5 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour

Set off on a mesmerizing 5 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour that links two of Morocco’s most storied imperial cities through a tapestry of epic landscapes and living traditions. From the High Atlas Mountains and the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou to the rose-scented valleys, towering Todra Gorges, and the golden Erg Chebbi dunes, this journey blends scenic beauty with cultural encounters. End in the spiritual heartbeat of Morocco — Fes — after a breathtaking traverse of Ziz Valley, cedar forests, and the alpine town of Ifrane.

Travel in comfort with private transportation and a knowledgeable English-speaking driver. Step inside ancient kasbahs, connect with Berber communities, ride a camel into the sunset, and sleep under a sky freckled with a million stars at a luxury desert camp. With thoughtful pacing and curated stops, this Marrakech to Fes desert tour is designed for couples, families, and friends seeking immersion — not rush.

We’ve expanded each day to include meaningful experiences and optional add-ons like sandboarding, quad biking, and 4×4 desert exploration. If you’d like to customize the itinerary, we’ll happily tailor it to your pace and interests.

5 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour Highlights:

• Atlas Mountain Crossing — Scenic drive via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m) with panoramic photo stops
• UNESCO Ait Benhaddou — Explore Morocco’s iconic ksar & famous filming location (UNESCO)
• Kasbah Trail & Oases — Visit Taourirt, Skoura Oasis, and Kasbah Amridil
• Roses & Gorges — Wander the Valley of Roses and marvel at Dades & Todra Gorges
• Erg Chebbi Camel Trek — Sunset ride across Merzouga’s dunes to a luxury camp
• Stargazing & Sandboarding — Sleep in ensuite tents, enjoy local music, and try sandboarding
• Gnawa Rhythms & Rissani Market — Authentic cultural encounters in Khamlia & Rissani
• Ziz Valley to Fes — Travel through palm oases, cedar forests with Barbary macaques, and Ifrane “Little Switzerland”
• Private & Flexible — Customizable pace, route options, and accommodation upgrades

Itinerary for the 5 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes:

At Morocco On Tour, we craft private, personalized journeys. Want to adjust the pacing, add experiences, or upgrade accommodations? Share your preferences via the contact form below — we’ll tailor everything to you.

Day 1: Marrakech → High Atlas → Ait Benhaddou → Ouarzazate (5–6 Hours Drive)

We’ll collect you from your Marrakech riad at 8:00 AM to begin our ascent into the High Atlas Mountains. The dramatic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m) sets the tone with sweeping panoramas, Berber hamlets perched on terraced hillsides, and scenic viewpoints perfect for photos and fresh mountain air. Along the way, you may stop at a small argan oil cooperative to learn how this liquid gold is traditionally extracted.

Midday brings us to the legendary Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress village whose earthen kasbahs have starred in classics like Gladiator and The Mummy. Cross the shallow riverbed and wander sun-baked alleys to the hilltop granary for views that stretch across the Ounila valley. Lunch is available at a local terrace with kasbah views.

Continue to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa.” Time permitting, visit the majestic Taourirt Kasbah — former Glaoui residence — and/or the famed Atlas Film Studios to step onto movie sets that have doubled for ancient worlds. Settle into your traditional riad for dinner and a restful night.

Day 2: Ouarzazate → Skoura Oasis → Valley of Roses → Dades Valley & Gorges (3–4 Hours Drive)

After breakfast, we trace the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” into the lush Skoura Oasis. Here, palms, pomegranate trees, and crisscrossing irrigation channels shelter beautiful kasbahs, including the wonderfully preserved Kasbah Amridil. Explore its earth-and-straw architecture and learn how oasis communities have thrived for centuries.

Next up is El Kelaa M’Gouna, heart of the Valley of Roses where fragrant blooms are harvested each spring. Stop by a local cooperative to see traditional rose distillation and try natural products from soaps to hydrosols.

By afternoon, the road winds into the Dades Valley, revealing curious rock formations nicknamed the “Monkey Fingers” and the photogenic Tissadrine hairpin bends. Optional short walks bring you closer to the ochre cliffs and river terraces. Overnight in a charming kasbah-style hotel overlooking the valley, with dinner included.

Day 3: Dades Valley → Todra Gorges → Merzouga → Luxury Sahara Desert Camp (4–5 Hours Drive)

Fuel up for a day of canyons and dunes. We begin at the spectacular Todra Gorges, where sheer limestone walls soar up to 300 meters. Stroll along the riverbed as climbers dot the golden cliffs and nomad families lead their herds through the valley — a sublime blend of geology and daily life.

Continue via Tinjdad and on to Erfoud, known for its fossil workshops that transform ancient marine life into polished art pieces. By late afternoon, the dunes of Erg Chebbi rise on the horizon — your gateway to the Sahara. Mount your camel for a gentle, golden-hour trek to your luxury desert camp. As the sun melts behind the dunes, settle into your private ensuite tent, enjoy a traditional dinner, live rhythms around the campfire, and stargaze under some of Morocco’s clearest skies. Sandboards are available for sunset or sunrise fun.

Day 4: Sahara Exploration (Khamlia & Rissani) → Merzouga Desert Hotel

Early risers can catch a sunrise that sets the dunes ablaze with color. After breakfast, choose between a camel ride or 4×4 back to the village. Today is devoted to culture and desert life. In Khamlia, meet musicians who keep the soulful Gnawa traditions alive — a heritage rooted in sub-Saharan Africa. Then, head to Rissani, birthplace of Morocco’s Alaouite dynasty, to wander its authentic market where date sellers, spice merchants, and fabric stalls create a timeless scene.

Optional add-ons include a quad or buggy ride across the dunes, or a short off-road visit to the old M’Fis mines and a local nomad family for tea and stories of life between the sands. Return to your desert hotel by mid-afternoon to relax by the pool or enjoy a sunset walk. Dinner and overnight in Merzouga area.

Day 5: Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Azrou Cedar Forest → Ifrane → Fes (7–8 Hours Drive)

After breakfast, we travel north through the dramatic Ziz Valley — a ribbon of palm oases flanked by rust-red escarpments — and pass through the Ziz Gorges. Break for lunch in Midelt, a peaceful town nestled at the foot of the Ayachi Mountains. The scenery shifts as we enter the Middle Atlas, where cedar forests near Azrou are home to wild Barbary macaques (bring a camera!).

We then roll through the alpine-style resort town of Ifrane, nicknamed “Little Switzerland,” before descending into the fertile plain that surrounds Fes. Arrive by early evening for drop-off at your riad — with the desert’s sand still in your shoes and its quiet magic in your heart.

Tour Gallery: 5 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour