5 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes
Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour of 5 Days — Overview
This 5 days tour from Marrakech to Fes is the most complete version of the one-way route between Morocco’s two great imperial cities. Five days, four nights, one direction — a route that takes you through Ouarzazate, the Rose Valley, the canyon country, the heart of the Sahara, and north through the Middle Atlas to Fes.
The tour starts in Marrakech and heads south through the High Atlas Mountains on day one to Ouarzazate. Day two follows the road east through Amridil Kasbah in Skoura and the Rose Valley to the Dades Valley. Day three crosses Todra Gorge and reaches the Merzouga desert for the sunset camel ride and a night in a luxury desert camp. Day four is a full day in the Sahara with a guided 4×4 excursion and a second night near the dunes. Day five is the long drive north through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas to Fes.
No single day feels rushed. This is the right choice for travellers who want the Sahara, the canyon country, Ouarzazate, and both imperial cities in one well-paced trip.
Highlights of the 5 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes
This 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour covers the complete southern circuit — no backtracking, no repeated roads.
- Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres and walk through Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage site — led by your driver-guide
- Night one in Ouarzazate — Morocco’s film capital at the edge of the Sahara and the Atlas
- Day two through Amridil Kasbah in Skoura and the Rose Valley to the Dades Valley canyon
- Walk the base of Todra Gorge on day three — 300-metre limestone walls and a cold river at the base
- Sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night at a luxury desert camp inside the Sahara
- Full guided 4×4 desert excursion on day four — nomad family, Khamlia village (Gnawa music), Dayet Srji seasonal lake
- Drive north on day five through the Ziz Valley palm oasis and the Middle Atlas cedar forest to Fes
Morocco Itinerary 5 Days from Marrakech to Fes
The route covers five distinct landscapes — the High Atlas and Ouarzazate on day one, the kasbah trail and Dades Valley on day two, Todra Gorge and the Sahara on day three, a full desert day on day four, and the Middle Atlas and Fes on day five.
Day 1 | Marrakech → Tizi n’Tichka → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate (5 hours)
The tour starts early from Marrakech and heads south into the High Atlas Mountains. Tizi n’Tichka pass sits at 2,260 metres — the views stretch back across the Haouz plain on a clear day.
The first stop is Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage site of packed earth towers and Berber kasbahs above a dry riverbed. Your driver-guide leads the full circuit through the ksar — up past the old houses, through the narrow lanes, and up to the granary at the top. No entry fee required. Allow about one hour.
After Ait Ben Haddou the road continues to Ouarzazate — Morocco’s film capital. You arrive in the late afternoon with time to walk the town before dinner. Dinner and breakfast included.
approx. 300 km · approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Ouarzazate
Day 2 | Ouarzazate → Amridil Kasbah → Rose Valley → Dades Valley (3 hours)
A short and scenic day. You leave Ouarzazate in the morning and head east. The first stop is Amridil Kasbah in Skoura — one of the best-preserved fortified kasbahs in southern Morocco, surrounded by palm groves and almost always missed on shorter tours. The driver-guide leads the walk through the kasbah and the palm oasis.
From Skoura the road continues east through the Rose Valley — a river canyon lined with rose bushes that bloom in April and May. You arrive in the Dades Valley in the early afternoon with the canyon walls rising on both sides. Dinner and breakfast included.
approx. 170 km · approx. 3 hours driving · Overnight: Dades Valley
Day 3 | Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Erfoud → Merzouga (5 hours)
The morning starts in the Dades canyon. You drive east into Todra Gorge — limestone walls rising to 300 metres and narrowing to about 10 metres at the tightest point. Walk the base before 11am for the best light.
From Todra the road crosses the pre-Saharan plain toward Erfoud and south to Merzouga. By late afternoon the Erg Chebbi dunes appear on the left — the heart of the Sahara.
The sunset camel ride takes about 45 minutes. The luxury desert camp is inside the dunes — private tent, en-suite bathroom, hot water, air conditioning. Dinner at the camp, a campfire, live Gnawa music, and a desert sky with no light pollution. Breakfast included.
approx. 220 km · approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
Day 4 | Full Day in the Merzouga Desert — 4×4 Excursion
You wake at the desert camp and watch the sunrise from the dune ridge. A full day to explore the Sahara desert with nowhere to drive to until dinner.
The guided 4×4 excursion covers three stops: a nomad family in a traditional Berber tent — tea and conversation through your guide; Khamlia village (about 10 km from Merzouga) where a community with sub-Saharan African roots has kept a live Gnawa music tradition for generations; and Dayet Srji — a seasonal lake at the edge of the dunes that attracts flamingos in some months.
Back in Merzouga by early afternoon. The free afternoon is yours — quad biking, horse riding, or sitting in the shade of the dunes. Night four at a Merzouga hotel. Dinner and breakfast included.
approx. 60 km · approx. 3 hours · Overnight: Merzouga hotel
Day 5 | Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Ifrane → Middle Atlas → Fes (9 hours)
The longest day. You leave Merzouga early and head north. The road goes through Erfoud and into the Ziz Valley — a long date palm oasis lined with old kasbahs running through the desert toward Midelt.
From the Ziz Valley the road climbs into the Middle Atlas. The cedar forest is cool and dense after days in the desert. Barbary macaques sit in the trees along the roadside near Azrou. You pass through Ifrane at 1,650 metres before the road descends toward Fes.
You arrive in Fes in the early evening. Drop off at your hotel or riad. End of the tour.
approx. 490 km · approx. 9 hours driving · End: Fes
Route Summary
| Day | Route | Key Stops | Distance | Drive Time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marrakech → Ouarzazate | Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou | approx. 300 km | approx. 5 hrs | Ouarzazate |
| Day 2 | Ouarzazate → Dades Valley | Amridil Kasbah, Skoura, Rose Valley | approx. 170 km | approx. 3 hrs | Dades Valley |
| Day 3 | Dades Valley → Erg Chebbi | Todra Gorge, Erfoud, Merzouga | approx. 220 km | approx. 5 hrs | Desert camp, Erg Chebbi |
| Day 4 | Full day Merzouga | 4×4 — nomad family, Khamlia, Dayet Srji | approx. 60 km | approx. 3 hrs | Merzouga hotel |
| Day 5 | Merzouga → Fes | Ziz Valley, Midelt, Ifrane, Middle Atlas | approx. 490 km | approx. 9 hrs | Fes (drop off) |
Marrakech to Merzouga to Fes 5 Days — Included & Excluded
Included
- Pick up from your accommodation in Marrakech on day one
- Drop off at your hotel or riad in Fes on day five evening
- Private A/C vehicle for all 5 days — 4×4 for 2–3, minivan for 4–8, minibus for larger groups
- English-speaking driver-guide for all 5 days (French, Spanish, Arabic on request)
- 1 night in Ouarzazate with dinner and breakfast
- 1 night in the Dades Valley with dinner and breakfast
- 1 night at a luxury desert camp at Erg Chebbi with dinner and breakfast
- 1 night at a Merzouga hotel with dinner and breakfast
- Sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Sandboarding at Erg Chebbi
- Full guided 4×4 desert excursion on day four
- Driver-guide walks at Ait Ben Haddou and Amridil Kasbah — no entry fees
Not Included
- Lunches on all 5 days
- Dinner in Fes
- Beverages
- Tips (optional)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Accommodation Options
Four nights across four different settings. Night one in Ouarzazate. Night two in the Dades Valley canyon. Night three at a desert camp inside the Erg Chebbi dunes. Night four at a Merzouga hotel before the long drive north.
All desert camp tents have private en-suite bathrooms, hot water, and air conditioning. Dinner and breakfast included at all four overnight stops.
5 Days Desert Tour Marrakech to Fes — Price
This 5 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour starts from €499 per person. The final price depends on your group size and travel dates.
| Participants | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | €1,199 |
| 2–3 people | €609 |
| 4–6 people | €599 |
| 7–9 people | €544 |
| 10–14 people | €499 |
| 15+ people | Contact us |
Prices include all transport, driver-guide, four nights accommodation with dinner and breakfast, sunset camel ride, sandboarding, and the full guided 4×4 excursion on day four. Lunches and personal expenses are not included.
Fill in the form below for a full quote for your group size and travel dates. We respond within a few hours.
Good to Know About the 5-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes
Day five is the long drive
Merzouga to Fes on day five is 490 km and approximately 9 hours. Every other day is between 3 and 5 hours. Leave the Merzouga hotel early — a 7am departure with a lunch stop in Midelt gets you to Fes by early evening.
Day two is the most relaxed
Ouarzazate to the Dades Valley is only 170 km and 3 hours. The Amridil Kasbah stop and the Rose Valley make this a full morning without any pressure. You arrive in the Dades Valley in the early afternoon with time to walk the canyon.
The camel ride
The sunset camel ride on day three takes about 45 minutes. If you prefer not to ride, a 4×4 transfer to the desert camp is available at no extra cost. Let your driver-guide know before arriving in Merzouga.
Desert camp packing
Leave your main bag in the vehicle on night three. Take a small daypack — sunscreen SPF 50, sunglasses, light scarf for the dunes, power bank, one change of clothes.
Ait Ben Haddou
Your driver-guide leads the walk on day one. No entry fee required. Allow about one hour. Go in the morning before the day-trip groups arrive from Marrakech.
Best time of year
March to May and October to November are the best months. Desert temperatures at Erg Chebbi sit between 18 and 28°C. July and August are possible but day five from Merzouga to Fes is a long hot drive. December and January are cold at the desert camp at night but the dunes are quiet.
Why Choose the Private Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour 5 Days?
Most Morocco desert tours on this route run as shared group departures. Over five days that arrangement becomes increasingly difficult.
This is a private tour — one vehicle, one group, your itinerary across all five days. Day two through Amridil Kasbah and the Rose Valley is not on any shared tour schedule. Day four in the Merzouga desert runs entirely at your pace — the 4×4 excursion, the nomad family visit, and the free afternoon are all yours.
For two travellers the per-person cost is close to a reputable shared tour. For three or more it is consistently cheaper. The Amridil Kasbah and Rose Valley stops on day two alone make this the most complete desert tour from Marrakech to Fes available.
Optional Activities
Before the Tour in MarrakechMajorelle Garden +
Majorelle Garden and YSL Museum — book tickets online in advance.
Hot Air Balloon +
Before dawn over the Haouz plain — about one hour. Book in advance.
Hammam +
Traditional hammam — medina option from $4, luxury spa from $40.
Quad Biking +
One hour across the outer dunes on the free afternoon of day four. Arrange through the Merzouga hotel.
Horse Riding +
Late afternoon on day four. Arrange through the Merzouga hotel on arrival.
Photography / Proposal +
Sunrise on day four is the best light of the trip. Local photographer available on request. Proposal setup with private dinner and candles available — tell us in advance.
Fes Medina Guided Tour +
Licensed local guide for the full Fes medina — souks, tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin. Book through us when you enquire.
Meknes & Volubilis +
Day trip from Fes — Roman ruins at Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes.
Cooking Class +
Moroccan cooking class in Fes — souk visit, cook a tagine and pastilla, eat what you make.
FAQs — 5 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
What is the route of the 5 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour?
Day one: Marrakech south through the High Atlas — Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate. Day two: east through Amridil Kasbah, Skoura, and the Rose Valley to the Dades Valley. Day three: east through Todra Gorge to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Day four: full day in the Sahara with a guided 4×4 excursion. Day five: north through the Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas to Fes. Total approximately 1,240 km.
How is this different from the 4-day Marrakech to Fes tour?
The 4-day tour has no Ouarzazate overnight, no Amridil Kasbah, no Rose Valley, and no full desert day. This 5-day tour adds Ouarzazate on day one, Amridil Kasbah and Rose Valley as a dedicated day two, and a full 4×4 excursion day in Merzouga. No single day feels rushed.
What makes this Marrakech to Fes desert tour unique?
The Amridil Kasbah and Rose Valley on day two are not on any standard Marrakech to Fes itinerary. Amridil Kasbah in Skoura is one of the finest fortified kasbahs in southern Morocco and almost always missed on shorter tours. Combined with the full desert day on day four, this is the most complete desert trip from Marrakech to Fes available.
What accommodation is provided on this 5-day Marrakech to Fes tour?
Four nights — Ouarzazate on night one, Dades Valley canyon on night two, luxury desert camp inside Erg Chebbi on night three, and Merzouga hotel on night four. Three tiers available. All include dinner and breakfast.
What is included in the price?
Private transport for all 5 days, driver-guide, four nights accommodation with dinner and breakfast, sunset camel ride, sandboarding, full guided 4×4 desert excursion on day four, driver-guide walks at Ait Ben Haddou and Amridil Kasbah with no entry fees. Lunches are not included.
How do I book the 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour?
Contact us on WhatsApp or fill in the enquiry form on this page. We confirm availability and send full pricing within a few hours. A small deposit secures your dates.
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Book This Tour
This 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour starts from €499 per person. Pick up from your accommodation in Marrakech on day one morning. Drop off at your hotel or riad in Fes on day five evening. Fully private — if you want to adjust any stop, spend both desert nights at the camp, or change accommodation tier, tell us when you enquire.