Easter in Morocco: 7 Days from Marrakech to Fez

Trip overview

An Easter week crossing Morocco from Marrakech to Fez: the Atlas, the Dades, a night in the Merzouga dunes and the Fez medina, private or in a group.

• Duration7 days / 6 nights
• Starts inMarrakech
• GroupPrivate or shared · 1–16 people
• DifficultyEasy
• LanguageEspañol
• DeparturesDaily departures all year round

Highlights

• Marrakech to Fez in one week
• Guided visits of Marrakech and the Fez medina
• Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou
• Dades Valley and Todra Gorge in spring
• Camel ride and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes
• Middle Atlas and the Azrou cedars
• Private or group departures during Easter week
• Mild temperatures and green valleys

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech

   We pick you up at Marrakech airport and take you to your riad or hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you rest or head out for a first look around.

   Late in the afternoon Jemaa el Fna square fills with food stalls, musicians, storytellers and women doing henna; if one takes your hand without asking, she'll ask you for money afterwards. From a nearby terrace you can see the Koutoubia lit up. If you arrive early, there's time to visit the Menara gardens or the Majorelle. We explain the plan for the week on WhatsApp.

   Riad or hotel in Marrakech

2. 2

   Day 2: Guided visit of Marrakech

   After breakfast an official Spanish-speaking guide takes you round historic Marrakech. We start at the Koutoubia and continue to the Bahia Palace, with its gardens and painted ceilings, and the 16th-century Saadian Tombs.

   Then we go into the souks of the dyers, the spice sellers and the metal and leather workers. The guide explains each trade and how to haggle. The afternoon is free for the Majorelle Garden, a hammam or going back to the square. At Easter the city is packed, so it's best to start early.

   Riad or hotel in MarrakechBreakfast

3. 3

   Day 3: Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Aït Ben Haddou – Dades Valley

   We leave early for the High Atlas. In spring the slopes are green, there may be almond trees in blossom and there's usually some snow left on the peaks. We cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres, with stops at viewpoints.

   At Aït Ben Haddou you visit the kasbah with a local guide and we have lunch looking out at the ksar. In the afternoon we pass Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Valley of the Roses, where the rose bushes start to bud in April, and reach the Dades. It's about 8 hours with stops. Dinner and overnight in a hotel with views over the valley.

   Hotel in the Dades ValleyBreakfast and dinner

4. 4

   Day 4: Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Merzouga

   In the morning we go up to the viewpoints over the Aït Ouglif bends and carry on to Tinghir and its palm grove. We walk through the Todra Gorge, where the river runs between 300-metre rock walls.

   In the afternoon we cross Alnif and Rissani to Merzouga. At the Erg Chebbi dunes you get on the camel and ride into the desert to watch the sunset from a dune. At the camp there's dinner and Berber music by the fire. In spring the night is cool, but with a jacket you'll be comfortable.

   Camp in the Erg Chebbi dunesBreakfast and dinner

5. 5

   Day 5: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Ifrane – Fez

   We get up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, ride the camels back to the village and have breakfast and a shower there. Then we head north.

   We drive through the Ziz Valley, with its canyon and palm grove, and have lunch in Midelt, at the foot of the eastern High Atlas. In the afternoon we cross the Middle Atlas through the Azrou cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques, and Ifrane. We reach Fez at sunset, after about 470 kilometres and around 8 hours with stops. It's the longest day in the car. Overnight in a riad in the medina or a hotel in the new town.

   Riad or hotel in FezBreakfast

6. 6

   Day 6: Guided visit of Fez

   Today you explore Fez el Bali, the largest medieval medina in the Arab world, with an official Spanish-speaking guide. We go in through Bab Bou Jeloud, the blue gate, and see the Bou Inania madrasa, the Nejjarine fountain, the outside of Al Qarawiyyin university and the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II.

   You see the Chouara tanneries from the terraces of the leather shops, where they'll try to sell you something; looking doesn't oblige you to buy. We also go into ceramics and weaving workshops. In the afternoon, if you like, we go up to the Marinid tombs to see the medina at sunset. Dinner at your own expense.

   Riad or hotel in FezBreakfast

7. 7

   Day 7: Departure from Fez

   Breakfast and free time until the transfer. You can go back into the medina for some last shopping or see the Royal Palace from outside and the old Jewish quarter, the Mellah.

   We take you to Fez airport, which has direct flights to several Spanish cities, or to the train station if you're carrying on to Rabat, Casablanca or Tangier. If you're flying from Marrakech, we arrange the transfer or recommend the train. You can also extend with a night in Chefchaouen, about 4 hours from Fez.

   Breakfast

What's included

Prices per person

Fixed price per person, whatever the size of your group.

Payment and cancellation

You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.

Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.

Extras you can add

Chosen when you book and added to the total. You can also ask for them later, subject to availability.

Frequently asked questions

Destinations on this trip