5-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
This private 5-day tour from Fes to Marrakech is the unhurried way to cross Morocco. Two nights in the Merzouga dunes, the gorges of Todra and Dades, a night beside the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou and the hidden Ounila Valley on the old caravan road over the High Atlas.
Planning your visit? Read our guide to the Ounila Valley kasbahs.
Highlights
- Two nights in the Sahara
- 4×4 tour of Erg Chebbi
- Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Skoura palm oasis
- Night at Aït Benhaddou
- Ounila Valley and Telouet
Day by day
Fes – Ifrane – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Your driver meets you at the closest point to your riad in Fes that a car can reach. Through Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. Sunset camel trek and a night in a desert camp.
A full day in the Sahara
A 4×4 tour around Erg Chebbi: nomad families, the Gnawa village of Khamlia, Rissani market and sunset on the dunes. Second night at the camp.
Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Sunrise over the dunes, a walk in the Todra Gorge and the valley of a thousand kasbahs. Overnight in the Dades Valley.
Dades – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou
The palm oasis of Skoura and Ouarzazate, then the evening at Aït Benhaddou. Overnight next to the kasbah.
Aït Benhaddou – Ounila Valley – Marrakech
Morning in the kasbah, the Ounila Valley and Telouet, then over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech.
Included
- Pick-up near your riad in Fes
- Private A/C vehicle and English-speaking driver
- 4 nights: hotels, riads and desert camp
- Breakfast and dinner each night
- Camel trek and 4×4 tour of Erg Chebbi
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance tickets and local guides unless listed
- Optional activities (sandboarding, quad)
- Tips
Driving times
Day 2 is a full day in the desert with only short 4×4 trips. Times below are driving only. Stops for photos, visits and meals come on top.
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fes to Merzouga | about 470 km | about 8 hours |
| Day 3 | Merzouga to the Dades Valley, via the Todra Gorge | about 270 km | about 5 hours |
| Day 4 | Dades Valley to Aït Benhaddou, via Skoura and Ouarzazate | about 150 km | about 3 hours |
| Day 5 | Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech, via the Ounila Valley | about 200 km | about 4.5 hours |
Best time to go
The best months for this desert tour are March to May and September to November, when days are warm and nights at the camp are cool. In summer (June to August) midday in the Sahara is very hot, so camel rides are planned for sunset and sunrise. In winter (December to February) days are sunny and mild, but desert nights are cold, so bring a warm jacket.
Your 5-day Fes to Marrakech route
- Fes
- Merzouga
- Tinghir
- Boumalne Dades
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Benhaddou
- Telouet
- Marrakech
What our travellers say about their trip
★★★★★ 5.0 on Tripadvisor · 41 reviews
It was absolutely incredible
“This trip to Morocco was an absolute dream!!! I’m never going back to planning my own trips again…”
Amazing experience
“Beautiful country, beautiful landscapes, nice people. Best trip ever. A place you must visit.”
Love it!!
“One of the best holidays in my life, the place is so beautiful…”
Great place to visit!
“A great place to visit! Beautiful country with amazing views and Hamid is an amazing guide!”
Best experience ever!
“Had an absolutely incredible time! I will 100 percent book this experience again…”
Enjoyed everything!
“Hamid is a great, kind person, the best to work with.”
5-day Fes to Marrakech tour FAQ
Why choose 5 days from Fes?
Five days gives you two desert nights and splits the long drive west, with a night at Aït Benhaddou and the quiet Ounila Valley on the last day.
Can you pick us up inside the Fes medina?
Cars cannot enter the old medina, so your driver meets you at the closest point to your riad that a car can reach, usually one of the medina gates.
Can we start the tour in Marrakech instead?
Yes. See our 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour, which follows the same idea in the other direction.
How do I pay?
Sending a request is free. We confirm availability and your final price on WhatsApp or by email, then you confirm with a secure PayPal deposit and pay the rest on arrival.
How long is the drive each day?
The longest driving day is day 1, Fes to Merzouga: about 470 km, about 8 hours of driving. The other days are shorter. There are stops for photos, visits and meals along the way, and the driving times table on this page shows every day.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes. Because the tour is private, we can adjust the pace and add extra stops for children. Tell us their ages when you book so we can plan the day around your family.
