This 8 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech covers Fes, the Middle Atlas, the Sahara, the gorges and a guided day in Marrakech, at an unhurried pace.
Day one is an arrival day in Fes with an overnight in a traditional riad. Day two includes a half-day guided cultural tour of the Fes medina before heading south to Bou Laajoul in the Middle Atlas for the night. Day three travels to the Sahara Desert in Merzouga for a sunset camel trek and a first night in a luxury desert camp. Day four is a full day of Sahara exploration with a second overnight in a comfortable desert riad or hotel. Day five heads west through the Todra Gorge to Dades Valley for the overnight. Day six crosses through Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas Mountains to arrive in Marrakech. Day seven is a full guided cultural tour of Marrakech. Day eight is the departure transfer to the airport.
The Medina of Fez, founded in the 9th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. At Merzouga, the Erg Chebbi dunes rise to around 150 meters, among the tallest in Morocco. The Medina of Marrakesh, with Jemaa el-Fnaa square at its heart, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The best months for a full Morocco circuit are March to May and September to November, when both the cities and the desert are comfortable. Summer is hot inland and in the Sahara, and winter brings cold desert nights and snow in the mountains.
This private 8 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech starts from $930 per person, based on two travelers sharing, and the price per person drops for larger groups. Every itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, pace and hotel preferences. Send us your dates on WhatsApp or through the enquiry form below for a free quote.
Planning the drive? Read our guide to going from Fes to Merzouga: the route, the best stops and how many days you need.
Welcome to Fes, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. Your Navigate Morocco driver will meet you at Fes Airport or your agreed pickup point and transfer you to your traditional riad in the heart of the old medina. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Take a gentle first walk into the medina, find a rooftop cafe for a mint tea with your first views over the ancient city, or simply relax at your riad and let the atmosphere of one of the world’s most extraordinary medieval cities settle around you. Fes is a place that reveals itself slowly and the first evening is the perfect time to begin that process without any pressure. Dinner independently at one of the excellent restaurants in and around themedina.
After breakfast at your riad, your local expert guide will meet you for a half-day guided cultural tour of Fes el-Bali, the ancient walled medina of Fes and one of the most complete and best-preserved medieval cities in the world. In half a day you will cover the essential highlights of the city, walking through the labyrinthine alleyways to visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 AD and recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating university, the Bou Inania Madrasa with its extraordinary decorative craftsmanship of zellige tilework, carved stucco, and cedar wood ceilings, and the world-famous Chouara Tanneries, where leather has been dyed using traditional methods for over a thousand years. The tour also takes you through the artisan workshops where coppersmiths, weavers, and potters practice their crafts as they have for generations.
After the guided tour and a lunch break, depart Fes in the afternoon and head south into the Middle Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, and continue to the cedar forests of Azrou, where Barbary macaque monkeys often appear along the roadside in the late afternoon. Continue through the mountain roads before arriving in the peaceful valley of Bou Laajoul as the evening settles in. Check into your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay in one of the most tranquil and beautiful corners of the Middle Atlas.
After breakfast in Bou Laajoul, continue south through the Middle Atlas and into the pre-Saharan landscape. The road descends gradually from the mountain terrain into the open plains, passing through Midelt before entering the dramatic Ziz Valley. This is one of the most beautiful and photogenic landscapes in southern Morocco, the Ziz River winding through a long corridor of thousands of date palms, ancient mud-brick kasbahs, and small Berber villages. Stop at the panoramic viewpoint high above the valley for sweeping photographs before continuing through the Foum Zabel tunnel and across the Tizi-n-Talghemt mountain pass toward Merzouga.
By late afternoon, the towering orange dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon. Your camels will be waiting at the edge of the desert for a sunset trek across the golden sands. As the sun descends, the dunes glow in shades of amber and rose and the silence of the Sahara settles completely around you. Arrive at your luxury desert camp to a warm welcome of mint tea and Berber bread. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner under a sky full of stars, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of live Berber music around the campfire.
Rise before dawn to witness the Sahara sunrise, one of the most peaceful and unforgettable moments the desert offers. As the first light of day creeps over the dunes, the desert awakens in shades of gold and pink. After breakfast at the camp, check out and transfer to your comfortable riad or hotel in Merzouga for the second night.
The full day is dedicated to exploring the rich culture and landscapes of the Merzouga desert region. Begin with a visit to a nomadic Berber family in their tent and gain a genuine insight into their quiet, self-sufficient way of life. Continue to the fossil mines near Merzouga, where millions of years of prehistoric marine life are embedded in the local rock. Head next to Khamlia village, home to the descendants of sub-Saharan Africans brought to Morocco during the 16th and 17th centuries, who have preserved the ancient tradition of Gnawa music. A live performance by local musicians in this small desert village is one of the most memorable cultural encounters of the entire tour.
After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is free for optional activities. ATV quad biking across the Erg Chebbi dunes is the most popular choice. Sandboarding and 4×4 excursions are also available at an additional cost paid locally. Return to your riad or hotel in the early evening for dinner and a second overnight in Merzouga.
After breakfast, leave Merzouga and begin the drive westward. The road passes through the historic town of Rissani, the ancient former capital of the Tafilalt region. If your visit falls on a market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday), a brief stop at the local souk offers a genuine glimpse into desert trade and daily life before continuing west through Erfoud.
Continue to the Todra Gorge, a spectacular natural canyon carved by the Todra River through limestone cliffs that rise over 300 meters on either side. At its narrowest point the walls close in to just a few meters wide, creating one of the most dramatic corridors of rock in Morocco. Take a refreshing walk along the river through the gorge and enjoy a lunch stop before continuing west into the Dades Valley.
The afternoon drive through the Dades Gorge passes the famous Monkey Fingers red rock formations near Ait Oudinar and a series of ancient kasbahs clinging to the cliffsides. The Dades Valley, often called the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, is one of the most beautiful overnight settings in southern Morocco. Check into your riad overlooking the valley for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by some of the most striking red rock scenery in the country.
After breakfast in the Dades Valley, depart west through the Valley of Roses, passing through Kelaat M’Gouna where Damask roses are cultivated by local Berber farmers and celebrated every May during the famous Rose Festival. Continue to Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, for a lunch stop. If time allows, a brief visit to the Taourirt Kasbah or the famous Atlas Film Studios, where sets from productions including Gladiator and Game of Thrones still stand in the desert landscape, is well worth the stop.
From Ouarzazate, visit the legendary Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic fortified villages in Morocco. This ancient ksar, built entirely from red earthen clay, has appeared in some of the most celebrated productions in cinema history. Your guide will walk you through the narrow alleyways and take you up to the top for sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. Please note that entrance fees to Ait Ben Haddou are paid locally and not included in the tour price.
Continue north across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest paved road in North Africa at approximately 2,260 meters above sea level, with sweeping views of rocky peaks, deep gorges, and Berber villages perched on the slopes. Descend into the red plains surrounding Marrakech and arrive in the city in the late afternoon or early evening. Check into your riad in the medina for an overnight stay.
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After breakfast, your local expert guide will meet you for a full guided cultural tour of Marrakech, the Red City and one of the most vibrant and celebrated cities in the world. Begin in the UNESCO-listed medina, where the winding alleyways, colorful souks, and centuries of history converge in one extraordinary urban landscape. Your guide will lead you through the different quarters of the market, explaining the history and traditions behind each craft and trade, from leatherwork and metalwork to weaving and pottery.
Visit the Bahia Palace, a magnificent 19th-century royal residence with grand courtyards, intricately painted ceilings, carved stucco walls, and fragrant orange tree gardens. Continue to the Saadian Tombs, a royal necropolis discovered in 1917 after being sealed for centuries, housing the ornate marble tombs of the Saadian dynasty. Visit the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech, whose 70-meter minaret hasguided travelers to the city for over eight centuries.
Visit the Bahia Palace, a magnificent 19th-century royal residence with grand courtyards, intricately painted ceilings, carved stucco walls, and fragrant orange tree gardens. Continue to the Saadian Tombs, a royal necropolis discovered in 1917 after being sealed for centuries, housing the ornate marble tombs of the Saadian dynasty. Visit the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech, whose 70-meter minaret hasguided travelers to the city for over eight centuries.
Your final morning in Marrakech is yours to enjoy at your own pace depending on your flight schedule. Take a last walk through the medina, enjoy a final mint tea at a rooftop cafe overlooking the city, browse the souks for any last souvenirs, or simply relax at your riad before departure.
At the appropriate time, your Navigate Morocco driver will transfer you comfortably to Marrakech Menara Airport for your departure, bringing your 8-day journey from Fes to Marrakech to a warm and memorable close. Simply share your flight details with us at the time of booking and we will organize the timing to ensure a smooth and comfortable end to your trip.
End of tour with Navigate Morocco
Is this a private tour?
Yes. This is a fully private tour operated exclusively for you and your travel companions by Navigate Morocco. You will have a dedicated vehicle and driver-guide for all 8 days and will not share with any other group.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Fes with a pickup from Fes Airport or your accommodation and ends with a departure transfer from your Marrakech riad to Marrakech Menara Airport on Day 8. Simply share your flight details with us at the time of booking and we will organize the timing accordingly.
What does the half-day Fes guided tour cover?
The half-day guided tour covers the essential highlights of Fes el-Bali including Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Chouara Tanneries, and the artisan workshops. It takes approximately 3 to 4 hours in the morning before the afternoon departure south.
What is Bou Laajoul and why does the tour stop there?
Bou Laajoul is a peaceful valley in the Middle Atlas Mountains, a quiet overnight stop that breaks the long journey from Fes to the Sahara into two comfortable days and gives you a genuine experience of the Middle Atlas countryside that very few Morocco itineraries include.
Why are there two nights in Merzouga?
Two nights in Merzouga gives you a genuinely immersive desert experience. The first night in the luxury desert camp provides the full sunset camel trek and campfire experience. The full day on Day 4 allows proper exploration of the desert including nomadic families, Khamlia village, and the fossil sites, and the second night in a comfortable riad or hotel gives you a relaxed base with full facilities.
What does the full-day Marrakech guided tour cover?
The full-day guided tour covers the Marrakech medina and its souks, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Majorelle Garden, and Jemaa el-Fna Square. It takes a full day with a local expert guide and gives you a thorough understanding of the city’s history, architecture, and living culture.
Are dinners included in Fes and Marrakech?
Dinners in Fes and Marrakech are not included, giving you the freedom to explore each city’s excellent and varied restaurant scene independently. Dinners are included at Bou Laajoul, the desert camp, the Merzouga riad, and Dades Valley, where restaurant options are more limited.
What meals are included?
The tour includes 8 breakfasts and 4 dinners. Lunches are not included throughout, giving you the freedom to explore local restaurants and street food along the route.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Absolutely. Navigate Morocco offers fully flexible itineraries. Stops, pacing, accommodation preferences, and optional activities can all be adjusted to match your group’s interests and schedule.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
The best months are March to May and September to November when temperatures are comfortable across all regions of the route. Summer can be very hot in the Sahara and southern Morocco, while winter is cooler but still manageable with appropriate clothing particularly in the mountains.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, light layered clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential. Bring a warm layer for cool evenings in the mountains and desert. A small daypack is ideal for daily excursions and the camel trek, and a scarf is useful for the desert wind and when visiting religious sites.
