Looking for a special way to discover Morocco? Our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes takes you from the busy streets of Marrakech into the mountains, valleys, and finally the magic of the Sahara Desert.This Marrakech desert tour is more than just driving from one place to another. Along the way, you’ll visit Ait Ben Haddou, explore the Dades Valley and Todra Gorges, meet local people, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of southern Morocco.The highlight of this Morocco 5 day desert trip is Merzouga. Ride a camel across the golden dunes, watch the sunset, spend the night in a desert camp, enjoy local food and music, and wake up to a peaceful Sahara sunrise.We keep our Marrakech desert trips comfortable and personal, with private transportation, good accommodation, and a friendly local guide. The itinerary can also be adjusted to your flight times and the way you want to experience Morocco.
The 5 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech begins with an early pickup from the airport or your accommodation in Marrakech. You’ll then drive through the fascinating High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass, with stops made along the way to take in the breathtaking panoramic views.
Next, you’ll visit the Kasbah of Telouat before continuing on to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This fortified village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones.
Afterwards, you’ll head to “The Gate of the Desert,” the city of Ouarzazate, where you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel.
After exploring Ouarzazate, we first visit the Atlas Film Studios, where numerous famous movies have been shot. We also tour the Taourirt Kasbah, a fortified mud castle and one of the most ancient and spectacular ksars (fortified granaries) in Morocco.
Continuing east, we visit the Amridil Kasbah, surrounded by palm groves in the town of Skoura. We then make our way to Kalaa Magouna, famous for the Rose Valley. Here, an annual Rose Festival is held each May, where locals offer a variety of rose-based products, from perfumes and rose water to cosmetic items.
Driving further into the Dades Valley through Boumalne Dades, we make inevitable stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formation and a scenic overlook atop a mountain, admiring the stunning vistas of the Dades Valley. We end the day with dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel in Boumalne Dades.
Continuing the 5 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech, we make our way to the Todra Gorges, where the Todra River has carved out a grand, high-walled canyon through the mountains. We’ll have the opportunity to wander through the gorges and appreciate the stunning natural beauty of the landscape.
Afterward, we drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad, with a stop for a free-time lunch along the way.
We switch to camels and cross the sandy desert. We’ll make a stop to witness the magical sunset from atop a high dune before continuing on to our luxury desert camp. At the camp, we can enjoy the rhythmic Berber drum music and dance around the campfire under the vast, starry sky. Dinner and an overnight stay in the camp round out the day.
Waking up early in the morning is a must to witness the beautiful desert sunrise. After free time for breakfast, we return to Merzouga on camelback, where our driver awaits.
We then dedicate the day to thoroughly exploring the incredible Merzouga region, which offers an abundance of remarkable sights from the towering sand dunes and wild lake to the fossil areas and fabulous oases, making it an ideal destination for various outdoor activities.
We begin our journey by driving off road to visit an ancient eyeliner mine in Merzouga. Next, we pay a visit to the nomads in their handmade woven tents, learning about their way of life while enjoying a traditional Berber tea.
Our next stop is the Khamlia village, where we get to experience the Gnaoua music and dance performances. The occupants of Khamlia start from sub-Saharan nations like Mali, Sudan, and Niger.
After a free-time lunch at a local restaurant, we take a stroll through a lush palm tree grove before driving a few kilometers to see the wild Flamingo Lake of Merzouga.
On the final day of your 5 Day from Marrakech to Fes – desert tour, you wake up early to witness the beautiful desert sunrise once more. After some free time for breakfast, you return to Merzouga on camelback, where your driver is waiting.
Departing the desert, we make our way to the town of Rissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet. Rissani remains an active trading center, with a lively souk (marketplace) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. After walking through the Rissani souk, we proceed on to Erfoud, where we visit a workshop specializing in fossilized marble.
Driving along the Ziz River, we stop for a panoramic view of the Ziz Valley before continuing on to Midelt for a free-time lunch.
Next, we visit the cedar forests, home to the Barbary Macaque monkeys. Here, you’re free to wander and even feed the playful primates.
Our final stop is the town of Ifrane, known for its low temperatures, snowy winters, and alpine style architecture earning it the moniker “the Switzerland of Morocco”.
Ultimately, we drop you off at the airport or your accommodation in Fes, marking the end of the 5 days desert tour.
