5 Days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech Tour: Private Desert Tour with 2 Nights in the Sahara
Read the Itinerary ↓Our 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour is the desert tour for travellers who want more than one night in the Sahara. You cross the Middle Atlas from Fes, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes, spend a whole free day in the desert with a second night by the dunes, then follow the Todgha and Dades gorges and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Marrakech.
Most Merzouga desert tours give you a sunset and a sunrise and then drive away. This one gives the Sahara a full day: nomad families, Gnawa music in Khamlia, a 4×4 around the dunes and time to simply sit on a dune. You travel privately, only with your own group, with the same driver-guide from Fes to Marrakech.
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
|---|---|
| Start | Fes (pick-up at your riad, hotel or Fes airport, around 7:30 am) |
| End | Marrakech (drop-off at your riad, hotel or Marrakech airport) |
| Desert | Erg Chebbi dunes, Merzouga (2 nights in the desert area) |
| Tour style | Private tour, customizable |
| Accommodation | 2 nights Merzouga + 1 night Dades Valley + 1 night Marrakech (see options) |
| Meals | 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners (desert nights) |
| Total distance | About 1,150 km, one way |
| Price | On request (see what affects the price) |
Quick answers about the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour
- What makes the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour different? Two nights in the Merzouga desert and a full free day in the Sahara, instead of a single night.
- Is it private? Yes. Only your group travels in the vehicle, and the plan can be changed.
- Where do you sleep? Two nights in the Merzouga area (camp, hotel by the dunes or one of each), one in the Dades Valley and one in Marrakech.
- What is the longest day? Day 1, Fes to Merzouga, about 470 km and 8 hours with stops.
- What is included? Vehicle, driver-guide, 4 nights, the camel trek, the 4×4 desert excursion, guided visits in Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech and the entrance fees in the programme.
- What is not included? Lunches, drinks and tips.
Highlights of the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour
- The cedar forest of Azrou and the alpine town of Ifrane in the Middle Atlas.
- A camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset.
- Two nights by the dunes, with sunrise and sunset on both days.
- A 4×4 excursion around Erg Chebbi, nomad families and the Gnawa music of Khamlia.
- Free time for sandboarding, a quad ride or a nap in the shade of a tent.
- Rissani, the old caravan town beside the ruins of Sijilmasa.
- The Todgha Gorge and the hairpin bends of the Dades Valley.
- The Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
- The Tizi n’Tichka pass across the High Atlas, 2,260 m.
- A guided day in Marrakech and an evening in Jemaa el-Fna.
Why choose a private 5 day desert tour from Fes?
On a one-night desert tour, you arrive at the dunes after eight hours in the car and leave at 8 am the next morning. The fifth day changes that. You wake up in the Sahara with nothing to pack, explore the dunes by 4×4 when the light is soft, rest in the heat of the afternoon and watch a second sunset without looking at your watch.
Booking privately also means your own vehicle, your own pace and the choice of camp: two nights in a tent, or one night in the camp and one in a hotel with a pool by the dunes. See our guide to private vs group tours in Morocco for the full comparison.
Itinerary of the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour
The plan below is our standard route. We adjust the stops, the hotels and the camp to your wishes. Distances and driving times come from the road itself and do not include stops.
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga (camel trek)
Your driver-guide picks you up at your riad around 7:30 am. The road climbs into the Middle Atlas to Ifrane, at about 1,650 m, and to the cedar forest of Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques live. After lunch in Midelt, the road follows the Ziz Valley and its palm-filled canyon south.
In the late afternoon you reach Merzouga, meet your camels and ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun goes down. Dinner, Berber drums and a night under the stars follow at the camp.
- Driving distance: about 470 km
- Driving time: about 8 hours
- Overnight: desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Meals: dinner
Day 2: A full day in the Sahara – nomad families – Khamlia – sunset on the dunes
Wake up for the sunrise, then have breakfast at the camp. A 4×4 takes you around the dunes to visit a nomad family, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji when it holds water, and the village of Khamlia, where Gnawa musicians play rhythms carried across the Sahara centuries ago.
The afternoon is free. You can try sandboarding, book a quad or buggy ride, or simply rest in the shade. In the evening you climb the dunes again for a second sunset before dinner and your second desert night, in the camp or in a hotel by the dunes.
- Driving distance: short 4×4 loop
- Driving time: about 2 hours
- Overnight: desert camp or hotel by the dunes in Merzouga
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Tinghir – Todgha Gorge – Dades Valley
After breakfast you drive to Rissani, the old caravan capital of the Tafilalt, next to the ruins of Sijilmasa; its souk runs on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Then the road heads west across stony plains to Tinghir.
In the Todgha Gorge you walk along the river bed where the canyon closes to about 10 m between walls of some 160 m. In the late afternoon you reach the Dades Valley, with its hairpin bends and the eroded cliffs known as the Monkey Fingers.
- Driving distance: about 300 km
- Driving time: about 5 hours 30 minutes
- Overnight: hotel or kasbah in the Dades Valley
- Meals: breakfast
Day 4: Dades – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs leads through Kelaat M’Gouna, the Valley of Roses, and the palm grove of Skoura to Ouarzazate. Then a local guide takes you through the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, the set of Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
In the afternoon you cross the High Atlas on the Tizi n’Tichka pass and descend to Marrakech. The evening is free for Jemaa el-Fna, the square of storytellers, musicians and food stalls.
- Driving distance: about 330 km
- Driving time: about 6 hours 30 minutes
- Overnight: riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Meals: breakfast
Day 5: Marrakech – guided tour and departure
A licensed local guide shows you the Koutoubia, the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, then leads you through the souks, from the spice market to the dyers’ quarter.
After the tour you can stay on in Marrakech or we drive you to Marrakech airport, which completes the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour.
- Driving distance: city tour
- Driving time: on foot
- Overnight: end of the tour in Marrakech
- Meals: breakfast
Gallery of the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour
What is included in the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour
Included
- Pick-up at your riad, hotel or Fes airport.
- Drop-off at your riad, hotel or Marrakech airport.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel and tolls.
- English-speaking driver-guide (Spanish or French on request).
- 2 nights in the Merzouga area, 1 night in the Dades Valley and 1 night in Marrakech.
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi (one camel per person).
- 4×4 excursion around the dunes, with the nomad family visit and Khamlia.
- Guided visits in Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech.
- Entrance fees to the sites in the programme.
- 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners (desert nights).
Not included
- Lunches, drinks and dinners in the Dades and Marrakech.
- Sandboarding, quad or buggy rides.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Travel insurance and flights.
Map of the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour
In detail, the route is: Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga (2 nights, with Khamlia and Dayet Srji) → Rissani → Tinghir → Todgha Gorge → Dades Valley → Kelaat M’Gouna → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Tizi n’Tichka → Marrakech.
Accommodation options
Every option of the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour uses the same route, vehicle and driver-guide. Only the level of comfort changes, and we confirm the exact names when you book.
| Option | Nights 1 and 2: Merzouga | Night 3: Dades Valley | Night 4: Marrakech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Berber tent and a simple hotel by the dunes | Guesthouse or kasbah hotel | Traditional riad in the medina |
| Superior | Comfort tent with private bathroom, plus a hotel with a pool | Kasbah hotel with valley views | Riad with courtyard pool or roof terrace |
| Luxury | Two nights in a luxury tent with private bathroom | Boutique kasbah with pool | Boutique riad or palace hotel |
5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour price
The price of the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour is on request, because every private tour is quoted for your own group. In practice, four things change it:
- Group size: the price per person falls as more travellers share the vehicle, so couples, families and small groups each get their own quote.
- Accommodation level: standard, superior or luxury riads, kasbahs and desert camps.
- Season: Christmas, New Year, Easter and the spring and autumn peaks book up first.
- Extras: sandboarding, quad or buggy rides, a private dinner on the dunes.
Send us your dates and the number of travellers through our contact page or on WhatsApp, and we reply with a written quote and no hidden costs. Every desert tour package we send already includes the vehicle, fuel, the driver-guide, the hotels, the desert camp and the meals listed above.
How to book this 5 day desert tour from Fes
Booking the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour takes three short messages, and we answer the same day.
- Send your travel dates, number of travellers and preferred accommodation level through the contact form, by email at favoritesmoroccotours@gmail.com or on WhatsApp (+212 786 278 943).
- We reply the same day with a personalised itinerary and a clear, all-in price for your group.
- You confirm the dates. Payment by PayPal is accepted, and we explain the details when you book.
- Your driver-guide meets you at your riad, hotel or Fes airport on the first morning, holding a sign with your name.
Favorites Morocco Tours vs other Merzouga desert tour companies
Many Merzouga desert tours sold in Fes are shared trips that rush to the dunes and back. Ours is private, gives the Sahara a full free day and a second night, and still ends with a guided day in Marrakech, so you see the desert properly and arrive in the Red City rested.
We are a local team: real driving times, the same driver-guide all the way and no compulsory shopping stops. If you only have four days, take the Fes to Marrakech desert tour 4 days; if you also want Chefchaouen, see the 6 days Fes to Marrakech tour.
Know before you go
- Day 1 is the longest, about 8 hours with stops, which is why we leave Fes early.
- Many travellers choose one night in the camp and one in a hotel with a pool by the dunes. Tell us your preference when you book.
- The Rissani souk runs on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tell us your dates and we try to line up day 3 with one of them.
- From December to February, snow is possible in the Middle Atlas and on the Tizi n’Tichka, and desert nights drop close to freezing. Pack a warm layer; see what to wear in Morocco.
- In July and August the south is very hot, often above 40 °C. Spring and autumn are the best seasons: check the best time to visit Morocco.
- Bring cash in dirhams for lunches and tips. ATMs exist in Midelt, Erfoud, Tinghir and Ouarzazate but not at the camp; see our guide to the Moroccan dirham.
- Pack a small overnight bag for the desert, because your main luggage stays in the vehicle.
Extra activities
These activities are optional on the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour. We book them on request, at an extra cost.
| After the tour (Marrakech) | During the tour |
|---|---|
| Agafay desert quad bike and camel ride | Sandboarding in the Erg Chebbi dunes |
| Ourika Valley day trip | Quad bike or buggy ride around the dunes |
| Imlil Valley day trip | Private dinner on the dunes |
| Ouzoud waterfalls day trip | Stargazing session at the camp |
| Essaouira full-day trip | Atlas Film Studios visit in Ouarzazate |
Reviews
Travellers who book our private desert tours from Fes share their experience after each trip, and a short review helps other people choose. If you have already travelled with us, read and write reviews on TripAdvisor.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth spending two nights in the Merzouga desert?
Yes, if you can. The first night comes after a long drive; the second gives you a whole day in the dunes with nothing to rush, plus a second sunset and sunrise.
Can we sleep one night in the camp and one in a hotel?
Yes. Many travellers do exactly that: a night in the camp for the stars, then a hotel by the dunes with a pool and a proper shower.
How far is Merzouga from Fes?
About 470 km by road through Ifrane and Midelt, or 7 to 8 hours of driving with short stops.
Can I skip the camel ride?
Yes. A 4×4 can drive you to the camp instead, at no extra cost.
Do the desert camps have private bathrooms?
Superior and luxury tents have a private bathroom with shower and toilet. Standard camps have shared facilities.
What is the best time of year for the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour?
March to May and September to November. Winter nights are cold in the desert, while July and August are very hot in the south.
Is the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour good for families?
Yes. The free day in the dunes is the favourite part for children. Tell us their ages and we adapt the seats, the pace and the camp.
What vehicle do you use?
A private air-conditioned vehicle sized for your group, from a Toyota Land Cruiser or Prado to a Mercedes Vito or Sprinter minibus, plus a 4×4 for the desert excursion.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to four weeks is usually enough. For Christmas, New Year and Easter, book as early as possible, because the best camps fill up first.
How do I pay?
We accept payment by PayPal, and we explain the details when you confirm your booking.
Have another question about the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour?
Write to us through our contact page or on WhatsApp.
Who we are
Favorites Morocco Tours is a local travel agency based in Marrakech, and the 5 days Fes to Merzouga and Marrakech tour is one of the private routes we run every season. We design tailor-made Morocco tours from Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca and Tangier. Our drivers and guides grew up on these roads and know the small places that big coach tours never stop at. Learn more about us.
Popular tours from Fes
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More Morocco tours and guides
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Contact us
- Phone / WhatsApp: +212 786 278 943
- Email: favoritesmoroccotours@gmail.com
- Office: Marrakech, Morocco
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