Organized by local experts, This 5 Days In Morocco Desert Tour offers an immersive journey through the heart of Morocco, combining the historical treasures of Fes with the scenic beauty of the Atlas Mountains, the charm of the Blue City of Chefchaouen, and the magical experience of the Sahara Desert.
You will explore ancient medinas, enjoy camel rides in the golden dunes, visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and interact with local Berber communities. The tour covers some of Morocco’s most iconic landscapes and cultural highlights, providing an unforgettable experience.
Arrive in Fes and meet your driver for a leisure private transfer to the hotel/ riad in the Medina. After checking into your hotel take a guided walking tour to get acquainted with this heritage site. Follow your local guide path through the ancient alleyways of the old medina and be all ears for his history and information. Peer into magnificent mosques and Madrassas to see their carved Moorish arches and mosaics.
Watch artisans playing timeless trades, from tanners straddling vats of lye to ceramicists painting delicate designs in glaze. Get to know the incredibly old tanneries of the city. Where animal skins have been tawed since the 16th century. After lunch, visit Qarawiyyin Mosque and the university, which is the oldest university in the world, built by a female (Fatima Al Fihri in 857-859).
From there, walk towards your riad through the principal streets of the Medina, thus, you’ll visit the rest of the monuments and get to immerse in a local culture. Your guide will make sure you have been and seen all the must-see sites of the city before sipping mint tea on the rooftop terrace at your riad, listening to the call to prayer echo over this medieval city at dusk.
Today in Chefchaouen will begin with a breathtaking sunrise over the blue city. Photography enthusiasts are highly recommended to kick off with an early walk to catch the best Instagrammable photos before very eyes of everyone. After breakfast travel south to Midelt via the imperial city of Meknes. Your first stop is the Roman city of Volubilis Volubilis, once a center of the olive oil trade and now home to impressive mosaics and a well-preserved triumphal arch.
After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to the farming city of Meknes, where you’ll see the intricate Bab el Mansour gateway and venture into a maze of archways at the 18th-century imperial stables.
Later, Cross the fertile plains to the Atlas Mountains, where thick forests of cedar and cork cover the slopes. Descend onto the arid steppe and stop at the Barbary apes in the Cedar Forest before arriving at your hotel in Midelt.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 378 Km / 234 miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 6 hr 32 min
Traverse the high atlas, with a visit to the Ziz Valley en route to the oasis towns of Erfoud and Rissani on the edge of the Sahara. Visit its traditional/caravan market that dates back to the 7th century. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant since Rissani town is famous for Berber Pizza, also known as “Madfouna,” a traditional stuffed flatbread from Morocco’s desert regions. It’s filled with a savory mixture of spiced meat (usually lamb or beef), onions, and herbs, then baked in a clay oven or under hot coals.
Continue to the Sahara desert of Merzouga, upon arrival and if time permits only, discover the wild Sahara desert with a visit to some nomadic Berber families on the edge of Sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy their hospitality, share a cup of tea with them, and get to know more about their lifestyle. As the sun gets started to cool off, it is time to experience the Sahara desert in a different and ancient way. Embark on a 1-hour journey of a camel ride towards your featured accommodation. Your experienced camel leader will give you enough time to enjoy the sunset and do his best to take some fabulous photos.
Upon arrival to the camp, you will be welcomed by a cup of mint tea and check into your luxury tent equipped with a private bathroom. Dinner will be served at the camp and enjoy a piece of live local music later.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 262 Km / 162 miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 4 hrs
Set your alarm for a spectacular sunrise over the horizon. Appreciate the changeable landscape of the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. After a traditional breakfast at your camp, you have the option either to camel trek back to the village or go on a 4×4 SUV.
Meet your driver and it’s time to leave the Sahara Desert and hit the road back to Fes traversing the Ziz valley and the Atlas Mountains. Your journey today includes an optional stop at Cedar Forest to see the monkeys again before continuing further to reach Ifrane City. Known as the Switzerland of Morocco due to its chill climate and alpine style. Your drive will give you enough time to enjoy the national park before continuing to Fes. Expect to Arrive Fes in the late afternoon. Our driver will assist you and make sure to drop you off at the closest point to your Riad.
Today’s driving distance: Approximately 421 Km / 260 miles
Today’s driving time: Approximately 7 hrs
The best time to visit the Sahara Desert is during the cooler months, from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for exploring.
Moroccan cuisine is diverse and flavorful, known for dishes such as tagine (slow-cooked stews), couscous, and pastilla (a savory pastry). It often features a blend of spices like cumin, saffron, and cinnamon.
