6 day from Marrakech to Fes – Rose Valley and Sahara

day 1 : Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Kalaat M ́Gouna/ Rose Valley
day 2 : 1⁄2 walk in Rose Valley + drive to Boutghrarar + visit of nomads
day 3 : Kalaat M ́Gouna – Hassilabied – sand dunes of Erg Chebbi/ Hassilabied
day 4 : Hassilabied –Oasis Ziz – Fes
day 5 : Fes – Casablanca
day 6 : Departure from Casablanca

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Kalaat M ́Gouna/ Rose Valley

At 9.00 a.m. your driver and guide meet you in your hotel in Marrakech and together you start the trip to the South. You pass the fruitful Valley of Ourika and climb the road to the pass Tiz n ́Tichka, with 2,260 m the highest pass in Morocco. Right after Tichka the countryside and architecture change completely – you are in the Moroccan South! Now you leave the main road and follow the ancient caravan path through the unique landscape of the Ounila valley. You pass many traditional Berber villages where houses are still built just from stones or clay and around lunchtime arrive in Ait Ben Haddou, an old fortress (kasbah) which has been listed as a UNESCO sight and become one of the symbols of Morocco. After climbing the top of the kasbah you will enjoy lunch in a nice guesthouse with a view over the river.

In afternoon continuation to the Rose Valley – here in a small Berber village at the Mgoun river, far away from any mass tourism you will spend the next 2 nights. Be ready for a tasty food prepared exclusively from local products and lovely accommodation in a restored old kasbah. The owners work closely with the village community and if you are interested, they will be happy to share a lot from Berber culture with you.
Driving time: 6 h

Day 2: One day trekking in Rose Valley

In the morning you will go on a short walk through the fields and Berber villages at the river Mgoun. If you want, you will climb a small hill in the area from which you will have a wonderful view over the surrounding mountains.
Lunch in the guesthouse and in afternoon (if the weather is dry) you will drive on an off-road path deep into the surrounding mountains where you will meet with the nomads and finally arrive in the valley of Dades river. The nature of the area is unusual, and you will have many opportunities to take truly unique pictures.
On the way back you can visit a certified rose water and oil manufacturer.
Driving time: 1,5 h
Walking time: 2-3 h (or as you feel )

Day 3: Kalaat M ́Gouna – Todgha Gorge – sand dunes of Erg Chebbi/ Hassilabied

Saying goodbye to the Rose Valley today you continue the trip and around lunchtime you reach gorge Todgha whose walls are up to 400 meter high. After an easy walk around the gorge your lunch is prepared in a guesthouse in the middle of an ancient Berber village. You will appreciate the colourful interior, quiet atmosphere as well as delicious meal prepared by the owner ́s wife.
Three more hours drive in the afternoon and you already see the orange coloured sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Around 5 p.m. you arrive in Hassilabied a small village at the edge of desert, have a welcome tea and prepare the clothes to take with for the overnight in the Bedouin camp.
And then you start! On a camel and in caravan led by an experienced cameleer you walk for about one hour into the dunes. Depending on the time of the year you stop at a nice place to observe the sunset. The Bedouin camp itself is like a place you probably imagine when reading One Thousand- and One-Nights stories. Colourful tents equipped with comfortable beds, carpets to sit down directly in the sand and a delicious diner will make this evening to a unique experience. If there is no wind a campfire will be lightened, and you can listen to traditional music performed by our hosts. Before sleeping, don ́t forget to look to the sky full of stars.
Driving time: 5-6 h
Camel ride: 1,5 h

Day 4: Hassilabied – Midelt – Fes

Be an early riser today and get up before sunrise. Even when the sky is cloudy the desert in the morning always looks magical as the sand changes colours from light pink to orange. Choose some higher dune in the area, enjoy the moment or make some beautiful pictures before you ride camel back to the hotel where a rich breakfast is already prepared and where you have the possibility to take a shower.
Right after you start a long drive to Fes. However, don ́t worry, interesting spots that you will pass, for example oasis at the river Ziz will make the day an interesting experience. Lunch in Midelt, a small market town at the border between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas. Also you will make a short stop in the forests of Azrou, a region known for the cedar forests and appearance of magots, or Barbary apes.

Driving time: 7 – 8 h

Day 5: Fes

At 10 a.m. you will be picked at your Riad by a city guide who will take you on a tour through the most interesting corners of Fes medina and hidden alleys. You will discover monuments, traditional tanneries as well as artisanal workshops or community bakeries.
Program in the afternoon depends on you. Very recommendable is for example a cooking class organised by your hosts. You will experience shopping in the market and learn how prepare the most famous Moroccan dishes.

Day 6: Fes – Casablanca

Use the quiet Friday morning to visit the beautiful gardens Jnane Sbil. They are located just next to the Blue Gate and are very easy to find. In the afternoon a private car will take you to Casablanca to your hotel.