Marrakech to Fes 4 days desert trip
Mountain scenery, ancient kasbahs and two nights in the Sahara, on a private journey that ends in Fes.
- Duration4 days, 3 nights
- RouteMarrakech to Fes, door to door
- Travel style100% private, just your group
- VehiclePrivate 4×4 or minivan
From Marrakech to Fes, through the Sahara
Our Marrakech to Fes 4 days desert trip is a private journey across the High Atlas, through the kasbahs and gorges of the south and deep into the Sahara, with two nights in the desert before the scenic drive north to Fes.
- Tizi n’Tichka passA scenic crossing of the High Atlas at 2,260 m, with photo stops along the way.
- Aït Ben Haddou and AmridilThe UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou and the Amridil Kasbah in Skoura.
- Dades and Todra gorgesThe Monkey Fingers rock formations of the Dades Valley and the sheer 300 m walls of the Todra Gorge.
- Two nights in the SaharaOne night in a luxury desert camp and one in a hotel at the edge of the dunes.
- Nomadic encountersVisit a nomadic family and hear Gnaoua music in the village of Khamlia.
- Middle Atlas and cedar forestsThe Ziz Valley, Midelt and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques.
Your Marrakech to Fes trip, day by day
Every stop can be adjusted. Linger longer, skip a visit or add a walk: your driver adapts the plan on the day.
- Marrakech
- Tizi n’Tichka
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Dades ValleyNight 1
- Todra Gorge
- Merzouga campNight 2
- Khamlia
- Merzouga hotelNight 3
- Ziz Valley
- Midelt
- Azrou
- Fes
Day 1
Marrakech to the Dades Valley, via the High Atlas and Aït Ben Haddou
Your Marrakech to Fes 4 days desert trip begins with a drive across the High Atlas Mountains, on the winding roads of the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres. Our first major stop is the world-renowned Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its preservation and its Hollywood history.
We continue past Ouarzazate to the Skoura oasis and its Amridil Kasbah, then through the Valley of the Roses, following the Dades River to the spectacular rock formations of the Dades Gorges for your first night.
Overnight in a traditional riad in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast
Day 2
Dades Valley to Merzouga, via the Todra Gorge
Today we head for the Sahara. We stop at the Todra Gorge, where 300-metre cliffs create a cool, shaded canyon for a morning walk. The landscape turns drier as we pass through Tinejdad and Erfoud.
By late afternoon we reach the edge of the Merzouga dunes, where you’ll mount your camel for a trek into the Erg Chebbi sea of sand. Experience the silence of the desert as the sun sets, then enjoy a festive dinner and Berber drumming at our luxury desert camp.
Overnight in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast
Day 3
A day in the Sahara: nomads, Khamlia and desert life
This day is dedicated to uncovering the secrets of the Sahara. We drive off-road to meet a nomadic family in their traditional tent and learn about their centuries-old way of life, then visit the village of Khamlia to hear soulful Gnaoua music performed by locals.
After a traditional “Berber pizza” lunch, we explore the palm groves and the seasonal lake of Merzouga. The afternoon is free to climb the highest dunes, try sandboarding, or simply relax at your hotel on the edge of the dunes.
Overnight in a riad or hotel in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast
Day 4
Merzouga to Fes, via the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the cedar forests
On the last day of your Marrakech to Fes 4 days desert trip, we leave the desert and travel north through the wide Ziz Valley, one of Morocco’s most productive date-growing regions. We cross the Middle Atlas and stop for lunch in Midelt, a town known for its apples.
As the landscape turns green, we enter the cedar forests of Azrou, where we often see wild Barbary macaques. After a last stop in Ifrane, a clean, alpine-style town, we descend to Fes, where your driver drops you off at your accommodation.
Clear from the start
Here is exactly what your quote covers, and what it doesn’t.
Included
- Private air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- All fuel and transportation costs
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes
- 1 night in a traditional riad in the Dades Valley
- 1 night in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga
- 1 night in a riad or hotel in Merzouga
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Flexible photo stops along the route
- Bottled water in the vehicle every day
- All local taxes
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Personal expenses and tips
Before you go
The questions travelers ask most about this trip.
Is this a fully private tour?
Yes. All our departures are private, so you have your driver’s full attention and a flexible schedule.
Why choose 4 days instead of 3?
This itinerary means fewer driving hours each day than a 3-day trip, plus a full day in the Sahara, which makes it ideal for families and photographers.
What food is served in the desert?
Traditional Moroccan cuisine, including tagines, couscous and fresh salads. Vegetarian and vegan options are available on request.
Can we add more activities?
Certainly. On Day 3 we can arrange quad biking or buggy rides in the dunes for an extra dose of adventure.
Is there Wi-Fi along the way?
Most riads have good Wi-Fi, but the connection at the desert camp is limited: the perfect chance to unplug.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes for the gorges, sunscreen and a hat for the Sahara day, and warm layers for the desert nights.
Can I change this itinerary?
Yes. Add extra nights in the Sahara or a mountain trek, or start and end in other cities. Every trip is private, so we shape it around you.
When is the best time to go?
October to April is the most comfortable season. Summer days in the desert are very hot and winter nights can be cold, so we’ll help you plan around the weather.
Request this trip, or make it yours
If this trip doesn’t quite fit your schedule, we can tailor every detail, from extra nights in the Sahara to mountain treks. Tell me what you have in mind and I’ll design it around your pace and interests.
- Camps and riads we’ve checked personally
- No forced shopping stops, ever
- 100% Berber-owned: what you pay stays in Morocco
Request this tour
Share your dates and group size, and I’ll reply with a tailored quote for this trip.
Free and with no obligation. Nothing is booked until you confirm.
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Every tour is private and can be tailored to your pace and interests.