7 Days Tour from Ouarzazate to Fes: Sahara Desert, Camel Trek & Imperial City
From the “Hollywood of Africa” across the Sahara to the imperial city of Fes
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
7 days and 6 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts in Ouarzazate and ends in Fes
Overnight
Hotels, a starry desert camp and a riad in Fes
Highlights
Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorges, Sahara dunes, Ifrane and the medina of Fes
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
From the South to the Imperial North
This 7 days tour from Ouarzazate to Fes takes you from the south of Morocco to the north through some of its most varied landscapes. You start in Ouarzazate with its kasbahs and film studios, the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and the Fint Oasis, then follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and the Todra Gorges to the Sahara for a camel trek and a night in a starry camp.
From the dunes you cross the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas via Ifrane and the cedar forest to Fes, where a full day with a local guide explores the medina, the tanneries, the Jewish quarter and a pottery workshop.
Tour Highlights
- Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”
- The Taourirt Kasbah and Atlas Studios
- Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- The Fint Oasis
- The Todra Gorges, the Dades Valley and the Roses Valley
- Camel riding at sunset and sunrise on the highest dunes in Morocco
- A night in a starry desert camp
- The Gnawa community and the Rissani souk
- The palm groves of the Ziz Valley
- Ifrane and the cedar forest
- Fes, the spiritual and cultural city of Morocco
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Arrival in Ouarzazate
We meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation.
Day 2
Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and the Fint Oasis
Your driver picks you up from your accommodation, and you start by exploring Ouarzazate. After visiting the Taourirt Kasbah you head to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 and the setting for many films. You then discover the Fint Oasis, a lush green oasis tucked away from mass tourism, and visit Atlas Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world. Overnight in a hotel or riad.
Day 3
Ouarzazate, Roses Valley, Boumalne Dades, Tinghir and Sahara Desert
After breakfast you leave Ouarzazate and follow the Roses Valley and the Dades Valley on the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs”, with plenty of chances for photos. You visit the Todra Gorges, a canyon whose rock walls rise up to about 160 metres, and continue through Tinghir, Erfoud and the palm groves of the Tafilalet oasis to reach the Sahara dunes of Merzouga in the late afternoon.
You spend the night in a hotel in the Sahara.
Stops on Day 3
- Ouarzazate
- Roses Valley
- Boumalne Dades
- Tinghir
- Sahara Desert
Day 4
Merzouga, Erg Chebbi and a Desert Camp
After breakfast in your hotel, you will start an explorative journey of the area before your Camel Trek and spend the night at the desert camp. Today, you’ll visit an Association of Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan And Mali to experience their music and culture. Not far away there’s the lake of Merzouga, with its bird populations, depending on the season. You will also visit the authentic Souk of Rissani, (Shopping days, are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) an area that was famous for the caravans trading as far as Timbuktu in Mali. Here you will walk the Souk , viewing vegetables , dates, crafts and animals before we go back to the hotel. In the afternoon, you will Ride Camel and trek within the Sand Sea of Sahara Desert. Time to enjoy the Sunset before you have dinner in the camp where you spend the night.
Stops on Day 4
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi
- Starry Camp
Day 5
Merzouga, Ziz Valley, Midelt, Azrou and Fes
You wake early to watch the sunrise over the dunes and ride back to Merzouga. From there you drive north through the Ziz Valley and its gorges, over the Tizi n’Talghamt pass and through Midelt, with a stop for lunch on the way. You cross the Middle Atlas, stop at the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may see Barbary macaques, and pass through Ifrane before reaching Fes at the end of the day.
Stops on Day 5
- Merzouga
- Ziz Valley
- Midelt
- Azrou
- Ifrane
- Fes
Day 6
Full Day in Fes
You spend the day exploring the medina of Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On a walking tour of its narrow lanes you visit the famous tanneries, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, the madrasas and the Nejjarine fountain. In the afternoon you drive to the Jewish quarter (the Mellah) and the gates of the Royal Palace, visit a pottery or tile workshop and finish at a viewpoint with a panoramic view over the whole medina.
Day 7
Departure from Fes
Transfer to the airport and end of our services.
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
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers
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 to travel from the south to the north of Morocco, with the Sahara and the imperial city of Fes on the same trip. It includes long drives, especially on days 3 and 5.
For a route in the opposite direction, see our 4-day tour from Fes to Marrakech.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other tours starting in Ouarzazate.
Kasbah Taourirt, Atlas Studios, Ait Ben Haddou and the Draa Valley on the way to the desert.
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley, with time in the Sahara desert.
Explore Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, and the village of Taourirt before heading to the Sahara.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour end in Fes?
Yes. On day 6 you spend a full day in Fes with a guide, and on day 7 we transfer you to the airport.
Do I sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On day 4 you ride a camel into the dunes for the sunset and spend the night in a starry desert camp.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Ouarzazate, where we meet you at the airport, and ends in Fes with an airport transfer on day 7.
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.