A Travel Guide to Morocco: Visiting Fez, Chefchaouen and the Erg Chebbi Desert

So you want to go to Morocco!

You’ve already made a great decision but now you need help planning where to go and what to see! Morocco is a spectacular country to visit with tons of history, culture and some of the most beautiful architecture you’ll ever see.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Morocco several times, exploring the cities of Marrakesh, Fez and Chefchaouen. As well as, spending many nights sleeping under the stars in the Sahara Desert.

» A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Morocco– Everything you need to know before you go!

For my last two trips I used an outstanding company named Morocco Countryside Tours. This is a family owned and operated company with Said Boughrara as the main guide and point of contact. Said has since become a friend and someone who I greatly trust during my stays in Morocco. The company is highly professional, punctual and very well organized.

I recommend at least one week here. However,  it is possible to see quite a bit in a short amount of time as long as you don’t mind long driving days.

Continue reading to see my customized 5 day trip through Morocco, staring in Fez. Morocco Countryside tours does offer many pre-made trips on their website. However, you always have the option to change anything around to customize your Moroccan itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in Fez

The first day of our trip was our arrival into Fez. Navigating through the airport is relatively easy and you may or may not need a visa depending on which country you are from. Be sure to check with your tour company or the appropriate websites to confirm prior to your arrival. It is also required to have at least 6 months validity on your passport to enter Morocco.

You will arrive at the Fès–Saïs Airport and make your way to the exit. Collect your baggage and head outside to meet Said or your tour guide. Since we arrived in the evening, we were taken directly to our Riad. We stayed at the lovely Raid Ahlam for the nights that we were in Fez. While the additional night was spent in the desert. More on that later!

Day 2: The Sahara Desert and Sleeping Under the Stars

The second day in Morocco you will wake up for your 8am departure to the desert. The journey from Fez to the Erg Chebbi desert takes approximately 8 hours. This will include a few stops along the way for lunch and photo opportunities.

As you depart from the city of Fez you will immediately notice the contrast between the city life and rural areas. Things tend to slow down once you’ve passed the outskirts of the city. You may even see some camels on the side of the road.

Beginning your journey, you will travel through the Middle Atlas Mountain Range towards the village of Midelt. Passing through the mountains you will see many villages surrounded by clusters of cedar trees.

Driving deeper into the Atlas Mountains you will begin to see more of the Berbers, or Amazighs. Native to this region in Northern Africa, the Amazighs live as nomads in the Rif and Atlas Mountains.

About halfway through your journey you will stop at Midelt, a village snuggled in-between the Middle and High Atlas Mountains. Here you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch and have time to stretch your legs. After lunch you will continue on towards the desert, passing through the Ziz Valley. This is one of Africa’s largest oasis and is well distinguished by the large grouping of date palms clustered in the middle of the dry, desert land. Next you will pass through the town of Erfoud before finally reaching your destination for the evening.

Camel Trekking in the Sahara Desert

You will begin your camel trek at the small town of Merzouga in the Sahara Desert. Morocco Countryside Tours partners with Moonlight Desert Camp for this portion of the trip. Once you arrive at the hotel, you will leave the majority of your belongings locked in one of their rooms. Taking only what you need, you will be directed out towards the camels. After a brief introduction you will mount your camel and begin your trek through the Erg Chebbi sand dunes.

I will note that the camels were treated very well by their handlers and there were no signs of mistreatment. This is very important when taking a camel trek in Morocco or anywhere else. Please be sure to always do your research to make sure that these animals are treated kindly and respectfully. Be sure to use reputable companies and ask any questions if necessary.

The journey is long, lasting about an hour or so. As the sun begins to set you continue your journey through the dunes. The light casts brilliant shadows across the dunes creating some amazing photography opportunities. Before the sun completely dips below the horizon, your Berber guides will help you get off the camels. They have a few boards available so you can give sand boarding a try! It was really run and actually quite easier than I thought it would be!

Sleeping Under the Stars

Day 3: Depart the Sahara Desert and Drive Back to Fez

In the morning you will awake early from your comfortable bed. Collect all your belongings and find your camel. Departing while it is still dark, you will see the sun rise while out in the dunes.

Another hour or so later you will reach the hotel in Merzouga. Here you will have a hot shower and hearty breakfast before your 8 hour journey back to Fez.

Driving along the same route you will pass back through the Atlas Mountains. Stopping along the way at different locations to enjoy the landscapes of Morocco.

You will arrive back in Fez in the evening. Checking back into Riad Ahlam you will have a nice dinner before heading to bed.

Day 4: Day Trip to Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is a real highlight to any trip to Morocco. Appropriately named the Blue Pearl of Morocco, the buildings of this colorful village are all painted in different shades of blue. The village is situated in a low valley surrounded by the Rif Mountains.

The narrow cobblestones streets are lined with local shops selling fragrant spices, handwoven rugs and beautiful blankets. Spend your day wandering through the maze of streets within the Old City and Medina. Maybe stop for some delicious Moroccan food in the heart of the town in the Plaza Uta el-Hammam.

The journey from Fez to Chefchaouen is 3.5 to 4 hours each way. Prepare yourself for a another long day in the car if you choose to do a day trip like we did. I would have enjoyed staying a night here but unfortunately we didn’t have the time.

Day 5: Spend the Morning Exploring Fez

For your last day in Fez you will explore the city’s Medina and tanneries. Morocco Countryside Tours will set you up with a private local guide for the day. Our guide was wonderful and took us all around Fez, educating us on what we saw.

Your last day is also the perfect opportunity to shop in the Souks and find yourself something nice to bring home. I had already purchased lamps and a rug on a previous trip to Marrakesh. But my friends were interested in a lamp so we stopped at a local shop so they could choose one.

You will also have the opportunity to visit a local tannery and see how they dye the animal hides. They use a combination of cow urine and then pigeon droppings to create an acidic wash to soften the leather. This definitely has a pungent smell and many of the shops will offer you a mint leaf to sniff. Be sure to check first because these may or may not be free.

Your guide will take you around the Medina, inside the city walls, and show you some of Fez’s more famous sights. These will include the Al Karaouine University, the oldest in the region, the Attarine museum and Mulay Idriss mausoleum.

This will end your Moroccan adventure and you will head back to the airport to catch your flight home.

What’s Included in the Cost?