Explore Morocco on a 5 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga, camel trek, Sahara camp, Atlas Mountains, and authentic villages.
- 5 Days/ 4 Nights
- Start in Fes
- Ends in Marrakech
FES TO MARRAKECH DESERT TOUR 5 DAYS OVERVIEW
Our 5 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech is one of the best ways to experience the real Morocco at a relaxed pace. Starting in the cultural city of Fes, the journey takes you through the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, and beautiful Berber towns before reaching the golden dunes of Merzouga. You’ll enjoy a camel trek into the Sahara, watch an unforgettable sunset, and spend the night in a desert camp under the stars. Along the way, you’ll explore ancient kasbahs, lush valleys, dramatic gorges, and cross the High Atlas Mountains before arriving in Marrakech. It’s a perfect mix of desert adventure, culture, nature, and authentic local experiences.
Tour Highlights:
- Scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains and cedar forests
- Stop in Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”
- Visit traditional Berber villages and beautiful desert towns
- Experience a camel trek in the Merzouga Sahara Desert
- Watch a magical sunset over the golden sand dunes
- Overnight stay in a Sahara desert camp under the stars
- Explore ancient kasbahs and historic caravan routes
- Discover the Ziz Valley, Todra Gorge, and Dades Valley
- Cross the stunning High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- End the journey in the vibrant city of Marrakech
5 Days Desert Tour From Fes To Marrakech Via Merzouga Itinerary
Before the day-by-day program, here’s how the journey flows. The itinerary is designed with a comfortable pace, balanced driving times, and well-planned stops. Each day introduces a new landscape, moving smoothly from the Middle Atlas to the Sahara Desert, then across the High Atlas before reaching Marrakech.
1st Day: FES - IFRANE - ZIZ VALLEY - MERZOUGA DESERT
We leave Fes in the morning and start driving south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, where the scenery slowly changes from city life to fresh air, forests, and wide open spaces. Our first stop is in Ifrane, a small and very clean town known for its European-style houses and calm atmosphere. After that, we continue through the cedar forests around Azrou, where it’s common to see Barbary macaques along the road.
After crossing the mountains, the landscape becomes more dry and open as we head toward the south. We stop in the Ziz Valley to enjoy one of the best panoramic views in the area, overlooking thousands of palm trees stretching along the river. This is a perfect place to take photos and understand how important this valley is for the local communities.
In the late afternoon, we arrive in Merzouga, right at the edge of the Sahara Desert. The first sight of the golden dunes is always special. You’ll have time to relax, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and prepare for the desert adventure that awaits you the next day.
2nd Day: MERZOUGA DESERT DISCOVERY
Today is dedicated to exploring the Merzouga area and experiencing desert life beyond the dunes. After breakfast, we set off in a 4×4 to discover the surroundings, driving across desert plains, fossil areas, and small oases that show how life adapts in this harsh environment.
We visit nomadic families living in traditional tents, where you can learn about their way of life and share a cup of mint tea. Later, we stop in Khamlia village, home to the Gnawa people, to enjoy their spiritual music and rhythms passed down through generations.
In the afternoon, we return to Merzouga with some free time to relax or walk near the dunes. As the day cools down, you prepare for a camel trek into the desert, riding into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset before spending the night in a Sahara desert camp under the stars.
3th Day : MERZOUGA DESERT - RISSANI - TODRA GORGE - DADES VALLEY
After an early breakfast in the desert, we leave Merzouga and head toward Rissani, a historic town that was once an important trading center for caravans coming from the Sahara. If the timing is right, we visit the traditional market, where locals still trade livestock, dates, and daily goods in a very authentic atmosphere.
From Rissani, the journey continues toward the dramatic Todra Gorge. Here, you’ll have time to walk between the towering rock walls, with the river flowing below and palm groves nearby. It’s one of the most impressive natural sites in southern Morocco and a great place to stretch your legs.
In the afternoon, we drive through scenic roads toward the Dades Valley, passing old kasbahs and unique rock formations. We stop at viewpoints overlooking the famous Dades gorges before arriving at your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful valley setting for the night.
4th Day : DAY 4: DADES VALLEY - BOU THARAR - KELAAT M'GOUNA - SKOURA - OUARZAZATE
After breakfast in the Dades Valley, we continue our journey along scenic back roads, passing through Bou Tharar and small Berber villages tucked into the mountains. This part of the drive is quieter and less touristy, offering a real look at rural life and beautiful landscapes shaped by valleys and rocky hills.
We then arrive in Kelaat M’Gouna, famous for its rose fields and the annual Rose Festival held every spring. Depending on the season, you may see locals distilling rose water or selling rose-based products. The road continues through the Skoura oasis, a vast palm grove dotted with ancient kasbahs, including the well-known Kasbah Amridil.
In the afternoon, we reach Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Morocco.” Here, you can relax at your hotel or explore the city, known for its film studios and historic kasbahs, after another day full of changing scenery and cultural stops.
5th Day : OUARZAZATE - AIT BEN HADDOU - HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS - TELOUET KASBAH - MARRAKECH
After breakfast in Ouarzazate, we start the final day of the journey with a visit to Ait Ben Haddou, the famous UNESCO World Heritage ksar. You’ll have time to walk through its narrow paths and learn about its history as an old caravan stop, as well as its role as a filming location for many international movies.
We then continue into the High Atlas Mountains, driving along scenic roads with changing views and small Berber villages clinging to the hillsides. A stop is made at Telouet Kasbah, once the residence of the powerful Glaoui family, where you can see impressive decorations and get a sense of its former importance.
In the afternoon, we cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest mountain pass in Morocco, with several photo stops along the way. By late afternoon or early evening, we arrive in Marrakech, where your 5-day desert tour from Fes comes to an end.
Fes Desert Tour To Marrakech 5 Days Price:
The price of the 5 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech depends on several factors, such as the number of travelers, the level of accommodation (standard or luxury desert camp), and your travel dates. Since each tour is tailored to your needs and comfort, there is no fixed price listed. Feel free to contact us anytime with your details, and we’ll be happy to provide you with a personalized quote.
Tour Includes & Excludes:
What’s Included in the Price:
Private transportation for 3 days in a comfortable 4×4 or air-conditioned minivan, including fuel
Pick-up and drop-off from your riad or any location in Marrakech
Dedicated private driver/guide who speaks English
One overnight stay in a high-quality hotel or traditional riad
One overnight stay in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga with a private bathroom
Camel trek experience (one camel per person), with a 4WD transfer option available if preferred
Sandboarding equipment provided at the desert camp
Daily dinners and breakfasts
What’s Not Included:
Lunch meals and beverages
Tour Map
Know Before You Go:
This tour includes several scenic drives with changing landscapes, from mountains to desert. Stops are planned regularly for rest, photos, and short walks, but you should still expect some longer driving days.
Comfortable clothes and good walking shoes are important, especially when visiting gorges, kasbahs, and desert areas. A small backpack is useful for daily essentials.
Temperatures can change a lot during the trip. Days can be warm, while evenings—especially in the desert—can be cool or cold, depending on the season. Bringing layers is highly recommended.
Sun protection such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen is useful year-round.
The tour can be adjusted to your pace and interests if requested in advance. Vegetarian or special dietary needs can also be arranged.
Luggage is carried by the vehicle, making the journey comfortable and easy throughout the tour.