5 Days from Fes to Marrakech Morocco Desert Tour

Embark on a 5-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, through Morocco’s landscapes, old kasbahs and the Sahara Desert. The itinerary blends adventure, culture and scenery in one of the most striking parts of the country.

• Day 1: Fes to Midelt via Ifrane and Cedar ForestsLeave Fes in the morning and head south through the Middle Atlas. Stop in Ifrane, called the Switzerland of Morocco for its alpine-style architecture and greenery, and walk its clean streets. Continue to the cedar forests of Azrou, home to Barbary macaques, and spend time with them in the quiet of the mountains. Arrive in Midelt, a town between the Middle and High Atlas known as the Apple Capital of Morocco, for a traditional lunch. Dinner and overnight in a hotel or guesthouse in Midelt.
• Day 2: Midelt to Merzouga via Ziz Valley and ErfoudLeave Midelt and travel through the Ziz Valley, an oasis of date palms and mud-brick villages, with stops for views. Pass through Erfoud, known for its fossil workshops, and learn about the marine fossils preserved in the area. Reach Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara, and ride camels across the dunes of Erg Chebbi at sunset. Overnight in a luxury desert camp with private tents, Moroccan food and live Berber music under the stars.
• Day 3: Merzouga to Dades Valley via Rissani and Todra GorgeWake early for the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, return to Merzouga by camel or 4x4. Visit Rissani, a historic town with busy souks and old trade routes, where you can find spices, textiles and handcrafted goods. Continue to Todra Gorge, a canyon with cliffs over 300 metres high, and walk along the riverbed. End the day in the Dades Valley, the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, with its rock formations. Dinner and overnight in a riad or guesthouse.
• Day 4: Dades Valley to Ouarzazate via Skoura and Ait BenhaddouTravel through the Skoura Oasis, with its palm groves and old kasbahs, and visit the well-preserved Kasbah Amridil. Visit Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village used as a filming location for movies such as Gladiator and The Mummy, and walk through its alleys. Arrive in Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa for its film studios. Overnight in a riad or hotel with a Moroccan dinner.
• Day 5: Ouarzazate to Marrakech via the High Atlas MountainsThe final leg crosses the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with views of peaks, Berber villages and terraced fields. Arrive in Marrakech, the Red City, in the late afternoon, with time to explore the medina, the souks and the landmarks. The tour ends there.

This 5-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech suits travelers who want adventure, culture and natural beauty. From the Sahara Desert to the High Atlas Mountains, it gives a closer connection to Morocco’s heritage and varied landscapes.