5 DAY MARRAKECH TO FES DESERT STARGAZING TOUR

Sahar Stargazing Experience

5 DAY MARRAKECH TO FES DESERT STARGAZING TOUR

For those travelling between Marrakech and Fes who want to move at a comfortable pace and see parts of Morocco that most tourists bypass. The southern route through the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge is taken at leisure, two full evenings and a complete day are spent in the desert, and the return north follows lesser-travelled roads through the Tafilalet region and the Middle Atlas before arriving in Fes. An itinerary for travellers who want depth over distance.

Stargazing in the Merzouga Desert

Stargazing is one of the unforgettable experiences included in our Morocco desert tours. Rather than being a separate activity, it is part of your desert camp experience and takes place during your stay in the Erg Chebbi dunes, as outlined in your tour itinerary.

How Our Stargazing Experience Is Organized

After enjoying a traditional dinner at the desert camp, we gather together and take a peaceful 10-minute walk into the heart of the dunes. Away from any artificial lights, you’ll reach a quiet location where the night sky reveals thousands of stars in remarkable clarity.

Our experience begins with fascinating stories about the nomadic people of the Sahara and how they relied on the stars for navigation and orientation across the desert. You’ll learn about their traditions, legends, and their deep connection with the night sky.

Using a professional laser pointer, your guide will introduce you to the most prominent stars, constellations, and celestial objects visible above the Sahara. With virtually no light pollution, the Merzouga dunes offer one of Morocco’s most spectacular stargazing environments, making this a truly memorable part of your desert adventure.

Duration: 5 days / 4 nights

Start: Marrakech

End: Marrakech

Tour Style: Private

Stargazing Experience : Merzouga Desert

HIGHILGHTES:

– High Atlas crossing and Ait Ben Haddou
– The Dades Gorge and Valley of Roses
– Todra Gorge and Tinghir Oasis
– Sunset camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
– Two nights in the Merzouga desert camp
– Two guided Sahara stargazing sessions
– Full day in Merzouga: 4×4, nomadic family, Khamlia, sandboarding
– The Tafilalet region and the market town of Rissani
– Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas cedar forest
– Arrival in Fes

TOUR Itinerary

Pick-up at 08:00. The route crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass with stops for the mountain views and traditional Berber villages. A visit to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah follows, with time to walk through the fortified village. Lunch nearby, then the afternoon drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses, and Skoura to the Dades Valley.

After breakfast, the drive east reaches the Tinghir oasis viewpoint and continues to the Todra Gorge for a walk along the canyon floor beneath its towering limestone walls. The route then heads south-east to Merzouga, arriving in the afternoon. Camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, arriving at the camp for dinner, Berber music, and a campfire.

Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast at the camp. A full day 4×4 excursion across the Erg Chebbi region: the hammada terrain beyond the dunes, a visit to a local nomadic family with Berber tea, and the village of Khamlia with its Gnawa musical tradition. Lunch in the Merzouga area, followed by sandboarding on the dunes. Second night at the camp with dinner and campfire.

STARGAZING EXPERIENCE – MERZOUGA DESERT

After dinner, we gather together and walk for around ten minutes into the dunes to a quiet, dark location where there is no light pollution.

We begin with an introduction to the mythology of the nomads and explain how they used the stars they observed at night to navigate during the day.

Using a professional laser pointer, we guide you through the night sky, introducing the most important stars and constellations.

Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga

Sunrise and breakfast at the camp. The drive north begins at Rissani, the historic capital of the Tafilalet and site of a busy traditional souk where local craftspeople and regional traders gather. The route continues through the Tafilalet region and enters the Ziz Valley, a long corridor of date palm groves running through arid terrain. Crossing into the Middle Atlas, the day ends in Midelt.

After breakfast, the morning drive passes through the cedar forests near Azrou, where Barbary macaques are often seen roadside, and the alpine-style town of Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco for its architecture and cool climate. Arrival in Fes by midday, with drop-off at your riad in the medina.

BEFORE YOU GO

– This tour can run in reverse, starting in Fes and ending in Marrakech.
– The camel ride can be replaced with a 4×4 transfer to the camp.
– Dietary requirements should be shared at booking.

– Pick-up at your accommodation in Marrakech
– Air-conditioned private vehicle (4×4, van, or minibus)
– English-speaking driver/guide (other languages on request)
– Four nights accommodation as listed
– Meals: 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts
– Camel trekking experience
– Full day 4×4 desert excursion
– Sandboarding
– Two stargazing experiences in the Merzouga desert
– Drop-off at your riad in Fes

– Lunches
– Drinks and beverages
– Entrance fees where applicable
– Tips

Please fill out the form below to contact us, and we will respond as soon as possible. For a faster response please send a WhatsApp: +212661144620 message or call us at +212661144620 . We look forward to connecting with you. Email: saharastargazing@gmail.com

How to pay for the tour?

Our payment process is simple and hassle-free. To confirm your booking, we require a small deposit, which can be easily paid via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise at the time of reservation. The remaining balance is to be paid in cash to your driver or guide on the first day of the tour, in euros, US dollars, or the equivalent amount in Moroccan dirhams.

What currency is used, and how do I get money?

The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Credit cards are accepted in many hotels and larger businesses, but cash is needed in many smaller towns and markets.

Is it possible to customize the tour itinerary?

The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Credit cards are accepted in many hotels and larger businesses, but cash is needed in many smaller towns and markets.

What are the camps in the desert like?

You’ll spend the night in a traditional Berber desert camp featuring private tents. The camps offer essential comforts such as comfortable bedding, shared or private bathroom facilities (depending on the camp type), warm blankets, and a communal dining area for meals and relaxation.

Price & Booking Policy

As a staying guest of our hotel ,hotel KASBAH mohayut, we offer you a guided observation of the starry sky after dinner until midnight, seeing conditions permitting,
at 200
Dirhams per person.
As a non-staying guest of our hotel we offer a 3-course dinner with guided stargazing after dinner at 350 Dirhams per person. Only valid with a firm reservation and upon confirmation by hotel mohayut.
For passing through guests: Price: 350 Dirhams pp. Parking of the car and a guided observation after dinner for about an hour and a half .upon firm reservation confirmed by the hotel.
Occasional drive-by’s will not guarantee stargazing at SaharaSky.
Cancellations please 2 days before arrival date as confirmed by the hotel either by email to saharastargazing@gmail.com or by SMS to 0661144620 .

How Our Stargazing Experience Is Organized

Walk through the tranquil Erg Chebbi dunes under a sky filled with stars.
Witness the spectacular Milky Way in a pristine dark-sky environment.
Learn how Sahara nomads navigated using the stars for centuries.
Guided constellation and planet tour with a professional laser pointer.
Discover ancient Berber legends and celestial mythology.
Perfect opportunity for unforgettable night photography and astrophotography.
A romantic, peaceful, and unforgettable experience in the heart of the Sahara Desert.