4 Day Desert tour from Fes to Marrakech

Fes to marrakech desert tour 4 days

Overview

The 4 Day Desert tour from Fes to Marrakech lasts four days and packs plenty of sights and scenery into a short time.

Your journey begins in Fes with a drive to Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco,” and then continues to the cedar forests. You will stop for lunch in Midelt before following the Ziz River down to the Merzouga Sahara Desert. There, you can enjoy a camel ride and, depending on the weather, either stay in a desert camp at the foot of the dunes or watch both sunset and sunrise over the Sahara. A 4×4 desert exploration is also planned. Afterward, you will visit the local souk in Rissani and Erfoud, a town famous for its fossils. The tour then takes you to the impressive Todra Gorges, Dades Gorges, and the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Finally, you will cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi-n-Tichka pass before reaching Marrakech.

Highlights

Taking in the scenic views over the High Atlas mountains
Exploring the historical Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
Glaring upon the mesmerizing Dades and Todra Gorges
Unforgettable camel trek through the sand seas of Merzouga
Witnessing outstanding sunset and sunrise shows over the Erg Chebbi Dunes
Spending a wonderful night under the stars in a luxurious desert camp
Admiring the incredible landscapes of the Draa Valley
Gaining deep insights into Moroccan traditions through interaction with local people

Included

Transport in a private 4×4 or a minivan with A/C +Fuel.
Pick-up from Your Riad or any Location in Marrakech
Private Driver / Guide Speaking English.
2 Nights in an Excellent Hotels / Riads.
1 Night in a Luxury Desert Camp + Private Bathroom
Sandboards Available at the Camp
Camel ride ( a Camel Per person ) or Transfer via a 4WD as an alternative
Dinners and Breakfasts.
Drop Off at your Riad in Fes

Excluded

Itinerary

Day 1:Fes – Ifrane – Cedars forest- Midelt – Ziz valley – Merzouga Sahara

On the first morning of your 4 Day Desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, we will pick you up from the airport or your hotel in Fes. From there, we will drive south through Imouzzer to reach Ifrane, a popular tourist destination known for its cool weather, snowfall, and chalet-style homes. This charming town is often called the Switzerland of Morocco. Next, we will visit the cedar forest, home to the Barbary macaques. You are welcome to feed them as you walk through the woods. Afterward, we will continue to Midelt for lunch. Then, we will make our way to the Sahara Desert, crossing the Tizi-n-Tilghmt pass and following the Ziz River.

In the afternoon, you will arrive in the Sahara Desert near Merzouga. Here, you will switch to camels and ride across the sand. We will stop on a high dune to watch the sunset. Afterward, you will head to a comfortable desert camp, where you can enjoy live Berber music and a campfire under the stars. Dinner and an overnight stay at the camp will follow.

Day 2: Explore Merzouga region – Nomads – Khamlia – Merzouga lake – Erg Chebbi – palm grove

Begin your day early by watching the sunrise over the desert. After breakfast, you can return to Merzouga by camel or meet your driver for a 4WD ride. The following day is dedicated to exploring the Merzouga area. Along with its tall dunes, the region has natural lakes, mineral deposits, fossil beds, and scenic oases, making it perfect for outdoor adventures.

We’ll begin our Merzouga adventure with an off-road drive to an old kohl mine. Afterward, we’ll visit nomadic families who live in hand-woven tents and share a cup of traditional Berber tea. Next, we’ll go to the village of Khamlia to enjoy live Gnaoua music and dance. Many people here have roots in Mali, Sudan, and Niger. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Later, we’ll take a relaxed walk through a green palm grove. To end the day, we’ll visit a nearby seasonal lake where flamingos gather. Dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel will complete the day.

Day 3: Merzouga Sahara – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

After breakfast, we will leave the desert and travel to Rissani, an ancient city in the Tafilalet region. Rissani is known for its lively markets, especially on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The city is still an important trade center in the region.

After visiting the market in Rissani, we will head to Erfoud to tour a factory that works with petrified and marbleized materials. Then, we will drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad before reaching the Todra Gorges. The Todra River has shaped this impressive canyon, with tall red cliffs that attract climbers. You will have time to explore the gorges and enjoy the scenery. We will have lunch at a local restaurant. Our trip continues to the Dades Valley, passing through Boumalne Dades. On the way, we will stop to see the unusual rock formations called “monkey fingers.” The first viewpoint is high in the mountains and is perfect for photos of the valley. We will end the day with dinner at our hotel.

Day 4: Dades Valley – Roses Valley – Palm Groves of Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakesh

On the final day of your 4 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour itinerary, which begins in Fes, we head to Kalaa M’Gouna and the Valley of Roses. In May, the area hosts the Rose Festival, and you can browse local products such as perfumes, rosewater, oils, and cosmetics. After that, we travel through the palm oases of Skoura and reach Ouarzazate, often called the gateway to the desert. Here, we will visit the film studios where many well-known movies were made.

Next, we visit the impressive Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage site. This Kasbah has appeared in many Hollywood films, including *Gladiator*, *Alexander*, and *The Mummy*, as well as in TV shows like *Game of Thrones*. After the visit, we travel to Marrakesh, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which offers beautiful views of the High Atlas Mountains. We will stop for lunch and photos along the way. The tour ends in Marrakesh, where we will take you to the airport or your accommodation.

Please note that this itinerary finishes in Marrakesh. If you need to return to Fes, we recommend the 4-day tour from Fes to the Merzouga Desert.

You can also take this trip in reverse, starting in Marrakech and ending in Fes with the 4-day Marrakech to Fes option.

Standard Tour

Great value for travelers prioritizing experience over amenities.

From €189 PER GUEST

Luxury Tour

Ideal for honeymooners or anyone wanting more space/comfort.

From €299 PER GUEST

Mixed Tour

A smart balance of comfort and cost.

From €199 PER GUEST

Tour itinerary map

FAQ Hub

Is the 4 Day from Fes to Marrakech Private or Shared ?

The 4 day tour is a private experience, ensuring that only the travelers making the inquiry will be participating. No additional individuals will join the tour. Our primary focus is on providing high-quality, personalized experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.

Dietary Preferences

Please provide us with any dietary preferences you may have, and we will ensure that your needs are met. Kindly inform us of your preferences in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements for lunch stops and notify the Riad/Camp accordingly, as dinners are included in the package.

What Type of Vehicles are Used ?

The Vehicle will be either a SUV (4×4) or a Minivan, both with A/C

Vehicle Details :

4×4 : Land Cruiser Prado ( up to 4 pax )
Minivans : Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo Van or Similar ( up to 8 pax )

For groups larger than 8, a minibus that takes up to 18 pax can be provided.

Is The Tent private ? Does it Have a private Shower ?

The Tent at the luxury camp is private, and has private bathrooms with hot running water.

Dietary Preferences

What Type of Vehicles are Used?

The Vehicle will be either an SUV (4×4) or a Minivan, both with A/C

Vehicle Details :

4×4 : Land Cruiser Prado ( up to 4 pax )
Minivans: Mercedes Vito Tourer or Ford Torneo Van ( up to 8 pax )

For groups larger than 8, a minibus that takes up to 18 passengers can be provided.

How Long is The Camel Ride?

The Camel ride is 40 minutes to 1.5 hours long, depending on which camp you are staying in.

Pick-up and Drop-off Details

The meeting point for the tour is at 8:30 a.m. at any location within Marrakech. If your Riad is accessible by car, we will pick you up directly from there. In case of accessibility issues, we will pick you up from the nearest accessible road point. This can be arranged upon confirmation of your booking.

At the end of the tour, we will drop you off at your hotel or Riad in Fes, or the closest available parking lot. The tour typically concludes between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in Fes, but the exact duration may vary depending on the time spent at each location.