4-Day Desert Tour From Marrakech to Fes

Discover our 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes. Experience an unforgettable journey through golden dunes, Berber villages, and luxury desert camps. Book now!

4-day

Total duration

Marrakech

Starting Point

start from: €360

Per Person

Private Or Shared

Group Type

In this Marrakech to Fes 4 day desert tour, you will visit the three famous Atlas Mountain ranges: the High, Anti (or Small), and Middle Atlas. You will also explore cinematic history by visiting Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the iconic filming site of Gladiator and Game of Thrones, as well as the world-renowned Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate.

Continuing through the stunning Skoura Valley and Rose Valley, you will reach the Dades Valley, where you will see the unique “Monkey Fingers” rock formations and the Dades Gorges.

The highlight of this adventure is the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. Here, you will enjoy a sunset camel ride, a night in a luxury tent, and stargazing. Additionally, you will explore the heart of the Sahara, including the culture of the Gnawa people, a desert lake, and the local nomad community to uncover the secrets of the dunes.

En route to Fes, you will drive through the dramatic Ziz Valley and the Cedar Forest, where you will meet the wild Barbary macaque monkeys.

What to Bring

Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n'Tichka pass with views of traditional Berber villages.
Walk through the historic alleys of UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou.
Visit the famous Atlas Studios and Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate.
Explore the Rose Valley, Dades Gorges, and the unique "Monkey Fingers" rock formations.
Walk through the refreshing spring water of Todra Valley.
Ride camels across Erg Chebbi dunes for a magical sunset and sunrise.
Visit Khamlia village, enjoy Gnaoua music, and share tea with a nomadic family.
Travel through Ziz Valley palm groves and meet monkeys in the cedar forests.

Marrakech - High Atlas - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Rose Valley - Dades Gorges (Approx. 6 hours 30 mins drive / 364 km)

We start your 4 days desert trip from Marrakech to Fes by driving into the High Atlas Mountains. We will cross the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, stopping along the way to take photos and see how local Berber people live.

Next, we will visit the ancient village of Aït Benhaddou. You can walk through this UNESCO World Heritage site to see its traditional buildings and discover where famous movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed. Then, we head to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa.” Here, you have the option to visit the Atlas Studios (8 euros) and the historic Kasbah Taourirt.

After that, we travel the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” passing through the beautiful Skoura and Rose Valleys. We will stop at a local shop to learn how rose products are made. Finally, we reach the scenic Dades Valley, where you will spend the night in a Riad.

Dades Gorges - Todra Gorges - Erfoud - Merzouga Sahara (Approx. 4 hours 30 mins drive / 265 km)

On the second day of your Marrakech Desert tour, we start by exploring the Dades Valley, including the unique “Monkey Fingers” rock formations and the winding Tissdrine road. We then continue to the Todra Valley, where you can walk through the refreshing spring water and enjoy the massive canyon walls. As we head toward the Sahara, we pass through charming desert villages and stop in Erfoud, known as the “Capital of Fossils,” to see local craft workshops.

In the afternoon, we reach the golden dunes of Merzouga. You will head out on a camel ride across the desert to watch a magical sunset. Finally, we arrive at our luxury desert camp, where you will enjoy a traditional dinner, relax by the campfire, and gaze at the stars.

Merzouga - Dayet Srij - Khamlia - M'ifis Mines - Nomad Tent - Hassi Labied Oasis (Approx. 2 hours of driving / 40 km)

On the third day of your Marrakech to Fes desert tour, you have the option to wake up early to catch a stunning desert sunrise. After breakfast, we begin our deep dive into the Sahara. We start by visiting Dayet Srij, a seasonal lake known as a haven for flamingos and ducks; it is a perfect spot to enjoy a coffee while admiring the contrast between the water and the golden desert landscape.

Next, we head to the village of Khamlia, home to the Gnaoua people. Here, you will enjoy a vibrant performance of traditional Gnaoua music and even have the chance to dance to their rhythmic beats. We then continue our adventure to the historic M’ifis mines to learn about the area’s mining history. Afterward, we visit a local nomadic community. You will be welcomed into a traditional tent made of camel or goat hair, where you can share mint tea and learn about the authentic nomadic lifestyle.

For lunch, we will savor a delicious, local Berber pizza. In the afternoon, we take a refreshing walk through the palm-shaded oasis of Hassi Labied, following the ancient irrigation canals. Before heading to your Riad, we highly recommend an optional Quad bike experience to venture deeper into the dunes, explore hidden desert secrets, and witness a spectacular sunset from a high peak that camels cannot reach. We end the day with a traditional dinner at your Riad, enjoying the true spirit of desert hospitality.

To learn more about this adventure, please visit our Sahara 4×4 Tour page.

Merzouga - Ziz Valley - Midelt - Ifrane - Fes (Approx. 7 hours drive / 460 km)

On the final day of your 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, we leave the Sahara and head north through the stunning Ziz Valley. We will make a special stop at a panoramic viewpoint to admire the massive gorge filled with thousands of lush green palm trees.

Continuing our drive, we travel toward Midelt, famously known as the “Apple Capital” of Morocco, where we will stop for a local lunch. We then cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through charming Berber villages like Ziada and Timhadite. Before reaching Ifrane, known as the “Moroccan Switzerland,” where we will stop to see the famous stone lion and enjoy the peaceful, green landscapes of the national park. We will arrive in Fes in the late afternoon, where your memorable desert adventure comes to an end, and your driver will drop you off at your accommodation.

Included

Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech and Fes.
Private or shared, air-conditioned transportation (4x4 or minivan).
Professional English/Spanish-speaking driver.
1 night accommodation in Dades Gorges (Dinner and Breakfast included).
1 night in a Merzouga luxury desert camp (Dinner and Breakfast included).
Camel trek in the Merzouga dunes (one camel per person).
Sandboarding in the dunes (optional).
1 night in a Merzouga luxury desert Riad (Dinner and Breakfast included).

Not Included

All our accommodation options include a private bathroom and shower. We do not offer standard options with shared facilities.

Your final tour price depends on the accommodations you choose below. Feel free to mix and match different places for each night. Just fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page with your preferences, and we will send you your exact final price!

Once you pay the total tour price, there are no hidden costs or extra fees from Exciting Morocco Travel. Your only daily expenses will be for lunches and entrance fees, exactly as detailed in the “Not Included” section.

All of our accommodation options include air conditioning (A/C) and heating, which are essential during the hotter summer months and colder winter nights. The only exception is Option 1 from day 2 (Merzouga Activities Camp), which do not have A/C or heaters.

DAY 1

Standard (Comfort): Kasbah Didis
Luxury: Riad Dades Paradise
High-Luxury: Eden Boutique

DAY 2

Standard (Comfort): Merzouga Activities Camp
Luxury: Morocco Luxury Desert Camp
High-Luxury: Unique desert camp

DAY 3

Standard (Comfort): Auberge de Charme Les Dunes d’Or
Luxury: Riad Madu
High-Luxury: Riad Serai

This trip is fully customizable, we can easily change the itinerary, pick-up locations, and drop-off points to fit your exact needs, all you have to do is let us know before your trip starts.

Your driver will contact you the night before to confirm the exact pick-up time, ensuring everything goes smoothly for your journey.

If you are on a budget and love meeting new people, you can choose a shared 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes. However, we highly recommend a private tour. Having your own private vehicle gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace and spend extra time in the places you love. No matter which option you choose, your driver will be happy to share their knowledge of Morocco and answer all your questions. Plus, you can select the accommodation level that fits your budget best from the options above.

To finalize your reservation, we require a small deposit of 20%. Please note that your booking is not secured until this deposit is received. This helps us guarantee your vehicle and guide for your chosen dates.

During this 4 days Sahara desert tour, your driver will make a few stops at local cooperatives and artisan shops. These are great opportunities to see Moroccan crafts and culture, but there is absolutely no pressure to buy anything. If you prefer to skip these stops, just let your driver know.

Also, If a restaurant your driver suggests doesn’t suit your taste, just ask for another option. If you prefer to skip lunch and eat snacks in the car, please note that your driver will still need a short break to eat.

On day 2, For the sunset camel ride, just bring light essentials like water, sunglasses… The rest of your heavy luggage will be transported safely to the luxury desert camp by a 4×4 vehicle.

you can add an ATV (quad bike) adventure to ride higher into the dunes. This activity is not included in the tour price. It costs €50 per hour for a single rider, or €70 per hour for two people sharing one ATV. Just tell your driver before if you’d like to add it to your 4-day desert Tour

Is it safe to visit nomadic families?

Yes. It is Very safe and a respectful way to learn about traditional Sahara life. We arrange authentic visits, and it is common to share mint tea with the family.

What should I pack for the tour?

Pack light, breathable clothes for the day, a warm jacket for the night, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes.

Do I have to ride a camel?

No, the camel ride is optional. If you prefer, we can arrange for you to reach the desert camp by 4×4 vehicle.

Is there electricity and Wi-Fi at the camp?

Yes, our desert camps have electricity to charge your devices. Mobile 4G is available, though Wi-Fi can be limited.

Can I customize this 4-day tour?

If you book a private tour, you have full flexibility to adjust the pace or add extra stops with your driver. If you choose our shared tour, the itinerary is set to accommodate all group members, and customizations are not available.

Why do you require a 20% deposit?

We require a small 20% deposit to guarantee your booking. Because we provide professional drivers and high-quality desert camps, this deposit ensures that all your logistics are secured and ready for your arrival. Your booking is not officially confirmed until the deposit is received.

How much cash should I carry?

Carry some cash in Moroccan Dirhams (around 500 MAD per day) for lunches, drinks, and souvenirs, as most local shops do not accept credit cards. However, if you need more cash during the trip, we will pass by ATMs frequently.

Hassan our driver was fantastic! He made sure our trip to the desert was an amazing experience! We were so happy that he took care of us like family.

We had the best time, from the first moment till the last. Our driver, Moha, was very friendly, welcoming and polite, considerable about our needs the whole trip. We saw many things during the trip, among them Atlas Mountain, Ourzazate, we stopped at a female cooperative making argan oil products that we could buy. The best part was Merzouga and the Sahara Desert of course. We had so much fun with the camels and the desert. Last but not least we stayed in the camp -we had booked the luxury option- which was very clean and cozy. The food was so great. The people from the camp overall were amazing.

We really enjoyed our Sahara adventure. This was a well organized and thoughtfully designed excursion for travelers we wish to combine the city experience of Marrakech and Fes with an authentic dessert experience. Our driver is made frequent stops and built-in time for lunch and bathroom breaks. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who wants to meet like-minded people and enjoy the spectacular beauty the Atlas mountains.

Travelling to the desert was such a nice escape from the vibrant city life. The accommodation was lovely and all the staff were so kind. Our guide Ali made the journey comfortable and enjoyable and was always there to put a smile on our faces.

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