• Overview

  • Trip Outline

  • Trip Includes

  • Trip Excludes

  • FAQ

5 Days Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech – Overview

The 5 Days Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech is a perfect combination of culture, adventure, and relaxation. Starting in Fez, you will travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, and historic towns, before reaching the iconic golden dunes of Erg Chebbi close to Merzouga.

This extended itinerary allows you to explore Morocco’s natural and cultural highlights at a more relaxed pace, with stops in lush Ziz Valley, the dramatic Todra Gorge, and the scenic Dades Valley.

Highlights of the tour include:

  • Camel trekking in the Sahara dunes at sunset and sunrise

  • Overnight in a traditional desert camp, enjoying Berber music and stargazing

  • Visits to Ait Ben Haddou and other historic kasbahs

  • Crossing the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains

  • Immersion in traditional Berber culture through villages, local markets, and scenic valleys

5-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech – Trip Outline

Trip Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Start:Fez

End: Marrakech

Destination: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi

Itineraries

Day 1

Fez – Midelt – Rissani – Merzouga

Our private tour begins with a drive into the Atlas Mountains, with a stop to visit the town of Ifrane. Here, we'll have the opportunity to explore the famous cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques. We'll then continue through the Tiz Ntalghamt mountain pass and the Ziz Gorge, where we can stop for photos and a local mint tea. From there, we continue to Midelt and then on to Merzouga. The day concludes with dinner and overnight accommodation in a local riad.

Day 2

Merzouga desert tour and camel ride

Today we'll explore the desert region surrounding the Erg Chebbi dunes. You'll have the opportunity to witness the nomadic lifestyle and the striking contrasts of the desert. We'll visit the Gnawa village of Khamlia to enjoy traditional music. For lunch, we'll savor a traditional Berber pizza in the ancient capital of Rissani.

In the late afternoon, we'll ride camels to watch the sunset over the dunes and spend the night at a desert camp. We'll enjoy a traditional tagine for dinner, sip delicious local mint tea, and listen to Berber music around a campfire while gazing at the stars and the crescent moon in the breathtaking Sahara Desert.

Day 3

Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

You will return to your hotel by camel for breakfast and a shower. Afterward, we depart through the desert
to the ancient city of Rissani and the Todra Gorge (you can walk through the Todra Gorge

along the river). We stop to enjoy the panoramic views of the ancient Berber mud-brick villages
overlooking the Todra Valley, where many rock climbers come to
enjoy their favorite sport. We continue to Dades for the night in the Dades Valley.

Day 4

Dades Valley - Rose Valley - Ouarzazate - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakesh

Afterwards, we depart for the Dades Valley along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, then continue along a road
that leads us to the roses. Thousands upon thousands of roses perfume Kelaa M'Gouna. The most beautiful of the rose gardens in the Valley of Roses, where the Rose Festival is celebrated in May. Dances and
horseback riding follow one another under a continuous shower of petals. Did you know that it takes a ton of
petals to obtain one liter of rose extract? We will pass through Skoura, a large palm grove, and see the
state of most of the kasbahs that were concentrated there. Departure for Marrakech, crossing the Tizi Tichka pass again, at an altitude of about 2,260 meters, the
"Pass of the Pastures." The highest road pass in Morocco. Although subject to very strong winds, the high meadows perched on the slopes of the High Atlas Mountains serve as pastures in the
summer. En route, we visited the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is the best-preserved fortified village (ksar). We arrived in Marrakech in the late afternoon. End of our services. Have a good trip.

Day 5

Guided tour of Marrakech

A guided tour of Marrakech is the perfect way to discover the city's rich history, culture, and architecture. Marrakech, known as the "Red City," combines ancient palaces, vibrant souks, and traditional gardens, offering visitors a unique Moroccan experience.

During the guided tour, visitors can explore:

The Marrakech Medina: a labyrinthine network of alleyways filled with souks, shops selling handicrafts, spices, and traditional products.

Jemaa el-Fna Square: the heart of the city, with street performers, musicians, and stalls selling local food.

The Bahia Palace: a prime example of 19th-century Moroccan architecture, featuring ornate gardens and halls.

The Koutoubia Mosque: an iconic symbol of Marrakech, visible from many points throughout the city.

  • 🚐 Comfortable air-conditioned 4×4 / minibus transportation throughout the tour

  • 👨‍✈️ Professional English-speaking driver / guide

  • 🏨 3 nights accommodation in hotels or riads (Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Todra Valley)

  • 1 night in a Sahara desert camp near Merzouga

  • 🐪 Camel trekking at sunset and sunrise in the Erg Chebbi

  • 🍽️ 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners (including traditional Berber dinner in the desert)

  • 🎶 Berber music and campfire experience at the desert camp

  • 📍 Scenic stops and visits along the route, including Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, and Ait Ben Haddou

  • 🧳 Hotel pick-up in Fez and drop-off in Marrakech

  • 🍴 Lunches during the trip

  • 🥤 Drinks and personal beverages

  • 🎟️ Entrance fees to monuments, museums, and film studios

  • 🏍️ Optional activities (ATV quad biking, sandboarding, etc.)

  • 💰 Personal expenses and souvenirs

  • 💵 Tips for the driver and guides

Fes → Middle Atlas Mountains → Merzouga (Sahara Desert) → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Marrakech

The journey covers around 530–550 km, with scenic stops in Ifrane, Azrou, and Ziz Valley. Expect 7–8 hours of driving on the first day, with plenty of opportunities for photos.

Driving varies: 4–6 hours most days. Longer day from Fes to Merzouga (~7–8 hours). Breaks included for stops, lunch, and sightseeing.

Transportation in air‑conditioned vehicle

Guided tours in key locations

1 night in a Berber desert camp (Merzouga)

Camel trekking in the Sahara

Accommodation in riads or hotels for other nights

Breakfast daily and some dinners (depending on package)

International flights

Lunches unless specified

Personal expenses and tips

Optional activities (quad biking, sandboarding, etc.)

Camel trek for sunset and sunrise in Merzouga dunes.

4×4 vehicle may be used for off-road desert excursions.

Yes, but camel trekking and long drives may be challenging for very young or elderly travelers. Always check with your tour operator.