Experience Morocco’s mountains, palm oases, Sahara dunes, dramatic gorges and ancient kasbahs on this 5 days tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga. The journey connects two imperial cities while exploring the diverse landscapes of southern Morocco.
Unlike shorter desert tours, this five-day itinerary includes a complete day around Merzouga, one night in an Erg Chebbi desert camp and a second night in a hotel or riad beside the dunes. It also provides more time for Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, Skoura and the UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou.
This carefully planned journey is one of our most complete desert tours from Fes, combining the Middle Atlas, Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou. It is an excellent choice for couples, families and travellers who want a more comfortable pace without missing the Sahara’s essential experiences.
| Tour information | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 days and 4 nights |
| Starting location | Fes |
| Finishing location | Marrakech |
| Departure | Approximately 8:00 AM |
| First night | Erg Chebbi desert camp |
| Second night | Hotel or riad in Merzouga |
| Third night | Hotel or guesthouse in Dades Valley |
| Fourth night | Hotel or riad in Ouarzazate |
| Transportation | Private air-conditioned vehicle |
| Meals | Four breakfasts and four dinners |
| Tour type | Private and customizable |
| Desert transfer | Camel trek or 4×4 |
| Total distance | Approximately 1,100 km |
Your 5 days tour from Fes to Marrakech begins with collection from your hotel, riad, Fes airport or the nearest location accessible by vehicle. Leaving Fes, travel south through Imouzzer and into the Middle Atlas Mountains.
The first stop will be Ifrane and its Middle Atlas landscapes. Known for its alpine-style buildings and cooler climate, Ifrane feels very different from the historic Medina of Fes.
Stop in the cedar forest, where Barbary macaques may be seen living among the trees. Visitors should observe the animals without feeding or touching them, as this helps protect their natural behaviour.
Afterwards, late afternoon, we will stop at Ziz Valley for a panoramic picture amd then resume the journey to Erg-Chebbi golden dunes.
The camel trek normally lasts between 45 minutes and one hour, with a stop to watch the sunset when weather permits.
Eventually, after arriving at the camp, settle into your private tent and enjoy dinner. Traditional music may be played around the campfire before you retire for the night.
Approximate distance: 460–480 km
Driving time: Approximately 7–8 hours, excluding stops
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Sahara Desert Luxury/Standard camp
Wake early if you would like to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, return from the camp by camel or 4×4 and begin a complete exploration of the Merzouga and Erg Chebbi region.
Travelling by 4×4 makes it possible to follow tracks beyond the paved road. Depending on weather and seasonal conditions, you may visit nomadic families who live outside the main villages. This experience provides an opportunity to learn about their daily life, animals and adaptation to the desert environment.
The next stop is Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music and cultural traditions. Meet local musicians and listen to their distinctive rhythms before stopping for lunch. This is a good place to try Madfouna, a traditional stuffed bread sometimes described as Berber pizza.
During the afternoon, visit the palm gardens of Hassi Labied or the seasonal Dayet Srij lake when water is present. Because the lake depends on rainfall, its appearance cannot be guaranteed throughout the year.
Return to your hotel or riad near the dunes. The remainder of the afternoon can be used for relaxing, walking or adding an optional quad-bike or buggy excursion.
Approximate distance: 50–80 km around Merzouga
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Hotel or riad in Merzouga
After breakfast, leave Merzouga and travel towards Rissani. First of all we will stop at this historic Tafilalet town, which was closely connected to the trans-Saharan caravan routes and remains an important commercial centre for surrounding communities.
Next, we will pay a visit to Todra Gorge and take a short walk beside the river beneath the high canyon walls. This easy walk offers a refreshing break and time to appreciate one of the route’s most impressive natural landscapes.
Moreover, we continue towards Boumalne Dades. Depending on your hotel location, visit the Monkey Fingers rock formations or travel further into Dades Gorge to see its winding mountain road and panoramic viewpoints.
Approximate distance: 260–290 km
Driving time: Approximately 4–5 hours, excluding visits
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: kasbah-style riad in Dades Valley
After breakfast, leave the Dades Valley and travel through Kelaat M’Gouna, a town associated with the Valley of Roses. If travellers want to purchase rose products, a cooperative visit can be arranged, but shopping stops should remain optional.
Since the journey to Ouarzazate is a short drive, and unlike the classic itineraries, Imagine Morocco offers special activities and things to do to make your journey memorable. You can choose from two activities depending on your interests;
Enjoy a guided hike through the impressive Dades Valley canyons, surrounded by dramatic rock formations and beautiful scenery. It is a refreshing way to discover the valley on foot.
Visit a local family in Skoura for a hands-on pottery lesson using traditional techniques. This authentic experience offers a closer look at local craftsmanship and daily life.
Eventually, we resume the day driving to Ouarzazate and rest in this beautiful town.
Approximate distance: 150–170 km
Driving time: Approximately 3 hours, excluding visits
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Ouarzazate
First, leave Ouarzazate in the morning and travel to the UNESCO-listed village of Ait Ben Haddou. Explore its narrow pathways, traditional earthen buildings and hilltop viewpoints before continuing through the High Atlas Mountains and across the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass toward Marrakech.
Imagine Morocco itineraries are designed by local travel experts who understand the best visiting times. We recommend exploring Ait Ben Haddou early in the morning, while the village is peaceful and uncrowded, before many tourist buses begin arriving around lunchtime.
Arrival in Marrakech is generally expected during the late afternoon. If your riad is situated inside a pedestrian part of the Medina, the driver will take you to the nearest accessible location and can help coordinate with your accommodation.
Approximate distance: 180–200 km
Driving time: Approximately 4–5 hours, excluding visits
Meals: Breakfast
Drop-off: Marrakech accommodation or nearest accessible point
Two nights around Merzouga allow travellers to enjoy more than a camel trek and camp dinner. The additional night provides a complete day for desert tracks, nomadic culture, Khamlia, Mifis and the palm gardens.
The first night is spent inside or near the Erg Chebbi dunes, while the second is in a hotel or riad. This combination offers both the atmosphere of a Sahara camp and the comfort of a proper room after the desert excursion.
An additional day in Merzouga gives you more time to enjoy exciting desert activities. As a local company based in Merzouga, Imagine Morocco offers special experiences such as meeting local families, ATV and dune buggy rides, horse riding, tea on top of the sand dunes, and much more. These activities help our guests enjoy a complete and authentic local desert experience.
This itinerary was prepared by the Imagine Morocco team, including members who live in and come from the Merzouga area. Their experience helps create realistic schedules based on road conditions, sunset times and the distances between destinations.
The tour also includes details that many generic itineraries overlook: respectful photography during family visits, an alternative to camel riding, the seasonal nature of the Merzouga lake and the possibility of using the Ounila Valley instead of automatically following the busiest road.
Imagine Morocco can arrange a phone or video call before booking to explain the route, accommodation categories and optional activities.
Five days provides an excellent balance between sightseeing, desert activities and driving. It includes a full day in Merzouga and divides the journey from Dades to Marrakech into two more comfortable stages.
Travellers who want extra hiking, more free time or additional nights in the Sahara can extend the itinerary to six days.
| Tour length | Best for | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Travellers with limited time | Fast-paced with no complete Merzouga exploration day |
| 4 days | Travellers wanting one extra desert day | Full Merzouga experience but a longer final section |
| 5 days | Travellers seeking balance and comfort | Full desert day plus slower kasbah and Ounila route |
The 5-day tour from Fes to Marrakech starts from €350 per person, based on four or more travellers choosing standard accommodation.
The price depends on the number of travellers, exact travel dates, required vehicle, room arrangement and accommodation category. Larger groups generally receive a lower price per person because the transportation cost is shared.
Peak-season dates, single rooms, upgraded hotels and luxury camps can increase the final price. Send Imagine Morocco your travel dates, number of travellers and preferred category to receive a detailed quotation.
The complete route covers approximately 1,100 km. It is divided across five days with four overnight stops.
It can be offered privately or as a shared tour. A private tour provides greater flexibility over stops, departure times and accommodation.
The recommended arrangement includes one camp night and one hotel night in Merzouga. A second camp night can be requested.
No. A 4×4 can transfer travellers between Merzouga and the camp.
Yes. The five-day itinerary is more comfortable for families than the three-day version because most driving days are shorter.
No. The desert camp provides beds, bedding and blankets.
Quad biking and buggy excursions are normally optional and paid separately unless clearly included in the quotation.
Yes. Accommodation, activities, departure times and overnight locations can be adjusted according to your interests.
Time to explore Ait Ben Haddou is included. A private local guide may be included or arranged separately, depending on the package.
This is a possible tour plan. If it doesn’t work for you, please let us know. Based on your hobbies and length of time, a personalized plan will be made. We offer custom tours of Morocco, click here for more details: Top Morocco Tours.
The price goes down as more people sign up for the trip. If the price stays the same, the cost of transportation will depend on how many people are going. Cost depends on how good the lodging is. Contact us to get a quote.
