Overview: 4 Days tour from Fes To Marrakech Sahara trip
The 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga Sahara Desert offers many attractions each day. It provides ample time to explore the Sahara, allowing more than just a single night in the desert. With shorter driving times, this itinerary is ideal for fully enjoying your 4 day Sahara adventure.
Summary: 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech tour
Drive through Ifrane and Azrou cedar forest, lunch in Midelt, continue via Ziz Valley to Merzouga. Camel trek at sunset to desert camp. Overnight in the dunes.
Watch the sunrise, then explore the desert by 4×4. Visit nomads, Mifis mines, Khamlia village, and Sarji Lake. Overnight in a Merzouga hotel.
Visit Rissani market, explore Todra Gorge, then drive through scenic landscapes to Dades Valley. Overnight in a hotel overlooking the valley.
Pass through the Rose Valley and Ouarzazate. Visit Ait Benhaddou, then cross the High Atlas Mountains to arrive in Marrakech by evening.
Highlights: 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech tour
- Explore Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”
- Visit cedar forests and meet Barbary apes in Azrou
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Sleep under the stars in a desert camp
- 4x4 off-road tour of the Sahara, visit nomads and historic mines
- Walk through the towering Todra Gorge
- Discover Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains
Full Itinerary: Morocco desert trip from Fes to Marrakech
First Day: Fes - Ifrane - Midelt - Errachidia - Merzouga
Your journey begins with an 8:30 am pick-up from your hotel in Fes. The first stop is Ifrane, known as “Morocco’s Switzerland” for its alpine architecture and pristine surroundings. After exploring Ifrane, you’ll head to the cedar forests of Azrou, where you may encounter Barbary apes living freely among the trees.
Continuing south, the journey takes you to Midelt, known as the “city of apples,” where you’ll enjoy lunch. From there, you’ll pass through the scenic Ziz Valley and reach Merzouga around 4 pm. After a brief break at a guest house to prepare for your desert excursion, you’ll embark on a camel trek through the dunes. Midway through, you’ll stop to capture the magical desert sunset. In the evening, arrive at the camp to enjoy a night under the starry sky, with a Berber dinner and traditional music around the campfire.
Second Day: Merzouga - Sahara Desert Exploration
Wake up early to see a spectacular sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast and a refreshing shower, your day continues with an off-road 4×4 tour around the Merzouga desert. You’ll visit a nomadic family to experience their traditional desert lifestyle and share a cup of tea with them. The adventure then leads you to the historic Mifis mines before continuing to Khamlia village to enjoy the hypnotic sounds of Gnawa music.
Following a visit to Sarji Lake (a seasonal lake where flamingos and other birds often gather), you’ll have lunch at a Berber restaurant in the village. Later in the day, you’ll return to Merzouga for some relaxation at a hotel overlooking the dunes.
Third Day: Merzouga - Rissani - Todra Gorge - Dades Valley
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at 9 am to visit Rissani’s bustling traditional market. Stroll through its souks, exploring the local culture and goods. The next stop is Todra Gorge, renowned for its towering rock walls that attract climbers worldwide. Here, you’ll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch nearby.
In the afternoon, you’ll travel to Dades Valley, where your hotel awaits, offering breathtaking views of the lush valley. Enjoy dinner and a restful night, surrounded by stunning natural beauty.
Fourth Day: Dades Valley - Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech
On the final day, after breakfast, you’ll set out from Dades Valley toward Marrakech. Along the way, you’ll visit Kelaat M’Gouna, famous as Morocco’s “city of roses.” The journey continues to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa,” where you can explore the renowned Atlas Studios. A highlight of the trip is Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its iconic earthen clay architecture along the ancient caravan route.
After exploring the historic ksar, you’ll drive through the High Atlas Mountains, making stops to capture panoramic views. By early evening, you’ll arrive in Marrakech, where your driver will drop you off at your hotel or riad, concluding an unforgettable four-day adventure through Morocco’s landscapes and cultures.
Inclusions: Morocco Fes to Marrakech Desert trip in 4 day 3 nights
- Private comfortable Car with A/C
- Experienced driver ( English speaking )
- Pick up from your riad in Fes
- Desert camp in Merzouga ( first Night )
- Hotel in Merzouga ( Second night )
- Hotel in Dades valley ( Third night )
- Camel ride ( sunset + sunrise )
- Traditional music with a campfire
- 4x4 to transfer all your lugguage to your tent
- Dinner + Breakfast
- Sandboard activity ( optional )
- Drop off at your hotel in Marrakech on the last day
Exclusions: Morocco Sahara tour to Erg Chebbi dunes
- Lunch
- Entrance fee to sights
- Drinks
- Other optional activities such as: ATv Quador buggy
Booking Details: Morocco Desert trip from Fes
- Starting from: Fes
- Ending point: Marrakech
- Destination: Merzouga Erg Chebbi Desert
- Departure: 8:30 am
- Availability: Daily
- Confirmation: You'll receive it whenever you book the trip
Erg chebbi Merzouga Desert and surrounding map:
The main attarctions to explore during the 4 day itinerary fes to Marrakech:
IFRANE:
Often called the “Switzerland of Morocco,” Ifrane is a charming mountain town known for its clean streets, alpine-style architecture, and cool climate. Located in the Middle Atlas Mountains, it offers a striking contrast to the rest of the country with its European vibe, well-kept gardens, and peaceful atmosphere. It’s a popular stop for travelers heading to the desert.
ZIZ VALLEY:
The Ziz Valley is a breathtaking oasis stretching along the Ziz River, surrounded by palm groves, traditional Berber villages, and dramatic red-rock cliffs. Known for its lush date palms and ancient ksour (fortified villages), it offers one of the most scenic drives in southern Morocco. As you descend into the valley, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of green vegetation contrasting beautifully with the arid desert landscape—a perfect stop for photos and cultural insight.
ERG CHEBBI:
Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco’s most iconic sand dune regions, located near the village of Merzouga. Known for its towering golden dunes some reaching up to 150 meters high it offers a classic Sahara Desert experience. Visitors can enjoy camel trekking, sunset and sunrise views, and overnight stays in desert camps, making it a highlight of any Morocco itinerary.
RISSANI:
Rissani is a historic town in southeastern Morocco, often considered the gateway to the Sahara Desert. It was once the capital of the ancient Tafilalt region and an important stop for caravans traveling between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa. Today, Rissani is known for its authentic souk, especially lively on market days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays), where locals trade spices, dates, livestock, and handicrafts. The town also holds cultural and historical significance as the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty, Morocco’s current royal family.
TODRA GORGE:
Todra Gorge is a spectacular natural canyon located in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Known for its towering reddish limestone cliffs that rise up to 300 meters high, the gorge offers stunning scenery and a dramatic contrast between narrow rocky passages and the lush palm groves below. It’s a popular spot for hiking, rock climbing, and photography, attracting visitors who want to experience the raw beauty of Morocco’s desert mountains and peaceful river valleys. The small villages nearby also provide a glimpse into traditional Berber life.
AITBENHADDOU:
Ait Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s most famous ksars (fortified villages). Located along the ancient caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, it features stunning earthen clay architecture and has been used as a filming location for movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Walking through its narrow alleys feels like stepping back in time.
Note: If this 4 day desert trip doesn’t quite match what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us we’d be happy to customize your itinerary to suit your preferences and interests perfectly. We have a similar itinerary starting from Marrakech by ending in Fes.