Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour: 4 Days Through the Sahara
Cross the Middle Atlas, sleep in a luxury tent in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and ride over the High Atlas to Marrakech. A private 4 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, with a Mercedes Vito for the roads and a Toyota Land Cruiser for the sand.
The Fes to Marrakech desert tour is a private 4 day, 3 night journey across Morocco. You cross the Middle Atlas, sleep in a luxury tent in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and follow the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley to Ouarzazate. On the last day you visit Ait Ben Haddou and cross the High Atlas to Marrakech. You travel one way, so you never retrace your steps. It suits travelers who want a Sahara night between two imperial cities.
One way, no backtracking. Start in Fes and finish in Marrakech.
A night in the dunes. A luxury tent at Erg Chebbi, with a sunset camel ride.
Two vehicles. Mercedes Vito for the roads, Toyota Land Cruiser for the sand tracks.
Honest pacing. Day one is long. We plan stops to make it easier.
A Glimpse of the Journey
Desert Camp
Ait Ben Haddou
Middle Atlas
Ouarzazate
Tizi n'Tichka
High Atlas
Atlas Crossing
On The RoadA Night In The Erg Chebbi Dunes
After a day of cedar forests, valleys and palm groves, the road ends at the dunes. You trade the vehicle for a camel and walk into a sea of sand.
Camel Ride
Meet your camel guide at the edge of the dunes. Ride as the light turns gold, then pink, then dark.
Music By The Fire
Enjoy dinner at camp, then local music around the fire. Stay out for the stars.
First Light
Try sandboarding or watch the sun rise over the dunes before breakfast and the road north.
The dunes span an area of approximately 28 kilometers from north to south
, says Wikipedia's Erg Chebbi entry.
Two Private Vehicles, Matched To The Road
This route covers cedar forests, desert tracks and mountain passes. So we use two vehicles, with one English-speaking driver-guide for all four days.
Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4
A private Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 takes you on the sand tracks near Erg Chebbi and the remote stretches. It is the vehicle built for desert surfaces, with a driver who knows them.
Mercedes Vito
A private, air-conditioned Mercedes Vito handles the long paved sections: Fes to Midelt, the Ziz Valley, the Dades Valley and the road over the High Atlas. It is comfortable for long days and has room for luggage.
Tell us your group size and we match the vehicles to your party. Prefer one vehicle all the way? A Land Cruiser can cover the whole route on request.
Begin Your Fes To Marrakech Desert Tour
Send us your dates and group size. Ismail or Mustapha will reply personally with a route and a private quote.
- Private Mercedes Vito and Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4
- 3 nights: a luxury desert tent, a Dades Valley guesthouse and Ouarzazate
- Full board, with a camel ride and sandboarding
- A stop at UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou on the last day
Priced by group size and choice of accommodation. Tell us your dates below and we will send a private quote, with no obligation.
Prefer to write directly? Email contact@moroccomeander.com or call +212 648 126 315.
Request Your Quote
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply within one working day.
4 Days, Day By Day
We keep the route flexible. Tell us if you want to slow down, add a night or change a stop.
Fes to Merzouga, through the Middle Atlas
We collect you from your hotel or riad in Fes. The road climbs through the Middle Atlas and its cedar forest. You pass Ifrane, a ski town, and Midelt, known for its minerals and apples. Then you follow the Ziz Valley, pass Erfoud, famous for fossils, and Rissani. At the dunes of Erg Chebbi, ride a camel at sunset and sleep in your luxury tent.
Merzouga to the Dades Valley, via Erfoud and the Todra Gorges
Wake for the sunrise, then drive to Erfoud for its fossils and market. Continue to the Todra Gorges, where limestone cliffs rise on both sides. Then reach a small guesthouse in the Dades Valley for the night.
Dades Valley to Ouarzazate, via Kelaat M'Gouna
Stop in Kelaat M'Gouna, known for its rose fields and its Rose Festival. Then continue to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara. Visit its kasbahs and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Ouarzazate to Marrakech, via Ait Ben Haddou and Telouet
Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar, where films such as Gladiator were shot. Then take the old caravan route over the High Atlas to the Telouet Kasbah, once the seat of the El Glaoui family. Have lunch near the Tizi n'Tichka pass and reach Marrakech in the evening.
Included And Not Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole route
- English-speaking professional driver-guide
- Daily hotel pick-up and drop-off
- 3 nights of accommodation
- Full board (all meals)
- Luxury tent in Erg Chebbi
- Camel ride and sandboarding
- Mineral water during the hike
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and staff
- Extras: quad biking, spa and massage
- Personal expenses
Want an extra night in Fes or Marrakech? Mention it in your enquiry.
Who This Journey Is For
Couples
A private tent in the dunes and a slow road between two imperial cities. See also our elopement packages.
Families And Friends
A fully private tour with your own vehicle. We adapt the pace to your group.
Culture Lovers
Kasbahs, ksars and living traditions along the way. Read about Moroccan culture.
Photographers
Cedar forests, dunes, gorges and kasbahs in one trip. See our photography tours.
Travelers Between Cities
Already in Fes and heading to Marrakech? Turn the transfer into the highlight of your trip.
First-Time Visitors
We handle the route, the driving and the camp. You only need to enjoy it.
Why Go From Fes To Marrakech?
Most desert trips start and end in the same city. This one does not. You go from Fes to Marrakech in one long arc, and the Sahara sits in the middle.
On day four you reach Ait Ben Haddou. UNESCO says the ksar is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco
.
“Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco.”UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
Sources: UNESCO, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou · Wikipedia, Erg Chebbi
Fes To Marrakech Desert Tour: Your Questions
How long is the Fes to Marrakech desert tour?
It lasts 4 days and 3 nights. You start in Fes and finish in Marrakech, so you never drive the same road twice.
Where do we sleep on the tour?
On night one you sleep in a luxury tent at a desert camp in Erg Chebbi. On night two you stay in a guesthouse in the Dades Valley. On night three you stay in Ouarzazate.
Why travel from Fes to Marrakech and not the other way?
A one-way route saves time. You cross the Middle Atlas, reach the dunes, then return over the High Atlas. There is no backtracking. You can also do it in reverse, as in our Marrakech to Merzouga tour.
What will we see?
You pass the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, the Ziz Valley, the Erg Chebbi dunes, the Todra Gorges, the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou. Then you cross the High Atlas to Telouet and Marrakech.
Which vehicles do you use?
Your tour is private, with an English-speaking driver-guide. We use a Mercedes Vito for the long paved roads and a Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 for the desert tracks near Erg Chebbi. Tell us your group size and we match the vehicle.
Is day one a long drive?
Yes. Day one is the longest, because you cross the Middle Atlas to reach the dunes. We plan stops at Ifrane, Midelt and the Ziz Valley to break up the road. Your guide shares the best times to leave.
What is included?
Included are a private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, hotel pick-up, 3 nights, full board, a luxury tent in Erg Chebbi, a camel ride and sandboarding.
What is not included?
Travel insurance, tips, extras such as quad biking, spa and massage, and personal expenses are not included.
Is the tour suitable for couples and families?
Yes. It is fully private and starts from 2 guests. We adapt the pace for couples, families and friends.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn have the mildest weather. Summer is very hot in the desert, and winter nights are cold. Tell us your dates and we will advise you.
How much does the tour cost?
The price depends on your group size and your choice of accommodation. Send us your dates and we will reply with a private quote.
From Imperial Fes To Marrakech, Through The Sahara
Send us your dates and group size. We will reply with a route and a private quote.