9-Day Tour from Fes to the Sahara Desert and Marrakech
Duration9 Days - 8 Nights
Group Size1-40 People
Tour TypeTours from Fes
DifficultyEasy
Why go?
This 9-day private tour crosses Morocco from the imperial city of Fes to Marrakech at a relaxed pace, with time to enjoy both the great medinas and the landscapes that link them: the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, the dunes of the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs of the south and the High Atlas.
After a guided day in Fes, you travel through Ifrane and Midelt to Merzouga, where you spend a night in a desert camp and a second night in the Erg Chebbi area after a day with nomad families and Gnawa musicians. The road west follows the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and the Valley of Roses to Ouarzazate, with a special night inside the kasbah village of Ait Ben Haddou.
The tour ends with two nights in Marrakech and a guided visit of the Red City, followed by your transfer to Marrakech airport.
Tour Highlights
- Guided tour of the medina of Fes with an official guide.
- Ifrane and the cedar forest of the Barbary macaques.
- A night in Midelt, in the heart of the Middle Atlas.
- Camel ride at sunset and night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi.
- 4x4 day in the desert: nomad families and Gnawa music in Khamlia.
- Todra Gorge, Tinghir and the Dades Valley.
- Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate and a night in Ait Ben Haddou.
- Two nights in Marrakech with a guided city tour.
Tour Plan
01
Our team meets you at Fes airport and drives you to your riad in the medina. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a first walk around the old city and its lively lanes.
02
In the morning, discover Fes el-Bali and Fes el-Jdid with an official guide: medersas, fountains, the tanneries and the craftsmen’s souks. Then head into the Middle Atlas: Ifrane, the “little Switzerland” of Morocco, and the cedar forest where Barbary macaques live. Dinner and night in Midelt.
03
Cross the Tizi n’Talghemt pass and descend the Ziz Valley with its palm groves and canyons. Stop in Erfoud, famous for its fossils, then reach Merzouga. Ride camels into the dunes of Erg Chebbi to a desert camp for dinner and a night under the stars.
04
Watch the sunrise over the dunes and have breakfast at the camp. By 4x4, follow the old rally tracks to meet nomad families, listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia and enjoy a panoramic view over Erg Chebbi. Dinner and night in a hotel in Merzouga.
05
Stop in Rissani and its traditional market, then continue west to Tinghir and its large palm grove. Walk in the Todra Gorge between its high cliffs, and follow the Dades Valley to Boumalne Dades. Dinner and night in a riad.
06
Drive through the Valley of Roses and Skoura to Ouarzazate and visit the kasbah of Taourirt, former residence of the Glaoui family. In the afternoon, reach the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and spend the night in a riad in the village, with time to enjoy it in the quiet evening light.
07
Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres, with stops at viewpoints and Berber villages. Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon and enjoy free time in the medina and on Jemaa el-Fna. Night in Marrakech.
08
Explore Marrakech with an official guide: the Koutoubia, the Ben Youssef Medersa, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the souks. The afternoon is free for the Majorelle Garden, a museum or shopping. Night in Marrakech.
09
After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech Menara airport according to your flight time. End of your 9-day tour.
Included/Exclude
Cost Includes
- Welcome at Fes airport and transfer to Marrakech airport on the last day.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver for 9 days.
- 8 nights of accommodation: Fes, Midelt, Merzouga (2 nights, including 1 in a desert camp), Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech (2 nights).
- Daily breakfast, and dinner in Midelt, the desert camp, Merzouga, Dades and Ait Ben Haddou.
- Guided city tours of Fes and Marrakech with official guides.
- Camel ride in Erg Chebbi (can be replaced by a 4x4) and 4x4 day with nomad families.
Cost Excludes
- International flights to and from Morocco.
- Lunches and drinks.
- Entrance fees to monuments, museums and historical sites.
- Tips for drivers, guides and camp staff.
- Travel insurance and personal expenses.
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary (quad biking, sandboarding...).
