5 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes

DAY 1: MARRAKECH – HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS – TIZI-N-TICHKA PASS – AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH – OUARZAZATE (4 hours drive)

The 5 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour starts with an early pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Marrakesh. You then drive through the fascinating High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, with stops for panoramic views of the breathtaking landscapes. Then you visit the Kasbah of Telouet.

After that, you continue to visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has appeared in many films including Gladiator, Alexander, and The Mummy, and TV series including Game of Thrones. Then you head to “the Gate of the Desert,” Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

DAY 2: OUARZAZATE – PALM GROVES OF SKOURA – AMRIDIL KASBAH – ROSE VALLEY – DADES VALLEY (3 hours drive)

After breakfast, you explore the city of Ouarzazate. Firstly, you visit the Atlas Studios, where various famous movies were shot, and the Taourirt Kasbah, a fortified mud castle and one of the most ancient and spectacular ksars in Morocco. After that, you drive east to visit the Amridil Kasbah, surrounded by palm groves in Skoura. Then you continue to Kalaat M’Gouna, famous for the Rose Valley, where a Rose Festival is held annually in May and locals offer their rose products, from perfumes, rose water, and oil to cosmetics. Then you drive to the Dades Valley via Boumalne Dades, with the inevitable stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formation and at a spot atop a mountain overlooking the Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Boumalne Dades.

DAY 3: BOUMALNE DADES – TODRA GORGES – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA SAHARA – OVERNIGHT IN A LUXURY CAMP (5 hours drive)

After breakfast, you continue the 5 days desert tour to the Todra Gorges, where the course of the Todra River has carved a grand canyon through the mountains, forming a high red cliff-sided canyon. Feel free to wander the gorge and take in the beauty of the landscape. Then you drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Free time for lunch on the way.

In the afternoon you reach the Sahara Desert of Merzouga, where you switch to camels and cross the sandy desert. A stop is made for you to enjoy the magical sunset atop a high dune. Then you continue to the luxury desert camp, where you can enjoy Berber drum music while dancing around the campfire beneath a vast open sky of stars. Dinner and overnight in the camp.

DAY 4: EXPLORE THE MERZOUGA REGION – NOMADS – KHAMLIA – MERZOUGA LAKE – ERG CHEBBI – DESERT OASIS (2 hours drive)

Waking early is a must, to contemplate the beautiful sunrise in the middle of the desert. Free time for breakfast. You then return on camels to Merzouga, where the driver awaits. You dedicate the day to exploring the region of Merzouga, which has so many incredible sites — from sand dunes, a wild lake, mines, and fossil areas to fabulous oases — ideal places for many outdoor activities.

Firstly, you start your journey in Merzouga by driving off-road to visit an ancient eyeliner (kohl) mine. Then you pay the nomads a visit in their handmade woven tent, learning how they live over a Berber tea. Your next destination is the Khamlia village, where you enjoy Gnawa music and dancing performances; its inhabitants originate from sub-Saharan countries such as Mali, Sudan, and Niger. Free time for lunch in a restaurant. After that, you take a stroll in a palm-tree grove, then drive a few kilometres to see the wild lake of Merzouga, also called the flamingos lake. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

DAY 5: MERZOUGA DUNES – ERFOUD – MIDELT – CEDAR FOREST – IFRANE – FES (7 hours drive)

On the last day of your 5 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour, you wake early to contemplate the beautiful sunrise in the middle of the desert. Free time for breakfast, then you return on camels or via the camp’s 4×4 to Merzouga, where the driver awaits. Then you leave the desert to visit Rissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet and still a major trading centre in the region, with a large souk that’s lively on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. After a stroll through the Rissani souk, you continue to Erfoud, where you visit one of the fossilised-marble workshops.

After that, you drive along the Ziz River and stop for a panoramic view of the Ziz Valley. Free time for lunch in Midelt. Then you continue to the cedar forest, home to the Barbary macaques; feel free to feed them as you wander among the trees. After that, you visit Ifrane, famous for its low temperatures, snow, and alpine-style houses — no wonder it’s called the Switzerland of Morocco. Finally, we drop you off at the airport or your accommodation in Fes. End of the tour.

IMPORTANT! Bear in mind that this is just a suggested tour itinerary. If it doesn’t match what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll organise a different itinerary based on your preferences and the length of your stay. We offer customised and tailor-made tours and trips all around Morocco.

THE PRICE varies according to the number of people: the more people joining the tour, the lower the price becomes. Since the transportation cost is fixed, the price is divided according to the number of people. The price also depends on the quality of the accommodation. Contact us for an exact price.

You can make the tour shorter:
– 4 Days From Marrakech to Fes: skipping the night in Ouarzazate
– 3 Days From Marrakech to Fes: skipping the desert exploration

Or consider longer tours:
– 6 Days From Marrakech to Fes
– 8 Day Tour From Marrakech
– 10 Day Tour From Marrakech

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the tour private or shared?
The five day tour is a private experience, so only the travellers making the enquiry take part. No additional people join the tour. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.

Is the tent private? Does it have a private shower?
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has private bathrooms with hot running water.

How long is the camel ride?
The camel ride lasts from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you’re staying in.

What is the alternative to camels?
If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that takes people and luggage in and out, which you’re welcome to use. Alternatively, ATVs can be arranged at an additional cost.

What happens to your luggage when you do the camel ride?
During the camel ride you take only what you need for the ride itself. The rest of your luggage is transported in the camp’s 4×4, and you’ll find it waiting for you at the camp.

What type of vehicles are used?
The vehicle will be either an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both with A/C.
Vehicle details:
– 4×4: Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 pax)
– Minivans: Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo Van, or similar (up to 8 pax)
For groups larger than 8, a minibus seating up to 18 pax can be provided.

Dietary preferences
Please share any dietary preferences you have, and we’ll make sure your needs are met. Kindly let us know in advance so we can arrange lunch stops accordingly and notify the riad/camp, as dinners are included in the package.

Tour age suitability
This tour is suitable for all ages. Please note, though, that it involves roughly 4 to 6 hours of driving each day. Our vehicles are new and comfortable and we make regular stops, but if you’re not used to this level of travel you may prefer a longer tour, such as our 8 Days From Marrakech, to reduce the amount of daily driving.

Pick-up and drop-off details
The meeting point for the tour is at 9:00 a.m. at any location within Marrakech. If your riad is accessible by car, we pick you up directly from there; if not, we pick you up from the nearest accessible road point, arranged on confirmation of your booking. At the end of the tour, we drop you off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech, or the closest available parking area. The tour usually finishes between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in Marrakech, though the exact timing can vary depending on how long is spent at each stop.

Expenses
Currency exchange: Euros or USD can be exchanged for Moroccan dirham (MAD) at many locations across Morocco, including banks and exchange bureaus, and ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawals. While credit cards and foreign currencies (euros/USD) are generally accepted, it’s wise to carry local currency (MAD) for convenience.
Meal costs: Meals typically range from €5 to €20 per person, though prices vary by establishment.
Haggling / price negotiation: Haggling is an accepted and expected practice in Morocco; even locals take part in it.

BOOKING PROCESS:

1. Get in touch with us through the contact forms, email, WhatsApp, or our social networks, and tell us the number of travellers, the type of accommodation (excellent, luxury, etc.), your tour date (if available), and your chosen tour or some details so we can plan a new itinerary for you.

2. Booking: We ask for a small deposit to confirm the booking (preferably via our PayPal account). The rest is paid in cash to your driver/guide once you arrive, or through PayPal, which carries a 5% transaction fee. If you don’t have PayPal, we can send an online invoice you can pay by card. A bank/wire transfer is another option; it takes up to 12 days to appear in our system, and we can confirm the tour with a transaction receipt until the payment arrives.

WHY PRIVATE MOROCCO TOURS?

A private tour is an itinerary run exclusively according to your preferences. On a private trip you travel only with the people you choose. Private tours are more flexible when it comes to group size, travel dates, and what your trip includes. On top of that, you’ll have your own tour guide and driver at your disposal.