Marrakech to Fes desert tour - 7 days(one week in Morocco)

A weeklong trip from Marrakech to Fes across the desert through Merzouga:

Desert of Merzouga

Touring the desert of Merzouga between Marrakech and Fes is the highlight of your seven-day desert adventure. The camel ride across the dunes is the highlight of the trip for the vast majority of our tour guests that come to Morocco. To begin, the name Merzouga originates from the Merzoug family, one of the first Nomad families to settle in the region’s desert. Others attribute it to the Arabic word for “rich” or “sort of blessed” (Mrzouqa), from whence the English term was derived. Famous for its golden sand dunes, Merzouga may be reached by traveling approximately 30 kilometers from Tighmert to the settlement of Khamlia.

Hassi Labied, Takojt, Tanamoust, and many more neighborhoods are often mentioned in place of Merzouga since they are all considered to be part of the larger urban area. Erg Chebbi is the name given to the desert in the vicinity of Merzouga, where there are large, bright golden sand dunes. However, if you go farther south, you’ll come upon a plethora of other, less-traveled deserts. As a first point of interest, the Znigui desert is just around 10 to 15 kilometers from Merzouga. But if you go farther into Ramlia and Jdaid, you will discover additional deserts that provide picturesque scenery due to their proximity to the surrounding mountains.

There are several reasons why the Merzouga desert is the most popular in the nation. One of the world’s tallest dunes may be found there, making it ideal for sports like sandboarding and other extreme sports. As an added bonus, the Erg Chebbi desert is home to some of the world’s finest golden dunes, perfect for camel rides and watching the sun set or rise. Even more, you may hire a quad or buggy to traverse the sand dunes, or you can even spend the night in a Berber tent in the desert.

Marrakech

The city of Marrakech, sometimes known as the “City of Light” or “The Red City,” is the most popular tourist destination in all of Morocco. In other words, almost all foreign visitors to the monarchy make time to see the city of Marrakech. Named after the Berber phrase for “the country of god” (Amur N Ukosh), the city’s origins may be traced back to that phrase. The city was originally populated by a number of dispersed Berber groups, but by 1147 had grown to become a regional and then national power center.

Marrakech’s greatness lies in the way its many different cultures and vivid hues come together there. There are many interesting and unusual sights to see on the Marrakech to Fes desert tour: Marrakech one week itinerary through Merzouga. The first is Jamaa El Fna, a plaza where people used to gather, sit in circles, and exchange tales. Since the square’s recent rise to international prominence, Moroccans from all across the country now go there to perform or sell their wares. The greatest thing to do here is to visit a café on an upper floor and watch the area below from above, where you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the many light displays.

Second, it is well-known that Morocco is home to some of the world’s most impressive mosque minarets. The Almoravids, who established Marrakech in 1147, are responsible for the construction of the Koutoubia tower, which is often regarded as the finest example of Moroccan architecture. There are two Majorelle gardens and two Menara gardens, each with its own unique history and design. For instance, Jacques Majorelle spent almost forty years cultivating his famous garden, known as the Majorelle Garden.

To visit the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah:

Many people’s first mental image of Morocco is of a country whose buildings are made entirely of mud. Of course, the finest examples of this style of building are kasbahs. The Kasbahs of Ait Benhaddou are undeniably the most popular and impressive in the whole region. The spectacular ksar may be found on the route from Marrakech to Fes over the desert, just after passing the High Atlas Mountains. First, the family of Thami EL Glaoui owns the Kasbah.

 They were one of the wealthiest families in Morocco’s history, according to certain studies, and this later family is very well-known for their extensive property holdings. They also own several additional estates, including the kasbahs of Telouet and Tamdaght, in addition to Ait Benhaddou.

In order to provide security for its mostly-merchant population, Ait Benhaddou’s ksar was constructed with a number of fortifications. Plus, the kasbah was formerly a major transportation hub in the region. The 52-day journey to Toumboctou by camel caravan ended with a stop here, when the camels’ major commodity—salt—was traded. Since the Arabic word for salt is lmelh, the little river that flows in front of the kasbah is also named the Ouad Lmelh.

Ait Benhaddou’s unusual architecture, with massive towers and imposing walls, continues to draw visitors from across the world. In fact, UNESCO recognized it as a world historic site in 1987. Parts of other blockbuster films, including Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia, have also been filmed at Ait Benhaddou.

Ouarzazate

We leave the stunning Ait Benhaddou Kasbah and travel the next 30 kilometres to the city of Ouarzazate. Before delving into the city and its history, it’s important to define the name itself: Ouarzazate. It’s the location without noise, or the city without noise, and it’s made up of two different words: “Ouar” and “Zazate,” the first of which is Without and the second of which means noise. As the only city in southern Morocco with an international airport, it has become a popular starting point for desert trips in recent years. It lies midway between Marrakech and the Sahara, thus many people consider it the gateway to the desert.

One of Ouarzazate’s two top attractions is the Atlas Studios, which you should see if you’re there. Both the Oscar and CLA Atlas studios are located within 5–7 kilometers (5–10 miles) of the heart of Ouarzazate. They serve as the primary locations for filming and are also used to rent equipment for the crew. Tourists go to the Oscar studios instead because there are more unique attractions there, such as wooden automobiles and enormous figures reminiscent of ancient Egypt.

Some may be surprised to learn that Ouarzazate is home to the world’s largest solar concentration facility. This is indicative of the significance of clean, solar power in Morocco. Also, Ouarzazate is home to a large Kasbah designed something like a labyrinth, which is among the greatest there is to see. Great walls, towers, and over 300 chambers make this fortress worthy of a visit even if it receives fewer visitors than others of similar size and prominence.

Tour to the desert of Merzouga.

The greatest way to see the Sahara Desert of Merzouga is on a trip from Marrakech to Fes. On the fifth day, you’ll obviously do a lot of exploring in the desert and learn all about the best sights and hidden gems that the Moroccan Sahara has to offer. To begin, you will learn about the culture of the Berber people, the first to settle in what is now Morocco and Merzouga. 

Ninety percent of the current population of Merzouga is descended from Nomads, meaning that they traditionally lived in tents and herded animals. Merzouga became one of Morocco’s most popular tourist destinations, prompting the establishment of hotels, riads, and tour operators there.

Next, we’ll show you a different way of living. The Gnawa are a distinctive cultural feature of the Merzouga desert. Historians believe these individuals were sent here from places like Gabon and Mali. The term “Gnawa” may have Berber roots, according to some. According to legend, the Gnawa people got their name because they made so much noise partying all the time that the Berbers would eventually order them to go to sleep by saying, “Gen Awa.” Some think the name derives from Agnawa, which means “the slave.”

In addition, the tour of the desert will take you past a little museum in the town of Tanamoust. The owner, an Emirati who also owns the Ksar next to the museum, has a collection of 4×4 vehicles on display here. The excursion also includes stops at some of Hassi Labied’s historic Oases.

Mountains of the Atlas range, including Tichka Pass and the Toudra Gorges

One of the longest mountain ranges in the world may be seen and crossed in the course of a weeklong trip that departs from Marrakech. As they are often separated by great distances, some people prefer not to refer to them as mountain chains. You may split these ranges into the High Atlas, the Middle Atlas, and the Anti Atlas in Morocco. Algeria and Tunisia have the High Atlas Mountains as their common border. The High Atlas Mountains and a tiny portion of the Anti will be the first major landmarks seen on the 7-day desert trek. The Middle Atlas Mountains will then be seen as you make your approach to Fes.

Getting from Marrakech to the Southeast or vice versa used to be difficult due to the mountains along the way. Although, in 1936, the French and the Moroccans built one of the longest curving highways in the country. A variety of Berber settlements and kasbahs dot the roughly 200-kilometer-long route; for example, you’ll stop to learn about an Argan oil cooperative. Another halt will be made at the pass’s highest panoramic point (2260m), from where you’ll get excellent views of the Atlas Mountains.

On the road from Boumalne Dades to the desert of Merzouga, you’ll pass through Toudra, also known as Toudgha Gorges. The 300-meter-or-so canyons here are a major tourist draw. Toudgha is, without a doubt, one of the finest locations in all of Morocco for rock climbing. Having a valley in between the canyons is obviously one of the things that elevates the beauty of this location. Traveling nomads and local Berbers bring their herds here to drink, and you may also encounter some of them selling goods like carpets.

Cedar trees in Ifrane

You may see Ifrane and the cedar grove on our desert excursion from Marrakech to Fes. One of the most pleasant climates in all of Africa may be found in the Middle Atlas Mountains, where the region known as “little Switzerland” is located. The climate of this city is quite different from that of the rest of the nation; in fact, it may be the coldest city in the United States. Each winter, it is decked up for the occasion and welcomes snowboarders from all over the world to Morocco. Skiers will find that Ifrane is also one of the cleanest cities in Morocco and all of Africa.

In memory of the now-extinct Atlas lion, Ifrane’s centerpiece is a monument of the animal. One legend has it that a German slave constructed it in order to buy his freedom. Plus, Ifrane is where the national soccer squad, the Atlas Lions, goes to be ready for contests. In addition, Al Akhawyin University, one of the most costly in the country, is located in Ifrane.

Cedar trees may be seen not too far from Ifrane. This stunning region used to be home to a wide variety of species, many of which are now extinct. The Barbary macaque is a popular attraction for visitors who come to the area to wander and see the primate.

Fes

Often referred to as the “culture center of Morocco,” Fes is the country’s second-largest metropolis. Our trip over the desert from Marrakech ends at Fes, which is located in the northeastern part of the country. There is no doubt that this metropolis had a significant impact on the growth and development of the nation. Not to mention the fact that, along with Marrakech and Meknes, it is one of Morocco’s imperial cities and the present capital, Rabat.

The cultural city was established during the eighth and ninth centuries and served as a major trading hub. You will be blown away by the city’s vibrant colors and intricate architecture when you explore it with a knowledgeable native. This city is a superb example of traditional Moroccan design. Fes has 11 gates, but the one most people enter through is Bab Boujloud, which was constructed in 1913 and is considered the city’s main entrance. The name Boujloud is derived from the Arabic term bab el junud, which means “father of the warriors” in English.

Some of the other attractions in Fes are the Chouarra tanner. Of the city’s three tanneries, this one is the largest and oldest. Built in the 11th century, it served as a tannery where leather was processed by treading barefoot on animal skin before being dyed. Products were formerly colored with spices, but today’s manufacturers instead employ chemical paints. In addition, Fes houses the world’s first and only university established by a woman. As is well-known, Morocco was formerly home to a sizable Jewish population, and in Fes, as well as many other major towns, you may visit the area that they once called home. Mellah Quarters is the Moroccan term for such neighborhoods. At long last, you can find the finest Hammams in this city.