Embark on the Epic Fes Sahara Circuit 10 Days and experience the best of Morocco. From the bustling medina of Fes to the golden dunes of Merzouga, majestic Atlas Mountains, and historic kasbahs, this journey offers a perfect blend of culture, adventure, and remarkable landscapes. Every day brings new sights, local experiences, and moments that will stay with you forever.
Day 1: Arrival in Fes
Welcome to Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco and one of the oldest imperial cities in the country. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. After some rest, we will take a gentle evening stroll through the old medina, where the sound of coppersmiths and the aroma of spices fill the air. As pigeons fly over Bab Boujloud, the city gate, you’ll feel the charm of a place that tells a thousand stories.
Day 2: Exploring Fes Medina
Today is dedicated to discovering the treasures of Fes. We will visit Bou Inania Madrasa, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and Madrasa Al-Attarine, with its delicate zellige and carvings. At the Batha Museum, you will see traditional crafts and costumes. Later, as we walk through the vibrant souks, you’ll witness the famous tanneries, where leather is dyed in vibrant reds, yellows, and greens. It’s like stepping back in time to the Middle Ages.
Day 3: Fes – Merzouga
After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll start our journey early , today is one of the most beautiful and diverse days of the trip. We’ll leave Fes behind and head toward the eastern desert, passing through stunning landscapes that show Morocco’s incredible natural variety.
Our first stop will be Ifrane, often called the Swiss city of Morocco, known for its clean streets, European-style architecture, and fresh mountain air. You’ll have time to take a short walk and capture some photos with the famous lion statue in the city center.
Next, we’ll continue through the cedar forest of Azrou, where you might spot wild Barbary macaque monkeys playing among the trees , a lovely moment for nature lovers. From there, we travel on to Midelt, a quiet town nestled between the High and Middle Atlas Mountains, where we’ll stop for lunch surrounded by peaceful mountain scenery.
After lunch, we begin the most magical part of the journey , the road to Merzouga. The landscapes gradually change from green mountains to rocky valleys, and finally to the wide open desert plains. We’ll pass through the Ziz Valley, with its long palm groves and traditional Berber villages built from reddish clay that blend beautifully with the earth.
As the sun begins to set, we’ll arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara. Here, your camels will be waiting to take you across the golden dunes , an unforgettable ride through the desert as the sky turns into shades of gold, pink, and orange.
At the end of the ride, we’ll reach our desert camp, where you’ll be welcomed with a traditional mint tea. Dinner will be served under a sky filled with stars, followed by Berber music and drumming around the campfire.
Day 4: Desert Excursion – Discovering the Spirit of the Sahara
Today is all about experiencing the magic and life of the desert. After enjoying breakfast at the camp while watching the sunrise over the dunes , a truly unforgettable moment , we’ll start our day exploring the surroundings of Merzouga and its fascinating desert culture.
We’ll first visit Khamlia village, known for its warm and welcoming people of Gnawa heritage, originally from sub-Saharan Africa. Here, you’ll be invited to enjoy their traditional music , rhythmic, spiritual, and full of energy. It’s a beautiful cultural moment that connects the desert with Africa’s deep roots.
Next, we’ll continue toward the black desert , a rocky area rich in volcanic stones and panoramic views. Along the way, you’ll see nomadic families living in tents, and we’ll stop to visit one of them. You’ll have the chance to share tea with them and learn about their simple but remarkable lifestyle, full of hospitality and peace.
Afterward, we’ll head to Mifis, an old mining village where locals once extracted lead and other minerals. From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the dunes stretching endlessly across the horizon.
Later, we’ll return to Merzouga village to have lunch and relax for a while. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time , you can ride quads or buggies over the dunes, try sandboarding, or simply relax and enjoy the silence of the Sahara.
As the evening approaches, we’ll ride camels again into the dunes to enjoy another spectacular sunset before returning to the camp. The night will be filled with Berber music, dancing, and stories around the fire, under a sky glowing with thousands of stars.
Day 5: From Merzouga to Boumalne Dades
After enjoying your last sunrise in the desert and a delicious breakfast at the camp, we’ll say goodbye to the golden dunes of Merzouga and begin our journey toward the mountains and valleys of southern Morocco.
We’ll start by driving through the Ziz Valley, one of the longest and most beautiful valleys in the country. The view of the palm groves stretching along the river is simply stunning , a perfect spot for photos. Then we’ll continue toward Tinghir, a charming town known for its beautiful oasis and friendly people.
From there, we’ll take the road to the spectacular Todra Gorges, a natural wonder carved by the river over thousands of years. The high cliffs rise dramatically on both sides , some reaching over 300 meters , creating a breathtaking landscape. You’ll have time to walk through the canyon, feel the cool air, and watch local climbers scaling the rock walls. It’s a peaceful and inspiring moment surrounded by nature’s majesty.
After visiting the gorges, we’ll stop for lunch in a local restaurant, where you can taste traditional Moroccan dishes and relax before continuing our trip.
In the afternoon, we’ll head toward Boumalne Dades, driving through scenic landscapes dotted with small Berber villages and old kasbahs. As we approach the Dades Valley, you’ll see why it’s called “the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.” The views here are breathtaking , winding roads, red cliffs, and the famous rock formations known as Monkey Fingers.
We’ll arrive at your hotel or riad in Boumalne Dades by evening, where you can enjoy dinner and a quiet night surrounded by mountains and nature.
Day 6: From Boumalne Dades to Ouarzazate – Along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
After breakfast at your hotel in Boumalne Dades, we’ll continue our journey through one of the most scenic routes in southern Morocco , the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. This path is filled with history, breathtaking landscapes, and traditional Berber villages built from red clay that blend beautifully with the surrounding mountains.
Our first stop will be in the Dades Valley, where we’ll explore more of its incredible viewpoints and the winding road that offers panoramic views of the gorge below. It’s the perfect moment to take photos and feel the peaceful rhythm of rural Moroccan life.
From there, we’ll continue toward Kalaat M’Gouna, also known as the City of Roses. This region is famous for its rose products , perfumes, creams, and rose water , made from the flowers that bloom every spring. You’ll have the chance to visit a local cooperative to learn how these traditional products are made and maybe pick up a small souvenir.
Next, we’ll head to the Skoura Oasis, a lush green area filled with palm trees, ancient kasbahs, and small villages. Here, we’ll stop to visit the Kasbah Amridil, one of the most well-preserved and iconic kasbahs in Morocco. It’s a fascinating place that gives you a glimpse into how families lived centuries ago.
After the visit, we’ll continue to Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Africa. The city has served as a filming location for many famous movies and series like Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Taourirt Kasbah, a beautiful example of Moroccan architecture that once belonged to the powerful Glaoui family.
In the evening, you’ll check in at your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate, where you can enjoy dinner and relax after a day full of discovery and incredible views.
Day 7: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Zagora
Today we explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified ksar that has appeared in countless films. Wandering through its mud-brick alleys feels like traveling back in time. From there, we journey along the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river valley, with endless palm groves and kasbahs. By evening, we arrive in Zagora, the gateway to the desert, where we stay overnight.
Day 8: Zagora – Taliouine – Midelt
We begin our journey north, taking a different route to discover new landscapes. Along the way, we stop in Taliouine, Morocco’s saffron capital, where the “red gold” is cultivated. After learning about this precious spice, we continue through changing mountain scenery to reach Midelt, where we spend our final night before returning to Fes.
Day 9: Midelt – Ifrane – Fes
After breakfast in Midelt, we’ll begin our journey north toward Fes, crossing once again the breathtaking landscapes of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Today’s drive is full of scenic contrasts , from rocky highlands to green cedar forests and peaceful mountain villages.
As we leave Midelt, you’ll notice how the desert tones slowly give way to lush greenery. Along the way, we’ll stop in Azrou, a lovely Berber town surrounded by vast cedar forests. Here, you can take a short walk among the ancient trees and, if we’re lucky, see the Barbary macaque monkeys playing freely in their natural habitat , a fun and unique encounter.
Next, we’ll continue to Ifrane, often called the Switzerland of Morocco, because of its clean streets, tiled rooftops, and cool mountain air. We’ll stop for a coffee or a quick stroll through this peaceful alpine-style town , a nice contrast to the desert landscapes we’ve experienced in the previous days.
From Ifrane, the road descends gently toward Fes, and you’ll begin to feel the return to the rhythm of city life. By the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Fes, one of the oldest and most fascinating imperial cities in Morocco.
Once at your hotel or riad, you’ll have time to rest and enjoy the evening at your leisure — maybe explore a bit of the medina or simply relax after this scenic and comfortable journey.
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast at your riad or hotel in Fes, Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to stroll through the medina one last time, buy a few souvenirs, or simply enjoy a final cup of Moroccan mint tea while taking in the city’s atmosphere.
At the scheduled time, our driver will pick you up and take you to Fes Airport for your departure. Along the way, you can reflect on all the memories made during this incredible journey , from the ancient streets of Fes to the golden dunes of Merzouga, the stunning valleys of Dades, and the cinematic landscapes of Ouarzazate.