5-Day Desert Tour From Marrakech to Fes
Tour Overview
- 5 Days/ 4 Nights
- Start in Marrakech
- Ends in Fes
Tour Highlights
- Crossing the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N'Tichka Pass.
- Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou.
- Discovering the cinematic history of Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Africa".
- Wandering through the dramatic Dades Valley and the towering rock walls of the Todra Gorge.
- Enjoying a sunset camel trek and sandboarding in the Merzouga Desert.
- Sleeping under a sky full of stars in a luxury Sahara tent.
- Spending time with local Berber nomads and experiencing live Gnawa music.
- Walking among the Barbary macaques in the ancient Cedar Forest.
Why Choose a Private 5-Day Itinerary?
Booking a private tour means the vehicle is reserved exclusively for you, your family, or your friends, ensuring a flexible and comfortable journey. You dictate the pace—if you want to stop for a photograph of a beautiful valley, you can do so without worrying about a large group of strangers.
Furthermore, upgrading to a 5-day program offers a significant advantage over standard 3 or 4-day routes: it provides an entire dedicated day in the Sahara Desert. This extra time allows you to watch the sunrise, visit local markets, and connect with the desert’s inhabitants, making your experience deeply rewarding and entirely stress-free.
Detailed Itinerary
Please look below for the detailed programme for each day of the 5 Days Tour From Marrakech To Fes. We tried to make it very complete. We know maybe you want some changes, this is okay. If you see anything you do not like or want to change, please just feel free to contact us. We can customize the trip for you very easily. We want you to have the perfect trip.
Day 1: Marrakech ⇢ High Atlas Mountains ⇢ Ait Ben Haddou ⇢ Ouarzazate
After picking you up early from your riad or hotel in Marrakech, we begin our drive toward the High Atlas Mountains. The winding roads take us up to the Tizi N’Tichka Pass, standing at 2,260 meters, where we will pause to capture incredible panoramic photos.
We then descend to the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. This ancient, fortified village is a UNESCO World Heritage site and served as a filming location for epics like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After exploring the clay houses, we take a short drive to Ouarzazate. We will have dinner and spend our first night in a comfortable hotel here at the “door to the Sahara”.
Day 2: Ouarzazate ⇢ Skoura ⇢ Kelaat M’Gouna ⇢ Bou Tharar ⇢ Dades Valley
Day 3: Dades Valley ⇢ Todra Gorge ⇢ Merzouga Desert
Today we drive to another natural wonder: the Todra Gorge. Here, the river has sliced through the mountains, creating a narrow canyon with rock walls exceeding 300 meters in height. Walking inside the gorge is a magnificent experience.
Continuing our route, we pass through Berber villages such as Touroug and Tinjdad. By the afternoon, we reach the village of Merzouga, where your real Sahara adventure begins. You will leave the vehicle and take a one-hour camel ride deep into the high, golden dunes of Erg Chebbi as the sun sets. We arrive at our luxury desert camp, where you will enjoy a traditional dinner, listen to local music around the campfire, and sleep in a beautiful tent under the stars.
(Looking to prepare? Read our guide on what to pack for a Morocco Sahara desert tour).
Day 4: Full Day Exploring the Merzouga Desert
We highly recommend waking up early to witness a spectacular desert sunrise. After a great breakfast at the camp, we set out in a 4×4 to explore the diverse landscapes surrounding Merzouga.
Our off-road excursion includes a visit to a traditional Kohl (eyeliner) mine and an opportunity to meet nomadic Berber families living in woven tents. We will also visit Khamlia village to enjoy the unique, spiritual Gnawa music performed by its residents. In the afternoon, depending on the day, we may visit the bustling local market in Rissani or a fossil workshop in Erfoud. Tonight, you will rest comfortably in a local riad or hotel situated right on the edge of the dunes.
Day 5: Merzouga Desert ⇢ Ziz Valley ⇢ Ifrane ⇢ Fes
We start our final day early, heading north toward Fes. Leaving the desert behind, we drive toward Erfoud, an area famous for its ancient sea fossils.
Our route takes us to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Ziz Valley, a massive gorge filled with millions of palm trees that look like a green river cutting through the dry land. As we continue, the landscape dramatically shifts to the green forests of the Middle Atlas region. We will stop at the famous Cedar Forest near Azrou to see and photograph the wild Barbary Macaque monkeys. Our final stop before Fes is Ifrane, a charming town celebrated for its Swiss-alpine architecture. From there, it is a short drive to Fes, where your driver will drop you off at your accommodation, concluding your incredible journey.
(Planning your next steps? Discover the best things to do in Fes to make the most of your time in the city).
Tour Gallery
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Includes:
- Pick-up from your accommodation in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes.
- Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle (4WD or Minibus) with fuel.
- An experienced English-speaking driver/guide for the entire trip.
- 4 nights of accommodation (Hotels/Riads and Desert Camp).
- Dinner and breakfast for 4 nights (Days 1, 2, 3, and 4).
- A sunset camel ride experience in the Merzouga Desert.
- Sandboarding activity in the desert.
Excludes:
- Daily lunch meals.
- Beverages (water, soda, coffee).
- Entrance fees to movie studios or historic Kasbahs.
- Optional gratuities for the driver and guides.
5 Days Desert Tour Marrakech to Fes Price
Because this is a private experience, the price for the 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour is not fixed. The total cost depends on a few important factors:
- Group Size: Traveling with a larger group significantly lowers the price per person.
- Accommodation Tier: Your choice between Standard, Mixed, or Luxury hotels and desert camps will affect the final rate.
- Seasonality: The time of year you book your travel can influence accommodation costs.
- Please contact us with your preferred travel dates and the number of people in your party, and we will send you an exact, no-obligation quote very quickly.
Book Now
Are you ready to book this amazing 5-day adventure from Marrakech to Fes? Just fill out our simple booking form below. Tell us your dates and how many people are coming. We will contact you fast to confirm all the details and make your reservation easy.
The Tour Map
Available Tour Options
Luxury Tour Pack
- Luxury Hotels / Riads
- Luxury Desert Camp
- Private Transportation
Mixed Tour Pack
- Standard Hotels / Riads
- Luxury Desert Camp
- Private Transportation
Standard Tour Pack
- Standard Hotels / Riads
- Standard Desert Camp
- Private Transportation
Know Before You Go
- https://fantasticmoroccotours.com/best-time-to-visit-morocco/Dietary Needs: If anyone in your group has a food allergy or requires a special meal (such as vegetarian or gluten-free), please inform us when booking so we can prepare your meals accordingly.
- Weather Preparation: The desert is hot during the day but gets extremely cold on winter nights. Please pack layers, including lightweight, breathable clothing for the sun and very warm clothes for the evenings.
- Footwear: We will be doing a lot of walking across different surfaces, especially in the Kasbahs, gorges, and desert sand. Ensure you bring comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sandals.
- Sun Protection: The desert sun is intense. Do not forget sunglasses, a hat, and high-quality sunscreen.
- Health and Safety: While this trip is generally accessible, it is not recommended for individuals who use wheelchairs or pregnant women due to the long drives and bumpy off-road desert tracks. Please consult us before booking if you have health concerns. You can review the best time to visit Morocco to help plan the most comfortable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
We use modern, fully air-conditioned vehicles to ensure a comfortable journey across Morocco’s diverse terrains. Depending on the size of your private group, you will travel in a spacious 4×4 (such as a Toyota Prado), a comfortable luxury van, or a modern minibus. All vehicles are meticulously maintained and driven by experienced, English-speaking local guides.
While this cross-country route covers roughly 1,000 kilometers, the 5-day itinerary distributes the mileage perfectly to prevent fatigue. On average, you will spend 4 to 5 hours driving per day.
- Days 1, 2, and 3 feature shorter distances with frequent stops at historical sites, Kasbahs, and spectacular gorges.
- Day 4 and Day 5 involve longer distances as we head north toward Fes, but we break up the journey with scenic overlooks in the Ziz Valley and a stop to see the Barbary macaques in the Azrou Cedar Forest.
The roads are fully paved and well-maintained, and your private vehicle features plenty of legroom and climate control for maximum comfort.
Yes, the camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes is a gentle, slow-paced experience suitable for beginners, children, and older travelers alike. Local, experienced camel handlers lead the caravan on foot throughout the entire one-hour journey.
However, if you have severe back issues, physical mobility limitations, or simply prefer not to ride an animal, you don’t have to miss out! Just inform us during the booking process, and we will happily arrange for a comfortable 4×4 vehicle to transport you directly to the desert camp at no extra charge.
You will experience authentic Moroccan cuisine throughout your journey. Daily breakfasts are provided by your accommodations and typically feature fresh bread, msemen (traditional pancakes), eggs, olives, cheese, fresh fruit juice, coffee, and mint tea.
Dinners are served at your hotels and the desert camp, featuring rich, slow-cooked tagines (chicken, beef, lamb, or vegetable), fluffy couscous, fresh Moroccan salads, and warm homemade bread.
For lunches, your driver will recommend excellent local spots along the route where you can try regional specialties. We also cater fully to dietary restrictions; simply let us know if you are vegetarian, vegan, or have specific food allergies when you book.
