4 Days Tour From Fes To Marrakech
Overview
Take the 4-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour and combine the two imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech with a road trip through the magnificent landscapes of Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains, Ziz Valley, and the vast Sahara Desert.
The best part of Fes to Merzouga and then to Marrakech is definitely riding camels on Erg Chebbi dunes to a Berber desert camp. Watch the sunset and sunrise over the dunes, sleep under the starry night sky, and be entertained by traditional music and dancing around the campfire.
Moreover, adventure a 4×4 tour to explore fascinating sites of the Erg Chebbi Sahara desert and meet nomadic families. Other major stops include Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, the movie studio town of Ouarzazate, and the historic Ait Ben Haddou village. Drive through the High Atlas Mountains with scenic overlooks before ending in Marrakech.
Highlights
4 Days Tour From Fes To Marrakech
- Drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains
- Cedar forest in Azrou
- Explore Merzouga desert by 4x4
- Camel trek on dunes, sandboarding
- Desert camp overnight
- Sunrise/sunset in desert
- Stargazing
- Visit nomad families
- Ziz Valley
- Todra gorge
- Dades Valley
- Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO site
- Authentic Berber villages
- Beautiful views & panoramics
4 Days Tour From Fes To Marrakech
Day 1 : Fes → Ifrane → Middle Atlas Mountains → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Your Fes to Marrakech desert tour kicks off at 8:30 am with a pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Fes. We’ll drive to Merzouga through the Middle Atlas Mountains with awesome views of tiny Berber villages perched impossibly on mountainsides. Along the way, we’ll stop a few times so you can take pictures and soak in the mountain scenery.
Our first stop is the town of Ifrane, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco.”You’ll have some free time to stretch your legs and grab a cup of coffee while admiring the Swiss-style buildings and cool mountain air. We continue our journey and traverse the scenic landscapes of the Middle Atlas, passing through the Azrou cedar forest, the biggest cedar forest in Africa. This is your chance to meet and feed the friendly Barbary apes.
After this encounter, we drive to Merzouga passing via the apple town of Midelt where you can take a break for lunch. Then we will carry on traveling to cross the east part of the High Atlas Mountains and drive along Ziz Valley and through its palm groves. We’ll stop to admire a nice panoramic view of the scenery of the oasis.
Late in the afternoon, we will arrive at Merzouga and check in at the hotel/riad located right beside the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes. You will have dinner and spend the night at your Merzouga accommodation.
Day 2 : Full Day to Explore The Merzouga Desert
After a late breakfast and a lazy morning in your riad, meet your guide and start your 4×4 excursion to explore different sites around the Merzouga area. Your first stop is Khamlia where you will enjoy an authentic performance of the unique Gnawa music as you sip on a cup of mint tea. Its roots can be traced back to West Africa, particularly Mali, Sudan, and Niger.
Next, we will drive off-road to visit the “Ghost Town” of M’Fis, an abandoned eyeliner mining village. While here, you may also spot fascinating fossils – remnants of the prehistoric sea creatures that once inhabited this area millions of years ago when it was an ocean. Then we visit a Berber family living in their hand-woven tent. We’ll have a glass of mint tea with them and learn about their customs, and daily routines.
Afternoon meet your camel caravan and prepare for an epic 1h 30 min trek across the high dunes of Merzouga to the desert camp with a pause atop a high dune to witness the breathtaking sunset. For those seeking an adrenaline rush activity, try your hand at sandboarding.
Finally, reach the Sahara desert camp (we have both luxury and normal comfort tents). Your camp hosts will greet you with warm Moroccan hospitality, including a traditional glass of mint tea, and serve you dinner under the stars. Adding to the desert experience, local nomads will entertain you with some Berber music using Tam Tam drums while dancing around the campfire. Overnight in the camp.
Day 3 : Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Gorge
Today as you are already in the desert, start your day early by witnessing the breathtaking desert sunrise over the Saharan dunes in Merzouga. After a delicious breakfast, ride your camel to the main town of Merzouga and meet your driver.
Then continue your 4-day Marrakech Private Tour traveling to Dades Gorge. The first stop is Rissani, the birthplace of the founder of the Alaouite dynasty that has ruled Morocco since the 17th century. If visiting on a market day (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday), explore the lively traditional souk filled with stalls selling dates and local goods.
Later on, we continue to Erfoud, known as the “Capital of Fossils” due to its rich deposits of fossilized plants and animals from millions of years ago. Visit a local marble workshop.
Then it’s on to Tinghir, a lush oasis town surrounded by palm groves. Meet your local guide and walk along the oasis following the riverbed. Watch the locals tending to their goats or working in the fields. End your walk with a stunning view of the famous Todra Gorge (600-foot high).
After lunch, drive to Dades Gorges with a stop at the Monkey Fingers, a unique rock pillar resembling fingers sticking out of the ground. In the late afternoon, arrive at Boumalne Dades. Dinner and overnight in a hotel overlooking the valley.
Day 4 : Dades Gorge → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas Mountains → Marrakech
Today is the last day of our 4 Days itinerary Fes to Marrakech. After a delicious breakfast, you’ll get to explore the area. Then drive along the road of 1000 Kasbahs to Ouarzazate. We have a visit to Kasbah Taourirt and the famous Atlas Studios.
This iconic location has been the backdrop for numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including “Gladiator,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Lawrence of Arabia.” Alternatively, you can opt to just take photographs outside. Next, we’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou. This ksar (fortified village) has also served as the backdrop for numerous films and series.
After lunch at one of the local cafes, the drive continues to Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N’tichka pass. Along the winding mountain roads, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and traditional Berber villages dotting the landscape. We’ll make several stops for photo opportunities and for you to stretch your legs during this scenic drive.
By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Marrakech, marking the conclusion of your 4-day trip from Fes to Marrakech. We will drop you off at your accommodation or any other spot of your choosing within the city.
Tour Includes
- Hotel pickup/drop-off
- Tour in air-condition vehicle A/C
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Fuel
- Visit interesting sites en route
- Desert camel trek
- 4X4 Merzouga tour
- Sandboarding (optional)
- 2 hotel nights
- One night in a private desert tent
- Photos/lunch breaks
- 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts
- Moroccan mint tea at the camp
Tour Excludes
- Lunches
- Beverages
- Tips (optional)
