7 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour via Merzouga

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Overview

  • Duration:7 days 6 nights
  • Tour Type:Daily tour, Group tour, Package tour, Private tour
  • Language:English, French, German, Italian
This private 7-day Morocco desert tour from Fes to Marrakech is ideal for travelers who want to experience Morocco's history, culture, mountains and Sahara Desert in one carefully designed itinerary.
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Highlights

  • Explore the ancient Fes Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Discover the historic imperial city of Meknes.
  • Visit the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis.
  • Travel through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains.
  • Stop in Ifrane, known for its distinctive Alpine-style architecture.
  • Experience the spectacular Ziz Valley.
  • Explore the fossil and mineral heritage of Erfoud.
  • Ride camels across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
  • Watch a spectacular Sahara sunset from the top of the dunes.
  • Spend a night in a Sahara desert camp.
  • Enjoy traditional Berber music around the campfire.
  • Try sandboarding in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
  • Visit the dramatic Todra Gorge.
  • Travel through the beautiful Dades Valley and Rose Valley.
  • Discover Ouarzazate, often called the gateway to the Sahara.
  • Visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah.
  • Cross the spectacular High Atlas Mountains.
  • Finish your journey in Marrakech, the Red City of Morocco.
  • Enjoy a private journey with an experienced English-speaking driver.

Includes/Excludes

  • Private transportation throughout the tour
  • Experienced English-speaking driver
  • Pick-up from Fes airport or your accommodation
  • Drop-off in Marrakech
  • Comfortable private vehicle
  • Fuel for the entire journey
  • Accommodation in hotels/riads with breakfast
  • One night in a Sahara desert camp
  • Camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Camel for each traveler
  • Sahara sunset experience
  • Sahara sunrise experience
  • Traditional Berber music at the desert camp
  • Sandboarding in the Sahara
  • Desert camp dinner and breakfast
  • Luggage assistance
  • Free stops for photographs
  • Stops at scenic viewpoints
  • Visits to the main attractions mentioned in the itinerary
  • Local guides where specified
  • Transfer to and from the desert camp when required
  • Lunches
  • Dinners except the desert camp dinner
  • Drinks and beverages
  • Entrance fees to attractions unless specifically included
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips for the driver and local guides
  • Travel insurance
  • Flights
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Any services not specifically listed under "What's Included"

Cancellation policy

You can cancel up to 72 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Fes – Airport Transfer to Your Riad

Welcome to Morocco!

Upon arrival at Fes–Saïss Airport, your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation in or near the historic Fes Medina.

After check-in, you can relax at your riad and enjoy your first evening in Morocco. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to take a short walk around the medina and experience the atmosphere of Fes.

Overnight: Fes

Day 2: Fes Guided Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast, begin a full-day exploration of Fes, one of Morocco's most fascinating historic cities.

Your local guide will take you into the ancient medina of Fes el-Bali, a maze of narrow streets, traditional markets, historic mosques, madrasas and artisan workshops.

Highlights of your Fes sightseeing tour may include:

  • Bab Boujloud, the famous Blue Gate
  • Fes el-Bali Medina
  • Bou Inania Madrasa
  • Al Attarine Madrasa
  • Nejjarine Fountain
  • Traditional souks and artisan workshops
  • The historic Mellah, or Jewish Quarter
  • Royal Palace exterior
  • Panoramic views over the old city

You will have time to enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch before continuing your exploration of the city.

Fes is particularly famous for its leather craftsmanship, ceramics, metalwork and traditional Moroccan cuisine, making the medina an excellent place to experience authentic Moroccan culture.

 

Day 3: Fes – Volubilis – Moulay Idriss – Meknes

After breakfast, leave Fes and travel toward the historic city of Meknes.

Your first major stop is Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman archaeological site in Morocco. Explore the ancient ruins and admire the impressive mosaics, Roman columns, basilica and remains of the ancient city.

Continue to Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, an important pilgrimage town named after Moulay Idriss I, founder of Morocco's Idrisid dynasty.

The journey then continues to Meknes, one of Morocco's four imperial cities.

During your visit, discover landmarks such as:

  • Bab Mansour
  • Place El Hedim
  • Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
  • Historic city walls
  • Royal granaries and stables
  • Medina and traditional souks

After exploring Meknes, check into your accommodation for the evening.

Day 4: Meknes – Middle Atlas Mountains – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Sahara Desert

Today begins your journey toward the Moroccan Sahara.

After breakfast, travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. The scenery gradually changes from green mountain landscapes to the dramatic landscapes of southeastern Morocco.

Depending on the route and conditions, you can stop around Ifrane and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. Continue toward Midelt, an important stop between the Middle Atlas and Sahara regions.

After lunch, continue toward Errachidia and the spectacular Ziz Valley, where panoramic viewpoints offer impressive views of the valley, palm groves and surrounding mountains.
Continue to Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi Sahara dunes.

Here, your camels will be waiting for you.

Ride your camel through the golden dunes while watching the changing colors of the desert as the sun sets.

After reaching your Sahara desert camp, enjoy traditional Moroccan hospitality, mint tea and a delicious evening atmosphere accompanied by Berber music around the campfire.

Spend the night in a comfortable desert camp surrounded by the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Day 5: Merzouga – Erfoud – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate

Wake early if you wish to experience one of the highlights of the journey: sunrise over the Sahara dunes.

After sunrise, return to the camp for breakfast.

Before leaving the desert, you can try sandboarding on the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Continue toward Erfoud, famous for its fossils and geological treasures. Depending on your interests, you can visit a local fossil workshop to learn how fossils found in southeastern Morocco are transformed into decorative pieces.

Continue west through the spectacular landscapes of the Todra Valley.

Arrive at Todra Gorge, one of Morocco's most impressive natural attractions. The towering limestone cliffs create a dramatic canyon that is particularly popular with hikers and climbers.
Continue through the beautiful landscapes of the Dades Valley and, depending on the route and timing, the famous Rose Valley.

The journey then continues toward Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the Sahara and one of Morocco's major film-production locations.

Day 6: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

After breakfast, explore Ouarzazate and its famous attractions.

You may visit Kasbah Taourirt, one of the city's most important historical monuments, and Atlas Film Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world.

Continue toward the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most recognizable fortified villages in Morocco.

Walk through its narrow streets and discover its traditional earthen architecture, kasbahs and panoramic views over the surrounding landscape.

From Ait Ben Haddou, continue toward Marrakech, crossing the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass.

Along the way, stop at scenic viewpoints to admire the dramatic mountain scenery.

Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon or evening and transfer to your accommodation.

Day 7: Marrakech Guided Tour – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech, Morocco's famous Red City.

Discover the historic and cultural heart of the city, including:

  • Bahia Palace
  • Bahia Palace
  • Koutoubia Mosque
  • Jemaa el-Fna Square
  • Marrakech Medina
  • Traditional souks
  • Artisan workshops

Explore the colorful souks, where you can find Moroccan carpets, leather goods, spices, lanterns, ceramics and traditional handicrafts.

Frequently asked questions

Is This 7-Day Fes to Marrakech Tour Private?

Yes. The itinerary can be organized as a private Fes to Marrakech desert tour, allowing you to travel with your own driver and group.

Private tours are ideal for couples, families, friends and small groups who want greater flexibility during the journey.

Why Choose This Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour?

This itinerary combines several of Morocco's most important travel experiences into one journey.

Instead of simply traveling directly from Fes to Marrakech, you will cross the country and experience:

Fes → Roman Morocco → Imperial Cities → Middle Atlas → Sahara Desert → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech

This makes the tour particularly suitable for travelers visiting Morocco for the first time who want to experience both the country's cultural heritage and natural landscapes.

Does the tour include a camel ride?

Yes. The itinerary includes a camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, allowing you to reach the desert camp while experiencing the Sahara at sunset.

Where do we spend the night in the Sahara?

You spend the night at a Sahara desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga.

Can we watch the sunrise in the Sahara?

Yes. On the morning after your desert camp stay, you can wake early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before returning for breakfast.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding in the Erg Chebbi dunes is included.

Tour maps

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