BEST 4 DAYS TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO FES
4 day desert tour from marrakech to fes
marrakech to fes desert tour 4 days details
- Duration: 4 days
- Marrakech
- Daily tour
- Private tour
The best 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga is a private, tailor-made desert adventure that offers an unforgettable experience through Morocco’s diverse landscapes. Starting from Marrakech, you’ll travel through the High Atlas Mountains, explore historic kasbahs, and experience the magic of the Sahara Desert. This Marrakech to Fes desert tour includes camel trekking, stunning sunsets over the Erg Chebbi dunes, and a night in a luxury desert camp under the stars. Along the way, you’ll enjoy traditional music, sandboarding, and breathtaking sunrises, making this 4-day tour from Marrakech to Fes the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation.
4 DAYS TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO FES HIGHLIGHTS
- Drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N’Tichka pass
- Visit to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
- Drive through the Valley of Roses and the lush Dades Valley
- Take a promenade along the stream in Todra Oasis to the majestic gorges
- Camel Trekking Experience across the Erg Chebbi Dunes
- Sunset & Sunrise Views over the Sahara Desert
- Overnight in a desert camp in the Merzouga desert
- Sandboarding in the dunes of Merzouga Sahara desert
- Live Gnawa music performance in Khamlia village
- Stop at the Cedar Forest to see wild monkeys
- Discover the alpine-style town of Ifrane
TIMED DAILY SCHEDULE: 4 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
– 08:00 AM: Pick-up from your hotel/riad in Marrakech
– 10:00 AM: Scenic stop at Tizi N’Tichka pass for panoramic photos
– 11:30 AM: Arrival at Ait Ben Haddou; explore the UNESCO-listed Kasbah
– 01:30 PM: Free time for lunch near Ait Ben Haddou
– 02:30 PM: Continue to Ouarzazate, visit to the Atlas Film Studios
– 03:00 PM: Drive through the Skoura palm grove
– 04:30 PM: Stop in the Valley of Roses for a short visit
– 06:00 PM: Arrival in Dades Valley; check-in at riad
– 08:00 PM: Dinner and overnight stay
– 08:00 AM: Breakfast at the riad
– 09:00 AM: Drive through the Dades Valley and Tinghir
– 10:30 AM: Stop at Todra Gorges and walk along the stunning canyon walls (30-45 minutes)
– 11:30 AM: Continue the drive toward Merzouga, passing through Berber villages
– 01:30 PM: Lunch in Tinejdad or Touroug
– 04:00 PM: Arrive in the desert of Merzouga
– 04:30 PM: Camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes
– 05:30 PM: Sunset from the top of a dune
– 07:00 PM: Dinner and music around the fire at luxury desert camp
– 08:00 PM: Overnight in a luxury tent under the stars
– 06:30 AM: Sunrise from the dunes
– 08:30 AM: Breakfast at the camp
– 09:30 AM: Begin your 4×4 desert tour:
- Drive along the former Paris-Dakar rally route.
- Stop at nomad families’ tents and learn about their lifestyle.
- Panoramic view of Erg Chebbi from the top viewpoint.
- Visit the village of Khamlia, enjoy Gnawa music performance with tea.
– 01:30 PM: Lunch in Merzouga
– 02:30 PM: Check-in to the hotel near the dunes
– Afternoon: Free time to relax or explore the desert
– 08:00 PM: Dinner and overnight at hotel
– 08:00 AM: Breakfast and departure from Merzouga
– 09:00 AM: Drive through the Tafilalet palm groves
– 11:00 AM: Scenic stop in Ziz Valley and Aoufous viewpoint
– 01:00 PM: Lunch stop in Midelt
– 03:30 PM: Visit the Cedar Forest and see wild monkeys
– 05:00 PM: Stop in Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”
– 06:30 PM: Arrival in Fes; drop-off at your hotel or the airport
4 DAYS TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO FES ITINERARY
DAY 1: MARRAKECH – AIT BEN HADDOU – DADES VALLEY
Your 4-day tour from Marrakech to Fes begins at 8 AM from your accommodation in Marrakech. You will drive across the High Atlas and the sub-mountain Atlas ranges of Morocco. Along the way, you will pass through the Tizi N’Tichka pass, where you can stop to take in the panoramic views and capture some great pictures.
Then, you will continue south to the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou. Here, you will visit the famous Kasbah. Many famous movies, including Gladiator, Obelix and The Mummy, were filmed in this spectacular location. You will have some free time for lunch before continuing towards Ouarzazate.
The name Ouarzazate means “city without noise or confusion” in Berber. Here, you have the option to visit the Atlas Studios ($15 ticket) and Taourirt Kasbah, one of the most spectacular ksars in Morocco. Afterward, you will pass through the Skoura oasis and reach the Valley of Roses.
This beautiful valley is home to over 700,000 palm trees and numerous kasbahs. Roses from this region are used to make precious rose water and soap, and every May, a Rose Festival is held to celebrate the harvest. By the end of the day, you will arrive in the Dades Valley, where you will spend the night in a riad. Dinner and breakfast are included.
=►Driving distance: Approximately 350 km =► Driving time: Approximately 6 hrs
DAY 2: DADES VALLEY – TODRA GORGE – MERZOUGA
The next day, after breakfast in your hotel, leave the Dades Valley and drive to Todra Gorges via Tinghir. As you explore the gorge, you will see residents living in traditional mud brick villages. The towering cliffs of the gorge make it a popular destination for rock climbers. You can take a short walk through the area before stopping for lunch in Tinejdad or Touroug.
Later, you will continue to Merzouga via the dramatic stony desert and the palm trees of Erfoud (capital of the fossils), and Rissani is known for its largest market in the south. Upon arrival, you will embark on a camel trek of around 1 hour, where you can catch the sunset in the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend a memorable night with millions of shiny stars, enjoy a Berber dinner, drum part,y and sleep in a luxury tent.
=►Driving distance: Approximately 310 km =► Driving time: Approximately 5 hrs
DAY 3: EXPLORE MERZOUGA AREA
Today, you will spend a full day exploring the desert. As you are in the middle of the desert, it’s worth getting up early to contemplate the most magnificent sunrise you’ve ever seen at the top of a dune close to the camp and enjoy this landscape that is a gift of nature.
After sunrise, a delicious breakfast will be waiting for you at your luxury camp. Then you will return by 4×4 to begin your desert adventure. You will skirt the Erg Chebbi dunes, which rise over 250 meters high. You will also drive along the route that was formerly used for the “Paris Dakar” and ends in the mountains that limit Argelia. Stop at Tissardmin Oasis, where you can find fossil quarries still present in the area.
As you continue by a road where you will pass by nomad settlements and learn their secrets and manners. The next stop will be at a viewpoint to contemplate the beauty of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Later, you will visit Khamlia, a village originally from Mali, where you can take a relaxing cup of tea while listening to a concert of the spiritual music of Gnawa. Finally, you will head to your accommodation near the dunes, where you can enjoy a free afternoon exploring the city or relaxing at the hotel. Dinner and breakfast are included.
=►Driving distance: Approximately 50 km =► Driving time: Approximately 2 hrs
DAY 4: MERZOUGA DESERT – ZIZ VALLEY – CEDAR FOREST – FES
After breakfast, you will begin the final leg of your trip, heading north towards Fes. Along the way, you will pass through the lush palm oasis of Tafilalet. You will also admire the thousands of palm trees lining the road through the Ziz Valley, which is fed by the river descending from the High Atlas.
A stop will be made at a scenic viewpoint to take in the breathtaking views of the valley and the city of Aoufous. Your next stop will be in Midelt, located in the heart of the Middle Atlas, where you will have lunch.
In the afternoon, you will carry on to the Cedar Forest, home to Barbary macaques. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some monkeys and take pictures of them. Your next destination will be the town of Ifrane, home to one of the country’s major ski resorts.
Finally, you will arrive in Fes, where you will be transferred to your riad. This marks the end of your Marrakech to Fes 4 days tour.
=►Driving distance: Approximately 500 km =► Driving time: Approximately 8 hrs
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Transportation in Private 4WD.
- English speaking driver/guide during the tour.
- Half board at the Hotel and Morocco Sahara luxury Camp.
- Guided camel ride Trekking at Merzouga Desert
- Sandboarding at Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga
- Local music around the fire at Luxury desert camp
- Possible leisure activities (Quad Biking – Buggy) on request.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Plane tickets
- Lunches, drinks
- Personal expenses
4 DAYS TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO FES price
The price of our 4-day tour from Marrakech to Fes depends on your group size, the type of accommodation you prefer, and your travel dates. We offer flexible options to match your needs and make your trip special.
Get in touch with us today for a custom quote made just for you!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
If you’re limited on days, consider our 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour for a quicker experience.
You can also start this tour in reverse as a 4-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour or finish in Marrakech with our 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour.
Pick-up time for your desert tour can be flexible. Between 07h30 and 08h00 AM is highly recommended.
Day 4, driving from Merzouga to Fes, is pretty long. Please be prepared for it.
Itinerary times may shift depending on the season, road conditions, or your pace-your guide can adjust stops along the way.
This is a private tour, which means more comfort, flexibility, and personal attention.
Vegetarian or vegan? Let us know in advance, we can accommodate your dietary needs.
Quad biking and buggy rides aren’t included but can be arranged with your guide during the tour.
Sandboarding is free, just ask the camp staff!
Restroom stops are available along the route, but some may require a small fee (bring coins for access).
Bring or buy a scarf to protect against the sun and desert winds (plus, it looks great in photos).
Wearing white makes for stunning desert photos.
All desert camps have proper beds, pillows, and blankets; A/C and heating are available upon request.
The best time to do this 4 days desert tour is during spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November) when temperatures are pleasant.
Our driver will recommend restaurants with fresh, healthy food, but you are free to choose your own.
Tour vehicles are comfortable options including Toyota Prado 4x4s, Ford vans, or Mercedes Sprinters.
- Not sure what to bring? Check out our full Morocco Packing List.
Need a visa? Find out more in our Visa for Morocco Guide.
Stay safe and informed with our Safe Travel to Morocco Guide.
Planning to shop? Don’t miss our tips on how to haggle in Morocco for a fun and fair market experience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, for travelers who don’t like to go on camels, we use a 4wd car to transfer them to and from the camp, without any extra charge as well
The distance from Marrakech to Fes via Erg Chebbi desert is about 1020 km. – Marrakech to Erg Chebbi distance is: 560 km – Erg Chebbi to Fes distance is 460 km.
To confirm your 4-Day desert tour Marrakech to Fes, we require a small deposit to be paid over PayPal to our account, the balance is payable in cash at the pick-up, to be paid to your driver in euros, or equal in dollars or dirhams. Is it possible to pay the entire with PayPal? Usually, we request the balance payments in cash because PayPal also has many transaction fees and operational delays since it’s a world institution. We can in some cases accept the complete payment via Paypal however a 5% fee is going to be applied to hide the additional transaction charges. just in case you’re considering this method, it’s best to rearrange the payment before the tour.