via the High Atlas Mountains and over the Tiz n’Tichka pass, the stunning Ounila Valley and Kasbah of Telouet, the UNESCO heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou the administrative town of Ouarzazate, (which houses a couple of film studios) the oasis of Skoura and its well preserved Kasbah Amridil.
The highlights of this day are the wonderful views of the High Atlas and the Berber Villages in the Ounila Valley with their ancient kasbahs dotted around the palm laden oases. There are endless photo opportunities and you may stop wherever you are inspired. The Glaoui (who was known as Lord of the Atlas) inspired Kasbah of Telouet features some magnificent tile and zeillij work. The adjacent café serves the most memorable fig tajine. After Telouet and more stunning scenery you reach Ait Ben Haddou, which is one of the best preserved examples of Moroccan earthen clay architecture. Situated on the original caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara, the Kasbah still houses several families and has been utilised regularly for a procession of epic movies. After passing the administrative town of Ouarzazate, you enter the oasis town of Skoura and Kasbah Amridil, one of the best preserved kasbahs in Morocco, which also features a living museum showcasing traditional Moroccan life. Dades Gorge has some amazing rock formations, of which the Monkey Paw is the most impressive. The switch back route zigzagging through the gorge is highly impressive.
You can also choose to take a remote route from Kelaa Mgoun to Dades via Bou Tharrar, which includes about 1 hour of rugged off road driving through stark mountain scenery. On this route you should also encounter nomads going about their traditional way of life.
The guest house in Dades Gorge is gorgeous, with a stunning location, individually styled and decorated rooms and a classy restaurant.
Day 2: Desert Camp
Depart after breakfast. The trip to your camp at Erg Chebbi is about 5 hours, so you have plenty of time to divert at Tinghir to Todra Gorge, which features a 300m deep fault.
The most notable town en route before the desert is Rissani, which used to be a desert capital and important trading post. Whilst it has somewhat faded from its lofty history, the town retains a charm of a bygone era and also features a lively market on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays.
You will arrive at the camp 3 or 4 hours before sunset with time to enjoy a camel trek, walking and climbing dunes, the sunset and dinner under the stars.
Day 3: Fez
Depart after breakfast. The route to Fez is via Rissani, Errich, Midelt, Azrou and Ifrane.
Rissani is worth visiting on market day. After this the road passes through the Ziz Valley for about one hour, being a very impressive and highly photogenic gorge. After Er-Rich you pass through attractive countryside and bustling towns. The most noteworthy place to stop is just before Azrou, where you can see Barbary monkeys and also go for a lovely walk in the preserved Cedar Forests. The last town before Fez is Ifrane, a skiing centre, more akin to Switzerland than Morocco. This area is agriculturally rich and depending in the season you can purchase apples, almonds and all sorts of fruits and vegetables, fabulously rich in flavor and character. You will arrive in Fez around 6pm.
4 days / 3 nights trip Marrakech to Fez via Dades, Erg Chebbi and Skoura.
Day 1: Skoura
Depart from Marrakech at about 0830. Overnight at a delightful guest house in Skoura. The drive is about 5 hours plus stops via the High Atlas Mountains and over the Tiz n’Tichka pass, the stunning Ounila Valley and Kasbah of Telouet, the UNESCO heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou the administrative town of Ouarzazate, (which houses a couple of film studios) the oasis of Skoura and its well preserved Kasbah Amridil.
The highlights of this day are the wonderful views of the High Atlas and the Berber Villages in the Ounila Valley with their ancient kasbahs dotted around the palm laden oases. There are endless photo opportunities and you may stop wherever you are inspired. The Glaoui (who was known as Lord of the Atlas) inspired Kasbah of Telouet features some magnificent tile and zeillij work. The adjacent café serves the most marvellous fig tajine. After Telouet and more stunning scenery you reach Ait Ben Haddou, which is one of the best preserved examples of Moroccan earthen clay architecture. Situated on the original caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara, the Kasbah still houses several families and has been utilised regularly for an endless procession of epic movies. After passing the administrative town of Ouarzazate, you enter the oasis town of Skoura and Kasbah Amridil, one of the best preserved kasbahs in Morocco, which also features a living museum showcasing traditional Moroccan life.
The highly impressive guest house in Skoura grows most of its own produce, all organic and a delight on the palate.
Day 2: Dades Gorge
Depart from Skoura after breakfast. Overnight at a stunning guest house in Dades Gorge, which has stylish rooms and one of the best restaurants in Morocco.
Dades Gorge consists not only of a highly impressive deep gorge carved from sedimentary rock, but also some unique rock formations, of which the Monkey Paw is the most impressive. The switch back route zigzagging through the gorge is highly recommended (being 10 minutes after the guest house). The trip is about 2h30, which includes an off road and remote route from Kelaa Mgoun to Dades via Bou Tharrar, On this route you should also encounter nomads going about their traditional way of life.
The guest house in Dades Gorge is gorgeous, with a stunning location, individually styled and decorated rooms and a classy restaurant.
Day 3: Luxury Desert Camp
Depart after breakfast. The trip to your camp at Erg Chebbi is about 4 hours, so you have plenty of time to divert at Tinghir to Todra Gorge, which features a 300m deep fault.
The most notable town en route before the desert is Rissani, which used to be a desert capital and important trading post. Whilst it has somewhat faded from its lofty history, the town retains a charm of a bygone era and also features a lively market on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays.
You will arrive at the camp 3 or 4 hours before the sun goes down so will have to time to enjoy a camel trek, walking and climbing the dunes, sunset and dinner under the stars.
Day 4: Fez
Depart after breakfast. The route to Fez is via Rissani, Errich, Midelt, Azrou and Ifrane.
Rissani is worth visiting on market day. After this, the road passes through the Ziz Valley,a very impressive and highly photogenic gorge. After Er-Rich you pass through attractive countryside and bustling towns. The most noteworthy place to stop is just before Azrou, where you can see Barbary monkeys and also go for a lovely walk in the preserved Cedar Forests. The last town before Fez is Ifrane, a skiing centre, more akin to Switzerland than Morocco. This area is agriculturally rich and depending in the season you can purchase apples, almonds and all sorts of fruits and vegetables, fabulously rich in flavour and character. You will arrive in Fez around 6pm.