If long days on the road put you off, this 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour spreads the journey out after the first day’s drive. Our 5-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour is built for travellers who would rather look out of the window than at the clock. After the first day’s drive to Merzouga, the daily distances get shorter: a desert day with no long road, five hours to the Dades Valley, a gentle two-hour stage to Ouarzazate, and a final day with time for Aït Ben Haddou and the quiet Ounila Valley before you cross the High Atlas to Marrakech.
On the last morning you visit Aït Ben Haddou, inscribed by UNESCO as the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, before crossing the High Atlas to Marrakech.
You sleep two nights in Merzouga (a hotel, then our desert camp), one in the Dades Valley and one in Ouarzazate. It is a private tour with your own vehicle and English-speaking driver.
5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour at a glance
| Duration | 5 days, 4 nights |
| Start | Your accommodation in Fes, morning |
| Finish | Your accommodation in Marrakech, late afternoon or early evening (approx.) |
| Style | Private, slow pace |
| Transport | Air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus |
| Overnights | Merzouga hotel · Mouhou Luxury Camp · Dades Valley · Ouarzazate |
| Meals | 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners (lunch not included) |
| Main experiences | Desert day and camel trek, Todra Gorge, Valley of Roses, Skoura oasis, free afternoon in Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou, Ounila Valley |
| Pick-up / drop-off | Included |
| Price | €660 per person for 2 travellers (€1,320 in total) — less per person in larger groups |
How much driving each day?
This is the reason to choose five days. Times are approximate driving hours before stops.
| Day | Route | Approx. distance | Approx. driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fes → Merzouga | 460 km | 7.5–8.5 h |
| 2 | Around Erg Chebbi | Short local drives | Under 2 h in total [CONFIRM] |
| 3 | Merzouga → Todra → Dades | 280 km | about 5 h |
| 4 | Dades → Skoura → Ouarzazate | 120 km | about 2 h |
| 5 | Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Ounila → Tichka → Marrakech | [CONFIRM km] | about 5–6 h [CONFIRM] |
We will be honest: day 1 is long on every Fes–Merzouga tour, because the desert is far from Fes. There is no shorter road. After that, the trip slows down.
What makes the 5-day route different
- A night in Ouarzazate. Instead of driving from the Dades Valley all the way to Marrakech in one day, you stop in Ouarzazate after a short morning. The afternoon is free — for Atlas Studios, Taourirt Kasbah or simply the pool [CONFIRM pool at riad].
- Aït Ben Haddou in the morning. You are only about 30 km away, so you can arrive early in the day, when the light is soft and it is often less busy [CONFIRM].
- The Ounila Valley. The old caravan road from Aït Ben Haddou towards Telouet follows a green valley of kasbahs and terraced fields — a quieter alternative to the main road [CONFIRM road condition].
- Two nights in the desert area, with a full day around Erg Chebbi.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Fes → Middle Atlas → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga (hotel)
Approx. driving: 460 km, 7.5–8.5 hours before stops.
Your driver collects you in Fes. Break the journey with stops in Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest (home to Barbary macaques — please do not feed them) and Midelt for lunch (not included). After the Ziz Valley viewpoint, you arrive at your hotel at the edge of the dunes, such as Kasbah Le Berger or Riad Madu, or similar [CONFIRM]. The evening is free.
Overnight: hotel in Merzouga · Meals: dinner
Day 2: Desert day around Erg Chebbi → camel trek to camp
A slow day in the desert. Your driver will suggest a plan that fits the season: typically Khamlia (Gnawa music), the market town of Rissani, and a nomad family if one is camped nearby [CONFIRM]. You have time to rest at the hotel in the afternoon. Optional quad or buggy rides are available at extra cost [CONFIRM which are offered]. We describe this day in more detail on our 4-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour with a full desert day.
In the late afternoon you ride a camel into the dunes to Mouhou Luxury Camp [CONFIRM camel ride duration], or go by 4×4 if you prefer. Dinner, campfire and drums follow.
Overnight: private tent with en-suite bathroom at Mouhou Luxury Camp · Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Sunrise → Tinjdad → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Approx. driving: 280 km, about 5 hours before stops.
Sunrise on the dunes, breakfast, and back to Merzouga [CONFIRM by camel or 4×4]. Drive west through Rissani and Tinjdad to Todra Gorge, where you walk between the roughly 300 m rock walls. Lunch is near the gorge (not included). Continue to the Dades Valley, arriving with time to relax before dinner.
Overnight: hotel or riad in the Dades Valley, such as Riad Gabsi or Ksar Sultan, or similar [CONFIRM] · Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Dades → Valley of Roses → Skoura → Ouarzazate
Approx. driving: 120 km, about 2 hours before stops.
The shortest day of the tour. If you like, start with a short drive up the Dades Gorges to see the “Monkey Fingers” rocks and the hairpin road at Tissadrine before heading west [CONFIRM — adds time]. Then:
- Kalaat M’Gouna (Valley of Roses) — short stop. Rose water and rose products are sold in town. In May, the town holds its rose festival.
- Skoura — visit the palm oasis. Kasbah Amridil can be visited inside [CONFIRM opening and entrance fee].
- Ouarzazate — arrive around lunchtime (lunch not included).
The afternoon is yours. Options include Atlas Studios (optional, entrance fee not included [CONFIRM opening hours and fee]) or Taourirt Kasbah (optional, entrance fee not included [CONFIRM]). Or simply rest.
Overnight: riad or hotel in Ouarzazate, such as Riad Amlal or Dar Chamaa, or similar [CONFIRM] · Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 5: Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Ounila Valley → Telouet (outside view) → Tichka → Marrakech
Approx. driving: about 5–6 hours before stops [CONFIRM]. Arrival in Marrakech late afternoon or early evening [CONFIRM typical arrival time].
- Aït Ben Haddou — visit in the morning. Walk up through the ksar to the old granary for views of the valley. Local guide [CONFIRM — included or optional].
- Ounila Valley — scenic drive with photo stops among kasbahs and fields [CONFIRM road condition and season].
- Telouet — the old Glaoui kasbah. Its condition after the 2023 earthquake is uncertain, so we plan a view from outside; you may visit inside only if it is open and safe [CONFIRM current status].
- Tizi n’Tichka — photo stop at the pass (approx. 2,260 m), then down to Marrakech.
Lunch is on the way (not included). If the Ounila road is closed or in poor condition, the driver returns to the main road via Aït Ben Haddou [CONFIRM].
Meals: breakfast
Route note
- Visit: Merzouga dunes and camp, desert-day stops, Todra Gorge, Skoura, Aït Ben Haddou.
- Optional (extra cost): Atlas Studios, Taourirt Kasbah, Kasbah Amridil interior, quad/buggy rides.
- Photo stops: Ifrane, Azrou, Ziz Valley, Valley of Roses, Ounila Valley, Telouet (outside), Tichka.
- Pass through: Errachidia, Tinjdad, Boumalne Dades.
Weather can change the route, especially snow on the High Atlas in winter.
[INSERT ROUTE MAP — Fes → Merzouga (2 nights) → Todra → Dades → Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Ounila/Telouet → Marrakech]
Where you sleep
| Night | Place | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merzouga | Hotel such as Kasbah Le Berger or Riad Madu, or similar [CONFIRM] |
| 2 | Erg Chebbi | Mouhou Luxury Camp, private tent with its own shower and toilet |
| 3 | Dades Valley | Hotel or riad such as Riad Gabsi or Ksar Sultan, or similar [CONFIRM] |
| 4 | Ouarzazate | Riad or hotel such as Riad Amlal or Dar Chamaa, or similar [CONFIRM] |
Price and how it is calculated
Every quote is made for your group and dates. It depends on: – Group size — the more travellers share the vehicle, the lower the price per person. – Season — [CONFIRM peak periods]. – Accommodation level — standard or upgraded, where available [CONFIRM upgrade options]. – Extras — optional activities or entrance fees you ask us to include.
| Group size | Price per person (standard) | Price per person (upgraded) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 travellers | €660 | On request |
| 3–4 travellers | €410–€494 | On request |
| 5–6 travellers | €327–€360 | On request |
| 7+ travellers | On request | On request |
| Solo traveller | €1,160 | On request |
Children: [CONFIRM child pricing]. Deposit and payment: [CONFIRM deposit % and payment methods]. Cancellation: [CONFIRM cancellation policy] — see booking terms and conditions.
Included
- Pick-up in Fes, drop-off in Marrakech
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, fuel and road taxes; English-speaking driver
- 4 nights: Merzouga hotel, Mouhou Luxury Camp, Dades Valley, Ouarzazate
- Camel trek (or 4×4 to camp)
- 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
- Campfire with Berber drum music
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees (Atlas Studios, kasbahs) and local guides [CONFIRM]
- Optional activities in Merzouga
- Tips; travel insurance (recommended)
Who will enjoy the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour?
Well suited to: older travellers, families with children, photographers who want morning and evening light, and anyone who prefers to arrive at the hotel with energy left.
Less suited to: travellers short on time — the 3-day private tour covers the main sights in two fewer days; or those who mainly want more desert time without the Ouarzazate night — the 4-day tour with a full desert day is a better match. Starting in Marrakech? See the 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour at a slower pace.
Practical tips
- Seasons: spring and autumn are ideal. In May you may catch the rose harvest around Kalaat M’Gouna. Summer days in Merzouga often pass 40 °C; winter nights in the desert can approach freezing, and Tichka can have snow.
- Pack for two climates: desert heat and High Atlas cold can come in the same week.
- Overnight bag: a small bag for the camp night; the rest stays behind.
- Cash: dirhams for lunches, entrance fees and tips.
- Food: vegetarian and vegan meals on request.
FAQs
Which day has the most driving?
Day 1, from Fes to Merzouga — about 460 km and 7.5–8.5 hours before stops. Every other day is shorter, and day 4 has only about two hours of driving.
Can we split the first day with a night on the way?
Possibly. A stop in the Midelt area would turn this into a 6-day trip. Ask us and we will check accommodation and price [CONFIRM availability].
Is Atlas Studios worth the time?
It depends on your interest in film. The studios have sets used in many well-known productions. On this tour it is optional, in your free afternoon in Ouarzazate, and the entrance fee is not included [CONFIRM opening hours and fee].
Can we go inside Telouet kasbah?
We cannot promise it. After the 2023 earthquake, access has been uncertain. We plan to see it from outside and will only go in if it is open and safe on the day [CONFIRM current status].
Will we be in the Valley of Roses during the rose festival?
Only if you travel in May, when the festival is usually held [CONFIRM festival dates for your year]. Outside May, you will still see the valley and the rose products in town.
Is this tour suitable for travellers with limited mobility?
Often, yes, thanks to the shorter days. The camel ride can be replaced by a 4×4 transfer to camp, and walks at Todra and Aït Ben Haddou can be shortened. Please tell us about any needs so we can advise honestly [CONFIRM accessibility of camp and hotels].
Related tours
- Fes to Marrakech desert tours via Merzouga — compare all durations
- 4-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour with a full desert day
- 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour (private)
- 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour at a slower pace
Before and after the trip
The 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour starts in the morning with the longest drive, so arrive in Fes at least one night before. If you stay in the medina, send us your riad name and we will confirm where your driver will meet you.
At the end of the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour, you reach Marrakech in the late afternoon or early evening [CONFIRM typical arrival time]. We suggest at least one night in Marrakech before any flight, in case of slow traffic or weather on the Tichka pass.
Ideas for your free afternoon in Ouarzazate
The free afternoon is one of the quiet pleasures of the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour. Beyond Atlas Studios and Taourirt Kasbah, you could:
- Walk around the town centre and the small craft shops
- Visit the Fint oasis, a green valley a short drive outside town [CONFIRM — with your driver, may cost extra]
Photography on a slower route
Slower days mean better light. On the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour you reach Aït Ben Haddou in the morning and have two evenings near the dunes, both good times for photos.
The Ounila Valley and the Valley of Roses are best in soft morning or late afternoon light, so we time those stops for you.
What to pack
Pack layers. A 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour crosses the Middle Atlas, the Sahara and the High Atlas, so you may need a warm jacket and sunscreen on the same day.
- A small overnight bag for the camp night
- A warm layer and long trousers for evenings
- Comfortable shoes for Todra Gorge, Skoura and Aït Ben Haddou
- Hat, sunglasses and a scarf for sun and sand
- A head torch and a power bank [CONFIRM CAMP FACILITIES]
Travelling with children
The short middle days make the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour one of our easiest options for families. Children have time to play on the dunes, rest in the afternoons and arrive at each hotel with energy left. Child seats: [CONFIRM availability].
Food along the way
Lunches are not included on the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour, which gives you the freedom to try local food such as tagines and Berber omelettes. Around Rissani, look out for medfouna, a bread stuffed with spiced meat and vegetables.
Breakfast and dinner are included each day of the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour. Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary needs can be arranged if you tell us in advance.
More questions about the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour
Can we sleep in Skoura instead of Ouarzazate?
Possibly. Skoura has quiet guesthouses in old kasbahs among the palms. Ask us and we will check availability and any change to the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour price [CONFIRM].
Can both Merzouga nights be at the camp?
Yes, on request. On the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour, two camp nights mean more time in the dunes; the hotel night gives you a proper rest after the first long drive.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Hotels and riads usually have Wi-Fi. At the camp it is limited [CONFIRM]. Many travellers enjoy the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour as a short break from their phones.
Should we tip?
Tips are optional and not included. If you want to tip at the end of your 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour, give what you feel the service deserved.
Can we do the route in reverse?
Yes. See the 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour at a slower pace, which follows the same idea in the other direction.
Is it worth adding the Ounila Valley if the road is rough?
Only if conditions allow. On the 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour your driver checks the road on the day and returns to the main road if needed [CONFIRM].
Can we book with short notice?
Often, yes, outside the busiest periods. Ask for a 5 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour quote a few weeks ahead for spring and autumn dates [CONFIRM minimum notice].
Check availability & get a quote
Tell us your dates, how many of you are travelling and how you like to travel. We will send a custom plan and price. Nothing is charged until you confirm.
- WhatsApp or phone: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time) — Ask on WhatsApp
- Contact form: Check availability & get a quote
- Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
Morocco Desert Excursions is a local company founded by Sahara natives from Merzouga.
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