4-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
Cross Morocco from north to south in four private days: cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, a night among the Erg Chebbi dunes, the Todra and Dades gorges, the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and Aït Ben Haddou, finishing over the High Atlas in Marrakech.
- Duration4 days / 3 nights
- StartFes (hotel or airport)
- EndMarrakech
- Tour typePrivate, A/C 4×4
- Desert nightErg Chebbi camp
Tour Overview
Fes to Marrakech the Scenic Way — Through the Sahara
Instead of taking the direct road between Morocco's two great imperial cities, this private four-day tour takes the long and beautiful way round, through the mountains, the desert and the oases of the south. It suits travellers who want the Sahara and the kasbah country in one trip, without backtracking.
The first day climbs out of Fes into the cool cedar forests of Ifrane and Azrou, where Barbary macaques live, then descends the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. A camel ride takes you into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset and a night in a nomadic-style tent camp with Berber drumming around the fire.
From the desert you head west through the Tafilalet oases to the towering walls of the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley. Day three follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Valley of Roses and Skoura to Ouarzazate and the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. The last day crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with a detour to the Kasbah of Telouet, before arriving in Marrakech.
Highlights
What Makes This Tour Special
- 01
Sunset Camel Ride in Erg Chebbi
About an hour on camelback into Morocco's highest dunes, timed for the sunset from the crest.
- 02
Night in a Nomadic Camp
Private tent, dinner under the stars, Berber music and drumming, and free sandboarding on the dunes.
- 03
Todra & Dades Gorges
Walk between 300-metre limestone walls and follow the winding road into the Dades Valley.
- 04
Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
Earthen fortresses, the Valley of Roses and the palm oasis of Skoura on the way to Ouarzazate.
- 05
Aït Ben Haddou & Telouet
The UNESCO-listed ksar seen in countless films, and the painted halls of the Glaoui kasbah at Telouet.
- 06
Two Mountain Ranges
Cedar forests and macaques in the Middle Atlas, then the High Atlas views of the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
Day by Day
4-Day Itinerary from Fes to Marrakech
Your driver-guide collects you from your riad, hotel or Fes airport in the morning. The road climbs into the Middle Atlas to Ifrane, a mountain town of red-roofed chalets often called the "Switzerland of Morocco", then continues to the cedar forests near Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques roam among the trees.
Lunch is in Midelt, the apple capital at the foot of Jbel Ayachi. In the afternoon you cross the Tizi n'Talghemt pass and follow the Ziz River past gorges, palm groves and fortified villages to Erfoud and Merzouga. At the edge of the dunes you meet your camels and ride into Erg Chebbi to watch the sunset from the top of a dune, before reaching the camp for dinner, Berber drums around the fire and a night in your private tent.
Rise early to watch the sunrise over the Sahara, then ride back to Merzouga for breakfast and a shower. The road heads west through Rissani, the historic heart of the Tafilalet oasis, and across the open plains past Alnif and Tinjdad, with its lines of khettara — the old underground irrigation channels.
In Tinghir, look down over a long green palm grove before entering the Todra Gorge, where the canyon walls rise up to 300 metres on either side of a clear stream. After a short walk through the narrowest section, continue along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Boumalne Dades and up into the Dades Valley, with its striking rock formations, for the night at a guesthouse.
After breakfast, drive down the Dades Valley to Kelaat M'Gouna in the Valley of Roses, famous for its rose water and the rose festival held each May. Continue to the palm oasis of Skoura, dotted with old kasbahs including the well-known Amridil.
Reach Ouarzazate, the "gateway to the desert" and home of Morocco's film studios, then continue to Aït Ben Haddou. In the late afternoon, cross the river and climb through the lanes of this UNESCO World Heritage ksar to the granary at the top for wide views over the valley. Overnight in a kasbah hotel beside the village.
Take the quiet road up the Ounila Valley, lined with red-earth villages and terraced fields, to the Kasbah of Telouet. Once the seat of the powerful Glaoui family, its crumbling exterior hides rooms of carved cedar, painted ceilings and fine zellige tilework.
Rejoin the main road and climb to the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres the highest road pass in the High Atlas, with sweeping views before the descent through Berber villages and walnut groves. You arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon and are dropped off at your riad or hotel.
Tour Details
What's Included & Not Included
Included
- Pick-up in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad or airport)
- Private air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- 1 night in a desert camp in a private nomadic-style tent
- 2 nights in a guesthouse and kasbah hotel with private bathroom
- Camel ride of about 1 hour with a camel guide
- Berber music and drumming at the camp
- Sandboarding, tea and coffee in the desert
- Meals as per the program, with vegetarian and vegan options
- Entrance fees and local guides
Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips for driver, guides and camp staff
- Optional activities (quad biking, 4×4 dune tours, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Tailor-made on request. This route is a suggestion. Every tour is private, so we can add a second desert night, upgrade to a luxury camp, change the pace or run the route in reverse from Marrakech to Fes. Send us your dates and group size for an exact quote.
Book This Tour
Request Your Private Fes to Marrakech Tour
Tell us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation. We reply within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary and price — no payment needed to enquire.
- Private tour — only your group in the vehicle
- Free itinerary changes before departure
- Local team based in the south of Morocco
Booking Enquiry
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
The full route covers roughly 1,100 km over four days. The longest day is the first, Fes to Merzouga (about 470 km, 8 hours with stops); the following days are shorter, with plenty of time for walks and visits.
It is fully private. Only you and your travel companions are in the vehicle, and the pace and stops can be adjusted to suit you.
You sleep in a private nomadic-style tent in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with proper beds and blankets. Standard and luxury camps are available; luxury tents have an en-suite bathroom with shower.
Yes. The same route works in the opposite direction, starting in Marrakech and finishing in Fes. We can also finish in Merzouga or add extra nights.
Yes. Many travellers add a night in Merzouga to explore the region by 4×4 — Khamlia village, nomad families and the seasonal lake — making it a 5-day tour.
Yes, camels are led on foot by a guide at a slow pace. If you prefer not to ride, a 4×4 transfer to the camp can be arranged.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal. Winter days are sunny but desert and mountain nights are cold, and the Tichka pass can see snow; summer days in the desert are very hot.
Comfortable layers, a warm jacket for the evenings, closed shoes for the gorge walks, sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf for sun and sand, and a small overnight bag for the camp.
The price depends on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation level (standard or luxury camp). Send us your dates and group size for an exact quote within 24 hours.
Gallery
Moments from the Journey
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