Best 5 Day Authentic Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
6 stops
1
Ifrane
Your driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Fes and head towards Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” because of its alpine-style architecture and clean atmosphere. Enjoy a short walking stop to see the famous stone lion and take photos in the city center.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Azrou Cedar Forest
Continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains to the cedar forest near Azrou. Here you may encounter Barbary monkeys in their natural habitat. This stop allows travelers to stretch their legs and take memorable photos.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Midelt
Stop in Midelt for lunch. This quiet mountain town is known for its apple orchards and peaceful atmosphere.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
4
Ziz valley view
Drive south toward the Sahara Desert and stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the spectacular Ziz Valley, famous for its thousands of palm trees and dramatic oasis landscapes.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Erfoud
Pass through Erfoud, known for its fossil workshops and as a gateway to the desert. Short optional stop if time allows.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Merzouga
Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon. Relax at your hotel near the dunes and enjoy dinner while preparing for the desert experience the next day.
14 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Merzouga → Rissani → Alnif → Zagora → M’Hamid
5 stops
7
Merzouga
Early wake-up for a sunrise over the dunes of Merzouga. Enjoy the peaceful desert atmosphere before breakfast at your hotel.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
Rissani
Visit Rissani, a traditional desert town known for its authentic souk and historical importance as the birthplace of Morocco’s Alaouite dynasty. Explore the local market and discover regional products such as dates and spices.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
9
Alnif
Drive through the dramatic desert landscapes of Alnif, known for its rocky plains and fossil-rich terrain. This is mainly a scenic drive offering impressive views of Morocco’s pre-Saharan region.
10
Draa Valley
Continue toward Zagora through the beautiful Draa Valley, famous for its endless palm groves and ancient kasbahs. Stop for photos and enjoy lunch in the area.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
11
M'Hamid
Arrive in M’Hamid, the last village before the vast Sahara begins. Relax at your desert lodge and prepare for the off-road adventure to Erg Chigaga the next day.
14 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
M’Hamid → Erg Chigaga
3 stops
12
M'Hamid
After breakfast at your lodge in M’Hamid, meet your experienced desert driver and begin an exciting 4x4 off-road adventure. Leave the paved roads behind and enter the vast Sahara landscapes.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
13
Erg Chebbi Dunes
Begin your 4x4 off-road adventure toward the impressive Erg Chigaga dunes. Along the way, enjoy scenic desert landscapes, desert plateau views, and small oasis stops for photos and short walks to learn about nomadic life and desert ecology.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
14
Erg Chigaga
In the late afternoon, enjoy a camel ride across the golden dunes while watching the sunset over the Sahara. This peaceful experience offers breathtaking panoramic views and unforgettable memories.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Erg Chigaga → Foum Zguid → Taznakht → Ouarzazate
5 stops
15
Erg Chigaga
Begin the day watching a breathtaking sunrise over the towering sand dunes. Travelers can take photos, enjoy the peaceful desert atmosphere, and experience the magic of the Sahara.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
16
Enjoy an off-road adventure across the vast, dried-out lakebed. Travelers will see unique desert landscapes and experience the thrill of 4x4 desert driving.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
17
Foum Zguid
Enjoy an off-road adventure across the vast, dried-out lakebed. Travelers will see unique desert landscapes and experience the thrill of 4x4 desert driving.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
18
Tazenakht
Explore this town known for its traditional Berber carpets. Travelers can visit workshops, watch artisans at work, and learn about Moroccan weaving traditions
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
19
Ouarzazate
End the day in Ouarzazate. Check in at your hotel and relax after a full day of desert adventure and scenic drives.
14 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech
3 stops
20
Ait Ben Haddou
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage ksar, famous for its fortified village and film locations. Travelers can walk through narrow streets, see ancient kasbahs, and learn about Berber culture and history.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
21
Enjoy a breathtaking drive through the High Atlas mountains with stops at scenic viewpoints for photos. Travelers will experience the dramatic landscapes and mountain villages along the route.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
22
Marrakech
End of tour. Travelers are dropped off at their hotel or riad in Marrakech.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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