Looking for the ultimate way to explore Morocco? This 5-day tour from Marrakech to Fes takes you through the dramatic High Atlas Mountains, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou, and the stunning Sahara Desert in Merzouga. Experience an unforgettable camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes, spend two nights in a luxury desert camp under star-filled skies, and discover the breathtaking Todra Gorge and Dades Valley.
This private tour combines authentic cultural experiences with Morocco’s most spectacular landscapes, perfect for travelers seeking adventure and immersion in Moroccan culture.
Your tour starts with an early morning pick-up from your Marrakech hotel. You’ll head toward the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the scenic Tizi-n-Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters, where you can stop to admire the stunning mountain views.
After crossing the pass, you’ll arrive at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, Morocco’s largest and most famous kasbah. This UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1987) has been featured in numerous Hollywood films, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia.
Following a lunch break in Ait Ben Haddou, you’ll continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” and Morocco’s filmmaking capital. You can optionally visit Atlas Film Studios, the world’s largest film studio, and explore the historic Taourirt Kasbah.
From Ouarzazate, you’ll drive southeast through beautiful landscapes, passing the lush Skoura Oasis and the Valley of Roses, before arriving in the Dades Valley for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, you’ll depart from Dades Valley toward Merzouga, home to Erg Chebbi, Morocco’s highest and most impressive sand dunes. Along the way, you’ll pass through Tinghir and visit the spectacular Todra Gorge, Morocco’s narrowest canyon with towering walls reaching up to 300 meters.
Continuing through traditional Berber villages like Tinjdad, Mallab, and Tourog, you’ll stop at Jourf to see a fascinating 16th-century irrigation system still in use today. You’ll also pass through Erfoud, famous for its fossil mines and workshops.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon. Here, you’ll embark on a camel trek across the golden Erg Chebbi dunes, stopping to watch a breathtaking sunset. You’ll spend the night in a traditional luxury desert camp in the heart of the dunes, enjoying Berber drum music and a star-filled sky.
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then enjoy breakfast at your desert camp. After riding your camel back to Merzouga (or if you prefer, you can start the 4×4 tour directly from the camp), you’ll begin an exciting desert exploration.
Today’s 4×4 desert tour follows parts of the historic Paris-Dakar Rally route, taking you to the most remarkable locations around Erg Chebbi. You’ll visit:
Berber nomad families—Learn about their traditional desert lifestyle
Tissardmine village—See ancient fossil quarries still in operation
Mfis old mines—Explore abandoned galena mines from colonial times
Khamlia village—Meet the Gnaoua people and enjoy their unique music and dance, rooted in African spiritual traditions.
You’ll have lunch at a traditional restaurant in Khamlia, then return to your hotel in Merzouga for the evening.
After breakfast, you’ll leave the Sahara Desert and head north toward Midelt. The route takes you through Erfoud and along the scenic Ziz Valley, where you’ll stop at a panoramic viewpoint to admire the vast palm groves stretching below.
Continuing through the Tizi-n-Talghamt Pass, you’ll have opportunities to stop for photos of the dramatic mountain scenery. After a lunch break, you’ll arrive in Midelt, a mountain town situated between the Middle and High Atlas ranges. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
On your final day, you’ll depart Midelt and travel through the beautiful Middle Atlas Mountains. You’ll pass through dense cedar forests, home to friendly Barbary macaque monkeys that you can observe and photograph in their natural habitat.
Next, you’ll visit Ifrane, often called “Little Switzerland” or “Morocco’s Switzerland” for its European-style architecture, clean streets, and alpine atmosphere. After a brief stop in this charming mountain town, you’ll continue to Fes, arriving in the late afternoon.
Your 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes concludes with drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes.
This 5 days tour from Marrakech to Tangier operates year-round. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for desert exploration and mountain crossings.
Choosing our 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes guarantees an unforgettable adventure off the beaten path. Unlike traditional itineraries, our tour provides a unique desert experience by taking you off-road to discover hidden gems inaccessible to standard tour buses and minivans. Traveling relaxed in our comfortable SUVs with a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll discover Morocco’s authentic essence while avoiding crowded tourist routes.
Our personalized approach guarantees an unforgettable journey, revealing the true beauty of Morocco’s desert landscapes in a way few tourists have seen.
What to Pack: Comfortable walking shoes, warm layers for desert nights (temperatures can drop to 5°C), sunscreen, a camera, and a light scarf for sun protection.
Desert Experience: Includes a 1-hour camel trek to the luxury desert camp at sunset, overnight accommodation with a private tent, traditional Berber dinner and breakfast, and evening entertainment with Berber music around the campfire.
Transportation: Private 4×4 or minivan with air conditioning throughout the tour. Your experienced English or Spanish-speaking driver serves as your guide and ensures a comfortable journey.
Accommodation: 3 nights in carefully selected riads and hotels (Dades Valley, Fes, Chefchaouen) plus 1 night in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga with en-suite facilities.
This 5-day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour is a suggested itinerary and can be fully customized. If the route, activities, or duration don’t quite fit your travel plans, just let us know. We create tailor-made Morocco tours based on your interests, schedule, and budget.
Pricing: Rates vary by group size (more people = lower per-person cost) and accommodation level. Contact us for an exact quote.
Add days to explore more:
The tour starts in Marrakech and crosses the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass. It visits Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes), Ziz Valley, Midelt, and Ifrane, and ends in Fes.
The tour includes 2 nights in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga. The desert portion also includes a camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes, plus sunset and sunrise experiences.
It includes pick-up and drop-off, private transport (4×4 Toyota or minivan), an English- or Spanish-speaking driver, 2 nights in hotels or riads, dinners in Merzouga and Dades Valley, camel riding in Erg Chebbi dunes, 2 nights in a luxury desert camp, a 4×4 desert tour on Day 3, and sandboarding.
The tour excludes monument entrance fees, lunches, drinks, and any personal expenses.
Day 3 includes a 4×4 desert tour around Erg Chebbi, with stops at Berber nomad families, Tissardmine village (fossil quarries), Mfis old mines, and Khamlia village to visit the Gnaoua people and enjoy their music and dance. This desert excursion is included in your tour package.
Pick-up is in Marrakech at your hotel or riad at 8:00 AM on Day 1. Drop-off is in Fes at your hotel or riad on Day 5 (afternoon arrival).
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