6 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech

Discover an exceptional 6 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech, a private journey through the heart of Morocco’s Sahara Desert, fertile oases, ancient kasbahs, and the dramatic High Atlas Mountains. This extended version gives you extra time in the wilder desert around Ouzina before crossing south to Marrakech via the Dades Valley, the Valley of Roses, and the legendary Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.

Starting in the spiritual city of Fes, you’ll cross the Middle Atlas via Ifrane and Azrou, spot Barbary macaques, and follow the Ziz Valley down to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Beyond Merzouga, you’ll spend two extra days winding deeper into the desert around Ouzina and Rissani, through the dramatic Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and its lunar rock formations, the fragrant Valley of Roses, and the palm groves of Skoura, before finishing with the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and a crossing of the High Atlas into Marrakech.

This 6-day version is ideal for travelers who want more time in the desert and its surrounding valleys than our classic 4-day tours allow, while finishing in Marrakech for an onward flight or a few extra days in the Red City. If you’d rather loop back to Fes instead, we also run the first three days of this same route as our 4 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga, or for a shorter one-way option, our 4 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour.

Tour Highlights: 6 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech

• Cross the Middle Atlas via Ifrane and the ancient cedar forest of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques
• Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, with an overnight stay in a superior Haima luxury camp and live Berber music
• Share tea with desert nomads and meet the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia
• Explore the wilder, little-visited dunes and rock formations around Ouzina, with a Berber family lunch and optional henna
• Visit the historic caravan town of Rissani, birthplace of Morocco’s Alaouite dynasty
• Walk beneath the towering limestone cliffs of Todra Gorge
• Drive deep into the Dades Gorges and the Berber village of Boutaghrar
• Cross the fragrant Valley of Roses and the palm groves of Skoura Oasis
• Explore the legendary Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass into vibrant Marrakech

Itinerary: Private 6 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech :

At Morocco On Tour, we’re passionate about crafting personalized experiences tailored to your preferences. If you have special requests, would like to adjust the itinerary, or are interested in a different finish point, simply share your details with us via the contact form below. We’re here to make your journey unforgettable!

Day 1: Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Errachidia → Ziz Valley → Erfoud → Merzouga (500 km)

Your desert adventure begins at 8:00 AM, when your driver-guide picks you up from your riad in Fes. We head towards Midelt via Ifrane, nicknamed the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine-style architecture, where we stop for about 15 minutes to stroll around the village square.

We continue to the thousand-year-old cedar forest of Azrou, stopping to watch — and feed — the resident Barbary macaques. From there we cross the Middle Atlas to Midelt, known as Morocco’s “apple capital,” where we take a lunch break, or press on towards Rich depending on timing.

After crossing the Tizi n’Talghemt pass (1,907 m), we reach the town of Erfoud and continue on to the Merzouga desert. At the foot of the impressive Erg Chebbi dunes, we swap the 4×4 for camels to watch the sunset before reaching camp for a night under a truly magical starry sky.

Dinner and overnight in a superior Haima luxury camp in the Erg Chebbi desert, with live Berber music and a campfire after dinner.

Driving Distance: 500 km

Day 2: Merzouga Desert → Nomads → Mifis → Khamlia → Ouzina

Rise early to watch the sunrise from the top of a dune, then head back for breakfast and return to the hotel by camel or 4×4. Afterwards you’re free to relax by the pool, or add an optional quad bike or buggy ride across the dunes (not included in the tour price).

We continue by 4×4 to meet desert nomads and share tea with them (a tip of around €5 is customary), before heading to the abandoned mining village of Mifis. Once an important mining site, it now offers superb panoramic views; you’ll see open-pit mines with shafts and trenches, some still worked today, where miners descend around 50 metres to extract lead and the minerals used to make kohl — powder still widely used by Moroccan women as eye makeup, after the French mined lead and zinc here until it was no longer profitable.

Next we arrive in Khamlia, home to the Gnawa, musicians of sub-Saharan descent, who welcome us with music, dance and mint tea — the “Berber whisky.” You’re welcome to buy a CD of their music (around €10) or leave a tip (around €5 minimum).

We continue towards Taouz along the old Paris–Dakar Rally track to a restaurant for a typical Berber lunch, then walk to nearby rock carvings while your driver-guide brings the 4×4 around. From there we cross the remote village of Jdaid and follow the old rally track to your accommodation in the Ouzina desert.

Hotel night with dinner and breakfast.

Day 3: Ouzina → Sahara Nomads → Berber Lunch → Henna → Sunset on the Dunes (90 km)

After a relaxed breakfast, we explore the area around Ouzina and meet authentic Saharan nomads, sharing a welcome tea with them (a tip of at least €5, or buying a piece of their handicraft, is appreciated).

We photograph striking red rock formations shaped like tagines, then continue to the barite mines, where you can watch miners descending up to 50 metres to extract barite — a mineral later exported to Europe for glass-making.

At midday we have lunch with a Berber family in the village of Ouzina (salad or noodles, Berber pizza and tea), where you can also get a henna tattoo from a local specialist (a tip for her is customary). If you’d like, you can also wander through the village and its oasis.

In the afternoon we head to the dunes of Erg Ouzina to watch the sunset over this wilder, less-visited desert in complete silence, before returning to the hotel for the night.

Hotel night with dinner and breakfast.

Driving Distance: 90 km

Day 4: Ouzina → Rissani → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley

After breakfast in Ouzina, we drive to Rissani, an ancient caravan hub and birthplace of Morocco’s Alaouite dynasty, worth a stop for its old walls, gates and lively souk.

We continue to the lush oasis of Tinghir, where a local guide leads a walk along the palm groves and irrigation canals, sharing insights into Berber-Jewish heritage and rural daily life. The highlight of the day is the spectacular Todra Gorge, where towering limestone cliffs rise up to 300 metres above the valley floor — a paradise for rock climbers and nature lovers.

Your day ends in the Dades Valley, known for its unusual rock formations and lush terraces. Check into your guesthouse or hotel, where dinner and a restful evening await.

Driving Distance: 250 km | Duration: ~5 hours

Day 5: Dades Valley → Gorges of Dades → Boutaghrar → Valley of Roses → Skoura Oasis → Ouarzazate

After breakfast, we head deeper into the Dades Gorges themselves, following the winding road up through the canyon past the famous “monkey fingers” rock formations, with photo stops at the viewpoints overlooking the valley.

We continue to the Berber village of Boutaghrar, at the head of the gorge and surrounded by walnut and almond orchards — a good place to stretch your legs and see rural Amazigh village life up close.

Heading back down, we cross the fragrant Valley of Roses around El Kelaa M’Gouna, especially beautiful in spring when the Damascus roses bloom, with the option to visit a rose-water distillery. We continue to Skoura, a vast palm oasis dotted with historic kasbahs, including the impressive Kasbah Amridil, for a guided walk through traditional irrigation channels and Berber architecture.

We arrive in Ouarzazate by evening — nicknamed the “Hollywood of Morocco” for its film studios — and check into your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Driving Distance: 210 km | Duration: ~5 hours

Day 6: Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas Mountains → Marrakech

After breakfast, a short drive brings us to the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular filming location for classics like Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and The Mummy. Take a walk through its winding alleys and climb to the top for panoramic views.

After lunch, we drive through the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains, the highest paved road in Morocco, with stops for photos and, often, a Berber village or mineral shop along the way.

We arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon, where you’ll be dropped off at your riad or hotel, marking the end of your unforgettable 6 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech.

Driving Distance: 320 km | Duration: ~7 hours

Tour Gallery: 6 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech