Private 4-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour via Merzouga
Two nights in the Sahara — Erg Chebbi camel trek, a luxury camp and a full desert day — with the Atlas, the gorges and the cedar forests on the way to Fes
About this journey
The classic Marrakech-to-Fes desert crossing, unhurried. Four days give you a night in the Dades Valley, a sunset camel trek to a luxury camp on Erg Chebbi, and — the difference from the 3-day route — a full extra day in the Sahara to explore by 4×4, visit a nomad family and hear Gnawa music in Khamlia. On the final day you cross the Ziz Valley and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to arrive in Fes.
- Tizi n'Tichka pass and the UNESCO ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
- Route of a Thousand Kasbahs: Skoura, Valley of Roses, Dades Valley
- Walk through the Todra Gorge
- Sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi and a night at a luxury desert camp
- Full day in the Sahara: 4×4 excursion, Khamlia, nomad family, Dayet Srji
- Second night in Merzouga at your own pace
- Ziz Valley, Midelt and the cedar forest of Azrou
- Private vehicle and driver from Marrakech to Fes
A glimpse of the journey
About this tour in detail
Our 3-day crossing from Marrakech to Fes is the most requested route in Morocco. It is also a route that rewards time. This 4-day version follows the same road but slows it down where it matters: in the desert.
Day one takes you over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, then east along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs through Skoura and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley, where you sleep in a family-run riad beneath the gorge.
Day two follows the Dades Gorge and the Todra Gorge — a walk between cliffs three hundred metres high — before the landscape opens into the pre-Sahara. At Merzouga you leave the vehicle behind and ride by camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi as the sun sets. Dinner and the night are at a luxury camp.
Day three belongs entirely to the desert. After sunrise over the dunes, a 4×4 excursion circles Erg Chebbi: the Gnawa village of Khamlia, a nomad family's tent, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji, and the black volcanic plateau where the dunes end. The afternoon is yours — sandboarding, a swim at your riad, or simply stillness. A second night is spent in Merzouga.
Day four crosses the Ziz Valley, the high plateau around Midelt and the cedar forest of Azrou, home to Barbary macaques, before descending to Fes in the late afternoon.
Couples and families choose this route because the desert is never rushed, and because every night has time to breathe.
Day 1 Day 1 — Marrakech to the Dades Valley: Atlas, kasbahs and the Valley of Roses
Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass and explore the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Continue through Ouarzazate and Skoura along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing the Valley of Roses to reach your riad in the Dades Valley by evening.
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Marrakech
Morning pickup
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Tizi n'Tichka Pass
Viewpoint at 2,260 m
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Ait Ben Haddou
UNESCO-listed ksar
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Ouarzazate
Lunch break
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Skoura Oasis
Kasbah Amridil and palm grove
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Kelaat M'Gouna
Valley of Roses
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Dades Valley
Riad overnight below the gorge
- Accommodation Riad in the Dades Valley
- Meals Dinner
- Transport Private vehicle
Day 2 Day 2 — Dades to Merzouga: the gorges and the first night in the dunes
Drive the hairpin bends of the Dades Gorge, then walk through the Todra Gorge. Cross the pre-Saharan plains via Tinghir and Erfoud to Merzouga, where a camel caravan carries you into Erg Chebbi for sunset, dinner and a night at a luxury camp.
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Dades Gorge
Tissedrine bends viewpoint
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Todra Gorge
Walk between 300 m cliffs
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Tinghir
Palm grove and lunch
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Erfoud
Fossil town, gateway to Tafilalet
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Merzouga
Meet the camels
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Erg Chebbi camp
Sunset trek, dinner, overnight
- Accommodation Luxury desert camp, Erg Chebbi
- Meals Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport Private vehicle, then camel
Day 3 Day 3 — A full day in the Sahara
Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast at the camp, then a 4×4 circuit around Erg Chebbi: the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, tea with a nomad family, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji and the black plateau at the edge of the sand. Free afternoon at your riad in Merzouga — pool, sandboarding or rest — before a second desert night.
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Sunrise, Erg Chebbi
Early wake-up, camel or 4u00d74 back
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Khamlia
Gnawa music village
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Nomad family camp
Tea with a Berber family
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Dayet Srji
Seasonal lake, flamingos in spring
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Merzouga
Free afternoon, riad overnight
- Accommodation Riad or auberge in Merzouga
- Meals Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport 4×4
Day 4 Day 4 — Merzouga to Fes: the Ziz Valley and the cedar forest
Leave the desert north through the palm-filled Ziz Valley and Errachidia, cross the high plateau to Midelt for lunch, then climb into the Middle Atlas. Stop in the cedar forest of Azrou to see Barbary macaques and pass through the alpine town of Ifrane before reaching Fes in the late afternoon.
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Ziz Valley
Palm oasis viewpoint near Aoufous
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Errachidia
Short stop
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Midelt
Lunch, apple capital of Morocco
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Azrou cedar forest
Barbary macaques
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Ifrane
Alpine-style town
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Fes
Drop-off at your accommodation
- Accommodation Not included — tour ends in Fes
- Meals Breakfast
- Transport Private vehicle
Trace your journey
Good to know
- Meeting point Marrakech → Fes
- Languages English, French, Spanish
This journey is 100% carbon neutral. We plant a tree for every traveller who explores Morocco with us.
What's included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for your group only
- Pickup at your Marrakech accommodation, drop-off at your Fes accommodation
- English- or French-speaking driver
- Night 1: riad in the Dades Valley
- Night 2: luxury desert camp at Erg Chebbi, private tent with en-suite bathroom
- Night 3: riad or auberge in Merzouga
- Sunset camel trek to the camp and sunrise return
- Half-day 4×4 desert excursion around Erg Chebbi
- Dinners and breakfasts on all three nights
- Fuel, tolls and all transport costs
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees where applicable
- Local guides at Ait Ben Haddou and Fes (available on request)
- Sandboarding, quad biking and other optional activities
- Tips and personal expenses
Good to know before you go
Important information
- Private tour: vehicle, driver and itinerary reserved for your group only.
- Driving time: approx. 8 h on Day 1, 6 h on Day 2, 2 h on Day 3, 7 h on Day 4, excluding stops.
- Camel trek lasts about one hour each way; a 4×4 transfer is available on request.
- Tell us about allergies, dietary needs or mobility limitations before departure.
- Day 3 activities can be rearranged around the weather and your preferences.
What to bring
- Passport or ID
- Small overnight bag for the camp
- Warm layer for desert nights; light, breathable clothing for the day
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat or scarf
- Walking shoes for Todra Gorge and the dunes
- Swimwear (riads in Merzouga often have a pool)
- Reusable water bottle and cash for lunches, tips and extras
- Power bank
Know before you go
- Vegetarian meals available on request.
- Limited Wi-Fi and phone signal at the camp.
- Desert nights are cold from November to March; summer days are very hot.
- Children are welcome; child seats must be requested in advance.
- Pickup time confirmed by email or WhatsApp.
- The tour can also be run in reverse, Fes to Marrakech.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 3-day and 4-day tours?
Is this tour private?
Where do we sleep?
Does the desert tent have a private bathroom?
How long is the camel trek?
Can the tour run from Fes to Marrakech instead?
Is it suitable for children?
How much driving is there?
What meals are included?
Can I do sandboarding or quad biking?
Can I extend the tour?
What if I have luggage?
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