Fes, Sahara, Atlas and Marrakech 6-Day Tour
Fes, Sahara, Atlas and Marrakech 6-Day Tour
- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- FAQ
This 6-day route links northern Morocco with the Sahara and High Atlas in a continuous overland journey. You move from Fes through alpine towns, cedar forests, and desert plateaus, then into Erg Chebbi dunes for camel trekking and desert camping. The route continues through Todra Gorge and Dades Valley, crosses the Ouarzazate film region, and ends in Marrakech. You cover imperial culture, mountain landscapes, nomadic desert life, and fortified kasbah heritage in one linear route. Travel days stay long. Scenic stops break the drive. Desert nights focus on silence, stars, and traditional music.
Duration: 6-day / 5-night
Start: Fes
End: Marrakech
Itineraries
Day 1
Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi
Today we start the Fes Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains and Marrakech Crossing Tour 6 Days. The road leaves Fes and climbs into the Middle Atlas. We pass Ifrane with its alpine-style architecture. We continue to the Azrou cedar forest, where wild macaque monkeys live in their natural habitat. The route continues to Midelt for lunch with mountain views and river valleys. After Midelt, the road crosses high mountain passes and drops into the Ziz Valley. This valley shows long palm groves and deep green oases in the desert transition zone. We pass Erfoud, known for fossil workshops and desert geology. We then continue toward Merzouga and reach the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The sand dunes rise in large formations shaped by wind movement. We arrive in the desert area for an overnight stay near the dunes.
Day 2
Merzouga
We will start our day visiting the neighbouring Khamlia village, which is a traditional, simplistic desert village known for its catching indigenous Gnaoua music. We will walk around the village for a little bit before leaving in order to enjoy the rest of our desert exploration. You can choose to try out one of the many available desert activities, such as sandboarding, renting out quads, or sand bathing if you’re visiting during the summer. When the day nears its end, we will go back to our hotel to spend the night.
Day 3
Merzouga
For our second day in the desert, we will travel deeper in order to spot one of the many nomadic families in the area and learn more about their way of living. You will have the rest of the day for yourself, so you can spend it doing whatever Sahara activity that you like. Finally, we will head to our desert camp in the evening, where you will get to try traditional food, a specialty of the area. You will spend a magical night surrounded by the dune, accompanied by traditional Berber music. You will sleep in a nomadic-style desert tent.
Day 4
Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges
We will leave the desert after sunrise and pass through Rissani and Erfoud. We continue toward Tinghir and reach the Todra Gorges, a canyon with high rock walls and river views. We then continue to Dades Gorges for dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel or riad.
Day 5
Dades Gorges – Ouarzazatte – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
Today we will drive toward Marrakech through Ouarzazate, known for its film studios and cinema history. After lunch, we will visit the UNESCO site Ait Ben Haddou, a historic ksar used in many international films and once a key caravan trade stop. We continue across the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260 meters, with wide views over the High Atlas Mountains and Berber villages. In the afternoon, we reach Marrakech and check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the city or rest after the journey.
Day 6
Marrakech – Airport transfer
We explore key Marrakech landmarks before departure. Stops include Koutoubia Mosque exterior, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and Majorelle Gardens. The medina area offers markets and artisan streets for final shopping time.
Private transport with fuel
English-speaking driver
Desert camp accommodation
Camel trekking experience
Hotel stays in valleys
Pick-up and drop-off
Lunches
Drinks
Snacks
Entrance fees
Flights
Yes. Transport is private for your group.
Yes. One sunset ride and one sunrise return ride are part of the desert section
Most days range from 5 to 7 hours with stops for food, views, and visits
No. Canyon walks and desert walks stay light and optional
Yes. You can switch to luxury desert camp or higher category riads in cities