More time in the Sahara
This 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech gives you two nights in Merzouga, one in a desert camp and one in a hotel by the dunes, on the way between Morocco’s two great imperial cities. You cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend a full day exploring the desert around Merzouga. On the last two days you drive west through the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, visit Ait Benhaddou and cross the High Atlas to Marrakech. It is a private 4 days tour from Fes with a local driver-guide.
Why this tour is unique
Most short tours from Fes leave the desert the morning after you arrive. With a full day in the Sahara, you have time to see Khamlia and Rissani, rest at your hotel and watch a second sunset over the dunes before the drive to Marrakech.
Tour highlights
- Middle Atlas Cedar ForestLook for Barbary macaques near Azrou and pass through Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”.
- Ziz ValleyDrive past long green ribbons of date palms between the mountains and the desert.
- Sahara Camel Trek & Desert CampRide a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep under the stars.
- KhamliaHear Gnawa music in a small desert village near the dunes.
- RissaniWalk through a traditional market town on the edge of the Sahara.
- Todra Gorge & Dades ValleyStand beneath 300-meter-high vertical canyon walls.
- Ait BenhaddouWalk through the UNESCO-listed clay Kasbah famous for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
- High Atlas MountainsCross the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka pass (about 2,200 m) on the way down to Marrakech.
Route map
You will depart Fes and head south through the Middle Atlas, Midelt and the Ziz Valley to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga, where you spend two nights. On day three, you continue west through the Todra Gorge to the Dades Valley. On the final day, you pass Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou, then cross the High Atlas Mountains to finish in Marrakech.
Day-by-day itinerary
Here is the full plan for your 4 days tour from Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech, from pick-up to drop-off.
Day 1: Fes to Ifrane, Midelt and Merzouga
8 hours driving
Your driver will pick you up at 7:30 am from your accommodation in Fes, home to the Medina of Fez (opens in a new tab). We climb into the Middle Atlas through Ifrane and stop in the cedar forest near Azrou to look for Barbary macaques. After lunch in Midelt, we follow the palm groves of the Ziz Valley through Er-Rachidia and Erfoud until the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi (opens in a new tab) appear, about 1.5 hours before sunset. Trade your vehicle for a camel and ride into the desert at sunset to reach your camp.
Day 2: A full day in the Sahara: Khamlia and Rissani
Short drives
Wake up for sunrise over the dunes, then ride your camel back to Merzouga for breakfast. Your driver then takes you around Erg Chebbi by 4×4: the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music, the desert lakes when they hold water, and the market town of Rissani. In the afternoon you check in to your hotel in Merzouga, at the edge of the dunes, with time to rest and watch the sunset.
Day 3: Merzouga to Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
5 hours driving
After breakfast at your hotel, we drive west through Erfoud to the awe-inspiring Todra Gorge, where you’ll have free time to walk between the massive 300-meter-high canyon walls. In the afternoon we continue to our hotel in the Dades Valley.
Day 4: Dades Valley to Ait Benhaddou and Marrakech
7 hours driving
After breakfast, we drive through the Valley of Roses to Ouarzazate and on to Ait Benhaddou (also spelled Ait Ben Haddou). Learn more about the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (opens in a new tab). After lunch, we cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass and arrive in the Medina of Marrakesh (opens in a new tab) in the evening, where your driver drops you at your accommodation.
Prices and packages
We offer three tier levels to suit your travel style. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
- Private transportation
- 4-star hotels or traditional riads
- Standard desert camp
- Excellent 4-star to luxurious 5-star hotels
- Upgraded luxury desert camp
- Comfortable private car
- Hand-picked 5-star and high-end boutique hotels
- Premium VIP desert camp
- Entrance fees included
Prices may vary depending on travel dates and final accommodation choice. Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free.
Hotels and camps where you’ll stay
Choose a package to see the hotels and camps we use on this tour.
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Desert Villa Boutique Hotel
- Riad Azawad
- Dar Morocco
- Riad Bahammou Hotel
- Grand Canyon Lodge
- Dar Ahlam Dades
- Ksar Sultan Dades
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Tents with air conditioning
- Riad Serai
- Riad Madu
- Riad Dar Blues
- Hotel Xaluca Dades
- Palm Hotel Dades
- Merzouga Luxury Desert Camps
- Desert Luxury Camp
- Suite at Riad Serai
- Sunrise Palace Merzouga
- Eden Boutique Dades
Every desert camp tent has a private washroom with a shower. We confirm your exact hotels when you book, depending on availability.
What’s included and excluded
Included
- Private, air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- English-speaking driver/guide
- 3 nights accommodation (as per selected package)
- Private washroom with shower at the desert camp
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (3 breakfasts, 3 dinners)
- Sunset and sunrise camel treks in Erg Chebbi (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp, if you prefer)
- 4×4 tour around Erg Chebbi on Day 2
- Pick-up at your Fes accommodation or Fes-Saiss Airport, and drop-off in Marrakech
Excluded
- Lunches and daytime drinks
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums (included in the Luxury Package)
- Accommodation in Marrakech after the tour
- Tips and gratuities
What travelers say about this trip
Reviews from our sister company, Morocco Top Trips
We had an unforgettable 4-day tour from Fes to Marrakech through the Sahara Desert. Hassan was an excellent driver and guide, very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about Moroccan culture.
Our 4-day journey from Fes to Marrakech was one of the best experiences of our holiday in Morocco. The Sahara Desert was absolutely beautiful, and watching the sunset over the dunes was unforgettable.
I highly recommend SaharaVia for anyone looking for an authentic Moroccan adventure. Our 4-day private tour from Fes to Marrakech was fantastic from beginning to end. Ismail was a great driver and guide, always patient, helpful, and happy to explain the places we visited.
Good to know before you go
Pick-up and start
Pick-up is usually at 7:30 am from your Fes accommodation or Fes-Saiss Airport, so you reach Merzouga about 1.5 hours before sunset. If the time changes, your driver will message you on WhatsApp with the time and meeting point.
Distance and driving
On the 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, the roads over the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas are winding, so bring motion-sickness tablets if needed. The full day in the desert gives you a break between the two long drives.
Best time to go
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months, with warm days and cooler evenings. In summer, daytime temperatures in Merzouga often pass 40°C. In winter, nights near the dunes can get close to freezing, and snow can fall in the Middle Atlas around Ifrane, so the route may change with the weather.
The camel trek and the camp
The sunset camel ride into camp lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. If you prefer not to ride a camel, you can be transferred to the camp by 4×4 instead. Your bags travel to the camp by SUV, and anything you leave in the vehicle is safe.
What to pack
Layers are crucial. The desert is hot during the day, and both the desert nights and the Middle Atlas can be cold. Bring a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a scarf (for sand and sun protection), sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While hotels and larger restaurants take cards, you should carry cash for small purchases, lunches, and tips in rural areas.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco. Expect to tip guides, drivers, and camp staff if you are happy with the service. A general rule is 10% in restaurants and a lump sum for your driver at the end of the trip.
Connectivity
Most hotels along the route have free WiFi. The desert camps have limited to no connectivity, so enjoy the chance to unplug and look at the stars.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most about the 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech.
How much does the 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech cost?
Prices start from €495 per person for the Comfort package. The Superior package is €693 and the Luxury package €891 per person, based on two travelers. The difference is the level of accommodation, and prices may vary with your travel dates. The pricing section above shows what each package includes.
Do infants and children pay?
Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free. For older children, tell us their ages when you send your request, and we will confirm the price for your group.
How long are the drives on a 4 days tour from Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech?
Fes to Merzouga is about 470 km, and Merzouga to Marrakech is about 550 km. The driving is about 8 hours on Day 1, short drives on Day 2, 5 hours on Day 3 and 7 hours on Day 4. Those are driving times, and you also stop for photos, meals and visits along the way. Staying on in Marrakech after the tour? See 10 Best Things to Do in Marrakech (opens in a new tab).
Should I choose the 3-day or the 4-day tour from Fes?
Both follow the same road from Fes through the desert to Marrakech. The 3-day tour spends one night in the Sahara and leaves the next morning. The 4-day tour adds a full day around Erg Chebbi, with Khamlia, Rissani and a second night in a hotel in Merzouga, so the trip feels less rushed. Coming to Fes from the north? See 7 Best Things to Do in Chefchaouen (opens in a new tab).
What do we do on the full day in the desert?
After sunrise, you ride your camel back to Merzouga for breakfast, then your driver takes you around Erg Chebbi by 4×4 to Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music, and the market town of Rissani. In the afternoon you check in to your hotel in Merzouga, at the edge of the dunes, to rest and watch the sunset.
Is it safe to travel to Merzouga and the Sahara?
The route from Fes to Merzouga and on to Marrakech is one of the most traveled tourist routes in Morocco. You travel in a private vehicle with a local driver-guide who knows the roads, the stops and the camps. As anywhere, keep your valuables with you in busy places, and check your own government’s travel advice before you go. You can also read Is Morocco Safe? What Travelers Should Know (opens in a new tab).
What is the best time of year for a 4 days desert tour from Fes?
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months. See the “Good to know” section above for what to expect in summer and winter.
How does payment work?
We ask for a 30% deposit to confirm your booking, and the remaining balance is paid on the first day of the tour. Send us your dates and group size through the form on this page or on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the details for your dates.
Is the 8-hour drive on Day 1 too difficult?
It is a long day on the road, but the scenery changes all day, from cedar forest to palm valleys to desert, and we stop for coffee, photos and lunch in Midelt. We leave Fes at 7:30 am so you reach Merzouga about 1.5 hours before sunset, and the next day in the desert is a relaxed one.
What happens to my luggage during the camel ride?
We take your bags to the camp by SUV, so you can ride the camel with nothing to carry. If you would rather leave something behind, it is safe in the vehicle.
Can I skip the camel ride?
Yes. The camel ride is optional. If you prefer not to ride, we transfer you to the desert camp by 4×4 instead, and you still enjoy the sunset and sunrise over the dunes. Just let us know when you book or tell your driver on the day.
Are there toilets and showers in the desert camp?
Yes. All our packages include a private washroom with a shower at the desert camp.
Ready to book this route?
We usually reply within 24 hours.