Fes → Marrakech · Erg Chebbi
Fes to Marrakech 5 Days Desert Tour
A five-day desert crossing from Fes to Marrakech that gives the Erg Chebbi a full day and night of its own: the Middle Atlas cedar forest to Merzouga for a camel trek and nomad and Gnaoua visits, then west through the Todra and Dades gorges, the Rose Valley, Skoura and Ait Ben Haddou before the High Atlas into Marrakech.
Duration
5 days
Group size
Private
Guide
Licensed
About this tour
The unhurried Fes to Marrakech route, with a full day and night surrendered to the Sahara: Barbary apes in the Middle Atlas cedar forest, the great Tafilalet palm grove, a camel trek and nomad and Gnaoua visits around Merzouga, then west past the Todra and Dades gorges, the Rose Valley and Skoura to Ait Ben Haddou and over the Tizi n’Tichka into Marrakech.
Itinerary: 5 days
Fes to Merzouga
Barbary apes in the cedar forest near Ifrane and Azrou, lunch in Midelt, over the Tizi-n-Talghomt pass and down the Ziz gorge through Erfoud and the Tafilalet palm oasis to Merzouga. Hotel dinner and night.
A day & night in the Sahara
Meet nomads in their goat-hair tents, hear Gnaoua music, and in season visit the birds of Lake Merzouga. In the afternoon drive to the camp in the dunes, watch the sunset, and sleep beneath the stars (the camp has western-style facilities).
Merzouga to the Dades Gorges
Sunrise from the dunes and a camel ride back to the hotel, then west through Erfoud and Tinjdad and a walk among the Todra Gorge’s canyon walls before the Dades Valley for dinner and the night.
The Rose Valley & Skoura
Panoramic stops over the Dades Valley, then past the kasbah of Ait Youl and the Rose Valley and Kelaa M’Gouna, before the palm groves and Amridil Kasbah of Skoura on to Ouarzazate for the night.
Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech
Stop at the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka at 2,260 m, the highest road pass in Morocco, arriving in Marrakech in the evening.
This is a private tour, not a fixed route: days, stops, camp type and direction are all yours to adjust.
What’s included
- Pickup & drop-off at your accommodation
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide
- Your own licensed driver-guide
- Dinner & breakfast and all overnight stays
- Camel trek & a night in the desert camp
Not included
- Lunches & drinks
- International flights
- Entry fees to monuments
Price
On request
Tailored to group size and dates: we’ll send a clear quote within a day.
Duration: 5 days
Group: private, your own guide
Route: Fes → Marrakech
Included: transport, guide, camel ride, camps
Licensed operator · 40+ verified reviews
Desert camps & seasons
Two ways to camp and a window of best seasons under this stretch of sky.
Camp type. Choose the authentic Berber camp with traditional tents and mattresses on the sand, or a fixed comfort camp with real beds, private bathrooms and hot showers. Both are within walking distance of the Erg Chebbi dunes and include dinner and breakfast round the fire.
Best seasons. October to April is ideal, with warm days and clear cool nights. Summer is manageable with an early start: we’ll point you to the best dates for your trip.
Help & answers
Common questions
When is the best time to travel?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) give the most comfortable temperatures for the journey.
Is the camel ride and desert camp included?
Yes, the camel trek, the sunset and dinner in the camp, and a night in or under a tent are all part of the package.
Does the tour run in reverse?
Yes, the same route runs from Marrakech to Fes if that suits your travel plans better.
What accommodation is included?
Hotels in Merzouga, the Dades Valley and Ouarzazate, plus a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi, so the trip mixes every kind of stay.
Is the desert safe to travel in?
Yes, the route is well established and safe; follow your guide’s advice, keep hydrated and respect local customs.
Why book with us
A licensed tour operator with our own guides and drivers, a team that speaks Arabic, French, English, Spanish and German, and 40+ verified reviews. We plan your Moroccan Sahara trip properly, so the only surprises are the good ones.