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The adventure begins with your departure from Fes, traveling through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first stop is Ifrane, often called “Little Switzerland” due to its alpine-style architecture, clean streets, and lush greenery. This charming town is a serene introduction to the journey, offering a refreshing contrast to the desert landscapes to come. Afterward, you’ll continue to Azrou, a picturesque Berber town nestled in the heart of the Cedar forests. Here, you’ll get a chance to spot the Barbary apes, which are known to roam freely in the forests, adding a special wildlife experience to your day.
From Azrou, you’ll head south through the scenic Ziz Valley, where you can admire the stunning views of the lush palm groves stretching across the desert landscape. As you approach Merzouga, the landscape transforms into the vast, golden sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi. In Merzouga, you’ll swap your vehicle for a camel and embark on a camel trek into the heart of the desert. As the sun sets behind the dunes, you’ll witness the desert’s shifting colors. In the evening, you’ll arrive at a Berber desert camp, where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan music around a campfire under a blanket of stars.
Start the day early with a mesmerizing sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes, as the first light of day brings the desert to life with changing colors across the sand. After returning to Merzouga by camel, you’ll travel toward Rissani, an ancient town that was once the capital of the Tafilalet region and a major trading hub. Rissani is home to a lively market, where you can see locals trading goods such as spices, dates, and traditional crafts. From Rissani, continue your journey through the Touroug Oasis, a peaceful area dotted with palm groves and providing a refreshing stop before heading to the Todra Gorge. The Todra Gorge is a dramatic natural wonder, with towering rock cliffs that rise to over 300 meters high, creating an awe-inspiring canyon.
You’ll have the opportunity to take a short hike through the gorge, following the river that runs through it, before continuing to Dades Gorge. The Dades Gorge is known for its unique rock formations, including the famous Monkey Fingers, which are large, finger-shaped cliffs. The Dades Valley offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, making it a perfect spot to enjoy the beauty of nature and capture photos of the dramatic scenery.
On the final day, you’ll head toward Kelaat Mgouna, a small town known for its rose gardens. Kelaat Mgouna is often referred to as the “Rose City” due to the large-scale cultivation of roses in the area. The town is also famous for producing rose water, cosmetics, and perfumes. From there, you’ll travel through the Skoura Oasis, a verdant area filled with ancient palm groves and Berber kasbahs. Skoura offers a peaceful, rural atmosphere that contrasts with the arid desert landscapes you’ve just left behind. Next, you’ll arrive at Ouarzazate, often referred to as the “Hollywood of Morocco.” Ouarzazate is home to numerous film studios, and many famous movies, including Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia, have been filmed here.
From Ouarzazate, the journey continues to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco’s most iconic landmarks. Ait Ben Haddou is a stunning fortified village made from adobe and clay, with narrow alleyways and tall kasbahs that have stood for centuries. The site has been a backdrop for many Hollywood films and is an important example of Moroccan architecture. After exploring Ait Ben Haddou, you’ll make your way through the rugged High Atlas Mountains, passing through Berber villages perched high in the hills. The winding roads offer breathtaking views of the mountains, which are often snow-capped in winter. Finally, you’ll descend into Marrakech, where your adventure concludes. The journey through the mountains will leave you with lasting memories of Morocco’s diverse landscapes, ancient history, and rich culture.
