5 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes – Morocco Sahara Trip

This morning, go on a sightseeing tour of Ouarzazate city. Begin with a visit to the Atlas Studio (Optional). Then Taourirt kasbah, a fortified palace that was once the residence of the local rulers, and it’s an amazing example of Berber architecture which was built in the 17th century and housing hundreds of people. Next, make your lovely way into the Sahara with a medley of palm trees, magnificent oases and also rose fields in Kalaat M’gouna. The city is known for its annual Rose Festival, which takes place every year in May to celebrate the harvest of roses grown in the region.

 Carrying on, we continue to the Amridil Kasbah in Skoura, a fortified fortress built in the 17th century. Likewise, it is a popular filming location and has been featured in many famous movies from Ali Baba, The Sheltering Sky to Game of Thrones. Free time to enjoy your lunch at your convenience, later we hit the road again to the canyon of Boumalne dades, and upon arrival enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. This area offers up scenery like no other – sprawling green valleys give way to otherworldly rock formations carved out by the wind. Your hotel offers a delightful pool and terrace overlooking the valley, so take some time to sit back and soak in the ethereal views.

◈ Overnight: Boumalne Dades

◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

After breakfast, drive a bit further to Tissadrine to the beautiful panoramic view of the Dades valley, and then the beautiful rocks’ formation called «Monkey fingers». Afterward, depart Boumlane dades and set off on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the gorge of Todra, surrounded by towering vertical limestone cliffs reaching heights of 300 m, it is known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. Moreover, the charm of Todra lies in its changing colors as the sun slowly moves from east to west. There’ll be time to marvel at this sight before you continue your journey to the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. En route, stop for lunch in the town of Tinejdad.

As soon as you arrive at the popular dunes of Erg Chebbi, one of the world’s iconic landscapes, with towering dunes up to 150 m in height, ride a camel through the desert towards your campsite. A spectacular camp hidden away in the sand dunes of the Sahara. Here in this magical escape from the modern world, you’ll experience the true essence of desert life. Make sure to catch the sunset in the heart of the desert. In addition to that, enjoy a nice dinner, followed by live Berber music around an open fire and spend an amazing night under the stars, digest the desert in all its beauty that will give you remarkable memories of the desert trip exploring.

◈ Overnight: Merzouga Desert

◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

Spend the day exploring Merzouga and its tiny villages. After a truly stunning sunrise, freshen up and breakfast in your camp. Begin with the traditional Saharan village of Khamlia, known for a distinctive style of music and dance. Along the way you might see some wild animals such as Fennec fox, …etc. Furthermore, set off for a breathtaking panoramic view of Erg Chebbi Dunes from the Galb Nass Mountains. From Here, you’ll also start to see your first glimpse of Morocco’s nomadic Berbers – travelling across the desert and often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination.

⇒ Visit Nomadic Tribes » Desert Oasis

Stopping en route to share a cup of tea with some welcoming Berber families in their handwoven tent while enjoying the silence of the Sahara Desert. After that, drive back to Khamlia village, where you’ll enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant, you may like to try Medfouna (also called “Berber pizza”), traditional stuffed bread prepared with meat, herbs and spices by the nomadic people.

 The tour ends in the Oasis of Merzouga, a small patch of vegetation surrounded by desert, then return to your beautifully decorated riad. This afternoon why not walk to Erg chebbi dunes to witness sunset again or try out Quad Bike Tour or even Dune Buggy Ride, it is a wonderful experience that you should not miss out!

◈ Overnight: Merzouga Village

◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

◊ Activities in Merzouga Desert:

→ Dune Buggy Ride in the Erg Chebbi Dunes

→ Quad Biking Tour in the Erg Chebbi Dunes

In the morning, the desert adventure from Marrakech to Fes continues toward the north, inland through a variety of spectacular scenery: fertile Ziz valley, cedar and pine forests and also barren, rocky landscapes to the small town of Midelt. After a leisurely lunch, then drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains and Cedar Forest, home to the Barbary Macaque. Next stop in Ifrane, a beautiful town often likened to a Swiss Alpine resort, and also highlighted for its low temperatures and varied outdoor activities such as snowboarding which attract visitors from all over the kingdom. Perhaps get into Fes in the early evening. Drop you off at your preferred location in the city, then your 5-days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes with us ends right here and hope you enjoy it. 

⟐ Meals: Breakfast

Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to explore Fez. Find out things you can do during your stay in Fes.

• Day Trip to Chefchaouen “The Blue Pearl Of Morocco”
• Explore the Fascinating City of Fes on a Guided Tour
• 10 Absolute Best & Most Beautiful Places to visit in Morocco

It takes around 9–10 hours drive to get to Merzouga desert from Marrakech, approximately 563 kilometers (350 miles). But it’s possible to break up this long journey with overnight stops, either in Ouarzazate or Dades Gorge along the way.

Booking a private tour offers a unique and personalized experience tailored to your interests. You enjoy privacy, comfort, and the freedom to customize the itinerary and pace. With exclusive access and an expert guide dedicated to your group, you gain a deeper understanding of the destinations. While private tours can be more expensive, the benefits outweigh the cost for those seeking an exceptional and unforgettable travel experience.

It’s recommended to pack comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather during the day and cooler temperatures at night. Essentials include sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a scarf for protection from the desert wind, comfortable shoes for walking, and a small backpack for personal items. It’s also advisable to bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and memorable moments.

You don’t need a sleeping bag since there are well-equipped Desert camps provides all the bedding you need including pillows, blankets and even a private bathroom in the tent if you need to take a shower (Luxury camp).

The camel trek is about an hour, with a break in the heart of the desert in order to witness the sunset. If you prefer to walk, then you can walk alongside our camel caravan, but bear in mind that walking in the sand can be tiring.

Whether you choose to embrace the adventure of a camel ride or opt for the convenience of a 4×4 transfer, the choice is yours. Erg Chebbi’s enchanting desert camp awaits, promising an unforgettable getaway amidst the breathtaking dunes.

Wi-Fi availability in the desert camps can vary depending on the specific camp you choose. Some desert camps may offer Wi-Fi access to their guests, while others may not have this facility available.

• Camel Trekking: Enjoy a camel ride through the majestic Sahara desert, immersing yourself in the serene landscape.
• Sand-boarding: Slide down the sandy slopes of the dunes on a sand-board, experiencing the thrill of this desert sport.
• Desert Camping: Spend a night in a desert camp, where you can relax, enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine, and marvel at the starry night sky.
• Quad Biking: Embark on an adrenaline-filled quad bike ride across the desert, exploring the sandy terrain and experiencing the exhilaration of off-road riding.
• Dune Buggy Rides: Hop on a dune buggy and embark on an adventure across the dunes. These off-road vehicles offer a thrilling and fast-paced experience in the desert.
• Off-Road Adventures: Embark on off-road excursions in 4×4 vehicles, exploring the rugged desert landscape, visiting hidden oases, and discovering remote areas not easily accessible by regular vehicles.