4 days/3 nights: ‘From Marrakech via the Dades Gorge and the great dunes of Erg Chebbi to Fez’

We depart in the morning from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. We will cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260 m), offering breathtaking views. The scenic route passes through oak forests and walnut groves, Berber villages with stone and mud-brick houses, and pastures where goats and sheep graze. After crossing the pass, we descend into the lunar landscapes of the Lesser Atlas Mountains and arrive in Ouarzazate, where we visit the Taourirt Kasbah, and continue through the Draa Valley. The waters from the High Atlas have created a long oasis stretching from Ouarzazate to M’Hamid, with the most luxuriant section, featuring millions of date palms, located between Agdz and Zagora. Zagora dates are of particularly high quality and can be purchased throughout the area during the harvest season from September to December—be sure to try this exceptional fruit. At the end of the Draa Valley, we reach M’Hamid, a small outpost in the Sahara Desert, where our tented camp awaits. You can admire the sunset from the back of a dromedary, experience traditional nomad hospitality, enjoy a typical dinner, and spend the night in the camp.

After breakfast at the riad, we set off on an excursion to the Dades Gorge. Accompanied by your guide, we enjoy a 2-hour walk along the gorges and canyons, reaching the oasis for an open-air lunch before returning to the riad. Dinner and overnight stay in the riad.

After breakfast, we head to the Todra Gorge, a natural marvel with pink and grey cliffs reaching skyward. It’s a perfect spot for a break and a peaceful walk. From there, we travel to the nearby village of Erfoud for lunch. This area features centuries-old horizontal wells called Qanàh, which were once used to irrigate the desert. After lunch, we continue to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes, where we admire a breathtaking sunset from the back of a dromedary. The pink-golden dunes (erg) reach heights of up to 160 meters and constantly shift their shapes. Overnight is in a luxury desert tented camp, featuring a traditional Berber dinner and music. Don’t forget to marvel at the stars under the vast desert sky. The evening offers first-class Berber hospitality, including the traditional mint tea ritual, dinner, music, and stargazing.