12 Days Morocco Tour from Fes: Sahara, Marrakech and Essaouira
12 days Morocco tour from Fes through the Sahara, Marrakech and the Atlantic coast
12 Days Morocco Tour from Fes – Private 12 days Morocco tour from Fes: Merzouga desert, gorges, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen and the Fes medina.
Overview:This private 12 days Morocco tour from Fes crosses the Middle Atlas to the Merzouga desert for two nights under the stars, follows the Todra and Dades gorges and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ait Ben Haddou, then crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech for two nights. From there you reach the Atlantic at Essaouira, follow the coast to Casablanca and Rabat, spend two nights in the blue city of Chefchaouen and finish with Volubilis, Meknes and a guided day in the Fes medina.
The Middle Atlas, Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest with its Barbary macaques.
Two nights in an Erg Chebbi desert camp with a private bathroom, with a camel ride at sunset.
The Todra and Dades gorges, the Rose Valley and the Skoura oasis.
A night at the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
Two nights in Marrakech and a night by the ocean in Essaouira.
Casablanca, Rabat, two nights in Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and the Fes medina.
Pick-up at your hotel or riad in Fes. We cross the Middle Atlas via Ifrane, the "Switzerland of Morocco", and the cedar forest of Azrou, where Barbary macaques live in the wild, then continue through Midelt and down the palm groves of the Ziz Valley.
In the late afternoon we reach the Erg Chebbi dunes and ride camels to the camp for the sunset. Dinner, Berber music and a night in a private tent with its own bathroom.
Overnight: desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes (private tent with bathroom)
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After the sunrise and breakfast, we explore the area around Erg Chebbi by 4×4: a visit to a nomad family for tea, the black stone desert, old mines and the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music.
In the afternoon you have free time in the dunes, for sandboarding or simply enjoying the views. Second night in the desert camp with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: second night at the desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast we leave the dunes via Rissani and Tinejdad to Tinghir and walk between the high limestone walls of the Todra Gorge.
We continue along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Gorges, with their red cliffs and winding road. Night in a hotel in the gorges, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: hotel in the Dades Gorge
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
We follow the Rose Valley around Kelaat M'Gouna and the Skoura oasis with its old kasbahs, then reach Ouarzazate, home of the Atlas film studios.
In the afternoon we arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village listed by UNESCO, and walk up to its granary for the sunset. Night in a guesthouse or kasbah hotel, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: guesthouse or kasbah hotel in Ait Ben Haddou
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast we cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), with views over Berber villages and terraced valleys.
We arrive in Marrakech in the early afternoon. Free time to discover the Jemaa el-Fna square at sunset. Night in a hotel or riad in Marrakech, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Marrakech
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
A full day for Marrakech: the souks of the medina, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia mosque and the Majorelle Garden. A licensed local guide can be arranged for the medina.
Second night in your hotel or riad in Marrakech, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: second night at your hotel or riad in Marrakech
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast we drive west through the argan tree country, with a stop at a women's argan oil cooperative, to the Atlantic port of Essaouira.
Afternoon in the white and blue medina, a UNESCO site, along the ramparts of the Skala and at the fishing harbour with its blue boats. Night in a hotel or riad in Essaouira, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Essaouira
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After a morning walk by the ocean we follow the coast north via El Jadida to Casablanca, Morocco's largest city.
Visit of the Hassan II Mosque, built over the Atlantic, and a walk along the Corniche. Night in a hotel in Casablanca, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: hotel in Casablanca
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast we drive to Rabat, the capital, to see the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas above the ocean.
We then continue north to Chefchaouen, the blue city in the Rif Mountains, and arrive in time for a first walk in its blue lanes. Night in a hotel or riad in Chefchaouen, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Chefchaouen
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast we drive to the Talassemtane National Park for a half-day walk to the Akchour waterfalls and the natural rock bridge, with clear pools and shaded paths in the Rif Mountains.
Back in Chefchaouen, free afternoon in the blue medina and the walk up to the Spanish Mosque for the sunset. Second night in Chefchaouen, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: second night at your hotel or riad in Chefchaouen
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
We leave the Rif for the Roman ruins of Volubilis, with their mosaics and triumphal arch, and the holy town of Moulay Idriss nearby.
We continue to the imperial city of Meknes, with the Bab Mansour gate and El Hedim square, and arrive in Fes in the evening. Night in a hotel or riad in Fes, with dinner and breakfast.
Overnight: hotel or riad in Fes
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
A guided day in Fes el-Bali, the oldest medina in Morocco: the Bou Inania madrasa, the Al-Qarawiyyin area, the Chouara tannery and the craft souks. A licensed local guide can be arranged.
In the afternoon we drop you at your hotel or riad in Fes, or at Fes-Saïss airport.
End of the tour: drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes, or at Fes-Saïss airport.
12 Days Morocco Tour from Fes: useful information
With Merzouga Packages, “12 Days Morocco Tour from Fes” is a private experience run by a local Berber team that lives in Merzouga, at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The program adapts to your pace, with pick-up from your hotel or riad, an experienced driver-guide and hand-picked accommodation.
For more ideas, see also these pages: Morocco Tours and FAQ. To learn more about the places you will visit, read the article on Erg Chebbi on Wikipedia.
Included:
- Private transport in an air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus
- Driver / guide / fuel
- Pick-up at your hotel or riad in Fes and drop-off back in Fes
- 9 hotel nights: Dades Gorges, Ait Ben Haddou, two in Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca, two in Chefchaouen and Fes (dinner and breakfast included)
- Two nights in a desert camp with a private bathroom (dinner and breakfast included)
- Camel ride, 4×4 excursion around Erg Chebbi, sandboarding, sunset and sunrise
Not included:
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance fees
- Tips
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive on this 12-day tour?
The whole route is about 2,300 km. The longest stage is the first day, from Fes to Merzouga (about 465 km), with stops in Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt and the Ziz Valley. Days 2, 6 and 10 have little or no long driving.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at your hotel or riad in Fes and ends back in Fes, at your hotel, riad or Fes-Saïss airport.
Where do I sleep?
Nights 1 and 2 in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes with a private bathroom, night 3 in the Dades Gorges, night 4 in Ait Ben Haddou, nights 5 and 6 in Marrakech, night 7 in Essaouira, night 8 in Casablanca, nights 9 and 10 in Chefchaouen and night 11 in Fes. Dinner and breakfast are included every night.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. You travel only with your own family or friends, in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a local Berber driver. Every itinerary can be adapted: contact us.
Is there a discount for groups?
Yes. The price depends on how many people share the trip, so families, friends and student groups pay less per person. See our Morocco special offer for details.