5-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga

A private one-way 5-day (4-night) desert tour from Fes to Marrakech: the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley to Merzouga, a full day and a camp night in the Erg Chebbi dunes, the Todra and Dades gorges, Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou, then over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.

From Fes, five days is the shortest desert trip we run. Merzouga is about 460 km from Fes, roughly 8–9 hours on the road with stops, so the first day is long. What makes the trip worthwhile is what comes after it: a full day around the dunes instead of jumping straight from the car onto a camel, and three driving days of about 150–260 km each instead of two more marathon days.

Day one crosses the Middle Atlas via Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, then follows the Ziz Valley south to a guesthouse at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Day two is spent around Merzouga: Rissani's market and ksar, Gnawa music in Khamlia, then a sunset camel ride to a camp among dunes that rise to around 150 m. Day three goes west through Tinghir to the Todra Gorge and on to the Dades Valley. Day four follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Skoura and Ouarzazate to a night by the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. Day five crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech, arriving in the early afternoon.

Good to know

Length

5 days, 4 nights, Fes to Marrakech

Group

2–6 travellers, private: only the people you book with

Effort

Moderate

Languages

English, French, Spanish, Arabic

Booking

A written itinerary and a fixed price within 24 hours. A 30% deposit confirms; cancellation and refunds follow Serenity Morocco Tours' booking terms.

Highlights

• Four nights: Erg Chebbi guesthouse, desert camp, Dades Valley and Aït Ben Haddou
• A full day at Merzouga: Rissani market and Gnawa music in Khamlia
• Sunset camel ride to camp and sunrise over the dunes
• Walk in the Todra Gorge between walls of around 300 m
• Skoura, Ouarzazate and a night by the UNESCO ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
• Middle Atlas cedar forest on the way out, Tizi n'Tichka pass on the way in

Not included: Lunches and drinks (budget about MAD 100–150 per lunch); Entrance fees and local guides at monuments unless noted; Travel insurance; Tips for the driver, guides and camp staff; Local guide at Aït Ben Haddou (about MAD 100–150 per group).

Every day in full

Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Merzouga

07:00 pickup in Fes. Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, lunch in Midelt and the Ziz gorges. About 460 km and 8–9 hours with stops, the longest day of the trip. Arrive at your guesthouse by the dunes in the late afternoon. Night: Guesthouse at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Meals: D.

Day 2: Rissani, Khamlia & the dunes

Morning at Rissani's market and ksar, then Gnawa music and tea in Khamlia. Late-afternoon camel ride into the dunes for sunset and a night in camp. No long drives today. Night: Private tent, desert camp in Erg Chebbi. Meals: B · D.

Day 3: Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast, camel ride back, then west via Erfoud and Tinejdad to Tinghir. Walk in the Todra Gorge, then on to the Dades Valley (about 260 km in total). Night: Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley. Meals: B · D.

Day 4: Dades – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Aït Ben Haddou

Dades gorge viewpoints, the Valley of Roses at Kelaat M'Gouna and the Skoura palm oasis, then Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou (about 150 km). Guided walk up the ksar in the late afternoon light. Night: Guesthouse by the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. Meals: B · D.

Day 5: Aït Ben Haddou – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech

Morning drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, about 190 km and 4–5 hours with stops. Arrive in Marrakech in the early afternoon; drop-off at your riad, hotel or the airport. Meals: B.

What to bring

• A small overnight bag — main luggage stays in the vehicle at the camel station
• Warm layers: desert nights drop close to freezing from December to February
• Scarf or cheche to cover your face against wind-blown sand
• Head torch, sunglasses and SPF 30+
• Closed shoes or sandals you don't mind filling with sand
• Cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips