4-Day Morocco Desert Escape Fes to Marrakech

Overview

This 4-day private tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga Desert offers the perfect opportunity to experience the soul of the Moroccan Sahara. Travel across the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, witness the dramatic beauty of gorges and valleys, ride camels through the Erg Chebbi dunes, and spend a magical night under a starlit desert sky. This itinerary is ideal for travelers flying into Fes and out of Marrakech, or vice versa, and wish to discover Morocco’s most iconic landscapes and cultural highlights in just four days.

Tour Highlights – 4-Day Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga

• Meet the Barbary monkeys in the cedar forest of Azrou
• Ride camels through the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga at sunset and sunrise
• Experience a romantic night in a desert camp, with dinner under the stars and traditional Berber music
• Discover the lush palm groves of the Ziz Valley
• Cross the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountains, passing scenic valleys and Berber villages
• Explore the dramatic landscapes of Todra Gorge and Dades Valley, perfect for photography and nature lovers
• Visit the ancient fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Tour the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa”
• Enjoy the weekly Berber markets in small villages along the way
• Immerse yourself in the rich culture of local Berbers, Jews, and nomadic tribes
• End your journey in vibrant Marrakech, gateway to southern Morocco

Tour Details

• Destination: Marrakech via Merzouga Desert
• Departure Location: Any location in Fes
• Return Location: Any location in Marrakech
• Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
• Price: Varies depending on the number of travelers

Itinerary

Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga

Our private tour begins with a scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains. We’ll stop in the charming town of Ifrane, often referred to as the Switzerland of Morocco, followed by a walk through the cedar forest near Azrou—home to wild Barbary apes.

We’ll continue our journey through the Atlas Mountains, with lunch along the way and beautiful views across the Midelt region. Later in the afternoon, we’ll reach the Ziz Valley before arriving in Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a local riad.

Day 2: Merzouga Desert Tour and Camel Trekking

Today is dedicated to exploring the unique desert landscape of Erg Chebbi. We’ll visit nomadic families to learn about their traditional way of life and stop in the village of Khamlia to enjoy a performance of spiritual Gnawa music.

Lunch will be a traditional Berber pizza in the historic town of Rissani. In the afternoon, we’ll set off on a camel trek into the dunes to enjoy a breathtaking sunset. Tonight, you’ll stay in a desert camp, enjoy a tagine dinner, sip mint tea, and listen to live Berber music around the fire under the stars and moonlit sky of the Sahara.

Day 3: Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Gorges

We’ll rise early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then return to a hotel for breakfast and a quick freshen-up. We’ll then begin our journey westward toward the Dades Valley.

Along the way, we’ll stop at the towering Todra Gorge, one of Morocco’s most dramatic canyons, where you’ll have time to explore and take photos. We continue through the scenic landscapes to the Dades Gorges. Dinner and overnight stay at a local hotel in the Dades Valley.

Day 4: Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

After breakfast, we travel along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, stopping at Kalaat M’Gouna in the Valley of Roses—famous for its rose water products and annual festival.

We then continue to the iconic Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as a backdrop for films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and the series Game of Thrones.

From there, we cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, arriving in Marrakech where our tour ends.