Overview: 4 Days tour from Marrakech to Fes Desert trip

4 Days tour from Marrakech to Fes  desert tour is perfect for travelers who prefer to explore Morocco without rushing. Each day offers enough time to enjoy key destinations and absorb the atmosphere of southern Morocco. The 4 day option will allow you to spend an other peacefull day in the Erg Chebbi sahara including a sightseeing tour.

4 days tour Marrakech to fes

Summary: 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes Morocco trip

Depart from Marrakech and take your time crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Stop to visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, then continue at a comfortable pace to Ouarzazate for a relaxing evening.

Explore Ouarzazate (optional visit to Atlas Studios or Taourirt Kasbah), then journey through the picturesque Skoura oasis and Rose Valley. Enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the Dades Valley, where you’ll spend the night surrounded by dramatic canyon scenery.

Take a slow morning drive to the Todgha Gorges, ideal for a short walk among Morocco’s highest cliffs. After lunch, continue to Merzouga. Arrive in time for a camel trek and desert sunset, followed by dinner under the stars in a desert camp.

After sunrise and breakfast in the desert, head north through the Ziz Valley and Midelt. Stop in Ifrane, the “Little Switzerland” of Morocco, before arriving in Fes in the late afternoon.

Highlights: 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes Moroco itinerary

  • Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass
  • Visit the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
  • Discover Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Sahara”
  • Explore the lush Skoura Oasis and fragrant Rose Valley
  • Relax in the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley
  • Walk through the towering cliffs of the Todgha Gorges
  • Experience a camel trek and overnight stay in a Sahara desert camp
  • Enjoy a 4x4 offroad adventure in the sahara with a visit to nomads
  • Enjoy sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Drive through the scenic Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas Mountains
  • Stop in Ifrane, known as Morocco’s “Little Switzerland”

Full Program Itinerary: 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes through Erg chebbi dunes

Day 1: Marrakech - High Atlas - Telouat Kasbah - Ait Ben Haddou - Ounila Valley - Ouarzazate

Your journey begins with a scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains, passing traditional Berber villages and winding roads as you cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Along the way, you’ll stop to explore the legendary Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its appearance in many films. After some free time to stroll through the ancient alleys and take photos, you’ll continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Sahara.” Here, you can relax for the evening or opt to visit the Atlas Film Studios or Kasbah Taourirt, depending on your pace and interests.

Along the way, we will pass through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which, at 2,260 meters, is the highest road pass in Morocco. Along the route, we’ll enjoy stunning panoramic landscapes and make several stops to take pictures of traditional Berber villages nestled in the mountains.

Afterward, we’ll take a small detour to visit the historic Telouet Kasbah. Following the visit, you will have free time to enjoy a typical Moroccan lunch in town.

In the afternoon, we continue our journey through the scenic Ounila Valley, where you’ll witness remote Berber villages and families living in adobe houses surrounded by mountains. Eventually, we’ll arrive at the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

Notably, this iconic location has served as the backdrop for many famous films such as Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, and Sahara starring Penélope Cruz. Finally, after visiting the kasbah, we head to Ouarzazate, famously known as “The Gate of the Desert.” Dinner and overnight at a local hotel.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

After breakfast, depart Ouarzazate and head toward the stunning Todgha Gorges, where dramatic cliffs tower up to 300 meters high. Enjoy time to walk through the gorge and take in the views before continuing toward the desert. In the afternoon, reach the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. From here, your camel caravan will take you across the golden sands to a desert camp. As the sun sets over the Sahara, arrive at your camp, enjoy traditional mint tea, dinner, and a night of Berber music under the stars.

Day 3: Merzouga – Khamlia – Rissani – Erg Chebbi (Desert Exploration)

Begin the day with a desert sunrise before returning to the village by camel or 4×4. After breakfast and a shower, enjoy a full day of exploring the surrounding desert. Visit the village of Khamlia, home to Gnawa musicians, then continue to the fossil sites and nomadic communities that live on the fringes of the dunes. You’ll also explore Rissani, a traditional town known for its historic market and connection to the Alawite dynasty. In the afternoon, you can go sandboarding or relax at your desert lodge at the base of the dunes.

Day 4: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Ifrane – Fes

After a peaceful morning and breakfast, start the journey north toward Fes. Drive through the scenic Ziz Valley, one of Morocco’s most fertile palm valleys, and stop in Midelt for lunch. Continue through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, keeping an eye out for wild monkeys. Pass through Ifrane, known for its European-style architecture and cool climate, before arriving in Fes in the early evening. Drop-off at your accommodation marks the end of your desert adventure.

Inclusions: Marrakech desert trip to Merzouga ending in Fes

  • Private comfortable Car with A/C
  • Experienced driver ( English speaking )
  • Pick up from your riad in Marrakech
  • Hotel in ouarzazate city ( first Night )
  • Desert camp in Merzouga ( Second night )
  • Desert Camp ( Third night )
  • Camel ride ( sunset + sunrise )
  • Traditional music with a campfire
  • Transfer all your lugguage to your tent
  • 4x4 tour and Merzouga sightseeing
  • Dinner + Breakfast
  • Sandboard activity ( optional )
  • Drop off at your hotel in Fes 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

Useful Map: Morocco travel itinerary in 4 day

The main attarctions to explore during the 4 day itinerary:

AITBANHADDOU:

Ait Ben Haddou is a historic fortified village (ksar) located along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is renowned for its stunning earthen clay architecture and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The ksar is made up of traditional kasbahs, some of which are over 300 years old, and has served as a backdrop for numerous famous films such as Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. Walking through its narrow alleys feels like stepping back in time.

TODRA GORGE:

The Todra Gorge is one of Morocco’s most breathtaking natural wonders, located near the town of Tinghir. Towering limestone cliffs rise up to 300 meters high, forming a dramatic canyon carved by the Todra River over centuries. The gorge is especially narrow at certain points, creating a striking contrast between the towering rock walls and the small stream below.

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.

ERG CHEBBI:

The Erg Chebbi dunes are a stunning expanse of golden sand dunes located near the town of Merzouga, in southeastern Morocco. Rising up to 150 meters high, these dunes stretch over 30 kilometers and are among the most iconic landscapes of the Moroccan Sahara. Erg Chebbi offers visitors a true desert experience, with camel treks, sunset views, and overnight stays in traditional Berber camps. The ever-changing shapes and colors of the dunes, especially at sunrise and sunset, make it a magical destination for travelers seeking both adventure and tranquility.

ZIZ VALLEY: ( the second largest one in Morocco )

The Ziz Valley is a lush and fertile oasis stretching along the Ziz River in southeastern Morocco. Known for its thousands of palm trees, the valley creates a striking contrast against the surrounding arid landscapes. It’s dotted with traditional mud-brick villages and kasbahs, offering a glimpse into authentic Berber life.

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. Here is an other option by starting from Fes and ening in Marrakech.