4 Days from Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour: Sahara Dunes, Camel Trek & Camp
A full day in the Sahara between the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and the kasbahs of the south
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
4 days and 3 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts in Fes and ends in Marrakech
Overnight
A hotel in Merzouga, a starry desert camp and a hotel in Ouarzazate
Highlights
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, Erg Chebbi dunes, a camel trek and Ait Ben Haddou
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
A Full Day in the Sahara
This 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech gives you a full day in the Sahara. After a first day driving through Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley, you spend the second day exploring Merzouga: the Gnawa community, the lake, the Rissani souk and a camel trek into the dunes for the sunset and a night in a starry desert camp.
The last two days take you through the Todra Gorges, the Dades Valley and Ouarzazate, then over the Atlas via Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech. It is a more relaxed alternative to our 3-day tour.
Tour Highlights
- Drive through Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”
- The oak and cedar forest of Azrou, home to Barbary macaques
- The Ziz Valley and its palm groves
- A camel ride into the Sahara dunes
- Sunset and sunrise over the highest sand dunes in Morocco
- A night in a starry desert camp
- A visit to a traditional market
- The Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley
- Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”
- Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas Mountains
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt and Merzouga Dunes
You leave Fes after breakfast and travel south into the Middle Atlas. Your first stop is Ifrane, the alpine-style town known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”, followed by the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may see wild Barbary macaques. You continue through Midelt and Errachidia and along the green Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and Berber villages, as the scenery slowly turns to desert. You reach the Sahara dunes at the end of the day.
Stops on Day 1
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Azrou
- Midelt
- Errachidia
- Merzouga Dunes
Day 2
Merzouga, Erg Chebbi and a Camel Trek
After breakfast at your hotel you set out to explore the area. You visit the Gnawa community, whose ancestors were brought from Sudan, to experience their music and culture, and see the lake of Merzouga, where you may see birds depending on the season. You also visit the authentic Rissani souk, a market that was famous for caravans trading as far as Timbuktu in Mali, where you can walk among vegetables, dates, crafts and animals.
In the afternoon you return to the hotel and ride a camel into the sand sea of Merzouga, enjoy the sunset and spend the night in a starry desert camp.
Stops on Day 2
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi
- Camel Trekk
Day 3
Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Tinghir and Ouarzazate
After breakfast you drive to Rissani, a traditional market town that was the origin of Morocco’s ruling family, where the souk sits under red arches. You continue through Erfoud and the Tafilalet oasis to Tinghir and the Todra Gorges, one of the most impressive canyons in Morocco, and then along the Dades Valley through Boumalne Dades and on to Ouarzazate.
Stops on Day 3
- Merzouga
- Rissani
- Erfoud
- Tinghir
- Todra Gorges
- Boumalne Dades
- Ouarzazate
Day 4
Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Atlas Mountains and Marrakech
After breakfast you leave Ouarzazate and visit the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then cross the High Atlas Mountains again over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The road winds through mountain scenery and Berber villages, and you reach Marrakech in the late afternoon.
Stops on Day 4
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Atlas Mountains
- Marrakech
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- Driver-guide and private 4x4 or minivan transport with fuel
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary, with breakfast and dinner
- Camel ride into the dunes
- A night in a desert camp, with dinner and breakfast
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- Comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This tour suits travellers who want a full day in the desert between Fes and Marrakech, without rushing. Expect long drives on the first, third and fourth days.
For a shorter trip, see our 3-day tour. For more time on foot, see the 5-day tour.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other tours between Fes and Marrakech.
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, the Ziz Valley palm grove and the Sahara, ending in Marrakech.
Ifrane, the cedar forest, the Ziz Valley and a camel trek in the Sahara.
After a short stay in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas and pass heritage sites and the “Hollywood of Morocco” on the way to the desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 3, 4 and 5-day tours from Fes?
All three cross the Middle Atlas and the Sahara and end in Marrakech. The 4-day tour adds a full day around the Merzouga dunes, and the 5-day tour adds a guided hike in the Dades Gorges.
Do I sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On the second day you ride a camel into the dunes and spend the night in a starry desert camp.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Fes, where we meet you at your accommodation, and ends in Marrakech on the fourth day.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation as described in the itinerary is arranged for you, with the meals listed in the included section. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your requirements, and we can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco. Tell us what you need on our contact page.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, summer is very hot in the desert and winter nights are cold, so bring warm clothes.
What should I bring?
warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter, sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes, comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag, cash for lunches, drinks and tips and a camera. Read our tips in the Morocco FAQ.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
Ready for Your Sahara Adventure?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
Ask for Prices
Please fill in the form below or contact us directly by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will answer you as soon as possible. Include your tour date and the number of people.