4 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes

Overview

Do you want to see the best of southern Morocco and end your trip in Fes? Our 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes is made for you. You leave the red city of Marrakech, cross the High Atlas Mountains, walk inside the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, sleep in the Dades Valley and spend two full nights in the Merzouga desert. Then you drive north through green valleys and cedar forests to the old imperial city of Fes.

This 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes is private, so only your family or friends travel in the vehicle, with a friendly local driver. With one extra day in the dunes, this 4 days trip from Marrakech to Fes is calm and not rushed. You have time for a camel ride at sunset, a 4×4 desert excursion, tea with a nomad family and a good sleep under the stars.

Many guests tell us that a 4 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes is the perfect balance: long enough to feel the Sahara, short enough to fit a busy Morocco holiday. If you have less time, see our 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes. If you want to return to Marrakech, see our 4 days desert tour from Marrakech.

Highlights of the 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes:

Cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
Walk inside Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Sleep in the Dades Valley and see the Todra Gorge
Ride a camel at sunset and sleep in a luxury Sahara camp
Spend a full day in Merzouga with a 4x4 desert excursion
Drink tea with a nomad family and visit a Berber village
Drive through the Ziz Valley and the town of Midelt
Meet the Barbary macaques in the Azrou Cedar Forest
Stop in Ifrane, the “Little Switzerland” of Morocco, before Fes

Why private 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes?

Two cities, one easy trip: You start in Marrakech and finish in Fes with the same driver and the same vehicle. No bus, no train and no heavy luggage to carry.
A full day in the desert: Most short tours sleep one night in the dunes. On this tour you stay in Merzouga for two nights, so you can enjoy the 4×4 excursion without a long drive that day.
Your own rhythm: Stop for photos in the Atlas, take a longer walk in the Todra Gorge or have a slow breakfast. The group decides, not a fixed program.
Real local contact: You meet a nomad family, drink tea in a Berber home and talk with local people, not only look at them from the car.
Comfort and safety: Our drivers are experienced on mountain roads, the vehicles are clean and air-conditioned, and the hotels and camps are carefully chosen.
Easy to adapt: Travel with kids, add a quad ride, change the camp or add a stop in Chefchaouen after Fes. Tell us your wishes and we plan around them.

4 Days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary:

Day 1: Marrakech ⇢ High Atlas Mountains ⇢ Aït Ben Haddou ⇢ Ouarzazate ⇢ Dades Valley

Your driver picks you up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech in the morning. We leave the city behind and start the climb into the High Atlas Mountains. The road to the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, at more than 2,200 meters, has many curves and wide views, so we stop for photos and a mint tea.

After the pass we arrive at Aït Ben Haddou, the famous earthen kasbah on the old caravan road. Cross the river, walk through the narrow lanes and climb to the top for a view over the palm valley. Many films were shot here, so some corners may look familiar.

We continue to Ouarzazate, the door of the desert, and stop for lunch. In the afternoon the road follows the Valley of the Roses and then the Dades Gorges, where red cliffs and the strange “Monkey Fingers” rocks glow in the evening light. Tonight you sleep in the Dades Valley, with a warm Moroccan dinner.

Driving distance: Approximately 380 km
Driving time: Approximately 7 hr, without stops

Day 2: Dades Valley ⇢ Todra Gorge ⇢ Tafilalet Oasis ⇢ Merzouga Desert

After a calm breakfast, we drive to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge. The two walls of rock are almost 300 meters high, and a cold stream runs at the bottom. Walk slowly inside the gorge, then see the green palm grove of Tinghir where local families still grow their own vegetables.

From here the landscape opens. We cross the Tafilalet region, where the road is straight, quiet and golden. We stop for lunch in a local restaurant and watch the villages change as the Sahara comes closer.

In the late afternoon we arrive at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. Meet your camel guide and ride into the dunes to watch the sunset, when the sand turns orange and then red. At the camp, enjoy a traditional dinner, Berber music around the fire and a night under a sky full of stars.

Driving distance: Approximately 270 km
Driving time: Approximately 5 hr, without stops

Day 3: Merzouga Desert 4x4 Excursion ⇢ Nomad Family ⇢ Berber Village ⇢ Merzouga Lake

Today is your free day in the desert, and you do not need to pack your bag. After breakfast, a 4×4 vehicle takes you on the desert tracks around Merzouga. We drive across stony plains and sand, and stop where the views are best.

The most special moment is the visit to a nomad family. They welcome you into their tent or home, serve traditional tea and fresh bread, and share a little of their simple life in the desert. We also visit a Berber village, where you can hear local music and learn about the Gnawa tradition, and you can stop at the Merzouga lake, which can have flamingos after the rains.

In the afternoon you can rest by the pool or add an optional quad bike ride or sandboarding. In the evening we take you to your hotel or riad in Merzouga for dinner and a comfortable bed.

Driving distance: Approximately 30 km on desert tracks
Driving time: Approximately 3 hr, with stops

Day 4: Merzouga ⇢ Ziz Valley ⇢ Midelt ⇢ Azrou ⇢ Ifrane ⇢ Fes

After breakfast in Merzouga, we start the long and beautiful drive north to Fes. The road follows the Ziz Valley, a long green line of palm trees and old ksour between dry mountains. We pass the Ziz Gorges and stop for lunch in Midelt, a quiet mountain town known for apples and minerals.

After Midelt, the scenery changes completely. We enter the Middle Atlas and drive through the Azrou Cedar Forest, where Barbary macaques often wait near the road. Stop for photos and watch the monkeys, but please do not feed them.

We then cross Ifrane, a tidy alpine town with red roofs that many guests call the “Switzerland of Morocco”. In the evening we arrive in Fes, and your driver takes you to your hotel or riad, subject to access. Your 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes ends here with great memories.

Driving distance: Approximately 560 km
Driving time: Approximately 9 hr, without stops

Gallery

Inclusive and Exclusive of the tour

Inclusive:

Pickup in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes, 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)
One night in a hotel or kasbah in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast
One night in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast
One night in a hotel or riad in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast
4x4 desert excursion in Merzouga, with a visit to a nomad family
Camel trekking experience at sunset
Sandboarding
Stops for photos and refreshments along the route

Exclusive:

Map of the tour

Accommodations

On our 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes you sleep in three different places, so every night feels new. The first night is in the green Dades Valley, with mountain views and a warm dinner. The second night is in a luxury camp among the golden Merzouga dunes. The third night is in a comfortable hotel or riad in Merzouga, after your 4×4 desert day. Choose the option you like when you book, or we use a similar place depending on the availability.

Options	First night (Dades Valley)	Second night (Merzouga desert)	Third night (Merzouga)
First option	Dar Ahlam Dades	Lunara Desert Camp	Hotel Sunset Palace
Second option	Riad Sahara Stars Dades	Sahara Eden Camp	Riad Azawad
Third option	Eden Boutique Hotel	Najma Luxury Camp	Riad Dar Morocco

Or similar places, depending on the availability.

4 Days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes price:

The price of our private 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes is not fixed. It depends on the group size and your travel date, and also on the hotels, the desert camp, and the extra activities you choose. We prepare a personal offer, so you pay for what you really want.

Group size: The price per person is lower when more travelers share the vehicle.
Travel dates: Prices change with the season and room and camp availability.

For a quote that fits your group, please use the form below, contact us, or message us on WhatsApp.

Booking

Know Before You Go

Plan the driving days. Day 1 is about 7 hours, day 2 about 5 hours and day 4 about 9 hours. Day 3 is a relaxed 4×4 day with stops. Photo and lunch stops are extra.
Pack a small overnight bag. Keep your big suitcase in the vehicle and take only what you need for the desert camp.
Dress in layers. The Atlas pass and the desert nights are cold, especially in winter, while the days in Dades and Merzouga can be hot.
Bring a scarf and sunglasses. They protect you from the sun and the sand during the 4×4 excursion.
Bring some cash. Lunches, drinks, tips and entrance fees are not included.
Respect the nomad family. Ask before you take photos of people, and a small gift such as tea or sugar is always welcome.
Best seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In winter, snow can close the Tizi n’Tichka and Middle Atlas roads for a few hours, and we then change the plan for your safety.

Extra activities

Before the tour

Hot air balloon ride
Guided medina tour
Hammam and spa

During the tour

A professional photographer
Romantic dinner in the desert
Romantic desert proposal setup
Quad bike ATV
Buggy rental ATV

After the tour

Guided Fes medina tour
Fes cooking class
Day trip to Chefchaouen
Visit to Volubilis and Meknes

Reviews

What our guests say

★★★★★

Read what our guests say about the 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes with Morocco Discover Excursions.

The Magic of Morocco

★★★★★

Etta Thorne

Our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes was the highlight of our time in Morocco. Crossing the Atlas Mountains and visiting the Aït Ben Haddou kasbah felt like being in a movie, and the Sahara camp was pure magic. A big thank you to our driver Mustapha, who was professional, safe and made us feel like family. We loved Boumalne Dades, the 4×4 tour around the dunes and the tea with a nomad family. Highly recommended!

A Trip We Will Always Remember

★★★★★

Emily Sohane

We had only a few days in Morocco, so we chose this 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes, and it was a great choice! We traveled as a family with Morocco Discover Excursions. Crossing the High Atlas was beautiful, and the desert was pure magic. The luxury camp was very comfortable, and the 4×4 tour was so much fun. We also loved Aït Ben Haddou, the monkeys in the forest and Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Perfect if you have little time!

More Than Just a Desert Tour

★★★★★

Ansel Vane

Words can hardly describe our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes. We visited a Berber village and saw the way of life there, which was humbling. A family welcomed us into their home and served traditional tea and bread with a warmth we have never felt before. This was not just sightseeing, it was a real cultural meeting. We also enjoyed a camel ride, the sunset, quad bikes and a 4×4 tour. Thank you, Mohamed!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes private?

Yes. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver. You choose when to stop for photos, tea or lunch, so the trip follows your rhythm.

Where do we sleep on the 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes?

The first night is in a hotel in the Dades Valley, the second night in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, and the third night in a hotel or riad in Merzouga. You can see all the options in the accommodation table above. Dinner and breakfast are included every night.

What do we do on day 3 in Merzouga?

Day 3 is a 4×4 desert excursion. You visit a nomad family and drink tea with them, see a Berber village and the Merzouga lake, and enjoy the dunes. In the evening you sleep in a hotel or riad in Merzouga.

How long is the drive each day?

Day 1 is about 380 km (approximately 7 hours), day 2 is about 270 km (approximately 5 hours), day 3 is about 100 km on desert tracks (approximately 4 hours with stops) and day 4 is about 560 km (approximately 9 hours).

How much does the 4 days trip from Marrakech to Fes cost?

The price depends on your group size, your travel date, the hotels and camp you choose and any extra activities. Please contact us with your dates and number of travelers, and we send you a personal offer.

Is this tour good for families with kids?

Yes. Many families choose this tour. Kids love the camel ride, sandboarding and the 4×4 day. The drives are long on day 1 and day 4, so we make extra stops when you need them.

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!