This 4-day tour of Morocco takes you from Fes to Marrakech, through the major cities, and into the Sahara Desert. With breathtaking views of the Middle Atlas Mountains, the golden Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, and the scenic Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, this trip has been expertly designed to allow you to experience the best that Morocco has to offer.
This 4-day tour of Morocco takes you from Fes to Marrakech, through the major cities, and into the Sahara Desert. With breathtaking views of the Middle Atlas Mountains, the golden Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, and the scenic Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, this trip has been expertly designed to allow you to experience the best that Morocco has to offer. You will enjoy the hospitality of the Berber people while staying in luxurious tents under the stars. Throughout your adventure, you will visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites that have drawn visitors for hundreds of years. This 4-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech will combine adventure, culture, and nature into a truly remarkable experience.
You will leave Fes before dawn on the first day of your 4-day Fes to Merzouga tour. This leg of the trip starts in a southerly direction toward Southern Morocco. The scenery along the way changes quickly as you gain elevation.
As you make your way through the first destination, Ifrane, also known as the "Switzerland of Morocco" due to its mountain-style buildings and clean streets. At an elevation of 1,665 meters above sea level, Ifrane has a pleasant climate throughout the entire year because of the elevation. Continue down through the Cedar Forest, located just outside Azrou, which contains the endangered species of Barbary macaque. If you look carefully enough, the Barbary macaques will come close enough to take pictures.
Next, you will continue to descend through the Middle Atlas Mountains until you reach Midelt, where you will have lunch with views of the mineral-rich panoramas of the local mountains. As you move further down into the Ziz Valley from Midelt on the way to Merzouga, you will notice that the landscape begins to change. The Ziz Valley is famous for having thousands of date palm trees, providing a lush green ribbon in the otherwise arid landscape. You will find several panoramic overlooks throughout the valley to take pictures of this lush oasis.
By later afternoon, you should arrive in Merzouga, which is considered the gateway to the Sahara. Stay at a nice hotel located at the base of the sand dunes. Relax after dinner and prepare for tomorrow's adventure in the desert.
Overnight: Merzouga Lodge (Dinner & Breakfast Included)
Drive Time: Approximately 7.5 Hours / 500 km
Today, we will be visiting the Merzouga Desert on a tour that immerses you in the desert culture. After breakfast, you will go to Khamlia Village, where you will see the Gnaoua people (the descendants of sub-Saharan Africa) and enjoy their hypnotic spiritual music with traditional Gnaoua instruments.
Then you will meet a nomadic Berber family living in the traditional way (desert tents) and share mint tea while learning about their ancient lifestyle and the challenges of living in the desert. Optional activities include fossil hunting in the hills or sand bashing through the dunes in a 4x4 vehicle.
You will return to your lodge for lunch and free time before the highlight of your 4-day camel tour from Fes. After lunch, you will mount your camel to begin your trek that will take approximately 1-1.5 hours through Erg Chebbi Dunes, as the camel's rhythmic gait carries you deeper into the Sahara at sunset. You will stop at the highest dune for sandboarding before arriving at your luxury campground.
Once the stars are out, you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and then enjoy Berber music around the campfire. The absence of light pollution will show you a beautiful star-filled sky, an increasingly uncommon sight in modern society.
Note: If you prefer not to ride camels, 4x4 transfers to the camp are available at no
extra charge.
Overnight: Luxury Ensuite Sahara Desert Camp (Dinner & Breakfast Included)
Activities: Full Day Desert Experience
Be sure you wake early enough to see the sun rise over the sand dunes, as the first light of day creates a beautiful landscape in pinks, oranges, and golds. After breakfast at your camp, you will be taken back to Merzouga in either a camel caravan or by a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
On the 4 day of your Morocco desert tour from Fes to Dades Valley, you will continue westward through the town of Rissani, home to one of Morocco's oldest marketplaces. If you are travelling on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, be sure to visit Rissani for an incredible local market where local people come from miles around to sell and buy livestock, vegetable produce, and traditional items. The town also has historical significance, being the capital of the Alaouite dynasty, and continues to be an important area for commercial activity.
Your journey will take you to the Todra Gorges, one of the largest limestone canyons on the planet. The Todra Gorges' rock formations range in height from 400 m (1300 ft) to 500 m (1640 ft), forming one of the most incredible natural landscapes that can be found on earth. As you explore the canyon, admire the determination of rock climbers ascending the sheer cliffs and imagine the immense power of the river that carved out this amazing geological feature. You will pass through the Rose Valley (a valley well known for the many rosewater products created by the residents) and then several traditional Berber villages before you get to your overnight stop, Boumalne Dades. The Dades Valley has an incredible landscape of red rock cliffs and is surrounded by peaceful mountain views and wonderful vistas of traditional Kasbahs on the sides of the hills.
Overnight: Hotel/Riad in Boumalne Dades (Dinner & Breakfast Included)
Drive Time: Approximately 5-6 Hours / 320 km
Your final day at the end of a 4-day Fes to Marrakech tour returns along the famous Road to 1000 Kasbahs, where hundreds of fortified villages are found along the way. A stop will be made at Kalaa Magouna, the Valley of Roses, where many products are made using the fragrant delicacies of Damascus roses that grow each May.
You will then stop at Kasbah Amridil, a beautiful 17th-century fortress located near Skoura that is now a privately owned museum showcasing traditional Berber village life. Continuing along this route, you will arrive in Ouarzazate: "The Hollywood of Morocco," as many international movies have been filmed there, with the option of visiting Atlas Studios, where movie sets and props remain on display set in the desert.
To highlight your tour today is Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is widely considered one of Morocco’s most iconic sites. This beautiful fortified town has appeared in numerous blockbuster films, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. A guided walking tour will take you through the old alleys that run through the town, leading you to the top of the hill for spectacular views over the entire valley.
In the afternoon, travel to the TiziN'Tichka mountain pass after having lunch, and complete the last leg of your journey as you travel through the High Atlas Mountains. The high mountain road climbs an elevation of 2260 m (7400 ft), with a winding route, and will offer you breathtaking views as you descend down towards Marrakech.
You will arrive at the Red City (Marrakech) between 5pm and 7pm, where your driver will transport you to your hotel, and your journey from Fes to Marrakech will come to a close.
Drive Time: Approximately 6-6.5 Hours / 353 km
The cost of your Fes to Marrakech private desert tour for 4 days varies based on group size, season, and accommodation level. Prices shown are per person in Euros:
| Group Size | Luxury Tier | Comfort Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | €699 | €599 |
| 2 Persons | €399 | €329 |
| 3-4 Persons | €329 | €279 |
| 5-6 Persons | €299 | €249 |
| 7-9 Persons | €279 | €229 |
Prices may vary during peak season (October-April) and during holidays.
| Night | Location | Standard Option | Luxury Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Merzouga | Riad Azawad or Merzouga Sahara Camps | Riad Madu or Kasbah Mohayut |
| Day 2 | Merzouga Desert | Africa Luxury Camp (Ensuite tents) | Mouhou Luxury Desert Camp (Ensuite tents) |
| Day 3 | Dades Valley | Hotel Babylon Dades or Auberge Chez Pierre | Dar Chamaa or Kasbah Tizimi |
The distance from Fes to Merzouga is roughly 463 to 500 km (287 to 311 miles), depending on the specific route taken. The drive takes roughly 7 to 7 and a half hours with stops for sightseeing, photography, and refreshments.
Yes! While the camel trek is a very special member of all 4-day Sahara tours from Fes, we understand that not all people will enjoy this part. If you would rather be driven to and from the luxury camp in a comfortable 4x4, we will arrange this for you at no additional charge. Just let your driver know!
Yes! Our luxury desert camps come with your own private ensuite bathroom, including a flush toilet and hot shower. In addition, there are electrical outlets located in the communal area and inside the tents for you to charge your electronics. In the case of standard desert camps, you may have a shared bathroom.
Only bring what you need for a one-night stay at the desert camp in a small overnight bag, which will contain the essentials. All of your other belongings will be safely taken to the camp in a 4x4 vehicle and will be waiting for you when you arrive.
We use a variety of modern, air-conditioned vehicles that are chosen based on the number of people in your group. The choices include a Toyota Prado Land Cruiser TX (1-4 people), a Ford van (5-6 people), or a Mercedes Benz Sprinter minibus (7-17 people). All of our vehicles are serviced on a regular basis and have all of the necessary safety equipment to be considered safe.
This is a private tour. You will have your own vehicle and your own guide and will have an exclusive experience that has been tailored to your group. It means you don't have to compromise on stops or how quickly or slowly you go, and you can customize your itinerary. We can also take you on a shared tour if you like; some travelers request this option to save money.
This tour is available every day of the year, but the best times of year are in the spring (late March-early May) and fall (late September-early November) when the weather is generally cool and comfortable. The summer months (June-August) are typically extremely hot in the desert, and the winter months (December-February) are generally pretty cold during the nights. Each season has its own unique beauty.
Definitely! The Fes-Marrakech via Merzouga desert trip can be designed specifically for you based on your preferences, pace, and budget. If you want to add days to your stay in the desert, specify which activities you'd like to do, and upgrade or downgrade your hotel accommodations, please reach out to us for assistance.
You should bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes (for hiking), sandals (to wear while walking around in the sand), lightweight clothing (for when it's hot), a warm jacket (because it gets really cold at night in the desert), sunblock (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), a camera/phone (to capture memories), personal medications, and a small backpack. In winter months, be sure to pack additional layers of clothing because temperatures can drop significantly at night.
"We went on a 4-day trip from Fes to Marrakesh, and it exceeded all our expectations! Mohamed the driver had an amazing amount of knowledge and was very helpful. The luxury desert tent was more than we imagined; it had a private bath, a really comfy bed, and a sunrise to die for over the dunes. The entire trip itinerary was so well put together and timed perfectly."
- Sarah M. (UK)
"The best thing we did was book the Fes to Sahara trip for 4 days! It was an amazing experience in Morocco because of all the variety! Each day had something different—monkeys in Azrou, fierce-looking gorges, and Ait Ben Haddou, which is a Historic Site of World Heritage! Hassan explained everything about Moroccan culture and history to us along the way."
- James K. (Australia)
"We booked the comfort tier, and the accommodations were amazing! The desert camp was really luxurious and had hot showers and real beds. The camel rides were gentle and suitable for every level of fitness! This tour is worth every dime!"
- Lisa & Tom R. (Canada)
This 4-day Morocco itinerary from Fes to Marrakech can be fully customized to match your travel style. Options include:
Extend your Moroccan adventure with these carefully curated experiences:
Explore the amazing scenery, diverse culture, and adventure of Morocco on this beautiful trip from Fes to Marrakech over 4 days. You will see firsthand the magnificent landscape and stunning views that will captivate your love for the great outdoors.
The private tour experience is personalized to suit your particular interests and needs, providing you with the utmost in comfort and enjoyment while creating lasting memories of a wonderful trip.
Email: visitmaghrebagency@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +212 721 167
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