5 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
5 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech
5 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech – Private 5 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga: camel trek, Sahara camp, Todra and Dades gorges and the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.
Overview:A 5-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech takes you on an epic one-way route through the Middle Atlas Mountains, the vast golden dunes of the Sahara Desert, rugged canyons, and the cinematic landscapes of the south.
Depart Fes early and climb into the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, a clean town featuring European-style alpine architecture.
Stop at the Azrou Cedar Forest to spot native wild Barbary macaques. Continue driving through the lush palm groves of the Ziz Valley.
Arrive at the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. Mount a camel for a sunset trek across the sand. Sleep in a luxury desert camp with traditional Berber music around a campfire.
Exploring the Merzouga Sahara
Morning: Wake up early to catch a breathtaking sunrise over the dunes. Eat a traditional nomad breakfast at camp.
Take a 4x4 excursion around the dunes. Visit Khamlia village to listen to authentic Gnawa spiritual music, and meet local nomad families.
Spend a second, relaxed night at a desert resort or auberge on the edge of the dunes to fully absorb the Sahara's peace.
Merzouga to Todra Gorge & Dades Valley
Morning: Leave the desert behind and stop at the traditional market town of Rissani.
Arrive at the spectacular Todra Gorge, walking through a massive limestone canyon with sheer walls towering 300 meters high.
Drive along the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" into the vibrant Dades Valley. Check into a local riad overlooking the red rock canyon formations.
Dades Valley to Ait Ben Haddou & Marrakech
Drive through the Valley of Roses to Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Morocco. Optional quick tour of Atlas Film Studios.
Tour the spectacular Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage fortified clay village featured in Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Wind through the High Atlas Mountains via the panoramic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m elevation). Arrive in vibrant Marrakech for the night.
Marrakech Half-Day Tour
Enjoy a half-day tour with a local guide to explore the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the intricate Bahia Palace, and more.
Before your final drop-off at Marrakech Airport.
Note: The price of the tour depends on how many people share the trip from your group: family, friends, students.
After the breakfast Leaving Fez and going to Merzouga, passing through Ifrane to arrive at the cedar forests of Azrou where the wild monkeys are located.
It will be a good opportunity to take photos of the wilderness in Morocco.
Lunch in a small Berber village of Zaida.
We continue the way through the Atlas Mountains, enjoying the landscapes of Medilt to arrive at the small town of Rich, Erfoud in which we’ll feel the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet.
And then we will continue to Merzouga.
Overnight in traditional riad with dinner breakfast included.
Overnight: traditional riad in Merzouga
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
We start the trip at 10:00 AM in the direction of Gnawa music. In a village of black people from Mali and Sudan.
After listening and dancing, our adventure will continue along the route of rally Paris Dakar, crossing the Desert track in the direction of the Mefes mines. After 30 minutes, we will drive through desert stones. It will be fantastic.
Midday, we stop the car for tea and lunch of Berber pizza in nomad land.
You will experience how the people can live in the desert, with sandstorms in the summer with very warm weather. After lunch, we will come back to your hotel.
Ride camels for an overnight at the camp with a private tent with private bathroom. Berber music.
On your way to the camp you will stop for a sunset over the dunes.
Overnight in traditional camp with dinner breakfast included.
Overnight: desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes (private tent with bathroom)
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast and taking a shower in your camp, we start our journey to Ouarzazate through the Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains (Tinjdad, Tinghir Todra Gorges, Boumalene-du-Dades).
We arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening/night.
Overnight in traditional riad with dinner breakfast included.
Overnight: traditional riad in Ouarzazate
Meals: dinner and breakfast.
Leaving Ouarzazate in the Morning, we will visit the majestic Atlas Mountains. Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the highest road pass in Morocco, Tizi n’Tichka 2260m high, offering impressive views of valleys, mountains and many Berber villages nearby. Arrive in the evening.
Overnight in traditional riad with breakfast included.
Overnight: traditional riad in Marrakech
Meals: breakfast.
After your breakfast or your flight time we will pick you up from your accommodation to Marrakech airport.
End of the tour: transfer to Marrakech airport for your flight.
5 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech: useful information
With Merzouga Packages, “5 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech” 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 Tour In 4×4 vehicle with A/C Driver / Guide / Fuel Sand boarding, 4×4 vehicle or camel ride to the camp outward and return,
- Also your luggage will be taken to the camp.
- Sunset, Sunrise,
- 3 Hotel Overnight stays (Breakfasts & Dinners Included)
- One Night In Desert Luxury Camp.
- Tents with private bathrooms.
Visit Nomads, - Gnawa Music,
- We invite you for Lunch in Merzouga with Berber Pizza.
Not included:
Drinks
Flight
Lunches
Route, distances and driving times
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fes – Azrou – Midelt – Errachidia – Merzouga | 465 km | about 8 h 15 |
| Day 2 | Day in Merzouga (no long drive) | – | – |
| Day 3 | Merzouga – Alnif – N'Kob – Agdz – Ouarzazate | 362 km | about 7 h |
| Day 4 | Ouarzazate – Marrakech | 195 km | about 3 h 45 |
| Day 5 | Marrakech – Marrakech airport | 10 km | about 15 min |
Total distance: about 1,032 km. Driving times are approximate and do not include stops for visits, photos and meals.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the 5-day tour from Fes start and end?
It starts in Fes and ends in Marrakech. On the last day we can drop you in the city or at Marrakech airport.
How many nights do I spend in Merzouga?
Two nights. You reach Merzouga on day 1, spend day 2 on a 4x4 desert safari, and leave for Ouarzazate on day 3.
What will I see on the way?
Midelt, Azrou and the Ziz Valley on the way to the desert; nomad villages and the black desert on the 4x4 safari; then Berber villages, Ouarzazate and the Tizi n’Tichka pass over the High Atlas on the way to Marrakech.
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, and we pick you up at your hotel or riad.
Can I change the itinerary?
Yes. Every itinerary can be adapted to your dates, pace and budget. Contact us and we will suggest the best route for you.
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.
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