Overview
This 5 Day Tour from Fez to Marrakech via the Merzouga Desert It's one of the most comprehensive and spectacular routes for discovering Morocco. Over five unforgettable days, you'll travel from the historic city of Fez to vibrant Marrakech, passing through landscapes that look like something out of a movie: cedar forests, fertile valleys, ancient kasbahs, imposing gorges, and, of course, the majestic Sahara and the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Highlights on the Tours
- Discover the route between Fez and Marrakech through the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains
- Camel ride and magical night at a camp in the Merzouga Desert.
- Visit to the Gnawa village of Khamlia and meet with nomadic families.
- Explore the impressive Todra Gorges.
- Enjoy the unique landscapes of the Dades Valley and the Valley of the Roses.
- Explore the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a setting for famous films.
- Cross the High Atlas, with its spectacular panoramic views.
- Experience the perfect blend of culture, history and nature.
Itinerary: 5-Day Tour from Fez to Marrakech via Merzouga Desert
Early departure from Fez by private transport with guide/driver.
First stop: Ifrane, nicknamed the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine style and fresh atmosphere.
Continue to the Azrou Cedar Forest, home to the famous Barbary apes, where you can observe them in their natural habitat.
Lunch in Midelt, a city surrounded by mountains.
We will cross the Ziz Valley, known for its extensive palm groves and fortified kasbahs.
Arrival in Erfoud, the fossil capital and famous for its date market.
Continue to Merzouga, at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional riad/hotel near the dunes.
Breakfast and day dedicated to discovering the surrounding desert
4x4 excursion through the Erg Chebbi, visiting:
Khamlia village, where you will hear Gnawa music.
Nomadic families, who maintain their traditions in the middle of the Sahara.
Old mines and unique views of the desert.
Return to Merzouga and enjoy free time to relax or enjoy optional activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, or buggies.
In the afternoon, we begin our camel ride to the desert camp, crossing the golden dunes at sunset.
Traditional Moroccan dinner under a starry sky, music around the campfire, and overnight stay in a Berber tent (standard or luxury camp).
Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the Sahara dunes is a magical experience.
Return by camel to the village of Merzouga and breakfast.
Departure for Rissani, a traditional city and birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty, with a lively market.
Stop in Erfoud, where you can visit fossil workshops.
Continue to the Todra Gorges, a canyon with vertical walls that reach up to 300 meters in height.
Free time to walk, take photographs and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Travel to the Dades Valley, known for its rock formations called "monkey fingers" and its stunning landscapes.
Dinner and overnight stay in a riad or hotel in the valley.
After breakfast, depart for the Valley of the Roses, famous for its cultivation and production of rosewater cosmetics.
I pass through the Skoura palm grove, where the Amridil kasbah is located.
Arrival in Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Desert” and famous for its film studios where films such as Gladiator o Juego de Tronos.
Continue to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This spectacular adobe ksar has served as a setting for numerous film and television productions.
We will cross the High Atlas through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260 m), with mountain landscapes, Berber villages and agricultural valleys.
Arrival in Marrakech in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at a riad/hotel in the city.
Breakfast and free time in Marrakech.
End of services with transfer to the hotel or airport.
Possibility of including a guided tour of Marrakech, visiting iconic places such as:
The Plaza Jemaa el-Fna and the market
The Koutoubia Mosque.
The Palacio de la Bahía and the Saadian tombs.
The famous Jardines Majorelle.
Includes / Excludes
✅ Includes
- Transporte privado en vehículo cómodo con aire acondicionado.
- Driver/guide throughout the tour.
- 2 nights in traditional riads/hotels with half board.
- 1 night in a riad in the Dades Valley with dinner and breakfast.
- 1 night in a desert camp (standard or luxury).
- Dinner, breakfast and show at the Sahara camp.
- Sunset and sunrise camel ride in Merzouga.
- Excursions and visits according to itinerary.
❌ Not Included
- International flights.
- Lunch and drinks.
- Optional entrance fees to monuments.
- Actividades extra (quads, buggies, sandboard).
- Tips and personal expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The best time to do this tour is in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when the weather is mild both in the desert and in the mountains. In summer, temperatures in Merzouga can exceed 45°C, while in winter, nights are very cold, especially in the Sahara and Atlas Mountains.
The route includes long stretches of driving, but all are done with tourist stops:
Fez to Merzouga (Day 1): Approx. 8 hours with stops in Ifrane, Midelt, and the Ziz Valley.
Merzouga to Dades Valley (Day 3): about 6 hours with stops in Rissani and Todra.
Dades to Marrakech (Day 4): 6 to 7 hours with visits to Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou.
The camel trek takes place at sunset and lasts approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, crossing the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to the camp. The next day, you can return by camel or 4x4. It's a relaxing and safe experience, ideal even for those who have never ridden before.
The night in the desert is spent in a Berber camp in the dunes of Merzouga. You can choose between two options:
Standard Camp: shared traditional tents, shared bathrooms, dinner and music around the fire.
Luxury Camp: private tents with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, electricity, and a more exclusive experience.
Yes, at some points along the itinerary, such as Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech, or Fez (upon request), we offer certified local guides who will delve into the history and culture of each location. You will also have a driver/guide with you throughout the tour.
The price includes private transportation, driver/guide, accommodation in selected riads and hotels, dinner and breakfast in the desert and Dades Valley, camel ride, and visits as per the itinerary. It does not include lunch, drinks, optional entrance fees to monuments, or additional activities such as quad biking or buggies in Merzouga.
The 5-day tour from Fez to Marrakech allows for a more relaxed trip, with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and sights, as well as including additional stops such as the Dades Valley and Ouarzazate. Shorter tours tend to be more rushed and offer less free time.
Yes, the route can be done both ways: Fez → Marrakech or Marrakech → Fez. It all depends on your arrival or departure point in Morocco.
