4 Days Desert Tour Fes to Marrakech
Overview
Experience a 4-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, exploring Morocco’s stunning landscapes, culture, and history. Travel through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, the lush Ziz Valley, and the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. Ride camels at sunset and spend nights in a traditional desert camp with Berber music and starry skies.
The journey continues through the dramatic Todra Gorge and Dades Valley, visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou, and cross the scenic High Atlas Mountains to arrive in Marrakech.
Highlights
- Camel ride into the Sahara Desert to watch a beautiful sunset from the dunes
- Sleep in a traditional desert camp below a sky dotted with stars
- Discover Berber nomads and their lifestyle
- Stroll through the spectacular Todra Gorge, one of Morocco’s most stunning canyons
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
- Drive the High Atlas Mountains for epic views to Marrakech
4 Days Desert Tour Fes to Marrakech Itinerary
Day 1: Fes ⇢ Ifrane ⇢ Middle Atlas Mountains ⇢ Ziz Valley ⇢ Merzouga.
Your journey begins in Fes, after which it leads toward the desert across the splendid Middle Atlas Mountain Range. The first stop is Ifrane, a superb clean and delightful town, often called the Switzerland of Morocco. From there, you’ll be driving through the cedar forests of Azrou, where perhaps a few wild monkeys might just swing by for an amicable greeting!
From this point onward, the road south presents a totally different view. You will be passing through the Ziz Valley, a real oasis doused in rich palm groves, down to Merzouga, the gateway village of the Sahara Desert.
And now comes the magic-mount up your camel and start trekking into the dunes of Erg Chebbi. This will remain a lifetime memory: a moment of tranquillity in the desert under stillness, a golden glow cascading down on the horizon, flaring the lovely golden sands.
After sightseeing, you will arrive at the desert camp, where you will be welcomed with Moroccan mint tea, have a nice delicious Berber dinner, and tell stories around the fire, listening to music during the night, under a clear sky of shining stars.
Day 2: Full Day to Explore the Merzouga Desert.
Witness as the Sahara rises before your sunrise view you will remember this day also after having an early rich breakfast.
Jump in a 4X4 vehicle for deeper desert explorations and visit some nomadic families still living in traditional tents before getting to Khamlia, a small village known for its Gnaoua music, brought long ago by African migrants. You’ll experience the mesmerizing rhythm up close.
Afterward, off to Dayet Srij, a seasonal desert lake where flamingos and other wildlife gather when the water is available. Afternoon at leisure: try sandboarding, walk in the dunes, or simply unwind. As the sun sets, you’ll return to your desert camp or hotel for another magical night in Merzouga.
Day 3: Merzouga ⇢ Todra Gorge ⇢ Dades Gorge.
After breakfast, we will leave the Sahara behind and head towards one of Morocco’s amazing natural sceneries: the Todra Gorge. The walls of the gorge rise more than 300 meters, three times the height of the walls in the gorge; what a brilliant scenery for a short walk, or attracting tourists for some gorgeous snaps.
You will continue from here to Dades Valley, famous for its Monkey Fingers rock formation and serpentine roads that seem to belong to a movie. We shall stop at prime viewpoints to appreciate the views, but by nightfall, we will arrive at a local guesthouse amongst the lovely cliffs and valleys.
Day 4: Dades Gorge ⇢ Ouarzazate ⇢ Ait Ben Haddou ⇢ Marrakech.
On the last day you will walk through the Valley of Roses, well known for its fragrant rose fields (especially in spring). The drive continues on to Ouarzazate, the film capital of Morocco — where both Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed.
You will then head to one of the most famous sights, Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient kasbah, also UNESCO-listed, that looks like it’s come straight out of a fairytale. The centuries-old mud-brick fortress is mired in narrow alleys, making it feel like a journey back in time.
The next step in the adventure will commence after savouring history and snapping all these photos, crossing the High Atlas Mountains through Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260m). The hiking, which undulates up and down, has spectacular views over deep valleys and Berber villages that cling to the hillsides.
Back in colorful Marrakech, 48-hours of your unforgettable 4-Day Journey closes out.
Gallery
Price Include And Exclude
Include
- Convenient Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off.
- Private, air-conditioned vehicle for a comfortable journey.
- Car fuel.
- Experienced, professional driver and tour guide to enhance your experience.
- Camel ride per person.
- Sanboarding.
- Accommodation: Desert camp & hotels/riads
- Transfer either by car or camels from the camp.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner x3
Not Included
- Lunches.
- Drinks.
- Entrance fee to monuments.
- Tipping (Optional)
Booking
- If this itinerary doesn't align with your needs, we can adjust and tailor it to suit your preferences. Don't hesitate to reach out to us for customization.