5 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour

Your journey begins with morning pickup from your hotel, riad or preferred meeting point in Marrakech. After leaving the city, the road climbs into the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest mountain pass in Morocco. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of traditional Amazigh villages, terraced hillsides and rugged mountain scenery. Several stops are made for photographs before arriving at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its earthen architecture and historic fortified village. Explore the ancient ksar and discover its role as an important caravan stop and popular filming location. After lunch near Ait Ben Haddou, continue to Ouarzazate, often referred to as the gateway to the Sahara. The route then follows the Valley of Roses through Kalaat M’Gouna before reaching the spectacular Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight accommodation are provided in a comfortable hotel or riad overlooking the valley.

After breakfast, depart from the Dades Valley and travel along the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing traditional villages, palm groves and striking desert landscapes. Your first major stop is Todra Gorge, where towering limestone cliffs rise dramatically above a narrow river canyon. Enjoy time to walk through the gorge and appreciate one of Morocco’s most impressive natural sites. Continue through Tinjdad and Touroug, where lunch can be arranged before reaching Erfoud, a town known for fossil workshops, date palms and its historic connection to Saharan trade routes. By late afternoon, arrive in Merzouga on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here, your luggage will be transferred separately while you begin a camel trek into the desert. Watch the sunset over the dunes before arriving at your desert camp. After settling into your private tent, enjoy a traditional dinner followed by Amazigh music around the campfire beneath the stars.

Wake up early to experience sunrise over the dunes, one of the highlights of the Sahara. After breakfast, begin a day dedicated to discovering the Merzouga region and its unique desert culture. Visit Khamlia village, known for its traditional Gnawa music, and learn about the cultural heritage of the communities who settled in the area centuries ago. The excursion continues through desert landscapes and former Dakar Rally routes, with opportunities to meet local nomadic families and gain insight into their way of life. You may also visit seasonal lakes, fossil-rich areas and panoramic viewpoints around the Erg Chebbi dunes. In the evening, return to your accommodation in Merzouga for dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel or desert camp.

After breakfast, leave the Sahara behind and begin the journey north toward the Middle Atlas Mountains. A stop can be made in Rissani, a historic town known for its traditional market and its importance as the former capital of the Tafilalt region. Continue through Errachidia before reaching the magnificent Ziz Valley. Stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking thousands of palm trees stretching across one of Morocco’s largest oasis systems. The route follows the Ziz River through changing landscapes of rocky plateaus, desert scenery and mountain terrain before arriving in Midelt. Dinner and overnight accommodation are provided in a comfortable hotel in Midelt.

After breakfast, continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains toward the cedar forests near Azrou. There will be an opportunity to stop and observe the Barbary macaques that inhabit the forest, while enjoying the fresh mountain environment. The journey then continues to Ifrane, a charming town known for its alpine-style architecture, clean streets and green parks. Often referred to as the Switzerland of Morocco, Ifrane offers a completely different atmosphere from the desert landscapes visited earlier in the tour. After time to explore and take photographs, continue toward Fes through the rolling hills of the Middle Atlas region. Arrival in Fes is expected during the afternoon, where the tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel, riad or preferred location.