Overview of 5 Days desert tour from Fes to Merzouga Sahara
5 Days desert tour from Fes to Merzouga Sahara offers a special itinerary with plenty of time to visit Morocco’s top attractions. You’ll cross the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, enjoy an overnight camel trek in the Sahara Desert, and visit nomads during an off-road adventure through the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Explore historical kasbahs, ancient Berber villages, hike in the Todra Gorges, and travel along the scenic Road of 1,000 Kasbahs.
Details of Booking 5 days Desert tour from Fes
Tour Type: 5 Days Sahara Desert Tour
Starting Location: Fes
Ending Location: Marrakech
Departure Time: 8:30 AM
Confirmation: Received at the time of booking
Availability: Every day
Itinerary Summary of 5 days Desert tour from Fes to Marrakech
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga (≈ 470 km)
Departure from Fes toward the Sahara Desert. Stop in Ifrane and the cedar forest near Azrou, then continue through Midelt and the scenic Ziz Valley. Arrive in Merzouga and enjoy a camel trek into the dunes of Erg Chebbi for a night in a desert camp.
Day 2: Merzouga Desert Exploration (≈ 80 km)
Explore the Sahara around Merzouga by 4×4. Visit nomadic families, discover the Mifis mines, and enjoy Gnawa music in Khamlia before returning to your hotel.
Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley (≈ 270 km)
Travel through Rissani and visit the impressive Todra Gorge. Continue toward the beautiful Dades Valley for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Dades Valley – Kelaat M’Gouna – Skoura – Ouarzazate (≈ 150 km)
Drive along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, passing through Kelaat M’Gouna and the oasis of Skoura. Visit Kasbah Amridil before arriving in Ouarzazate.
Day 5: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Atlas Mountains – Marrakech (≈ 200 km)
Visit the famous Ait Benhaddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass and arriving in Marrakech.
The highlights of 5 days Desert tour from Fes
- Visit the charming alpine-style town of Ifrane.
- Walk through the cedar forest near Azrou and see the Barbary macaques.
- Enjoy panoramic landscapes of the Middle Atlas Mountains.
- Discover the spectacular palm groves of Ziz Valley.
- Experience a camel trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
- Spend a magical night in a Sahara desert camp near Merzouga.
- Watch a breathtaking sunset and sunrise over the Sahara dunes.
- Visit nomadic families and learn about their traditional lifestyle in the desert.
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou.
The full program itinerary of 5 days Desert tour from Fes
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga
Your 5-day tour from Fes to Marrakech begins with a pick-up from your riad in Fes at 8:30 AM, heading south toward the Sahara Desert.
Our first stop is Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” because of its alpine architecture and clean streets. Afterward, we continue to the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may encounter the famous Barbary macaques.
Next, we travel to Midelt, known as the “apple town,” located between the Middle and High Atlas Mountains. After lunch, we continue through the scenic Ziz Valley, famous for its vast palm groves and beautiful oasis landscapes.
By late afternoon, we arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert and the spectacular dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Here, you will start a camel trek across the dunes. During the ride, you will stop to admire a breathtaking sunset over the Sahara before reaching the desert camp.
Day 2: Merzouga Desert Exploration
Wake up early to witness a spectacular sunrise over the Sahara dunes.
After breakfast and a refreshing shower at the camp, we begin a 4×4 desert excursion around Merzouga.
During the tour, you will:
Visit a nomadic Berber family to learn about their traditional lifestyle
Explore the Mifis mines, once used for mineral extraction
Discover Khamlia village, where you will enjoy a live performance of traditional Gnawa music
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Khamlia village.
In the afternoon, we return to your hotel in Merzouga, where you can relax by the pool or enjoy the peaceful desert atmosphere.
Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
After breakfast, we depart from Merzouga toward Dades Valley.
Our first stop is Rissani, known for its traditional market and historical role as the capital of the Tafilalt region.
Next, we continue to the spectacular Todra Gorge, a dramatic canyon with towering rock walls that reach up to 300 meters high. This area is very popular with hikers and rock climbers.
After lunch near the gorge, we drive through beautiful desert landscapes toward Dades Valley, where you will spend the night in a hotel overlooking the valley.
Day 4: Dades Valley – Kelaat M’Gouna – Skoura – Ouarzazate
After breakfast, we depart from Dades Valley and travel along the famous Road of 1,000 Kasbahs.
Our first stop is Kelaat M’Gouna, also known as the “City of Roses.” This region is famous for its annual rose festival and rose-based cosmetic products.
We then continue to the beautiful Skoura oasis, known for its palm groves and traditional kasbahs.
Here, we visit the famous Kasbah Amridil, one of the best-preserved kasbahs in Morocco.
By the afternoon, we arrive in Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa.” You will spend the night in a charming riad or hotel.
Day 5: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Tizi N’Tichka – Marrakech
After breakfast, we begin the final part of our journey.
First, we visit the famous Atlas Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world.
Next, we head to the spectacular Ait Benhaddou, the largest and most famous kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Many famous films, including Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia, were filmed here.
After exploring the kasbah, we cross the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m).
By early afternoon, we arrive in Marrakech, where your driver will drop you off at your accommodation, marking the end of your 5-day Sahara desert tour from Fes to Marrakech.
Included:
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- Fuel for the entire journey
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Visits to attractions along the route
- Desert camp experience in Merzouga
- Accommodation in a Merzouga hotel
- Hotel stay in Dades Valley
- Riad stay in Ouarzazate or Dades
- Camel ride in the Sahara Desert
- Private equipped tent in the desert camp
- 4×4 off-road excursion in the Sahara
- 4×4 off-road excursion in the Sahara
- Optional sandboarding activity
- Dinner and breakfast during the tour
Excluded:
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments
What Is the Best Time to Do a 5-Day Desert Trip from Fes?
The best time to do a 5-day desert trip from Fes to the Sahara Desert is during winter and spring, especially from October to May. During these months, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, making it ideal for long drives across the Atlas Mountains and outdoor activities in the dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. Daytime temperatures are comfortable for camel trekking, exploring valleys, and visiting kasbahs, while evenings in the desert are cool and enjoyable.
As a second option, the tour can also be done during summer (June to August). However, travelers should be aware that temperatures in the Sahara Desert can become quite hot during the day, sometimes reaching 40–45°C (104–113°F). Despite the heat, many travelers still visit the desert in summer because the evenings and nights are cooler, and the sunsets and sunrises over the dunes are truly spectacular. Desert camps and camel treks are usually scheduled in the late afternoon to avoid the strongest heat of the day.
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