4-Day Marrakech to Fes Tour Via Morocco’s Sahara Desert

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Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour 4 Days

Travel from Marrakech to Fes on a 4-day private Morocco Sahara desert tour filled with jaw-dropping scenery. From crossing the High Atlas Mountains to exploring the fascinating Kasbahs towering every Morocco desert oasis. Soak in the breath-taking dunes of Merzouga while watching a magical sunset on the back of your camel, and end the day with a lifetime experience of spending the night at your Sahara desert camp.

4-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour Highlights:

  • Cross the high Atlas Mountains from Marrakech to Ouarzazate.
  • Discover the remarkably preserved Kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou and Amrdil.
  • Join your guide for a walk in the oasis of Todgha to learn about the Berber culture.
  • Ride your camel in Erg Chebbi and watch a stunning sunset view in the horizon.
  • Spend the night at your luxury Sahara desert camp.
  • Visit Erfoud's Fossils museum.
  • Watch Barbary apes in Middle Atlas Mountains on your way to Fes.

Marrakech to Fes 4 Days Desert Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Marrakech - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Boumalne Dades

Start your 4-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour with an early departure (07h30 AM towards the High Atlas Mountains, and Tizi Ntichka pass, driving along the scenic drive past Berber villages.
You will continue to the UNESCO world heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Hadou, famed for its Gladiator and Game of Thrones sets. Explore the Kasbah accompanied by a local Berber guide. Continue to Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, where you might want to stop for a visit to Atlas Film Studios, one of the largest open-air Studios in the world.
In the afternoon, we follow the road of the Kasbahs towards the oasis of Skoura, famous for its most preserved Kasbah in Morocco: Amrdil, surrounded by lush green palm trees oasis.
We will conclude the day with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbahs and the valley of the roses towards your hotel located next to Dades Canyons.

(6 Hours Drive)
Accomodation Details:

Day 2: Tinghir - Merzouga

Today’s adventure will begin with a drive to the oasis of Tnghir, a former military post during the French occupation of Morocco. It is famed for hosting a significant Jewish community until the 1960s. Meet your local guide for a walk in the oasis along the stream, watching local Berbers working the fields. End your walk with the stunning views of Todgha Canyons.
In the afternoon, we continue to Rissani, a holy city and the cradle of the Alaouite Dynasty, which rules Morocco until today.
Visit the dates market before you continue to Merzouga. Dinner and overnight will take place at one of the lodges, only a couple hundred meters from the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

(4 Hours Drive)
Accomodation Details:

Day 3: Merzouga - Erg Chebbi

After a late breakfast, get ready to get your first taste of the Sahara desert: hop on your vehicle for a visit the village of Khamlia where you will meet local Berber nomads who are hospitable enough to share a cup of mint tea with you and play Gnawa music. You will spot the Hamada stretching to the sharp cliffs marking the Algerian borders from the horizon.
In the afternoon, meet your camel caravan, pick a camel, and follow your guide! Admire beautiful 360-degree views of the desert landscape as the sun slowly sets over the color changing dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Arrive at your Sahara desert camp just before it gets dark and settle up in your tent. Dinner will be served under the stars next to the campfire.
Walk to the nearest dune to admire the crystal clear sky, or join your local host nomads playing their Tam Tam drums.

(1 Hour Drive)
Accomodation Details:

Day 4: Merzouga - Midelt - Fes

Today, you can opt for an early wake-up to watch the sun rises on top of one of the sand dunes next to your desert camp. After breakfast, meet your driver to travel to Fes.
First, you will drive along Ziz Valley, famous for its Ksours (fortified villages) and lush green oases dotted with date palm trees. Then, you will arrive at Midelt, located in the heart of the Middle Atlas Mountains. This region is known for its apple farms and the mining industry.
From here, continue to Fes through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains with a couple of stops in Azrou t watch the Barbary apes and Ifran for a cup of coffee.
Arrive in Fes late in the afternoon, and your 4-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour will conclude with a drop off at your hotel or the nearest accessible point to your riad.

(7 Hours Drive)

4 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes Prices:

Number of Participants: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7-9 10-13 14-17
Price per person: 875€ 495€ 390€ 340€ 290€ 265€ 250€ 230€ 190€
Number of Participants: Price per person:
1 875€
2 495€
3 390€
4 340€
5 290€
6 265€
7-9 250€
10-13 230€
14-17 190€

What is included in this 4-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour:

A/C modern 4×4 or van driven by an English speaking river/guide.

Pick up from your Marrakech hotel or Riad.

First night at Hotel Panorama or Hotel Babylon (Private A/C ensuite room) with dinner & breakfast.

Sunset camel ride in Erg Chebbi.

Second night at a Merzouga lodge including dinner and breakfast.

Overnight at a Sahara desert camp in Erg Chebbi (Private tent) with shared bathrooms – Showers available in the morning at the camp operator’s lodge – Dinner and breakfast are included.

Upgrade to a deluxe camp with an ensuite tent available upon booking your Marrakech to Fes desert tour ( €70 per person ).

Drop off at your Fes hotel or the closest accessible location to your Fes riad if not car accessible.

Not included

Beverages during dinners

Lunches on the way

Local guides if any

Entrance fees if any

Know Before You Go:

  • Driving times above do not include stops for sightseeing, photos, lunch, and cafe.
  • The tour price is per person and it depends on how many passengers in your party.
  • Pick-up from Res can be flexible during spring and summer.
  • Local guides and entrance fees (if any) are not included. You pay for those directly to the suppliers.
  • Hat, sunglasses, good walking shoes, and wet napkins are of good use during this tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How far is Fes from Marrakech?

    The distance between Marrakech and Fes is 520 Km via the motorway through Casablanca and Rabat. If you choose to drive via the Middle Atlas Mountains and Beni Mellal, the distance is 570 Km. The drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains is more scenic, but you need to spare a whole day to enjoy the itinerary. There is an even longer and more popular way to get to Fes from Marrakech: Through Merzouga and the Moroccan Sahara desert. It is 1030 Km, and it requires a minimum of 3 days.

  • How far is the Sahara desert from Fes?

    The distance from Fes to the Sahara desert (Merzouga dunes) is 463 Km (287 miles). However, the journey is full of amazing sceneries and various stops.

  • Can we skip the camel ride in Erg chebbi to the desert camp?

    Yes, you can. A separate 4×4 can take you to the desert camp with an extra fee of 30 Euros ( Return transfer ). If you choose to upgrade to the luxury desert camp, a 4×4 return transfer will be offered with no extra fee.

  • How long is the camel ride in Erg Chebbi?

    It is roughly 1 hour for sunset and another hour for sunrise the following day. So time depends on the season, Daylight saving time, and sunset/sunrise time.

  • Are bathrooms in Merzouga desert camp private?

    Bathrooms are shared and located outside your tent in the comfortable desert camp ( already included in the tour price ). Luxury camp bathrooms are private inside your tent.

  • can we hire quad bikes in Merzouga?

    Yes, you can. There are plenty of ATV rental companies in Merzouga that supply good quality quad bikes and dunes buggies in Erg Chebbi dunes. Your guide will assist you with that, and you will directly pay the supplier in Merzouga. They cost 50 Euros per quad per hour.

  • Are there any electricity outlets in Mezouga camp?

    There will be electrical outlets in your Merzouga Sahara desert camp public areas, restaurants, and camp courtyard. However, the electric generators are turned down around midnight.

  • How many days do i need in Fes Morocco?

    You mainly need two days in Fes Morocco to explore it fully. A full-day guided tour of the Medina of Fes will introduce you to discover the hidden gems of the ancient Medina and an extra day to explore the Souks on your own. Now, with the nearby blue city of Chefchaouen becoming more and more popular, you could add an extra day to make a whole day trip to Chefchaouen from Fes ( 200 Km each way ).

  • We are a couple and we want to join a small group on your private tour. Is that possible?

    Unfortunately, it is not. Our private tours are reserved for the party who had booked the tour. The tour price per person depends on how many are at your party. Feel free to join our shared tours if you are on a budget.

Reviews

4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes with Youssef

Diana C – July 2021:

Our 4-day tour from Marrakech to Fes through the Sahara desert went off without a hitch. It was the ideal combination of activities for three of us who had gone on several trips together. We all felt our driver, Yousef was fantastic; he took such good care of us and allowed us lots of freedom to move about. I've already recommended Marrakech Desert Trips to a few individuals, advising them to inquire for Yousef. He drove us across Morocco Sahara desert securely, pleasantly, and amicably. Yousef, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Perfect Marrakech to Fes desert tour

Ariel N – June 2021:

So, where do I begin? I travel frequently, and have had wonderful experiences. Marrakech Desert Trips provided one of, if not the greatest tours. I was pleasantly delighted by their willingness to meet our requirements, as well as the quickness with which everything was set up and organized. Everything was delivered on schedule and in accordance with their website's description. The itinerary of our 4 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour was perfect: each stop was planned with just enough time to enjoy the Sahara desert flavour, but not too much.

Marrakech to Fes Sahara tour in 4 days

Nicholas Z – May 2021:

Marrakech Desert Trips ability to organize our 4 days Marrakech to Fes Sahara tour with only a 3 days notice astounded us. They were accommodating, organized, and communicative during the booking process as well as during our tour. Merzouga sunset camel ride and the night stay at the luxury Sahara desert camp was a highlight for us, and it is not to be missed. Our driver, Mohamed, did an outstanding job ensuring that the trip went according to schedule and hassle free. He went out of his way to make sure we had all we needed and that we got to see as much of the Moroccan Sahara desert as possible. Thank you so much for a wonderful tour!

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    form €190/person
    Good926 Reviews4.9