Start your 4-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour with a morning pick-up from your hotel/riad in Fes. Depart the city and head towards Ifrane, where you can take a brief 15-minute stop and perhaps have a cup of coffee before continuing your journey to the cedar forest of Azrou in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Here, you will have the opportunity to observe the Barbary monkeys.

Drive to Merzouga via Midelt and along the Ziz Valley (a valley full of palm trees). In the afternoon, arrive at Merzouga and enjoy your stay at a beautiful riad overlooking the golden sand dunes that surround the town.

Driving distance: Approximately 500 km

Driving time: Approximately 7 hr 30 min

Continuing our trip, we traverse the Middle Atlas Mountains, pausing amidst the cedar forests to observe the fascinating Barbary macaques, a unique primate species native to the region.

Lunch is arranged at a restaurant along our route, providing flexibility to dine at your preferred time. As we near Merzouga, a picturesque panorama of the Ziz Valley, full of palm trees, awaits our admiration.

Merzouga greets us in the late afternoon, marking the beginning of an enchanting camel trek. Each traveler embarks on a camel, setting out for a luxury desert camp nestled amidst the sweeping dunes of Erg Chebbi. On the way, we will stop to watch a breathtaking sunset from a high dune. Delight in an unforgettable evening steeped in the Sahara Desert’s local culture. Experience rhythmic drumming, enthralling storytelling, and the amazing starry night sky of the desert.

Driving distance: Approximately 500 km

Driving time: Approximately 7 hr 30 min

Your day of exploration in the Merzouga desert will begin with a delicious breakfast in your riad. Your first stop will be the small town of Khamlia, where you can listen to a unique style of music called Gnawa, played by the locals who originally came from the south of Africa. Next, you will drive off-road to M’Fis, an abandoned village with mines of Galena, a mineral once used to make Mascara.

You will also have the opportunity to learn about the nomadic lifestyle of a family living behind the Erg Chebbi Dunes near the borders, as you enjoy a cup of tea in one of their traditional Berber tents. This ethnic group has chosen to live a very different life away from civilization, and it is fascinating to discover their way of life.

In the afternoon, get ready for an epic camel ride across the high dunes of Merzouga to your desert camp. On the way, you will stop on a high dune, where you can experience sandboarding while watching a stunning sunset. After dinner, you can relax around a campfire under the starry sky, while the camp staff plays drums and happily teaches you how to play them. Enjoy a magical night.

Driving distance: Approximately 57 km

Driving time: Approximately 1 hr 15 min

Today, waking up early is highly recommended to catch a pretty sunrise. After that, have a yummy breakfast at your desert camp.

Next, you will be going on a fun road trip through different places like Rissani, Erfoud, Tinghir, and Todra Gorge, on your way to Dades Gorge. If today happens to be a market day in Rissani (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday), you can choose to visit a traditional Moroccan market. It is a fantastic cultural experience that will provide you with a glimpse into the local way of life. This is the place where there are traditional handicrafts, spices, and street food that are not easily found elsewhere. You will have many other stops along the way to take cool pictures and learn about the local people and their traditions.

In the afternoon, arrive in Dades Gorge, where your hotel for the night awaits. Dinner and overnight in your hotel.

Driving distance: Approximately 310 km

Driving time: Approximately 5 hours

After a delicious breakfast in your hotel, you will get to explore the area. Then, drive along the road of 1000 Kasbahs to Ouarzazate. Here, you can visit the Atlas Studios or just have some photos from outside. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Hadou Kasbah, which was used for the filming of many famous movies such as Gladiator, Prince of Persia, and the TV series Game of Thrones.

After enjoying a tasty lunch, your journey continues as you make your way to Marrakech while crossing the magnificent High Atlas Mountains. You will pass through a variety of charming Moroccan Berber villages. You will have many stops along the way. Your 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech will come to an end by dropping you off at your accommodation in Marrakech, feeling enriched by the experience.

Driving distance: Approximately 353 km

Driving time: Approximately 6 hr 30 min