4 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
Overview
The 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech is a slow and easy way to cross Morocco, from the old imperial city of Fes to the red city of Marrakech. You travel in a private vehicle with your own driver, and you spend three nights in three different places: a desert camp, a hotel in Merzouga, and a hotel in the Dades Valley.
This is the best Morocco itinerary 4 days for people who want to see the big sights without long, tiring drives every day. You drive through the Middle Atlas, the Azrou cedar forest, the Ziz Valley and the palm groves of Merzouga. You ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes, have a full free day in the desert, walk in Todra Gorge, and relax in the Dades Valley.
On the last day, you visit the UNESCO site of Aït Ben Haddou, cross the High Atlas Mountains and arrive in Marrakech. This Fes to Marrakech desert tour 4 days is perfect for families, couples, and friends. If you have less time, you can see our 3 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech.
- Start: Fes
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
- Tour style: Private tour
- End: Marrakech
- Price: Check below
Highlights of the 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech:
- Drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains and the town of Ifrane
- Meet the Barbary macaque monkeys in the Azrou Cedar Forest
- Ride a camel at sunset and sleep in a luxury Sahara camp
- Enjoy a full 4x4 desert excursion in Merzouga: nomads, Khamlia and flamingos
- See the green Ziz Valley and walk in Todra Gorge
- Sleep in the Dades Valley, with views of the Monkey Fingers
- Walk inside Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Travel at a relaxed pace with a private driver, from Fes to Marrakech
Why a private 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech?
A private tour means the vehicle, the driver and the plan are only for you and your group. You choose when to start each day, how long to stay at each stop, and where to eat lunch. There are no strangers and no waiting for a big bus.
The 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech is also the most relaxed choice. The long drives are shared over four days, so you have time to enjoy every place. You sleep two nights in Merzouga, so you have one full day in the desert with no luggage and no driving. This is why children, older people and honeymoon couples love this Fes to Marrakech Tour.
You start in Fes and finish in Marrakech, so you never drive the same road twice. Our drivers know the roads and the local people well. They help with photos, tea stops and small questions, and they can change the plan if you are tired or want to see more.
4 Days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech itinerary:
Day 1: Fes ⇢ Ifrane ⇢ Azrou Cedar Forest ⇢ Midelt ⇢ Ziz Valley ⇢ Merzouga Desert Camp
Your driver picks you up from your hotel or riad in Fes in the morning. First, you drive to Ifrane, a small town in the Middle Atlas with Swiss-style houses, often called the “Little Switzerland of Morocco”.
Next, you visit the Azrou Cedar Forest. Here you can meet the wild Barbary macaque monkeys and take photos among the old cedar trees. After that, the road goes through Midelt, where you can stop for lunch (not included).
In the afternoon, you follow the Ziz Valley and its long green palm groves, then pass Errachidia and drive to Merzouga. Near sunset, you ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes. You arrive at your desert camp, enjoy a Berber dinner, and listen to traditional drums around the campfire under a sky full of stars.
Driving distance: Approximately 560 km
Driving time: Approximately 9 hr (with stops)
Overnight in: Luxury desert camp in Merzouga (dinner and breakfast included)
Day 2: Merzouga Sunrise ⇢ Khamlia ⇢ Sandboarding ⇢ Merzouga Hotel
Today we recommend you wake up early for a stunning sunrise over the Sahara dunes. It is one of the most beautiful moments of the trip. After the sunrise, you enjoy a tasty breakfast at the camp.
Then your driver takes you on a 4×4 desert excursion. First, you visit a nomadic family and share a cup of tea with them, so you can see how they live in the desert. After that, you visit the Mifis area, famous for its old mines and khettara (the traditional underground water channels). You also pass along the old Paris-Dakar rally road.
Next, you drive to Khamlia village, where you can enjoy live Gnawa music. Then you continue to Merzouga Lake, where you can see flamingos and other birds when the lake has water.
If you like, your driver can drop you at a local restaurant to try a Berber pizza (Madfouna), a traditional dish of the Sahara (lunch is not included). After that, he takes you back to your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy the pool. In the evening, you have a peaceful dinner at the hotel.
Driving distance: Short local drives only (no long drive today)
Driving time: Less than 2 hr in total
Overnight in: Hotel or riad in Merzouga (dinner and breakfast included)
Day 3: Merzouga ⇢ Rissani ⇢ Todra Gorge ⇢ Dades Valley
After breakfast, you leave Merzouga and drive to Rissani, an old market town and the gate of the Sahara. You can walk around the busy souk and see how local people shop and trade.
Then the road continues to Tinghir and the green oasis of Todra Gorge. Here you can walk between red rock walls that are up to 300 metres high, and cool your feet in the river.
In the late afternoon, you continue to the Dades Valley, known for its “Monkey Fingers” rocks and its curved mountain road. You check in at your hotel, relax, and enjoy dinner with a view of the valley.
Driving distance: Approximately 270 km
Driving time: Approximately 5 hr (with stops)
Overnight in: Hotel in Dades Valley (dinner and breakfast included)
Day 4: Dades Valley ⇢ Ouarzazate ⇢ Aït Ben Haddou ⇢ High Atlas ⇢ Marrakech
After breakfast, you leave the Dades Valley and drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. You pass Skoura, Kelaat M’Gouna and many old mud-brick villages.
Then you reach Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco”, and visit the famous Aït Ben Haddou. This old fortified village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been used in many films. You can walk up through the narrow streets for a great view of the valley.
After lunch (not included), you cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, one of the highest roads in Morocco. You arrive in Marrakech in the evening, and your driver drops you at your hotel or riad. Your 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech ends here.
Driving distance: Approximately 353 km
Driving time: Approximately 6 hr 30 min (with stops)
Gallery
Inclusive and Exclusive of the 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech
Inclusive:
- Pickup in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech, subject to access
- Private transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver or a driver and an English-speaking tour guide (If you prefer another language, kindly inform us in advance)
- 1 night in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast
- 2 night in a hotel or riad in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast
- 3 night in a hotel in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast
- Camel trekking experience at sunset
- Sandboarding
- 4x4 car excursion to visit a nomad family, the M’fis mines, and Khamlia village
- Stops for photos and refreshments along the route
Exclusive:
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees, when needed
- Tips (optional)
Map of the Fes to Marrakech desert tour 4 days
Accommodations
On this 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, you sleep three nights in three different places: the first night in a desert camp in Merzouga, the second night in a hotel or riad in Merzouga, and the third night in a hotel in the Dades Valley. Choose from the options below, or similar places of the same level, depending on availability.
| Options | First night (Merzouga desert camp) | Second night (Merzouga hotel) | Third night (Dades Valley) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First option | Lunara Desert Camp | Hotel Sunset Palace | Dar Ahlam Dades |
| Second option | Sahara Eden Camp | Riad Azawad | Riad Sahara Stars Dades |
| Third option | Najma Luxury Camp | Riad Dar Morocco | Eden Boutique Hotel |
All places are “or similar”, depending on availability. Dinner and breakfast are included on all three nights. Please contact us if you want another camp or hotel.
4 Days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech price:
The price of the 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech depends on the number of people in your group and on your travel date. Because this is a private tour, we make the offer for you only.
Please contact us with your dates and group size, and we will send you the best price quickly. Children are welcome, and we can prepare the trip for families, couples, friends and solo travelers.
Booking
Know Before You Go: Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour 4 Days
- Best time to go: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for the Fes to Marrakech desert tour 4 days. Summer is very hot, and winter nights in the desert are cold.
- What to wear: light clothes for the day, a warm jacket for the night, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat and a scarf for the sand and the sun.
- What to bring: a small bag for the desert night (your big luggage stays in the vehicle), sunscreen, a power bank and some cash for lunch, drinks and tips.
- Driving time: Day 1 is the longest drive, about 9 hours with stops. Day 2 has no long drive. Day 3 is about 5 hours, and Day 4 is about 6 hours 30 minutes. Times can change with traffic and weather.
- Traveling with children: the relaxed pace is good for families. We can bring child seats on request, and the camel ride is optional for small children.
- Camp comfort: luxury camps have real beds, private bathrooms and warm showers, but the desert is still a wild place. Wi-Fi can be weak.
- Special needs: tell us about food allergies, vegetarian meals or health needs before the trip, and we will prepare everything.
Extra activities for your Fes to Marrakech desert tour 4 days
Before the tour
- Guided Fes medina tour
- Fes cooking class
During the tour
- A professional photographer
- Romantic dinner in the desert
- Romantic desert proposal setup
- Quad bike ATV
- Buggy rental ATV
After the tour
- Day trip to Essaouira
- Ouzoud Waterfalls day trip
- Hot air balloon ride in Marrakech
- Hammam and spa in Marrakech
Reviews
What our guests say
★★★★★
Read what our guests say about the Fes to Marrakech desert tour 4 days with Morocco Discover Excursions.
Unforgettable Family Adventure with 3 Kids
★★★★★
Laura S.
Traveling as a family with 3 kids can be challenging, but our 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech with Morocco Discover Excursions was effortless and memorable. The relaxed 4-day pace allowed the children to enjoy every moment without long, exhausting drives. They loved seeing the Barbary monkeys, sandboarding down the Erg Chebbi dunes and sleeping in desert tents. Our driver was wonderfully patient, extremely safe and treated us like family throughout.
Ultimate Romantic Honeymoon Getaway
★★★★★
Julian & Claire
We chose the 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech with Morocco Discover Excursions for our honeymoon, and it exceeded every expectation. We sat on the top of a dune and had a romantic dinner under the stars. The luxury desert camp in Merzouga was private, romantic and breathtaking. Watching the sunrise over the golden dunes together and exploring the dramatic Todra Gorges created unforgettable moments. Everything was organized to perfection, making it the most romantic trip of our lives! Highly recommended.
Epic Road Trip
★★★★★
Mark D.
Our group of 4 friends had the absolute time of our lives on the 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech booked through Morocco Discover Excursions. Having four full days gave us plenty of time for camel trekking, off-road exploration, climbing around Ait Benhaddou and relaxing in the Dades Valley. The private transport was spacious and comfortable, and our guide kept the energy fun and lively all the way. 10/10 recommendation!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4 days a good length for a desert tour from Fes to Marrakech?
Yes. The 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech is the most relaxed choice. You have one full day in Merzouga, and the long drives are shared over four days. It is a great Morocco itinerary 4 days for families and couples.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Your vehicle, driver and plan are only for your group. You can change the stops and the time with your driver.
Where do we sleep on the Fes to Marrakech desert tour 4 days?
The first night is in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, the second night is in a hotel or riad in Merzouga, and the third night is in a hotel in the Dades Valley. All places are “or similar”, depending on availability.
What do we do on the free day in Merzouga?
You watch the sunrise, then take a 4×4 desert excursion. You visit a nomadic family for tea, the Mifis area, Khamlia village with Gnawa music, and Merzouga Lake with flamingos. In the afternoon you relax at your hotel by the pool.
Is this tour good for children?
Yes. The slow pace is good for children, and they love the monkeys, the camels and the sand dunes. Please tell us the age of the children when you book.
Are meals included?
Dinner and breakfast are included on all three nights. Lunches and drinks are not included, and we will stop at good local restaurants.
What is the price of the 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech?
The price depends on your group size and travel date. Please contact us and we will answer fast with the best offer.
Can I do the tour from Marrakech to Fes?
Yes. We can do the same Fes to Marrakech Tour in the other direction. You can also see our 3 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech if you have less time.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Have a different desert adventure in mind? At Morocco Discover Excursions, we are happy to create a trip that fits your travel style, interests, and schedule. You can add a night in the desert, stop in Chefchaouen, choose a different desert camp, or add special activities. Please contact us and let’s make your desert experience truly special!