7-Day Tour from Fes to Marrakech & Essaouira
This private 7-day tour from Fes to Marrakech takes you from the Fes medina to the Atlantic in a week. Two nights in the Sahara at Merzouga, the gorges and kasbahs of the south, a guided day in Marrakech and a night on the coast in Essaouira, all with your own driver.
Highlights
- Two nights in the Sahara
- Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Aït Benhaddou (UNESCO)
- Guided tour of Marrakech
- Night in Essaouira
- Argan country on the way to the coast
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 – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech
Kasbahs of the south and the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech. Overnight in Marrakech.
Guided tour of Marrakech
The Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, the souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa with a local guide.
Marrakech – Essaouira
West through argan country to the port, ramparts and UNESCO medina of Essaouira. Overnight in Essaouira.
Essaouira – Marrakech
A free morning by the sea, then back to Marrakech for your drop-off.
Included
- Pick-up near your riad in Fes
- Private A/C vehicle and English-speaking driver
- 6 nights: hotels, riads and desert camp
- Breakfast and dinner each night
- Camel trek and 4×4 tour of Erg Chebbi
- Guided tour of Marrakech
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance tickets and local guides unless listed
- Optional activities (sandboarding, quad)
- Tips
Driving times
Day 2 is spent in the desert and day 5 is a guided day in Marrakech, with no long drives. 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 Marrakech, via Aït Benhaddou | about 320 km | about 6 hours |
| Day 6 | Marrakech to Essaouira | about 190 km | about 3 hours |
| Day 7 | Essaouira back to Marrakech | about 190 km | about 3 hours |
Best time to go
The best time for this tour is March to May and September to November, when the weather is pleasant in the cities, the mountains and the desert. Summer (June to August) is very hot inland and in the Sahara, so we start early and plan camel rides for sunset and sunrise. In winter (December to February) cities are mild and sunny, but desert nights are cold and snow can sometimes close the mountain passes for a few hours, so pack warm layers.
Your Fes to Essaouira route
- Fes
- Merzouga
- Boumalne Dades
- Ait Benhaddou
- Marrakech
- Essaouira
- 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.”
7-day Fes, Marrakech & Essaouira FAQ
Can the tour end in Essaouira?
Yes. If you are staying on the coast, we can end the tour in Essaouira instead of driving back to Marrakech.
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.
Is Essaouira worth a night?
Yes. It is calm, cooler than Marrakech and at its best in the evening and early morning, when the day-trippers have gone.
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.
