5 Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour

Overview

About this tour

The slowest and most complete of our Fes to Marrakech tours. Short driving days, two nights in the Sahara and overnight stops in Todra and Ouarzazate give you time to enjoy each place instead of just passing through.

Perfect for families, photographers and anyone who prefers to travel at a gentle pace.

5 Days from Fes to Marrakech Morocco Desert Tour — private tour from Fes

Camel caravan crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga

View over the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Tour highlights

Two nights in Erg Chebbi
Nomads, Khamlia and the Mifis mines
Rissani market and Todra Gorge
Skoura palm grove and kasbahs
Ouarzazate, Morocco's film capital
Aït Ben Haddou and the Tizi n'Tichka pass

Your route

Fes
Merzouga
Todra Gorge
Ouarzazate
Marrakech

Day by day

Itinerary

Day1 Fes → Middle Atlas → Ziz Valley → Merzouga

Pick-up at your riad in Fes. Climb into the Middle Atlas to Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, where Barbary macaques play by the road, then stop for lunch in Midelt. In the afternoon the landscape turns to canyons and palm groves as you follow the Ziz Valley south to Merzouga. Ride a camel into Erg Chebbi at sunset and enjoy dinner at our camp.

Desert camp, Merzouga
Dinner

Day2 Merzouga: Khamlia, nomad families and Mifis mines

A full day around Erg Chebbi by 4x4. Share tea with a nomad family in their tent, listen to the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, descendants of West African caravan travellers, and explore the abandoned Mifis mines. Free time in the afternoon for sandboarding or rest, then another sunset from the dunes.

Desert camp, Merzouga
Breakfast, Dinner

Day3 Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorge

Sunrise over the Sahara, breakfast, then Rissani, the historic caravan town, with its busy market and ancient ksar. Drive west through the fossil-rich plains of Alnif to Tinghir, and spend the late afternoon walking in Todra Gorge, when the light turns its walls orange.

Hotel, Todra Gorge
Breakfast, Dinner

Day4 Todra Gorge → Dades → Skoura → Ouarzazate

Follow the Dades Valley and the rose fields of Kalaat M'Gouna to Skoura, a vast palm oasis dotted with kasbahs. Walk through the palm grove and visit the Amridil Kasbah, featured on the old 50-dirham note, then continue to Ouarzazate for the evening.

Hotel, Ouarzazate
Breakfast, Dinner

Day5 Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech

Morning visit to the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, climbing to the granary at the top for a sweeping view over the valley. Then take the Tizi n'Tichka pass across the High Atlas, with stops at viewpoints and Berber villages, arriving in Marrakech in the afternoon.

End of tour — drop-off
Breakfast

What's included

Price includes & excludes

Included

Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or minivan) with fuel
English-speaking driver-guide for the whole journey
Pick-up in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad or airport)
4 nights of accommodation in hotels, riads and kasbahs
2 nights in our desert camp in Merzouga
Camel trek into the dunes at sunset
4x4 excursion around Erg Chebbi (nomads, Khamlia, Mifis)
Breakfasts and dinners as shown in the itinerary

Not included

Lunches and drinks
Entrance fees to monuments and museums
Local city guides (optional — we can arrange them)
Optional activities such as quad bikes or sandboarding
Tips for your driver and camp staff
Flights and travel insurance

Where you sleep

Night 1Desert camp, Merzouga
Night 2Desert camp, Merzouga
Night 3Hotel, Todra Gorge
Night 4Hotel, Ouarzazate

Practical information

Good to know

Private & flexible

Only your group travels in the vehicle. Ask your driver to stop for photos whenever you like, and tell us if you want to change the route or add days.

Your desert camp

Our camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes has comfortable tents with real beds and blankets. Your big luggage stays in the 4x4 — take a small bag for the night.

What to pack

Sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf for the wind, comfortable shoes and a warm layer: desert nights are cold from November to March.

Best time to travel

October to May is ideal. In summer we start early and rest at midday to avoid the heat. Every season has its own beauty.

Food & diets

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are possible. Just tell us when you book or let your driver know on day one.

How to book

Send us your dates and number of travellers. We reply with a price for your group. A small deposit confirms the tour; the balance is paid in cash on the first day (euros, dollars or dirhams).

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Which vehicles do you use?

Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles adapted to your group: 4x4 Land Cruisers or minivans for small groups, and Mercedes Sprinter minibuses for groups of 8 or more.

How far in advance should we book?

As early as possible, especially for spring, autumn and holiday periods. Last-minute requests are welcome too — contact us and we will do our best.

How do I pay for the tour?

We ask for a small deposit when you book. The balance is paid in cash to your driver on the first day of the tour, in euros, dollars or Moroccan dirhams.

What happens to my luggage in the desert?

Your suitcases stay safely in the vehicle or are brought to the camp by 4x4. You only need a small backpack for the camel ride.

I don't want to ride a camel. Can I still sleep at the camp?

Of course. We can take you to the camp by 4x4 instead of camel.

Can we change the itinerary?

Yes. All our tours are private, so we can add nights, change hotels, include activities or adjust the route to your wishes.

Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?

Yes. We adapt the pace, the stops and the accommodation for families and for travellers who prefer an easier rhythm.