5 DaysModerate

Marrakech to Fes via Sahara — 5 Days

Tour Overview

A five-day journey from Morocco's red city to its cultural capital, taking the long and scenic desert route. Cross the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou, sleep in the Dades Gorges, walk the Todra canyon, ride camels to a desert camp at Erg Chebbi, spend a full day exploring the Merzouga region with nomad families and Gnawa musicians, then drive north through the Middle Atlas — cedar forests and Barbary macaques at Azrou, the charming Alpine town of Ifrane — arriving in Fes for a full guided day of the medina.

Tour Highlights

Tizi-Ntichka Atlas pass & Aït Benhaddou
Ouarzazate film studios
Dades Gorges, Valley of Roses & Todra Gorge
Sunset camel trek at Erg Chebbi
Cedar forest macaques & Ifrane
Full guided day in the medieval Fes medina

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Marrakech → Aït Benhaddou → Ouarzazate

Depart at 8:00 AM, cross the Tizi-Ntichka pass through the High Atlas with panoramic stops. Visit the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Benhaddou and the Ouarzazate film studios. Overnight in Ouarzazate.

Day 2

Ouarzazate → Skoura → Roses Valley → Dades → Todra → Merzouga

Drive through the Skoura palm grove, Kasbah Amridil, the Valley of Roses, Dades Valley, and Todra Gorge. Continue east to Merzouga. Overnight in hotel/riad.

Day 3

Merzouga → Erg Chebbi Camel Trek → Desert Camp

After breakfast, take a 4×4 tour of the dunes then mount camels for the legendary sunset trek to a desert camp. Berber music, dinner, and millions of stars overhead.

Day 4

Desert → Errachidia → Midelt → Azrou → Ifrane → Fes

Early morning sunrise at the camp. Drive north via the Ziz Valley, Midelt, Azrou cedar forest (Barbary macaques), and Ifrane. Arrive in Fes in the evening.

Day 5

Fes — Full Medina Tour

Full day guided tour of Fes: the Royal Palace, the Mellah, the ancient tanneries, the medersas, Al-Qarawiyyin University, and the labyrinthine artisan souks. Free afternoon to explore independently.