Best Morocco Trails | Tours, Excursions & Activities in Morocco
5 Days Tour From Marrakech To Fes Via Merzouga Desert
Type
Tours
Min Age
1+
Max People
30
Transportation
4x4, Bus, Luxury Car
Overview
This 5-day tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga Desert offers an unforgettable blend of Morocco’s scenic landscapes, ancient cities, and desert magic. From the High Atlas Mountains and UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou Kasbah to the dramatic gorges of Dades and Todgha, this journey captures the essence of Morocco. Experience two nights in a Sahara Desert camp, camel trekking over the golden dunes, and cultural immersion with Berber and Gnaoua communities. Finish your trip with a deep dive into Fes, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco, with a guided city tour.
Highlights Of This Tour
- Traverse the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Explore the ancient Ait Benhaddou Kasbah and Ouarzazate
- Discover the Rose Valley, Dades Gorge, and Todgha Gorge
- Ride camels through the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga
- Spend two nights in a luxury desert camp under the stars
- Visit nomadic Berber families and Gnaoua musicians in the Sahara
- Explore Ziz Valley, the land of dates
- Stop at the cedar forest of Azrou to meet the Barbary macaques
- Discover Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”
- Guided sightseeing tour of Fes including the Royal Palace, Tannery, and ancient medina
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley
Departure at 8:00 AM from Marrakech. Enjoy a scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m). Stop for photos and explore traditional Berber villages along the way. Visit the famous Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Hollywood filming location. Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” with an optional visit to the Atlas Film Studios. Journey through the Rose Valley and Kalaat M’Gouna to reach the Dades Valley.
Overnight in a luxury hotel or charming riad in Boumalne Dades.
Day 2: Dades Gorges – Todgha Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert
After breakfast, depart toward Tinghir and the Todgha Gorges. Walk along the oasis and enjoy the views of the 300-meter-high cliffs. Stop for lunch in a nearby village like Tinjdad. Continue through Erfoud, famous for its fossils and dates, before reaching Merzouga. Here, your camel guide awaits to begin your camel trek across the dunes for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, stopping to watch the sunset. Arrive at your luxury camp for tea, dinner, and traditional Berber music by the fire.
Overnight in a luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi.
Day 3: Full Day To Explore Merzouga Desert By 4×4
Wake early for a sunrise over the dunes, followed by breakfast. Begin a full-day exploration by 4×4 across the Sahara. Visit nomadic Berber families near the Algerian border, stop at the M’ifis mines, and visit Khamlia village to enjoy Gnawa music and traditional Berber pizza. Walk through a local oasis filled with almond, fig, and palm trees. Return to the camp for optional sandboarding or relaxation. Enjoy the sunset, a traditional dinner, and another magical evening around the campfire.
Overnight in the Merzouga desert camp.
Day 4: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes
Wake early for a sunrise over the dunes, followed by breakfast. Ride back to Merzouga village by camel or 4×4. Drive through the Ziz Valley, passing Errachidia and entering the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Midelt for lunch, known for its apples and minerals. Continue through the cedar forest of Azrou, with a stop to meet the Barbary macaques. Visit Ifrane, Morocco’s cleanest and most European-style city. Arrive in Fes by evening.
Overnight at a riad or hotel in Fes.
Day 5: Fes City Tour With Local Guide – Transfer To Airport
After breakfast, meet your local guide for a full-day cultural tour of Fes. Highlights include the Royal Palace of Fes, the Chouara Tannery, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and synagogue, the University of Al-Qarawiyyin (the world’s oldest university), and the labyrinthine streets of Fes el Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit artisanal workshops for ceramics, mosaics, and leather, and enjoy a panoramic viewpoint over the medina. Enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant in the medina before your transfer to Fes Airport or your accommodation.
What's Included
- 1 Overnight in Fes
- 2 Overnights in a luxury desert camp (private tents with private bathrooms)
- An English-speaking guide during the trip/Well-experienced driver during the trip
- Local guide in Fes for the city tour
- Drop off at Fes airport or accommodation
- Fuel/gas and all car-related expenses
- Pick up from your accommodation in Marrakech
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned touristic minivan or 4WD
- Private trip
- Sandboarding and Camel trek
What's Excluded
- Entrance fees to attractions and museums
- Plane ticket to and from Morocco
- Tips (Optional)
FAQs
Why does this tour spend two nights in the Merzouga desert?
Spending two nights allows for a dedicated full-day 4×4 excursion on Day 3. Instead of rushing out of the desert, you have time to visit nomadic families, explore hidden oases, and experience authentic Gnawa music in Khamlia.
Is there a guided tour included in Fes?
Yes, on Day 5 you will be paired with a local, certified Fes guide who will take you through the ancient medina, the tanneries, the Royal Palace gates, and the artisan quarters to ensure you don’t miss any historical details.
Can I fly out of Fes on the last day?
Yes, the 5-day itinerary concludes with a guided tour of Fes on Day 5, followed by lunch. Afterward, we provide a direct transfer to Fes-Saïss Airport, making it easy to catch an evening flight.
Will we actually see the Barbary macaques in Azrou?
While they are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed, the cedar forest of Azrou is their natural habitat, and our driver knows exactly where to stop. Feeding them is common, though we recommend doing so carefully under guidance.
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