Explore Morocco on a 4 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga. Discover the Sahara Desert, camel trekking, luxury camp, Atlas Mountains & iconic kasbahs.
- 4 Days/ 3 Nights
- Start in Fes
- Ends in Marrakech
FES TO MARRAKECH DESERT TOUR 4 DAYS OVERVIEW
This 4 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech takes you through the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, and traditional Berber towns before reaching the Sahara Desert of Merzouga. Enjoy camel trekking across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, spend a magical night in a desert camp, then continue through dramatic valleys, ancient kasbahs, Ouarzazate, and finish with a scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
Tour Highlights:
- Journey through the Middle Atlas Mountains and scenic cedar forests
- Visit traditional Berber towns and local villages
- Experience the Sahara Desert of Merzouga
- Enjoy unforgettable camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Overnight stay in a desert camp under the stars
- Explore impressive valleys and ancient kasbahs
- Discover Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via panoramic mountain roads
- Arrive in the vibrant city of Marrakech
4 Days Desert Tour From Fes To Marrakech Via Merzouga Itinerary
The 4 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga begins in Fes and travels through the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, and Berber villages before reaching the Merzouga Sahara. You’ll enjoy camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi dunes and an overnight stay in a desert camp, then continue through Todra Gorges, Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, and Ait Ben Haddou, finishing with a scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
1st Day: Fes - Ifrane - Cedars forest- Midelt - Ziz valley - Merzouga Sahara ( 7 Hours Drive )
Your journey begins with an early departure from Fes toward the Middle Atlas Mountains. The first stop is Ifrane, a clean and quiet town often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine-style architecture and cool climate. Continuing through the Cedar Forest, you may have the chance to see Barbary macaques in their natural habitat and enjoy short walks among the tall cedar trees.
The route then leads south toward Midelt, a mountain town located between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas ranges. This area is known for its panoramic landscapes, changing colors, and mineral-rich terrain. A stop is usually made here for lunch or a short break, allowing you to relax before continuing the long but scenic drive toward the desert.
In the afternoon, the scenery changes dramatically as you pass through the Ziz Valley, famous for its vast palm groves and fortified villages overlooking the river. After several photo stops along this beautiful valley, you continue toward Merzouga, where the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert appear on the horizon. Arrival in Merzouga is in the late afternoon or early evening, marking the beginning of your Sahara experience.
2nd Day : Explore Merzouga region - Nomads - Khamlia - Merzouga lake - Erg Chebbi - palm grove ( 2 Hours Drive )
After breakfast, the day is dedicated to exploring the Merzouga region and its surroundings. You’ll travel across desert landscapes to visit nomadic families living in traditional tents, where you can learn about their way of life, culture, and daily routines in the Sahara. This experience offers a deeper understanding of desert life away from the dunes.
The journey continues to the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music and African heritage. Here, you’ll enjoy a live music performance and learn about the history of the Gnawa people. From there, you’ll visit Merzouga Lake (Dayet Srij), a seasonal lake that attracts migratory birds, especially during spring, creating a peaceful contrast to the surrounding desert.
Later, you’ll explore the Erg Chebbi dunes and the nearby palm grove, taking time for photos and short walks through the golden sands. The afternoon is relaxed, with opportunities to enjoy the silence of the desert before returning to your accommodation, having driven only short distances throughout the day (approximately 2 hours in total).
3rd Day : Merzouga Sahara - Rissani - Erfoud - Todra Gorges - Dades Valley ( 5 hours Drive )
After breakfast in Merzouga, the journey continues west toward Rissani, an important historical town and former trading center of the region. If time allows, you may visit its traditional market, where locals from surrounding villages come to trade goods, offering a glimpse into everyday Moroccan life away from tourist areas.
From Rissani, the drive continues to Erfoud, known for its fossil workshops and desert landscapes. This town is famous for its marble fossils, and a short stop can be made to see how these ancient stones are crafted. The route then leads toward the impressive Todra Gorges, where massive rock walls rise dramatically on both sides of a narrow canyon, making it one of the most beautiful natural sites in southern Morocco.
After time to walk through the Todra Gorges and enjoy the scenery, the journey continues toward the Dades Valley. Passing through villages and unique rock formations, you’ll arrive in the valley in the late afternoon or early evening. The day ends with stunning views of the Dades landscapes, known for their winding roads, kasbahs, and dramatic cliffs, after approximately 5 hours of driving.
4th Day : Dades Valley - Roses Valley - Palm Groves of Skoura - Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - High Atlas Mountains - Marrakesh ( 6 Hours Drive )
After breakfast in the Dades Valley, the journey continues through the beautiful Roses Valley, famous for its rose fields and traditional villages, especially during the spring harvest season. The drive offers scenic views of valleys, riverbeds, and kasbahs, reflecting the rural life of southern Morocco.
Next, you pass through the palm groves of Skoura, home to some of the region’s most impressive kasbahs. The route then leads to Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Morocco,” known for its film studios and historic kasbahs. A highlight of the day is a visit to the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, one of the best-preserved fortified villages in Morocco and a famous filming location.
In the afternoon, the tour continues across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, offering panoramic mountain views and photo stops along the way. After approximately 6 hours of driving, you arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon or evening, marking the end of your 4 day desert adventure from Fes to Marrakech.
Fes Desert Tour To Marrakech 4 Days Price:
The price of the 4 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech depends on the number of travelers, the type of accommodation (standard or luxury desert camp), and the travel season. Since all our tours are private and customized, prices may vary. Please contact us with your travel dates and group size to receive an exact quote and detailed inclusions.
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 covers long driving distances each day, with changing landscapes and climates along the way. Temperatures can vary significantly between the Middle Atlas Mountains, the desert, and Marrakech, so it’s important to bring layered clothing. Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are recommended, especially for desert walks and camel trekking.
- In the Sahara Desert, nights can be cool, particularly between October and March, while summer months can be very hot during the day. We recommend packing light but practical items, including a small backpack for daily use and personal essentials. If you have any dietary restrictions, allergies, or special needs, please let us know in advance so we can make proper arrangements.
- The tour is suitable for most travelers, but please keep in mind the long hours on the road. Staying hydrated is important, and bottled water is available throughout the journey. Feel free to ask us any questions before departure — we’re always happy to help you prepare for a smooth and enjoyable desert experience.