4 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour: A Private Sahara Adventure via Merzouga
Overview Of Marrakech Fes Desert Tour 4 Days
If you’ve been looking for a unique way to experience Morocco, then you’ve come to the right place! The Marrakech to Fes desert tour 4 days is more than just a trip through this beautiful country. It’s a journey back in time and across continents as you’ll see some of the world’s most spectacular deserts and mountain ranges.
If you’re looking for a 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, you’ve likely seen hundreds of tours available online. This is where you will appreciate our “Slow-Traveling” principles! We want you to spend more time in each location than just taking a quick snapshot and moving on. Our goal is to provide you with a private experience that fits your schedule, interests & style!
The itinerary for this Marrakech to Fes 4 days tour starts with a drive through the High Atlas Mountains, continues with a tour of ancient fortresses located on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert, and finally ends with you sleeping on a blanket of stars and some great food in the Sahara! Every day has its own theme, just like a new chapter in your own 4 day Sahara tour Marrakech to Fes book about Morocco!
- Duration: 4 days/3 night
- Start: Marrakech
- End: Fes
- Accommodations: Various Options (See Below)
- Tour Style: Private
- Price: Check it below
Tour Highlights
UNESCO World Heritage & Cinematic Landmarks
Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah: Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been used as the backdrop for some of the most memorable films ever made, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah contains ancient clay alleyways that are still inhabited by families who continue to live as their ancestors did centuries before. You can walk through the alleyways and climb up to panoramic viewpoints that overlook the Atlas Mountains.
Ouarzazate / Hollywood of Africa: Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” draws international filmmakers due to the abundance of film locations available. At the Atlas Film Studios, you will find large film sets that were built for some of the biggest films in history; you will also find the ornate Taourirt Kasbah with stunning examples of zellige tilework and elaborately carved cedar ceilings.
Natural Wonders That Take Your Breath Away
Todra Gorges: It is a limestone canyon with walls that soar to a height of almost 300 meters. The cliffs provide perfect opportunities for rock climbers who want to scale straight up the cliff face. Climbers often take advantage of the cool microclimate in the gorge from the blistering heat of the desert. This unique environment produces stunning light and shadow patterns through the narrow slits between the cliffs; during the golden hour, these patterns are breathtakingly beautiful.
Dades Valley: It has some of the most spectacular “monkey finger” rock formations, resembling natural sculptures, towering from the valley floor. The serpentine highways meander through the valley and provide incredible views of hundreds of ancient kasbahs scattered throughout the Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs.
The High Atlas Mountains: have the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass at an elevation of 2260 m that twists and turns around villages built on the mountain sides with breathtaking views, especially at sharp corners.
Authentic Sahara Desert Experience
Erg Chebbi Dunes: Travel to Morocco’s beautiful Erg Chebbi dunes, located near the town of Merzouga and home to the highest dunes, in some cases 150 metres tall. Experience these magnificent changing theoretical landscapes during a 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Camel Trekking: Experience the Sahara Desert like a Bedouin, riding dromedary camels over the endless dunes of the Sahara during the magical sunsets and sunrises. Observe the dunes change from ochre to pinkish hues and finally transform into golden hues during the brilliant rays of the sun at different points of time during the day.
The Luxury Desert Camp: Your overnight accommodation will be a luxury Berber tent with real beds that have private bathrooms and showers with hot water, and a fully functioning electrical supply to assist with charging your electronic devices. In this serene landscape free from light pollution, sleep to the rhythmic drumming of traditional Berber music.
Cultural Immersion & Local Encounters
Khamliya Village: Come experience a shy but beautiful group of Africans who belong to the Gnawa ethnic group. They have their very own spiritual musical culture that features two primary instruments, a three-stringed bass and metal castanets. These people’s lineage originates from the sub-Saharan portion of Africa, and they continue to create music according to the traditions that continue to be passed down through generations.
Rissani Traditional Souk: Visit these incredible local markets to experience the diversity of the types of goods that are traded here. You can find everything from spices and dates to traditional handcrafted goods. This is a true representation of Morocco in its rawest form, where commerce is conducted with minimal English spoken and prices are fixed by the traditional method of negotiation.
Berber Hospitality: Connecting with a local family during a mint tea ceremony allows you to learn how the Berbers live in the desert and how they have been able to survive in extremely harsh climates for over a millennium due to their innovative building designs.
Why private Marrakech Merzouga desert tour 4 days?
What are the Advantages of Taking a Tour with Us?
Why Book Your Tour with Us? Local Expertise – Our guides are all from the region, giving them an excellent knowledge of Berber culture, traditions, and customs, along with the lesser-known sacred sites and treasures of Berber culture not found in typical travel guidebooks. Your guide won’t just be showing you through Morocco, but will also be sharing the history and beauty of their homeland.
Superior Accommodations: Each of the Luxury (Deluxe) Desert Camps has been built to provide a private tent with a bath for every guest, as well as a comfortable bed with full facilities. Each tent has its own standard/non-shared restroom, so you will feel as if you are staying in a resort even when you are in the middle of nowhere.
Customizable Tours: Our 4 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour can be customized absolutely based on your personal preferences, time frames, travel style, and interests. If you want to go quad-biking through the dunes or spend more time at Ait Ben Haddou, we can easily modify your tour to accommodate your needs so that you have an unforgettable experience.
Benefits of Our Private Tours:
- We provide customized tours based on what will work best for your travel style, for instance, when you want to travel by air or by car.
- Your customized tour will also include ground transportation (i.e., vehicle, driver, and/or guide) with a vehicle that accommodates your size.
- Accommodation selection will be made according to your personal preferences.
- The number of days you spend at each location will be based on your personal preferences, and most importantly, what you are interested in doing.
- You can add additional activities to your itinerary, such as desert activities or quad biking.
- They are ideal for those celebrating anniversaries or other significant milestones, as well as family vacations.
- Choose your departure date and time.
- These tours are designed for couples, families wanting to create memories as a family, groups of friends, or anyone wanting to experience a more personalised tour.
Complete Itinerary: Marrakech to Merzouga 4 Days Tour
Day 1: Marrakech → High Atlas Mountains → Ait Ben Haddou → Dades Valley
Driving Time: Approximately 6 hours
Distance: 315-350 km
Overnight: Traditional Riad in Dades Valley
Your 4 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour departs from your Marrakech accommodation early in the morning. The city fades behind you as you travel to the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas mountains, which serve as a natural barrier separating the northern plains of Morocco from the pre-Saharan desert.
The road up Tizi n’Tichka Pass to 2,260 meters is breathtaking; there are many panoramic viewpoints where you can see the winding roads that have been cut into the mountainside and traditional Berber villages that cling to steep slopes. These indigenous people have lived in these mountains for thousands of years, still farming by using ancient farming methods and maintaining agricultural terraces that have outlasted many different dynasties.
You arrive at the crown jewel of Moroccan heritage, Ait Ben Haddou, by noon. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ait Ben Haddou is a fortified village (ksar) that has been the backdrop for more than 20 major films, including Gladiator, The Game of Thrones series, and Lawrence of Arabia, among others. The earthen clay architecture, created using traditional construction techniques and without the use of contemporary materials, creates an atmosphere that seems to send visitors back in time hundreds of years into the past.
As you navigate Ait Ben Haddou’s narrow alleys, you will see how traditional Moroccan architecture has adapted to the severe desert conditions with thick pisé walls providing a natural insulating effect and the placement of windows for cross ventilation.
Passing through Ouarzazate province on your way to the desert, you will come to the famous Atlas Film Studios, the largest film studio in the world, which has been the site for many Hollywood films. The landscape changes from verdant valleys to the reddish-orange sandstone cliffs that define the Dades Valley.
You will spend your first night in the spectacular Dades Valley, where the Dades River has carved magnificent limestone gorges over millions of years. The unique rock formations, known locally as “monkey fingers” provide a surreal backdrop, especially during sunset when the rock formations are illuminated with shades of orange and red.
Day 2: Dades Valley → Todra Gorges → Merzouga Desert
Driving Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Distance: 280 km
Overnight: Luxury Desert Camp
Your Marrakech to Fes 4 days tour will continue after breakfast amidst the breathtakingly beautiful Dades Valley, visiting one of Morocco’s most spectacular natural attractions, the Todra Gorges. For many years, the Todra River has carved out a narrow canyon between two sheer 300m granite cliff faces to create the Todra Gorges. At their narrowest point, some sections are less than 10m wide, making for an extraordinary, cathedral-like interior with sun shafts shining down through the gaps in the rocky walls.
The Todra Gorges provide a haven for climbers of all skill levels, with hundreds of climbing routes across the entire spectrum of climbing difficulties. If you prefer not to climb, you can still walk leisurely along the canyon floor and be astounded by its enormity and geological splendor. You will also experience the coolness of the gorge, a welcome escape from the desert sun, while small springs create lush, green patches of vegetation at the base of steep, barren rock cliffs.
As you leave Todra behind and head into the real Sahara, the environment around you changes dramatically as palm trees get less frequent and are replaced by rocky desert plateaus, also called hamadas, and, eventually, sand dunes appear on your horizon. This gradual change of scenery can help you to see deserts as much more than just “endless sand.” Deserts are complex ecosystems made up of different types of terrain, different types of plants and animals, and everything else that has adapted to living in extreme conditions.
As you arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon, this is the entrance to the huge Erg Chebbi Dunes. The sand dunes are enormous, with heights of up to 150 meters, and are one of the most photographed locations in Morocco. You’ll leave the vehicle behind and ride a camel, which gives you the unique opportunity to ride into the desert.
Camel rides at sunset are one of the highlights of any 4 day Sahara tour Marrakech to Fes. The camel caravan moves slowly over the golden dunes while the sun sets, changing colours from bright yellow to dark orange, purple, and anything else you can imagine. The vastness of the desert creates a stillness that only the sound of camels walking and talking, along with the quiet conversation of other members of your group fills the air.
Your goal is a luxurious desert tent located within natural sand dunes and yet offered no artificial lighting. The Bedouin Tents were very simple, but these tents provide comfortable sleeping arrangements, private bathrooms and traditional Moroccan design that are very comfortable. After the traditional meal you will enjoy a Berber musical evening around the fire, beneath a beautiful starlit night. The Milky Way is visible above with such clarity that it is unobtainable from areas with high levels of light pollution to remind us of our significance and place in the universe.
Day 3: Merzouga Desert Exploration & Nomad Culture
Overnight: Riad or Kasbah in Merzouga
Activities: Quad biking, Buggies.. (additional cost)
The Marrakech Fes desert tour 4 days offers a complete experiential view of Saharan culture. After watching a breathtaking sunrise in the desert when the sand dunes change color from dark blue to bright yellow glow, you will set out on a 4×4 vehicle to discover the larger area around Merzouga.
The first stop will include visiting Berber nomadic families who continue to live an authentic desert lifestyle. Berber nomads generally reside in low-profile homes, using goat hair to make tents, and they move seasonally with their livestock according to the ancient nomad routes established long ago by their ancestors. You will be offered traditional mint tea in their tent and will learn about their ways of meeting the needs of living in a desert environment, such as where to find water and predicting weather patterns by observing the sky.
Khamlia’s villages are culturally different from the Berber nomads. Khamlia community is made up of sub-Saharan African descendants who migrated to Morocco hundreds of years ago, and today, they preserve the beautiful tradition of Gnawa music with its mesmerizing rhythms played on a three-stringed bass instrument (guembri) and metal castanets, both of which symbolize spirituality and are recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Local musicians may perform this magical trance music regularly in small venues where you may experience it first-hand.
If you’re a fan of history, you’ll love checking out the old M’ifis mines, where people were mining lead and galena as far back as the time of the Protectorate era. The abandoned mines have tunnels carved into the hills, showing the history of Morocco’s mineral wealth and the tough conditions that miners faced.
If you’re looking for adventure, you can try some optional activities during the afternoon like quad biking on the sand dunes or sand boarding down the sides of the sand dunes. The fine sand of Erg Chebbi is perfect for both types of activities, giving you a thrilling experience in a unique, different landscape.
You’ll end the day back at your desert camp for another wonderful evening. Many people find on their second night in the Sahara, having adapted to the lifestyle of the desert, they will feel a much stronger connection to the desert and have more of a sense of peace.
Day 4: Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Cedar Forest → Fes
Driving Time: Approximately 7-8 hours
Distance: aproximately 470 km
You will wake up very early on the last day of your 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes to see the sun rise. To view the sun rising over the horizon, you will hike up to the top of a tall sand dune, where you will enjoy watching the sun come up and warmth the early morning chill of the desert air while illuminating the desert landscape in shades of amber and rose colours. This experience will be a great memory for many travellers because it was quiet, vast, and very special.
After you have breakfast and take a refreshing shower, you will leave the Sahara Desert (to go home) and travel towards Fes by road. Along the way, you will drive through the breathtaking Ziz Valley (the Ziz river runs through the valley). The Ziz Valley is home to one of the world’s most incredible palm groves, stretching for miles in a green ribbon through the surrounding dry desert landscape. Historically, the Ziz Valley has provided dates, which are among Morocco’s best products. As you drive through this beautiful valley, there will be vantage points so that you can appreciate the beauty and immensity of the Ziz Valley; at the same time, it represents the importance of water to life in the desert.
You will travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains, where there is a dramatic change in the scenery. Instead of desert landscapes, alpine forests can be seen and the temperature is cooler at this elevation. In the town of Azrou, you will arrive at the famous Cedar Forest, which is home to one of the few remaining wild populations of Barbary macaque monkeys (which are also considered endangered). These monkeys tend to come close to humans without any fear; they approach people boldly and curiously if they see anyone in their territory. In this part of the world, many of the ancient cedar trees are over 400 years old and create an entirely different atmosphere than what you saw.
on your way to Ifrane often referred to as “Little Switzerland” because of its alpine-style buildings and its European appearance. Ifrane was constructed as a purpose-built city by the French during the colonial period and features chalets, well-maintained gardens, and very clean, wide streets, which are reminiscent of village life in the Swiss Alps.
Late afternoon marks the completion of your journey to Fes, the spiritual and intellectual centre of Morocco. Founded in the 8th century, Fes has one of the oldest universities in the world and features a vast medina that remains unchanged since the Middle Ages. You will be dropped off at your accommodation at the conclusion of your memorable Marrakech to Fes desert tour 4 days that took you over mountains, through deserts and from one culture to another.
Inclusive and Exclusive of the tour
INCLUDES
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation (hotel, riad, or designated location)
- Private modern A/C vehicle (4x4, van, or minibus based on group size)
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide with extensive local knowledge
- 3 nights accommodation: Dades Valley riad/hotel, luxury desert camp, Merzouga riad/kasbah
- 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners featuring traditional Moroccan cuisine
- Vegetarian and vegan meal options available with advance notice
- Camel trekking experience: Sunset and sunrise rides through Erg Chebbi dunes
- Alternative 4x4 transfer to/from camp if you prefer not to ride camels
- Sandboarding in the dunes (equipment provided free of charge)
- All fuel, tolls, parking fees, and taxes
NOT INCLUDES
- Lunch meals throughout the four-day tour (allows flexibility for personal preferences and budgets)
- Drinks and beverages including bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, and alcoholic beverages
- Entrance fees to monuments where applicable
- Optional local guides at certain monuments
- Tips and gratuities for driver/guide, hotel staff, camp personnel (optional but culturally appreciated)
- Personal expenses including souvenirs, additional activities, or shopping
Map of the tour
Accommodation Options and Flexibility
| Luxury Accommodations | Eden Boutique | Luxury Dome Camp | Riad Serai |
| Mid-range Accommodations | Grand Canyon Lodge | Les Roches Luxury Camp | Riad Azawad |
Standard Accommodations) | Hotel Babylon | Les Roches Luxury Camp | Auberge Les Roches |
Standard Level (3-Star Western Equivalent)
- Hotel and campsite accommodations that are clean and comfortable, in a traditionally decorated
- Moroccan manner with private amenities
- Example Accommodations: Hotel Babylon Dades, Les Roches Luxury Camps
- The best way to ensure your standards of quality are met while offering exceptional pricing.
Medium/Superior Level (4-Star Western Equivalent)
- Enhanced amenities and superior locations with
- larger rooms and better quality beds
- Example Accommodations: Grand Canyon Lodge Dades, Les Roches Luxury Camp
- A good balance between comfort and your investment.
Luxury/Deluxe Level (5-Star Western Equivalent)
- The highest quality properties with the best services
- Gourmet Dining and spa facilities were available
- Example Accommodations: Eden Boutique Hotel, Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp
- The highest level of comfort during your travels.
The Price of Marrakech to Merzouga 4 days tour
Private Tour Price: €370 – €820 per person (Prices vary based on the group size selected and the type of camp selected).
Price Example: €585 per person minimum for a Mid-range accommodation if there are two or more participants in the tour.
For detailed and customized pricing based on your specific needs, please contact us using the form below. Our team will get back to you promptly with a tailored quote to suit your preferences.
Booking
The Marrakech to Fes desert tour 4 days will provide the ideal mix between the in-depth opportunity to explore Morocco, as well as a comfortable pace. It will be different than the rushed two-day options or the expensive investment of a week-long tour since this four-day experience will provide the minimum of the essential experiences related to Morocco’s desert while giving you maximum comfort without making you feel rushed.
Every step of the way from Marrakech’s ancient Medina until four days later when you return home, there will be wonders revealed, mountains, kasbahs, gorges, dunes, and incredible hospitality that make Morocco so memorable. The extended day of this trip allows you to also visit the Draa Valley, spend extra time in the desert, rt and ultimately come home feeling relaxed instead of exhausted.
We offer you two options on how you would like to travel: either a group tour (affordable), where you will have other people to share the journey with, or a private tour to meet all your desires and needs. In either option, you will enjoy a travel experience that is beyond just “tourism” and discover Morocco one amazing view at a time.
Essential Knowledge: Cultural & Logistical Preparation & Packing
Essential Prep. & Packing
Clothes: With Morocco’s varied landscapes, the weather also varies greatly. It can be very hot (30-40 °C) during the day in the desert, but it is usually much cooler in the desert during the night, especially in winter when it could dip to around freezing. You should pack for a variety of temperatures by including:
Shirts with long sleeves. These will keep your skin protected from the sun while also being culturally appropriate.
Trousers/jeans. Wear long pants or jeans on camel rides to prevent the chafing that may result from wearing shorts.
A fleece or thicker/warmer jacket for cooler desert nights.
Sturdy, closed-toe footwear. Wear something comfortable and suitable for walking.
Camel Trekking Pack: A pack to bring on your camel trek may contain the following items: Water, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and a torchlight/headlamp to see your way around your tent at night. There will not be any towels at the desert camp, so bring your own.
Your Luggage: While you’re at the desert camp, your main suitcase will remain locked in your transport vehicle (which may be a minibus or 4×4). Therefore, you should prepare a smaller overnight bag with all the necessary items for your stay at the desert camp.
Financial Aspects and Traditions
Cash Only: Moroccans will require cash for all transactions in rural areas, small towns, or outposts in the Sahara where they do not have the ability to use a credit/debit card. While there are ATMs in major cities such as Marrakech and Ouarzazate, they quickly become few and far between when travelling further out into the countryside. It is wise to keep small change available when you want to give someone a tip or make a small purchase.
Respect for Moroccan Culture: As Morocco is predominantly a Muslim country, many people in rural areas still practice more traditional aspects of the religion. Visitors should dress modestly (covering their knees and shoulders) and also ask permission before taking pictures of people, in addition to respecting prayer times. Showing even these small gestures of respect will go a long way and be appreciated by the locals.
Internet Connectivity: In urban areas and hotels/riads, Wi-Fi should be easily found; however, as you get further and further away from major cities (especially in and around the Sahara), it is common to have very limited or no internet connectivity.
Making Custom Changes To Your Tour
A Marrakech desert trip 4 days, can be tailored to your specific interests, physical ability, and speed requirements. If you are not physically able to take a camel ride due to mobility issues, we will arrange for a comfortable 4X4 vehicle transfer to and from your desert camp without charging you any extra fees; you will still get a chance to enjoy a magical stay in a desert camp without having to do the camel trekking part.
Extra activities
We can add additional activities, such as Quad biking in the dunes, sandboarding down steep dunes, Buggy tour, or just spending more time at any particular site or place that fascinates you. When you book your itinerary, let us know what your requirements are, and we will create an itinerary tailored specifically for you.
Reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are camel rides in the desert painful or hard?
No, camel riding is a slow–paced and is manageable for almost all fitness levels. The ride is usually about 1 hour each way. The way camels walk and sway creates a rhythmic, almost hypnotic, motion. If you have a back injury, mobility problems, or simply don‘t want to ride a camel, we can provide a transfer by 4×4 vehicle at no extra cost to you to the camp.
Are there bathrooms in the desert camps?
Yes! The luxury camps used on this tour include private tents with their own restrooms and showers with running water and hot water. You will not have to sacrifice your comfort or privacy while in the remote desert of the Sahara.
Are there showers in the desert camp in Merzouga?
Yes! The luxury camps used on this tour include private tents with their own restrooms and showers with running water and hot water. You will not have to sacrifice your comfort or privacy while in the remote desert of the Sahara.
Can vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions take part in the tour?
How far is the Merzouga desert from Marrakech?
The distance between Marrakech and Merzouga is about 550 (340) to 560 (350) kilometers. The trip to Merzouga is not a simple road trip on a single, unbroken road; there are mountain ranges, Hessian hillsides, and valley systems in between. In fact, while most people think of a straightforward trip from Marrakech to the wonderful Moroccan Sahara Desert at Merzouga, our Marrakech desert trip 4 days divides this journey up into two days and provides for two overnight accommodations (s) on each trip in Merzouga, thereby allowing travelers to experience the sites along the entire journey, rather than just driving through them.
What is the best time of year to go on this tour?
Is this tour appropriate for kids or older adults?
This tour has many options for family visits. The most common element cited as magical was the camel ride or Desert Camping experience. Parents will find the 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga an ideal choice for their families because the slower pace of the tour reduces stress associated with extended driving time. Children older than 6 usually enjoy participating in all aspects of the tour, while children 4-5 need adequate access to in-car entertainment for extended periods of driving time.
There is a “skip the camel ride” option. This alternative is recommended for families with very young children or families worried about riding camels safely. The private tour option also allows families maximum flexibility to accommodate their personal requirements (e.g., scheduling of break times, meal time adjustments, and scheduling of activities according to children’s energy levels).
Can we hire quad bikes in Merzouga?
Is sandboarding included in the tour?
Yes! Sandboards are usually available at the desert camp for guests to use at their leisure free of charge. Sandboarding down the steep dunes provides an exhilarating experience and fantastic photo opportunities. Your camp hosts or guide can show you the best dunes for sandboarding and provide basic instruction if you’ve never tried it before. It’s suitable for most ages and fitness levels, though caution is advised on the steepest slopes