4 DAYS DESERT TOUR FROM FES TO MARRAKECH
Explore Tours
Embark on a captivating 4-day adventure from Fes to Marrakech, exploring Morocco’s stunning landscapes and vibrant culture. Start by driving through Ifrane, known as Morocco’s “Switzerland,” and its cedar forests, where you can spot playful Barbary apes. Continue your journey with a scenic drive through the Ziz Valley, leading to the Sahara Desert in Merzouga, where you’ll experience a mesmerizing camel trek and overnight in a luxury desert camp, watching the sunset and sunrise over the golden dunes.
Throughout your journey, you’ll explore Rissani’s traditional market, Erfoud’s fossil workshops, and the towering Todra Gorges. You’ll also visit the scenic Dades Gorges and the Skoura Oasis, dotted with historic kasbahs. One of the highlights is visiting the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou kasbah, known for its historical significance and film appearances.
Finally, you’ll cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, offering breathtaking views, and conclude your adventure in the vibrant city of Marrakech.
Highlights:
- Drive through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains and admire the landscapes.
- Visit Ifrane and the cedar forests home to playful Barbary apes.
- Experience camel trekking through the golden dunes at sunset.
- Stay in a luxury desert camp and enjoy a traditional dinner with Berber music.
- Visit Rissani’s traditional market and Erfoud’s fossil workshops.
- Marvel at the towering cliffs of Todra Gorges and the lush Dades Gorges.
- Explore the Skoura Oasis, dotted with historic kasbahs.
- Step back in time at the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou kasbah.
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains and enjoy breathtaking views.
Included/Exclude
- Private A/C Vans or 4x4 Vehicles for transportation
- Fuel for the entire trip
- English-speaking Driver for guidance and assistance
- Pick-up and Drop-off from and to your accommodation in Fes and Marrakech
- Accommodation in typical hotels, kasbahs, and riads along the route
- Camel Ride in the desert (1 per person)
- Overnight Stay in a traditional nomad tent in the desert camp
- All Breakfasts during the tour
- Nomadic Experience (tea with nomads, Berber pizza)
- Traditional Berber Music during dinner at the desert camp
- Guided Tour of key attractions such as Todgha Gorges, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and others
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance Fees for attractions like Kasbahs, museums, and film studios (where applicable)
- Tipping for the driver, guides, and hotel staff (optional but appreciated)
Itinerary
Your adventure begins with a pickup from your accommodation in Fes. We drive towards Merzouga Desert, making stops at Ifrane, often called Morocco's "Switzerland," where you can capture scenic photos of the town. Next, we head to the Azrou cedar forest, home to playful Barbary apes.
Continuing through the Middle Atlas Mountains, we stop for lunch in Midelt before crossing the Tizi n'Talghamt pass, offering breathtaking views of the Ziz Gorge and Ziz Valley. We continue our journey to Merzouga, passing through Aoufous and Erfoud, known for fossils and dates, where you’ll visit a local fossil craft studio.
Finally, we reach Merzouga, where you’ll check into your hotel, enjoy a delicious dinner, and be entertained by traditional Berber music as you settle in for the night under the starry desert sky.
After breakfast, we head to Khamlia village to enjoy the entrancing rhythms of Gnawa music. We venture off the beaten path and explore the dunes, stopping for tea with local nomads in traditional Berber tents, offering a unique cultural experience, including a lunch of Berber pizza.
In the afternoon, prepare for a camel ride into the desert, where you can witness the breathtaking Sahara sunset. Upon arrival at your desert camp, you’ll be welcomed with mint tea and settle into comfortable tents with ensuite bathrooms. Dinner awaits, and as you eat, enjoy a musical performance around the campfire, under the Sahara's twinkling stars.
Wake up early to catch the stunning sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, you’ll ride your camel back to Merzouga and meet your driver for the next leg of the journey to Dades Gorges.
Along the way, stop in Rissani's bustling market (if it's a market day, either Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday) to experience the vibrant atmosphere. We then visit Arfoud, known for its fossilized marble, before driving through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad, stopping for lunch.
Next, we arrive at Todgha Gorges, known for its towering red cliffs and perfect rock climbing terrain. Spend some time exploring the gorges and soaking in the natural beauty. We continue to Dades Valley, passing Boumalne Dades and stopping to admire the "monkey fingers" rock formations. Finally, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel.
After breakfast, we journey through Kalaa Magouna to explore the Rose Valley. If you visit in May, you can experience the annual Rose Festival, where you can see locals display rose products like perfume and rose water. We drive through the Skoura palm groves to reach Ouarzazate, where you'll visit the famous film studios.
The tour continues to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its appearances in films such as "Gladiator" and "Game of Thrones." After exploring this historical kasbah, we continue to Marrakech, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass through the High Atlas Mountains, making stops for lunch and scenic photos along the way.
The day ends with your arrival in Marrakech, where you'll stay in a Riad for the night.