6-Day Tour from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara Desert
A private one-way journey from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara: the Middle Atlas cedar forests, the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, the Todra and Dades Gorges and Ait Ben Haddou
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
6 days and 5 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts in Fes and ends in Marrakech, with hotel or airport transfers
Overnight
Hotels, kasbahs and a Berber camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Highlights
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, the Ziz Valley, Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, the Todra and Dades Gorges, Ait Ben Haddou and the Tizi n’Tichka pass
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
From Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara, Without Rushing
Most desert trips between the two imperial cities squeeze the drive into three or four long days. This private tour from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara takes six, so you have time to enjoy every stop. You leave Fes through the Alpine-style town of Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, home of the Barbary macaques, spend a night in Midelt at the foot of the High Atlas, and follow the palm-filled Ziz Valley down to Merzouga.
There you ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi, sleep in a desert camp and spend a full day exploring the Sahara. On the way west you walk through the Todra Gorge, drive the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Dades Gorges and the Valley of Roses, stay at the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech. Short on time? See our 4-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech.
Tour Highlights
- Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”
- The Azrou cedar forest and its Barbary macaques
- Midelt and the Ziz Gorges
- The palm groves of the Ziz Valley
- A sunset camel trek and a night in an Erg Chebbi camp
- A full day in the Sahara: Khamlia, Rissani and Dayet Srji
- The Todra Gorge and the Dades Gorges
- The Valley of Roses and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
- A night at the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- The Tizi n’Tichka pass over the High Atlas
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This journey from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Fes, Ifrane, the Azrou Cedar Forest and Midelt
Pickup from your riad or hotel in Fes and drive south into the Middle Atlas to Ifrane, a clean mountain town with pitched roofs, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Continue to the Azrou cedar forest, where you can see wild Barbary macaques among the giant trees, and cross the high plateau to Midelt, famous for its apples and its views of the Jbel Ayachi. Dinner and overnight in Midelt.
Stops on Day 1
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Azrou cedar forest
- Midelt
Day 2
Midelt, the Ziz Valley and Merzouga: Camel Trek and Desert Camp
Cross the High Atlas through the Ziz Gorges and follow the Ziz Valley, a long ribbon of palm groves and earthen villages, past Errachidia and Erfoud to Merzouga. In the late afternoon you meet your camel guide and ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes, the highest in Morocco, to watch the sunset over the Sahara. Dinner with Berber drumming around the campfire and overnight in a desert camp.
Stops on Day 2
- Ziz Gorges
- Ziz Valley
- Erfoud
- Merzouga
Day 3
A Full Day in the Sahara around Merzouga
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes and ride back by camel. After breakfast, explore the desert around Merzouga: the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, whose families came from Mali with the caravans, nomad families, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji and the old market town of Rissani. Optional 4×4 dune tour, quad biking or sandboarding. Second night in a hotel or camp in Merzouga.
Stops on Day 3
- Erg Chebbi
- Khamlia
- Dayet Srji
- Rissani
Day 4
Merzouga, the Todra Gorge and the Dades Gorges
Drive west through the palm groves of the Tafilalet to Tinghir and walk through the Todra Gorge, where cliffs rise 300 metres on either side of a narrow canyon. Continue to the Dades Gorges, with their winding road and the rock formations known as the “Monkey Fingers”. Overnight in the Dades Valley.
Stops on Day 4
- Tinghir
- Todra Gorge
- Boumalne Dades
- Dades Gorges
Day 5
The Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou
Follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Kelaat M’Gouna and the Valley of Roses, and the palm grove of Skoura. In Ouarzazate, our home town, visit the Taourirt Kasbah, then continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and climb to the old granary at sunset. Overnight in a kasbah guesthouse.
Stops on Day 5
- Valley of Roses
- Skoura
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
Day 6
Ait Ben Haddou, the Tizi n’Tichka Pass and Marrakech
Cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres, with views over Berber villages and terraced valleys, and stop at an argan oil cooperative on the way down. Arrive in Marrakech in the early afternoon for drop-off at your riad, hotel or Marrakech Menara Airport. End of our services.
Stops on Day 6
- Tizi n’Tichka
- Argan cooperative
- Marrakech
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- English-speaking driver and private 4x4 or air-conditioned minivan with fuel
- 5 nights’ accommodation (hotels, kasbahs and one night in a desert camp)
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Pickup in Fes and drop-off at your hotel or the airport in Marrakech
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and kasbahs
- Optional activities (quad, 4x4 dune tour, sandboarding)
- Tips and personal expenses
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 have visited Fes and want to reach Marrakech through the desert at a relaxed pace, with two nights in the Merzouga area and a night at Ait Ben Haddou. Before you leave, read our guide to the medina of Fes.
Every trip from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara is private, with your own driver and a pace that suits you. For a shorter version, see our 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakech.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other tours between Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech.
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley, with time in the Sahara desert.
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, the Ziz Valley palm grove and the Sahara, ending in Marrakech.
A round trip from Marrakech through the Sahara desert and Fes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need for this route?
The route can be done in 3 or 4 days, but the drives are long. Six days give you two nights in the Sahara, a full day in the dunes and a night at Ait Ben Haddou, with no more than 5 to 6 hours of driving a day.
Does the tour end in Marrakech?
Yes. It starts at your riad or hotel in Fes and ends in Marrakech, at your hotel or Marrakech Menara Airport.
Do I sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On day 2 you ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes and sleep in a Berber desert camp. Day 3 is spent exploring the Merzouga area, with a second night in a hotel or camp.
Will I see monkeys in the Azrou cedar forest?
Usually, yes. Barbary macaques live in the forest near Azrou and are often seen by the road. Please do not feed them.
Can I do the tour from Marrakech to Fes instead?
Yes. We can reverse the route and finish in Fes. Tell us on our contact page.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. All our tours are private, and the itinerary can be adjusted to your pace, budget and interests.
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.