DAY 1: FES – IFRANE – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA

Your 6 day student journey from Fes to Marrakech begins with pickup from your hotel or riad in Fes. Travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in Ifrane to admire its distinctive architecture and mountain atmosphere. Continue to the nearby cedar forests, where you may spot Barbary macaques in their natural habitat.

The journey continues through Midelt, a town known for its apple production, before crossing the High Atlas Mountains and descending toward the palm-filled Ziz Valley. Pass through Erfoud, famous for its fossil-rich geological heritage, before arriving in Merzouga near the impressive Erg Chebbi dunes. Dinner and overnight stay in a riad or hotel near the desert.

DAY 2: EXPLORE MERZOUGA – KHAMLIA VILLAGE – NOMAD FAMILY – ERG CHEBBI DESERT

After breakfast, spend the day discovering the landscapes and traditions surrounding the Sahara. Visit the traditional khettara irrigation systems, then continue to Khamlia village to experience the rhythms of Gnawa music, an important part of the region’s cultural heritage.

Continue around the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a visit to a nomadic family where you can share mint tea and learn about their way of life. You may also have the opportunity to taste madfouna, often called Berber pizza, for lunch. Later in the afternoon, prepare for a camel ride across the dunes as the sun sets over the Sahara. Arrive at your desert camp for a traditional dinner, an evening beneath the stars, and an overnight stay in a private en-suite tent.

DAY 3: MERZOUGA – ERFOUD – TINEJDAD – TODRA GORGE – DADES VALLEY

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before enjoying breakfast at the camp. After returning from the desert, travel west toward Erfoud, where you may visit a fossil workshop or museum to learn more about the region’s geological history.

Continue through Tinejdad toward Todra Gorge, one of southern Morocco’s most impressive natural landscapes. Take a walk beneath its towering rock walls and enjoy the contrast between the narrow canyon and the surrounding palm groves. After lunch, continue along the scenic route to the Dades Valley, where you will have dinner and spend the night at a hotel or guesthouse.

DAY 4: DADES VALLEY – AIT BOUGHRA – ROSES VALLEY – SKOURA – OUARZAZATE

After breakfast, explore the landscapes around the Dades Valley before taking a route through the countryside toward Ait Boughra, where a visit to a traditional Berber family living in a cave may be arranged, depending on local access. This encounter offers an opportunity to learn about rural life and local traditions in the Atlas foothills.

Continue through the Roses Valley, known for its rose-growing villages and seasonal rose products, before reaching Skoura and its palm grove. Here, you can visit the historic Kasbah Amridil, a remarkable example of traditional southern Moroccan architecture. In the afternoon, travel to Ouarzazate, often called the Hollywood of Africa because of its film industry. Depending on the schedule, you may visit Taourirt Kasbah before dinner and an overnight stay.

DAY 5: OUARZAZATE – AIT BENHADDOU – TIZI N’TICHKA – MARRAKECH

After breakfast, you may visit Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate to discover some of the productions filmed in this region. Continue to Ait Benhaddou, a historic ksar recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its earthen architecture, narrow pathways, and elevated viewpoints while learning about its importance along historic trans-Saharan trading routes.

After the visit, travel north toward Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka pass. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of mountain peaks, traditional villages, and terraced landscapes. Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon or early evening, then check in at your riad or hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 6: GUIDED MARRAKECH CITY TOUR AND DEPARTURE

After breakfast, discover Marrakech with a local English-speaking guide. Explore the historic medina and its lively souks, where artisans sell traditional crafts, textiles, leather goods, and spices. Depending on opening hours and your preferences, visits may include Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the Mellah, the city’s historic Jewish quarter.

Continue toward the famous Jemaa el-Fna square, where food stalls, storytellers, musicians, and other performers bring the city to life, particularly in the evening. You may also arrange a visit to Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, subject to availability and entrance fees. Your 6 day student journey from Fes to Marrakech concludes with drop-off at your chosen location in Marrakech.