Day 1: Drive from Fez to the Erg Chebbi Dunes

Following an early morning pick up at our accommodations in Fez by our professional driver at an already appointed time, we will drive south to the Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes on the edge of the vast Sahara Desert Sand Sea. On our way, we will enjoy watching the beautiful scenery change as we pass through different natural environments. The first thing we will notice in this journey is the alpine climate of Middle Atlas Mountains. It is painted with rich natural features, such as oak and cedar trees, lakes, and Barbary ape colonies forming a splendid painting orchestrated by Mother Nature. We will make a stop in the university town of Ifrane. The visitors named it the Switzerland of Morocco. French architects designed it in the 1930s as an escape for French settlers from the overwhelming Medinas. After lunch in Zaida, a town known for barbecue with local spices, we will arrive at the provincial town of Midelt, where we will stop for lunch. Once we cross the mountains, the climate will become ever drier as we enter into the picturesque arid Ziz Valley. Soon thereafter, we will find ourselves overlooking the Taffilalet Oasis. The unforgettable scenery of palm groves, underground rivers, and traditional mud-brick architecture. Upon our arrival to the edge of shores of the sand sea, a blue camel-man will guide us to his camel friends’ caravan. Atop the friendly camels, we will dive deep into the sand dune to grasp the picturesque sunset in the Sahara. This natural show displays one of the most beautiful artworks of Mother Nature: a shadow of light pink and orange shadowing the blue desert sky combining the reflection of the golden sun with along with all these colours. Upon our arrival to our Nomad Camp fire, we will be stunned by the meditative mythical music of the nomads. We will join our Nomad hosts in their dinner. Overnight in the cosy goat-wool tent or under the Milky Way and the Poles Stars.

Day 2: Explore the Sahara Desert

This morning will give us the first chance to appreciate the glowing sunrise in the Sahara Desert. After a local nomad breakfast containing Moroccan pancakes, mint tea, orange juice, olives, olive oil and other healthy breakfast food, we will be able to spend our day exploring the desert surrounding Merzouga as we like. We can also arrange multiple activities including a visit to the historical towns and palm groves around the Taffilalet Oasis (Rissani, Merzouga, and Erfoud). On the other hand, we can take a 4×4 excursion into the desert to explore black volcanic rock formations and fossils, visit a nomadic family living in a tent, ride quad-bikes around the sand dunes. For better understanding of the myths of the desert creations, we can visit Khamlia village to surrender to the meditative Gnawa music. Alternatively, we can simply relax around the desert tents. In the late afternoon, once the day’s heat has subsided, our camel man will carry us to our Nomad camp in the heart of the sand dunes away from the worries of the world. Here our Berber hosts will cook us traditional nomad meals while in a family like vibe. They will also explain some of the secrets behind the power they hold in standing stout in the face of the harsh weather of the Sahara. Overnight in the cosy goat-wool tent or under the Milky Way and the Poles Stars.

Day 3: Drive from the Erg Chebbi Dunes to Fez

A nomad myth says that Mother Nature gave birth to two twins and named them Sunrise and Sunset. Our camel-man have a better knowledge of the timing of the Sunrise. He will wake us up to not miss a mesmerising show of Nature. After breakfast, he will carry us atop his camel friends back to our hotel in Merzouga following invisible pathways in the desert. We will have time to shower and refresh ourselves in a hotel before we begin the long back drive to Fez. Our first stop will be in Erfoud to witness centuries old mythical trades in the uncovered market, or the souk. Then we will have a break in Er-Rachidia, the provincial capital of the Taffilalet Oasis. Lunch will be in Midelt to recap for the missing myths during our first stop in this beautiful town. Before arriving in Fez, we will have enough time to greet the barbarian Apes, sacred on the other side of earth. Then we will appreciate the fresh air of Cedar forest. In the evening, we will arrive to Fez with all its vibrant sensations concluding our journey as Caravans used to do for a thousand of years ago.