4 Day Tour From Marrakech To Fes

Overview

This immersive 4-day and 3 night tour takes you on an unforgettable journey through the desert, villages, and the mountainous regions of the great Moroccan Sahara. Departing from Marrakech, you’ll traverse the High Atlas Mountains, visit the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, and explore the “Hollywood of Africa” in Ouarzazate. 

Experience the rose valley and the striking “Monkey Fingers” rock formations in Dades Valley. Venture into the Sahara Desert, where you’ll ride camels, sandboard on the Erg Chebbi dunes, and spend a night in a traditional Berber camp under the starry skies. 

Witness the unique Gnawa music and visit a nomadic Berber family. On your way to Fes, explore the Ziz Valley oasis, the Middle Atlas cedar forests (where Barbary macaque live), and the alpine town of Ifrane.  Finally, the tour ends in Fes.

Highlights

4 Day Tours From Marrakech To Fes

4 Day Tour From Marrakech To Fes

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

The 4 Day Marrakech To Fes Sahara Tour starts with an early pick up by your driver from the airport or your hotel/riad in Marrakech at 7:30 AM. Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass, offering breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains, traditional Berber villages, and stop in panoramas for pictures.

After that we continue to the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, has served as a backdrop for numerous Hollywood films, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Explore this remarkable fortified village with a local guide.

After having lunch here, proceed to Ouarzazate, a hub for the film industry, earning the moniker “Hollywood of Africa.” While here, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Atlas Film Studios, the biggest film studio in Morocco and Taourirt Kasbah, another heritage site.

After Ouarzazate, we’ll traverse the lush Skoura Oasis, renowned for its ancient kasbahs and verdant palm groves. Our next stop is the Rose Valley, where you’ll learn about the traditional process of rose water extraction and witness the blooming fields of fragrant Damascene roses (depending on the season).

Your day’s journey will conclude in the captivating Dades Valley, known for its striking rock formations aptly named the “Monkey Fingers. Check into your hotel, and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Day 2 : Boumalne Dades → Tinghir → Merzouga

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at your hotel, your journey continues as you embark on a drive through the breathtaking Dades Valley to Tinghir. This picturesque region boasts lush palm groves and charming Berber villages.

 

Your first stop is the impressive Todra Gorge in Tinghir. Feel free to hike along the gorge’s floor, dwarfed by the soaring cliffs that reach heights of up to 300 meters (984 feet). 

 

Continuing your journey, you’ll make your way to the town of Erfoud. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch and explore a marble workshop and the fascinating fossil quarries that have made Erfoud famous for its exceptional quality of fossils and semi-precious stones.

 

Your journey continues towards the desert town of Merzouga. Along the way, make a stop in the historic town of Rissani. This is the hometown and birthplace of Morocco’s current royal Alaouite dynasty that has ruled the country since the 1600s. In Rissani, you’ll visit the lively dates market.

 

Finally, you’ll end up in Merzouga right next to the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and spend the night at a lodge beside the dunes.

Day 3 : Merzouga → Erg Chebbi

Your day begins with a hearty breakfast, you will start your exploration of the Merzouga desert in our 4×4 SUV. Your first stop is the village of Khamlia, home to the Gnawa people, a Muslim ethnic minority group descended from former Sub-Saharan slaves.

 

Here, you’ll experience their warm hospitality as they welcome you with traditional musical performances featuring percussive krakebs (metal castanets) and haunting guembri lute songs. Then visit the Lake of birds if it is full.

 

After, drive off road to visit an ancient eyeliner mine. Then, you’ll have the chance to visit a nomad Berber family who still lives in their traditional hand woven tent in the heart of the Sahara. This rare opportunity allows you to immerse yourself in their way of life, share a glass of mint tea with them, and learn firsthand about life in the desert. 

 

In the afternoon,we reach the Sahara desert of Merzouga where you will switch to camel and trek into the famous Erg Chebbi dunes. Time your trek to pause atop a high dune to witness the breathtaking sunset over Erg Chebbi. Try sandboarding if that’s an activity you’re interested in, take photos and enjoy the scenery.

 

After the sun goes down you will continue to the Nomadic Berber camp. Enjoy a dinner of regional Moroccan delicacies and mint tea prepared over open fires.  In the evening, local Berber Nomads will perform spiritual music and trance-inducing dances around the campfire under a vast blanket of twinkling stars. Overnight stay at Berber camp Merzouga.

Day 4 : Merzouga → Midelt → Fes

The last day of your 4 Days tour from Marrakech to Fes, wake up early and seize the opportunity to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. Free time for breakfast. Then you return on camels to Merzouga, where the driver awaits. Bid farewell to the desert as you embark on your journey towards Fes.

 

Your route takes you along the Ziz river, the second longest river in Morocco. We stop for panoramic views of the Ziz valley, a lush oasis renowned for its abundant date palm groves and traditional Berber villages. Continuing our journey, we’ll traverse the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through the town of Midelt. We have lunch in Midelt or somewhere along the way.  

 

After lunch, continue towards Fes but make a detour to the cedar forests around the small town of Azrou. Go for a short guided walk on one of the trails through these ancient cedar tree forests. Keep your eyes peeled for these fascinating Barbary apes as they roam freely among the ancient cedar trees and feel free to take pictures.

 

Then get back on the road and drive to the town of Ifrane, a resort town sometimes called the “Swiss Alps of Morocco” due to its Alpine architecture, low temperature, and snow. Take a quick stroll around and maybe grab a snack or cup of coffee before the final stretch to Fes.


Finally in the late afternoon, you’ll reach the city of Fes. Your 4 Days marrakech to Fes desert tour will end by dropping you off at the airport or your Riad/hotel in Fes.

Tour Includes

Tour Excludes

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