6 Days Desert Tour Fes to Marrakech
Overview
Enjoy a 6 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech and discover Morocco’s culture, mountains, and Sahara desert. Start with a guided tour of Fes Medina, then travel through Ifrane, the Cedar Forest of Azrou, and the beautiful Ziz Valley.
Reach the Merzouga Desert where you will ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes, watch the sunset, and spend a night in a desert camp. Explore the desert, visit Khamlia village and nomadic families, and try activities like sandboarding.
Continue the journey through Rissani, Todra Gorge, and Ouarzazate, visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou, and cross the High Atlas Mountains before arriving in Marrakech.
Highlights
- See the medina of Fes on a guided tour and discover its UNESCO listing
- Observe discovery-leaping Barbary macaques in the cedar forests of Azrou
- Drive through Ziz Valley, a wide palm-studded oasis
- Ride camels up into the Erg Chebbi Dunes, at sunset
- Spend the night in a desert camp, with music and eyes glued to the stars
- Meet with a nomadic family and visit the village of Khamlia
- Try sandboarding or explore the desert in a 4×4
- Walk through Todra Gorge, the most famous canyon in Morocco
- Discover Ait Ben Haddou, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed kasbah
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Arrive in Marrakech, the center of Moroccan culture
6 Days Desert Tour Fes to Marrakech Itinerary
Day 1: Fes Sightseeing Tour with a Local Guide.
In this major city, your guided adventure continues through the Fes, which is regarded as the cultural capital of Morocco.
The afternoon is spent in the medina, a UNESCO Heritage Site known for its quiet passageways, bustling souks, and ancient mosques. Explore major highlights, including Al Quaraouiyine University-the oldest in the world-the Bou Inania Madrasa, the tanneries, and the Royal Palace.
After a thrill of a day, you will spend the night in a traditional riad.
Day 2: Fes ⇢ Azrou Cedar Forest ⇢ Midelt.
Leaving Fes, you will head towards the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping at Ifrane, usually referred to as the Switzerland of Morocco, with alps-like architecture. Visit Azrou where you will see huge cedar trees with Barbary macaques foraging around.
Onward, as the terrain switches from jagged mountains to broad plateaus, you will arrive at Midelt, a small town famous for its apples and mountain scenery. Here you will stay overnight as you prepare to head to the desert.
Day 3: Midelt ⇢ Ziz Valley ⇢ Erfoud ⇢ Merzouga Desert.
The day begins with breakfast and a drive through the Ziz Valley, a breathtaking oasis draped with thousands of palm trees along the river. Running through Erfoud, a quaint town famous for its fossils and date markets, you will be driven to Merzouga, the fringe of the Sahara Desert.
In the evening, you will start your camel trek through the Erg Chebbi Dunes, heading toward an elevated sand dune to catch a sunset; upon reaching your desert camp, you’ll be greeted with a traditional ambiance of Berber music with a tasty dinner and an under-the-stars experience.
Day 4: Full Day Exploring the Merzouga Desert.
An early rise is essential to glory in the sunrise over the dunes, followed by a breakfast before entering the Sahara Desert. The first stop will be at Khamlia, a village of the Gnaoua people, to hear some very traditional music.
You will then stop at the tents of a nomadic family and learn about their lifestyle. You will also go to Dayet Srij, a seasonal lake that attracts flamingos and other wildlife when full. In the afternoon, you can enjoy sandboarding, or a 4×4 desert excursion and remain in contemplation and silence with the desert.
Day 5: Merzouga ⇢ Rissani ⇢ Todra Gorge ⇢ Ouarzazate.
An early morning farewell poke to the desert should probably start the day, followed by a drive to Rissani. Rissani’s famous traditional market will be visited. From here, head to the charming natural wonder of Todra Gorge, one of Morocco’s best-kept secrets.
With sheer cliffs rising over 300 meters above the river, some free time gives opportunities to stroll along the river, enjoy some sightseeing, and just relax.
At last, after driving through Dades Valley and passing through picturesque Berber villages, you will reach Ouarzazate in the movie capital of Morocco, where Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed. Spend the night in this ancient city.
Day 6: Ouarzazate ⇢ Ait Ben Haddou ⇢ High Atlas Mountains ⇢ Marrakech.
Your last day begins with a visit to the centuries-old Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed kasbah. It is probably one of the most photographed monuments in Morocco, and you will wander through the winding alleys of this astonishingly well-preserved earth structure with its ancient dwellings.
Afterward, wend your way through the breathtaking Tizi n’Tichka Pass-2260 meters above sea level-across the High Atlas Mountains. On the way, there will be a stop to view Telouet Kasbah, a real treasure belonging to the once-mighty Glaoui family.
While you tilt down into plains, that’s when all changes, and soon you will be welcoming your ripe entry in Marrakech where your fabulous six-day exploration will end.
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 x5
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.