Morocco Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech – 5 days

Sahara Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech 5 days:

Set off on our 5-day desert adventure from Fes to the Imperial City of Marrakech, offering an unparalleled opportunity to discover the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, all while exploring the prominent highlights of the southern region. From the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kasbah of Ait Benhdaou, and the vast Todgha Gorges, this journey promises a comprehensive exploration of Morocco’s diverse landscapes.

Immerse yourself in the rich culture, traditions, and Berber way of life in the southern oases, as our expert guides lead you through authentic experiences. Additionally, relish in a camel ride and an enchanting overnight stay amidst the desert’s heart, where the captivating dunes and a mesmerising star-studded sky craft an unforgettable ambience. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to unravel the treasures of Morocco’s southern region on a desert tour tailored for unforgettable memories.

5-day desert tour from Fes – Highlights:

• Journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Atlas Mountains and picturesque Berber villages.
• Indulge in savouring delicious traditional local cuisine, stay in an authentic guest house, and gain insights into life in the southern region and its oases.
• Experience the thrill of a sunset camel ride, try your hand at sandboarding, capture memorable photos, and revel in the rhythmic beats of nomadic music and drumming.
• Dine under the twinkling canopy of stars and retire to a private tent in a luxurious desert camp amidst the vast dunes.
• Reinvigorate yourself as you wander through the fertile Dades Valley and hike through the imposing Toudgha Gorges and nearby mountains (if desired).
• Delve into the rich history of ancient Kasbahs – Kasbah Teleout and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.

What is included:

• Transport in a private air-conditioned & comfortable van or 4WD vehicle
• Experienced English-speaking nomad driver-guide
• Pick-up from Fes and drop-off at your hotel in Marrakech
• Meals: breakfast & dinner – with vegetarian and vegan options available
• Two nights in comfortable hotels with air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom
• Two nights in a luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi under private & comfortable tents equipped with private bathrooms and shower
• All meals (vagan and vegetarian meals available)
• A camel ride for about two hours with a guide in Erg Chebbi and free sand-boarding, if desired
• Berber drumming & music in the desert camp
• Hiking amid beautiful scenery and free time to explore the sites of interest
• Tea/ coffee in the desert camp

What is not included:

• Drinks
• Tipping
• Extras

Sahara Tour from Fes to Marrakech 5 days – Itinerary:

1st day: Fes – Merzouga

Start your 5-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech with a morning departure at 08:30 from your hotel or riad in Fes. Journey southwards, passing through Ifrane, affectionately nicknamed the Switzerland of Morocco, where houses boast sloping roofs—a unique feature in this North African country, designed to withstand the winter snowfall.

Continuing onwards, your route takes you over the Middle Atlas Mountains and through the Tizi-n-Talremt pass, meandering along scenic roads lined with oak and cedar trees as far as Azou. Here, a stop is made to observe Barbary macaques playing and foraging for treats.

Following this, proceed to Midelt for lunch, known as the “apple capital” and nestled at the foot of Ayachi Mountain. Continuing further south, travel alongside the mountains, soaking in beautiful views and passing through Berber villages. As you descend the mountains, marvel at the extensive green oases and towering palm groves, marking the beginning of the Ziz Valley.

Arriving in Errachdia and then Erfoud, renowned for its date festival and fossils, visit a local workshop to witness the skilful transformation of fossil-rich rocks into practical and decorative artefacts.

Finally, arrive at the dunes of Merzouga for a sunset camel ride, reaching the desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes (250m). From the summit of the dunes, witness a spectacular sunset. Here, amidst the Erg Chebbi dunes, dine and spend the night in a desert camp among the vast dunes.

2nd day: Merzouga Sahara

After breakfast, explore the Merzouga region, beginning with a visit to the Gnawa people residing in Khamlia. Renowned for their expertise in Gnawa music, originally brought to the region through the sub-Saharan slave trade, they will treat you to a captivating performance of this unique musical style.

Next, head to the historic town of Rissani, the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty, the current ruling royal family of Morocco. Surrounded by several ksars, fortified villages adorned with numerous towers, Rissani boasts a bustling souk and an open market held three times a week. Stroll through the souk, where a variety of items such as spices, vegetables, household items, and handmade crafts are sold. Rissani sits on the former site of Sijilmassa, a crucial meeting point for the salt caravans originating from Timbuktu in Mali.

In the afternoon, embark on a camel ride led by an experienced guide, traversing the dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga to witness the breathtaking sunset over the desert. Dinner will once again be served in the camp, followed by an evening of nomadic music and drumming around a cosy campfire.

3rd day: Merzouga – Dades Gorges

If you rise early, witness the serene spectacle of the sunrise painting the dunes in enchanting colours. After breakfast, return to your hotel on camelback and begin your journey eastwards to Marrakech.

Travelling on the paved road, reach Tinjdad. Notice the strange piles of sand following the road, the heads of the “khettarat,” ingenious underground water channels designed to minimise evaporation in the desert heat. Experience the coolness below ground and marvel at the ancient engineering involved.

In the Todra Gorges, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant overlooking the valley, followed by a riverside stroll through the villages and mountains. Upon arrival at Dades Gorges, enjoy a walk amidst stunning rock formations, kasbahs, and picturesque villages. Spend the night in a beautiful guest house overlooking the valley.

4th day: Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate

After breakfast, continue your journey through the Valley of the Roses, with an optional stop at the cosmetics cooperative in Kalaat M’Gouna, which manufactures cosmetic products from the abundant valley roses.

Then, travel along the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs to Skoura Oasis, where you visit Kasbah Amredhil with its museum. This kasbah, once depicted on the old 50 dirham banknote, has been beautifully restored and is well worth a visit.

Before reaching Ouarzazate, stop to visit the Atlas Studios, known for their versatile sets and offering a unique experience of movie sets.

Spend the night in a beautiful riad.

5th day: Ouarzazate – Marrakech

After breakfast, a one-hour drive takes you to Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, explore the kasbah, renowned for its use as a filming location for numerous Hollywood blockbusters.

Drive along the Ounila Valley with its prosperous villages, stunning mountains, and views of Telouet. Reach Kasbah Telouet, once the palatial residence of the Lords of the Atlas, the Glaoui Family. Although now in ruins, be pleasantly surprised by the architectural marvel of this historic home. Lunch will be either here or later in the mountains.

Cross the Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass and arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon. Your driver will transfer you to your riad, concluding your 5-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech.

Price Details

TripAdvisor Reviews

jcnc40

2024-03-02

Great experience and memories from Morocco We have a wonderful experience with Private Tours Marrakesh for our trip. We picked our own itinerary of cities to visit and Private provided all the logistics between each city. Our driver Mohammad is very helpful and accommodated. He took us to places we would like and more. He picked us up from Marrakesh to the Desert camps. What a great adventure through the desert plain in Zagora then to Chegara. The camps we were in are amazing and what a great time we have from music around the camp fire to riding the camel around the sand dunes. We stop by Taroudant and Private Tours Marrakesh arranged a spectacular Riad for to us overnight. We then head to coastal city of Essaouira. Mohammad brings us to the beach with big sand dunes to watch the sunset. It was very pretty to be on the beach to see horseback riding on the sand. Next we stop by Casablanca then head to Rabat overnight before arriving at Fes. Mohammad drive us to see The mosque in Casablanca and the Rick’s cafe. When we were in Rabat before heading to Fes. Mohammad took us to all the main sites in Rabat. From Fes we head to Chefchouen. On the night before we left Chefchouen, Mohammad cooked us a delicious Tajin meal. That’s the icing on the cake for this trip. We had such a great experience of Morocco and Private Tours Marrakesh made a great memory for our trip. I highly recommended them if you visit Morocco in the near future.

Hiram R

2024-03-02

Not just a tour: a fantastic experience We had an unforgettable experience with Mohamed, our guide and friend. We booked an 11 day private tour (very reasonably priced I should add) and it was awesome. Mohamed is a very safe driver and very attentive as well. He took us to some unusual places off the main tourist route...especially loved the petrol station restaurants popular with local families. Do yourself a favor and book with them!

Fulvio M

2024-02-16

Moroc&Roll Grande Mohammed! Tour fantastico, ci siamo trovati benissimo! Un piacere stare insieme ed esplorare il Marocco del sud! Super consigliato!

Maria Jose C

2024-02-10

Excursión a Ourika, genial. Hemos elegido private tours Marrakech para nuestro viaje a Marrakech, fuimos un grupo de amigos, todo genial y muy recomendable. Bonita visita guiada a la ciudad con Mohamed. Un guía muy agradable y simpático desde nuestra llegada. Fuimos de excursión a Ourika, excursión muy organizada y muy recomendable. Os recomiendo private tours Marrakech con Mohamed.

Alejandra V

2024-02-05

Excelente mohamed fue muy buen guía, fuimos quatros amigas en un excursión a las cascadas de ouzoud fue muy linda experiencia, nos gustó mucho el lugar.

Juan Manuel R

2024-02-04

Experiencia inolvidable Fue una experiencia inolvidable. Tenía ganas de hacer un viaje en solitario y estar conmigo mismo rodeado de naturaleza y personas auténticas. El objetivo se ha cumplido. Mohamed ha sido un guía estupendo. Recomiendo totalmente a esta empresa

Patri C

2024-02-04

Increíble experiencia para todos los sentidos Después de encontrar la agencia private tours marrakech en Internet y leer los comentarios he reservado con ellos un viaje al desierto de 4 días donde hemos visitado lugares increíbles como las Kasbahs que se ven en las películas y los valles. Lo más espectacular ha sido estar una noche en el desierto. 100 % recomendable. Ha sido una experiencia inolvidable! Gracias private tours marrakech y sobre todo, gracias a Mohamed, ha sido fundamental contar con él! Súper atento, amable y divertido! Volveremos a repetir con ellos! Una experiencia para todos los sentidos!

Angela M

2024-01-10

Top Abbiamo fatto un viaggio in Marocco per Capodanno, abbiamo definito il tutto prima della partenza assieme a Mohamed che è stato sempre molto cortese nell' assecondare le nostre richieste anche durante il soggiorno. Il nostro autista Karim è stato il valore aggiunto , sempre disponibile e mai invadente ed ha contribuito a farci immergere nella cultura marocchina. Bellissimi e curatissimi i Riad di Rabat e Marracash, un po' più vecchiotti quelli di Fes e Chefchaouen, in tutti però ho trovato un'eccellente pulizia, anche le colazioni sono state ottime. Insomma Mohamed super consigliato e simpatico!

Mimi C

2024-01-02

Thank you for the special memories Mohammad our guide and driver was amazing. I can’t say or recommend enough how wonderful he helped make this trip. Our children adored him. He even celebrated our daughter’s 5th birthday! We took many great photos and had insightful conversations on the long car rides. Everyone was happy. Morocco was an adventure of a lifetime. Thank you!!!! We will miss Morocco, Mohammad, and his team but wish them well in making more memories for other families like ours.

Pedro GG

2023-12-18

Un viaje inolvidable!!!!! Cuando decidimos hacer un viaje por el desierto de Marruecos, elegimos la agencia Desert Majesty porque nos la habían recomendado previamente, pero el resultado fue muchísimo mejor de lo esperado, gracias a nuestro conductor-guía Mohamed Omari, al que le debemos en gran medida el buen recuerdo que nos ha dejado No sólo fue absolutamente profesional en todo aquello relacionado con el viaje (conducción, puntualidad, etc.), sino que es una persona amigable y cercana, dispuesta a ayudarte en cualquier momento y a darte toda la información que le solicites sobre costumbres, cultura, paisaje, historia..., lo que hizo que nuestra experiencia fuera magnífica y disfrutáramos al 100% del tour. Tenemos claro que si en algún momento volvemos a hacer otro tour en Marruecos, repetiremos con el mismo guía y agencia. Gracias Mohamed

Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 78 reviews