5-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga

A private one-way 5-day (4-night) desert tour from Marrakech to Fes: a night by the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, Skoura and the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorge, a full day and a camp night in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, then north through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas to Fes.

This is the Marrakech-to-Fes desert crossing at a pace you can enjoy. A 3-day version (custom, on request) means three long days in the car, roughly 310, 250 and 460 km. Five days splits the road into shorter stages and gives you a whole day at the dunes instead of a dash in and out.

Day one crosses the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Aït Ben Haddou, about 190 km, with the late afternoon free to walk up the ksar. Day two follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley. Day three runs through Tinghir and the Todra Gorge to a guesthouse at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Day four 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 five is the long one: about 460 km and 8–9 hours with stops, north through the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the Azrou cedar forest to Fes.

Good to know

Length

5 days, 4 nights, Marrakech to Fes

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: Aït Ben Haddou, Dades Valley, an Erg Chebbi guesthouse and a desert camp
• Tizi n'Tichka pass and an evening at the UNESCO ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
• Skoura oasis, the Valley of Roses and the Dades gorge
• Walk in the Todra Gorge between walls of around 300 m
• A full day at Merzouga: Rissani market, Gnawa music in Khamlia, sunset camel ride to camp
• Ziz Valley, Midelt and the Middle Atlas cedar forest on the way to Fes

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: Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Aït Ben Haddou

08:00 pickup and the climb over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, about 190 km and 4–5 hours with stops. Afternoon guided walk up the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. Night: Guesthouse by the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. Meals: D.

Day 2: Aït Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades Valley

Ouarzazate, the Skoura palm oasis and the Valley of Roses at Kelaat M'Gouna, then the Dades gorge road (about 150 km). Night: Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley. Meals: B · D.

Day 3: Dades – Todra Gorge – Merzouga

Tinghir and a walk in the Todra Gorge, then east via Tinejdad and Erfoud to a guesthouse by the dunes (about 260 km in total). Night: Guesthouse at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Meals: B · D.

Day 4: 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 5: Merzouga – Midelt – Fes

Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast, then north via Erfoud, the Ziz gorges, Midelt, the Azrou cedar forest and Ifrane. About 460 km and 8–9 hours with stops, the longest day of the trip. Arrive in Fes around 19:00. 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