Discover the beauty of southern Morocco on an unforgettable 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes. This journey begins in the vibrant city of Marrakech and ends in the imperial city of Fes, taking you through the dramatic landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains, where rocky peaks meet picturesque Berber villages and traditional architecture.
Along the way, you will explore medieval medinas and bustling souks, admire magnificent palaces and historic mosques, and uncover ancient kasbahs and desert towns that tell the story of Morocco’s rich past. The tour offers breathtaking scenery, including deep gorges, lush green valleys, palm-filled oases, and centuries-old kasbahs.
A highlight of this adventure is the Sahara Desert, where you will experience the majestic sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. Enjoy a magical camel trek across the dunes at sunset, walk on golden sands, and spend the night in a luxury desert camp under a sky full of stars. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the Berber people, their traditions, and their unique way of life.
This 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour combines culture, history, adventure, and natural beauty, offering an authentic and unforgettable Moroccan experience.
+ Cross the High Atlas Mountains and its Tizi Ntichka pass.
+ Visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Hadou.
+ Drive to Dades Gorges.
+ Visit The Todgha Gorges and drive across Erfoud To Desert.
+ Ride a camel in Merzouga while assisting to a dramatic sunset.
+ Sleep under the stars in Erg Chebbi Sahara camp.
+ drive through the Ziz valley To Fes.
+ the visiting of Fes.
we will start Our first Day in 5 Days Desert tour from Marrakech to Fes after breakfast from (the riad or the hotel ) where you spent a night and we’ll start our trip from there via Tizi-Ntichka (Atlas Mountains)with its panoramic view and landscapes.
We’ll have lunch at the restaurant in Ait ben Haddou kasbah after you visit it, we’ll continue the way to Ouarzazate via studios of that city, you can have a suggestion if you want to visit these studios or not, then we’ll have to spend our first night in the hotel/riad.
After breakfast, we begin our journey through the stunning Atlas Mountains, heading toward the oasis town of Skoura. Our first stop is Kasbah Amridil, one of the best-preserved and most famous kasbahs in Morocco. Dating back to the 17th century, this remarkable structure even appears on the Moroccan 50-dirham banknote. Located just a short distance from the main road, the kasbah serves as a living museum, offering insight into traditional life over the centuries. Inside, you’ll see hand-carved wooden door locks, ancient olive-oil presses, traditional baking ovens, and animal quarters that are still intact today. The kasbah is divided into two sections, each with its own entrance; the right side maintains a more authentic atmosphere and features a higher balcony.
We then continue through the Valley of the Roses, known for its fragrant fields and picturesque scenery, before heading to the Dades Valley and the impressive Todra Gorges. Here, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of towering canyon walls, lush palm groves, and vibrant green valleys.
In the late afternoon, we drive toward the Merzouga Desert, where you will arrive in time to relax and enjoy an overnight stay in a comfortable hotel or riad, preparing for the Sahara adventure ahead.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will continue your 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes with an immersive exploration of the Merzouga region. The day begins with a visit to Khamlia village, home to the Gnawa people, descendants of slaves originally from Sudan, Mali, and Senegal. Here, you will discover their unique spiritual music, rich culture, and traditional way of life.
Next, we cross the desert to visit nomadic families who still live in traditional Berber tents. You will learn about their daily routines, customs, and survival techniques in the Sahara. Lunch will be a traditional Berber meal (Madfouna – Berber pizza), served in a local family home, offering an authentic taste of desert hospitality.
In the afternoon, we travel to the historic town of Rissani, the former capital of the Tafilalt region and the birthplace of the Alawite dynasty, Morocco’s current ruling royal family. Surrounded by nearly 360 ksour (fortified villages), Rissani is home to one of the largest traditional souks in the region, held three times a week. Once known as Sijilmassa, this town was an important trading center where salt caravans from Timbuktu once gathered. You will have time to explore the lively souk and experience its authentic atmosphere.
After visiting Rissani, we return to Merzouga village. In the late afternoon, you will set off on a camel trek, guided by an experienced camel handler, across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. The ride lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, allowing you to admire the vast desert landscapes and witness a spectacular sunset from the dunes.
Upon arrival at the desert camp, enjoy a traditional dinner at the camp restaurant and spend the night under a sky filled with stars. After dinner, local hosts will entertain you with traditional Berber drum music, creating a magical and unforgettable desert evening.
Early in the morning, you will wake up to enjoy the sunrise over the Sahara dunes, followed by breakfast at the desert camp. We then depart the desert, traveling through Erfoud toward Errachidia, where we stop to admire a panoramic view overlooking the lush Ziz Valley. This valley is famous for its endless palm groves, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding desert—an ideal spot for photos.
We continue our journey to Midelt, a town known for its apple orchards and mountain landscapes. Lunch will be served along the way. After Midelt, we pass through several small towns and villages as we head north toward the Azrou Cedar Forest, home to wild Barbary macaques. Here, you will have time to observe the monkeys and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Our next stop is Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” and known as one of the cleanest cities in the country. You will visit the famous Stone Lion statue and take time to admire the town’s European-style architecture.
In the late afternoon, we continue our drive to Fes, where your 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes comes to an end.
After resting from the trip and having breakfast in the riad of the medina of Fez, it’s time to start exploring this fascinating city, one of the great attractions of this week-long route in Morocco. You will be accompanied by our official guide, in Spanish, with whom you will meet at the hotel or at the agreed place.
The guided tour, which will take place in the morning, will take you through the main monuments of the city and the most emblematic places of the medina, declared World Heritage by Unesco. Some of these places can be the Karaouine mosque and the university that houses (one of the oldest in the world), the madrasas of Bou Inania and Attarin, the most popular places like Nejjarine, the souks and the most authentic artisan neighborhoods like the tanners… and a long etcetera.
Fez is one of the largest cities in North Africa, so some places of interest may be excluded from the morning street. Therefore, the free afternoon of this day can be a good complement to continue discovering the city: the navigator (Jewish quarter) Royal Palace with spectacular golden gates, or museums like Borj Nord is an interesting suggestion for this period. Or the popular shops and places downtown, because the trades of this city are one of the best trades in the whole country.
The options are numerous and will translate into a busy day, with a well-deserved night’s rest in the riad of the medina. The end of our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.
