4-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga, Dades & Ait Ben Haddou
Photos: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India, CC BY 2.0 · Holger Uwe Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0 · C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
- Duration
- 4 days
- Starts in
- Fes
- Ends in
- Fes
This one-way tour takes the scenic road from Fes to Marrakech and gives each landscape the time it deserves. Leaving Fes, you cross the Middle Atlas with its cedar forests and Barbary macaques, then follow the Ziz Valley and its palm groves down to the edge of the Sahara at Merzouga. A camel caravan carries you into the dunes of the Erg Chebbi for sunset and a night in a desert camp. The second day is spent entirely in the desert, which is what makes this route special: Gnawa music in Khamlia, the nomad life around the dunes, a seasonal lake and a second sunset. On the third day you travel west through the Todra Gorge to the Dades Valley, and on the last day you follow the road of a thousand kasbahs to Ait Ben Haddou and cross the High Atlas to Marrakech. AT A GLANCE • Duration: 4 days, 3 nights • Start: Fes – Finish: Marrakech • Total distance: about 1,100 km • Nights: 1 desert camp, 1 desert camp or Merzouga hotel, 1 Dades Valley hotel or riad • Type: private tour with driver • Activity level: easy to moderate WHY THIS ITINERARY WORKS The long drive to the desert comes on the first day, then you rest with a full day in Merzouga. The Dades night breaks the return, and you arrive in Marrakech in the evening of day 4. WHO WILL ENJOY IT Couples, families and first-time visitors travelling from Fes to Marrakech. WHO MIGHT PREFER ANOTHER TOUR With only three days, take the [3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour](/en-US/morocco/fes/tours/3-day-desert-tour-from-fes-to-marrakech-via-merzouga-and-the-dades-valley/c70d8bc6c601ca15f9992e4b). To return to Fes, choose the [3-day Fes to Merzouga round trip](/en-US/morocco/fes/tours/3-day-desert-tour-from-fes-to-merzouga-and-back/680bc6b6aa6f43072c7700f8). PRACTICAL INFORMATION Pack layers: it can be cold in the Middle Atlas and in the desert at night. Bring a small overnight bag for the camp. Cash for lunches and tips.
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Full refund if canceled up to 24 hours before the start of the experience (local time)
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Included
Everything included in your package
Luxury · Private7
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Private premium vehicle for the whole trip
- Professional English or French-speaking driver
- Charming riads, boutique hotels and luxury desert camp
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water and snacks during the trip
- Flexible departure times
Luxury · Shared6
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Comfortable premium vehicle
- Professional driver
- Premium hotels or riads
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water during the trip
Standard · Private6
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole trip
- Professional English or French-speaking driver
- Comfortable hotels or riads with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water during the trip
Standard · Shared6
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional driver
- Standard hotels or riads
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water during the trip
Itinerary
Your route
Tap a day to see it on the map
1
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
The longest drive of the trip, from the cedar forests to the dunes, ending with a camel ride into the Erg Chebbi. SCHEDULE (times are estimates) 08:00 – Pick-up in Fes. 09:00 – Ifrane (about 20 min). 09:45 – Cedar forest and macaques near Azrou (about 20 min). 12:30 – Lunch in Midelt (not included). 14:30 – Ziz Gorges and the Ziz Valley viewpoint. 16:30 – Merzouga; camel trek into the dunes (about 1.5 hours). 18:30 – Desert camp: tea, dinner, music. INCLUDED: vehicle and driver, camel trek, camp night with dinner and breakfast. NOT INCLUDED: lunch, tips. WHAT YOU'LL TASTE Grilled meat in Midelt; soup and tagine at the camp. PHOTO SPOTS • Macaques in the cedars. • The camel caravan at sunset. WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY: from the forests to the Sahara in one day.
Cedar forest near Azrou
Duration: About 20 minutes
Ancient cedar forests where Barbary macaques live. Practical: do not feed them.
Ziz Valley
Duration: About 15 minutes
A long palm grove in a red canyon, dotted with mud-brick villages. Practical: dates are sold at the viewpoint.
Erg Chebbi camel trek
Duration: About 1.5 hours
A camel caravan led by a camel handler into the dunes to watch the sunset. Practical: long trousers and a scarf recommended.
2
Day 2: Merzouga – Khamlia – Erg Chebbi (A Day in the Sahara)
A full day in the desert: sunrise, Khamlia, nomads and a 4x4 drive around the dunes. SCHEDULE (times are estimates) 06:00 – Sunrise on the dunes. 07:30 – Breakfast. 09:30 – 4x4 around the Erg Chebbi: nomad family, seasonal lake (about 3 hours). 11:00 – Khamlia: Gnawa music (about 45 min). 13:00 – Lunch (not included). Afternoon – Rest by the pool or sandboarding. 18:00 – Sunset. Night – Desert camp or hotel. INCLUDED: driver and 4x4 excursion, accommodation with dinner and breakfast. NOT INCLUDED: lunch, quad biking, tips. WHAT YOU'LL TASTE Mint tea with a nomad family; madfouna in Merzouga. WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY: real time in the desert.
Khamlia
Duration: About 45 minutes
A village of Gnawa musicians, descendants of people from sub-Saharan Africa, who play traditional spiritual music for visitors. Practical: a contribution is expected.
Nomad family
Duration: About 45 minutes
Some families still live in tents with their goats and camels. You share tea and learn about life in the desert. Practical: ask before taking photos.
3
Day 3: Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
West through desert villages to the Todra Gorge and on to the Dades Valley. SCHEDULE (times are estimates) 08:30 – Depart Merzouga. 09:30 – Rissani. 11:30 – Tinghir and the Todra Gorge (about 1 hour). 13:00 – Lunch (not included). 15:00 – Dades Gorge and its hairpin road. 17:00 – Hotel or riad in the Dades Valley. INCLUDED: vehicle and driver, night with dinner and breakfast. NOT INCLUDED: lunch, tips. WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY: canyons and kasbahs.
Todra Gorge
Duration: About 1 hour
A canyon with 300-metre walls, a few metres apart at its narrowest. Practical: flat walk.
Dades Gorge
Duration: About 30 minutes
A dramatic road of hairpin bends climbing out of the gorge, one of the most photographed roads in Morocco. Practical: viewpoint café at the top.
4
Day 4: Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
Through the Valley of Roses and Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou, then over the High Atlas to Marrakech. SCHEDULE (times are estimates) 08:00 – Depart. 09:00 – Kelaat M'Gouna, Valley of Roses. 10:00 – Skoura. 11:00 – Ouarzazate. 11:30 – Ait Ben Haddou with a guide (about 1.5 hours). 13:00 – Lunch (not included). 14:30 – Tizi n'Tichka pass. 18:00 – Arrive in Marrakech. INCLUDED: vehicle and driver, guide at Ait Ben Haddou. NOT INCLUDED: lunch, tips. WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY: the end of a great journey across Morocco.
Ait Ben Haddou
Duration: About 1.5 hours
A UNESCO-listed ksar of earthen houses above the Ounila river, famous from many films. Practical: steep climb to the granary.
Tizi n'Tichka pass
Duration: About 15 minutes
The highest main road pass in Morocco at 2,260 m. Practical: cold and windy.
Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Child seats or chairs available
Cancellation policy
To receive a full refund for the experience, you must cancel at least 24 hours before it starts.
- If you cancel the experience less than 24 hours before it starts, the amount paid will not be refunded.
Help
If you have any questions about this tour or need help making the reservation, we will be happy to help. Just call the following number and provide the product code: 110964P11
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
- Most travelers can participate in the experience
- This tour or activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the tour end in Marrakech?
Yes. It starts in Fes and ends at your accommodation in Marrakech.
How many nights in the desert?
Two nights around Merzouga: one in a camp, the second in the camp or a hotel.
How long are the drives?
About 8–9 hours on day 1, little on day 2, about 5 hours on day 3 and 7–8 hours on day 4.
Which meals are included?
Dinner and breakfast each night.
Is it private?
Yes, with a private driver.
Can children join?
Yes. Child seats on request.
When is the best time?
Spring and autumn.
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