5 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley [324 km]

Your 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes starts in the morning with pick-up from your accommodation in Marrakech. We drive through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest road in Morocco, crossing the High Atlas Mountains with multiple stops for panoramic views and photos. Along the way, we also visit a traditional Argan oil cooperative where you can learn how local women produce oil using traditional methods.

We continue to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most famous ksars in Morocco. This fortified village has been used as a filming location for many international movies and series due to its unique architecture.

After lunch, we head to Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert and home to Atlas Film Studios. In the afternoon, we travel through the Valley of Roses before reaching Dades Valley, where we spend the night in a hotel or riad surrounded by beautiful rock formations.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Merzouga Desert (Erg Chebbi) [249 km]

After breakfast, we continue toward the Todra Gorges, one of the most impressive natural attractions in Morocco. The canyon walls rise dramatically up to 300 meters, making it a popular spot for walking and photography.

We then pass through several Berber villages and stop for lunch in Tinjdad or Touroug. The landscape gradually changes as we approach the desert, offering a mix of rocky plateaus and palm-filled valleys.

In the afternoon, we arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here, your camels will be ready for a ride across the golden sand dunes. You will reach the desert camp at sunset, where dinner is served and the evening continues with traditional Berber music around the fire.

Day 3: Merzouga Desert Tour

You will wake up early in the desert camp to watch the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, then have breakfast before starting the day. After that, we begin our visit around the Merzouga area, including a stop at a panoramic viewpoint to enjoy the desert landscapes and take photos.

We continue to Khamlia village to enjoy Gnawa music and learn about the local culture. After lunch, you will have free time to relax, and in the evening you will head to your hotel near the dunes for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Ziz Valley – Midelt [264 km]

After breakfast, we leave the Sahara Desert and travel toward Midelt. Our first stop is Rissani, an important historic town and former trading center of caravans coming from Mali and Sudan. The local market here is still very traditional and worth exploring if timing allows.

We continue to Erfoud, famous for fossil production and marble workshops. The road then takes us through the beautiful Ziz Valley, known for its large palm groves and dramatic views. We stop for photos along the way to enjoy the scenery.

By late afternoon, we arrive in Midelt, a quiet town located between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountains. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a hotel surrounded by peaceful mountain landscapes.

Day 5: Midelt – Cedar Forest – Ifrane – Meknes – Fes [270 km]

On the last day of your Marrakech to Fes 5 days tour, we travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains with several interesting stops. One of the highlights is the Cedar Forest near Azrou, where you can see wild Barbary macaques living freely in their natural habitat.

We then continue to Ifrane, a clean and modern mountain town often called the Switzerland of Morocco due to its European-style architecture and climate. After a short visit, we drive to Meknes, one of Morocco imperial cities.

In Meknes, we visit Bab Mansour gate, Lahdim Square, and Sahrij Souani basin. Finally, we drive to Fes, where your 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes ends.