6-Day Tour from Marrakech

Your private tour begins with a stunning view of the Atlas Mountains as we snake up the 2,260-m Tizi n’Tichka pass to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou, listed since 1987 and famous for its big-screen roles in Gladiator (2000) and HBO’s Game of Thrones (2013).

The journey continues to Ouarzazate, fondly known as “the Gate to the Desert”, where we explore the Atlas Film Studios and the Taourirt Kasbah. We then head for the Valley of Roses, renowned for its annual festival, and through the stunning Dades Gorges, where you spend the night at a traditional riad or hotel — comfortable and hospitable, with dinner and breakfast included.

We continue with the Todra Gorge, a lively, narrow canyon loved by outdoor enthusiasts. Then we drive through the Ziz Valley to Erfoud via Tinjdad — an oasis town known as the gateway to the stunning Erg Chebbi dunes, and for its unique fossils and the workshops that craft them.

While there, we visit a local fossil workshop that produces artisan pieces and furniture. Then get ready for an exhilarating drive across the open Sahara to Merzouga.

At the edge of the golden dunes, you trade the vehicle for the ships of the desert — camels — and cruise into the dunes with experienced guides. A date-fruit break comes with one of the most stunning sunset scenes as the light fades and the sand changes colour; you can even try sandboarding.

Arriving at a well-equipped Merzouga desert camp, you sleep in tents like those used by the Berbers, the indigenous people of the region.

The evening is one to remember: a traditional Berber dinner under the stars, followed by tribal drums around a desert campfire.

Day three is yours to explore the Merzouga desert. Do your own thing — trek with camels or tour by 4×4. We also stop at Khamlia village, well known for its folklore and Gnawa music.

The 4×4 adventure continues to Mifis, an abandoned town with old lead mines that supplied many minerals in the days of the French colonial period.

And we can’t pass up the hospitality of a generous nomad family living among the dunes of the Merzouga Sahara. You spend the night at a riad or hotel in the Merzouga region.

After breakfast at the hotel, we pass through Rissani and its souk — the largest marketplace in the region — then reach Midelt in the Atlas Mountains via the Ziz Valley and its palm groves.

We take a lunch break at a local restaurant before heading for the Azrou cedar forest and its Barbary apes. Then we continue towards Fes, where we spend the night.

Along the way, we explore Ifrane, a spotless town of magnificent architecture and lush gardens — and a favourite of ski lovers thanks to its big resort, Michlifen. Its character and setting have earned it the name “the Switzerland of Morocco”.

Your sightseeing begins with a local guide, who shows you one of Morocco’s most ancient cities through its winding streets and narrow alleys.

Fes is called the scientific city: it hosts Al Karaouine, the longest-running university on earth. The city has three distinct areas, starting with Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

Fes el-Jdid — “new Fes” — holds over 8,500 small alleys and streets backed by tall walls, and is home to the Jewish quarter. In stark contrast stands the Ville Nouvelle, the modern district built during the French period. This mix of architecture and history is what makes Fes truly unique.

Your guided tour includes the tanneries, the Attarine Museum, and the Moulay Idriss mausoleum. Along the way, you can visit a variety of cooperatives, each giving you a window into the local economy and its products. The tour ends with an amazing panoramic view over the whole medina.

After the tour and lunch, we head to Casablanca — Morocco’s biggest city and its economic powerhouse — for dinner and the night.

Today we visit the main attractions and monuments of Casablanca, including the Hassan II Mosque, before heading back to the red city of Marrakech, where your six-day trip ends with a drop-off at your hotel or the airport.