PRIVATE DESERT TOUR — MARRAKECH TO FES

OVERVIEW

Six days from Marrakech to Fes through the Sahara — the most complete version of this classic journey, adding two full days in Fes to the 5-day itinerary: one to arrive and explore freely, and a full guided day with a specialist local guide in Fes el-Bali, one of the world’s most extraordinary medieval cities. Along the way, the tour visits the UNESCO Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the Rose Valley, the Dades and Todra Gorges, and the Merzouga desert — with a dedicated day to explore the desert region in depth — before travelling north through Erfoud, the Ziz Valley, and the cedar forests to arrive in the ancient imperial city.

Every element is private, tailored, and delivered by a dedicated driver/guide throughout.

HIGHLIGHTS

– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass
– Visiting the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — filming location for Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones
– Exploring Ouarzazate — the Atlas Film Studios and the Taourirt Kasbah
– Driving through the Rose Valley (annual Rose Festival in May) and the Skoura palm grove
– Admiring the Dades Gorges canyon landscape
– Walking through the soaring Todra Gorges canyon
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
– Spending a night in a luxury desert camp under the Saharan stars
– A full day exploring Merzouga: nomadic families, Khamlia Gnaoua village, flamingo lake
– Visiting Rissani souk and Erfoud’s fossilised marble workshops
– Spotting Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou
– Discovering Ifrane — the Switzerland of Morocco
– A full guided day in the Fes medina — Al-Qarawiyyin, Chouara tanneries, Bou Inania Madrasa

ITINERARY

DAY 1: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS → AIT BEN HADDOU → ROSE VALLEY → DADES VALLEY

Early pick-up from your accommodation or airport in Marrakech. Drive south through the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-N-Tichka pass, with stops for panoramic views. Visit the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — a fortified village of earthen towers that appeared in Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. Continue east through Ouarzazate, the Rose Valley, and the great Skoura palm grove to reach Boumalne Dades. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: DADES VALLEY → TODRA GORGES → MERZOUGA → CAMEL TREK → LUXURY CAMP

After breakfast, admire the Dades Gorge landscape. Continue to the Todra Gorges — where the river has carved a soaring red-walled canyon through the mountains. Walk freely through the gorge. Drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad for a lunch stop. Arrive at the Merzouga Sahara desert in the afternoon. Switch to camels and cross the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, pausing on a high dune for the magical colours over the desert. Arrive at the luxury desert camp for traditional dinner, Berber music around the campfire, and a night beneath a sky blazing with stars. Overnight in camp.

DAY 3: EXPLORE MERZOUGA DESERT — NOMADS, KHAMLIA, FLAMINGO LAKE, PALM GROVE

Rise early for the desert sunrise. After breakfast, return by camel or 4×4 to Merzouga. Spend the full day exploring the remarkable Merzouga region by 4×4. Drive off-road to an ancient eyeliner mine. Visit nomadic families in their handmade woven tents — share Berber tea and discover their way of life. Continue to Khamlia village, where the Gnaoua music and dance of a community descended from sub-Saharan Africa (Mali, Sudan, Niger) creates a remarkable cultural encounter. Free lunch at a local restaurant. Stroll through a date palm grove, then visit the wild Merzouga lake — the flamingo lake — where migratory birds gather seasonally. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

DAY 4: MERZOUGA → ERFOUD → ZIZ VALLEY → CEDAR FOREST → IFRANE → FES

Depart north. Visit Rissani — the ancient capital of the Tafilalet — and its traditional souk (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday). Continue to Erfoud to visit a workshop producing objects from fossilised marble. Drive along the Ziz river with a panoramic viewpoint stop. Lunch in Midelt. Enter the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques roam freely. Visit the charming alpine town of Ifrane — the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Arrive in Fes and enjoy a free evening exploring the medina at leisure. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 5: FULL GUIDED TOUR OF FES MEDINA

A full day in Fes el-Bali with a specialist local guide. Begin with a driving tour: the Royal Palace Gate, the historic Jewish Mellah quarter, and the panoramic view from the Borj Sud fortress. Visit the Ceramic Village where traditional craftspeople demonstrate ancient techniques.

Then explore the medieval medina on foot — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary complexity. Highlights include the Al-Attarine Madrasa with its exquisite tilework, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University (the world’s oldest continuously operating university), the Chouara Tanneries viewed from a balcony above the vivid dye vats, and the vibrant craft and spice souks. Overnight in a riad.

DAY 6: TRANSFER TO FES AIRPORT

Depending on your flight time, pick-up from your riad and transfer to Fes airport. Tour ends.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– Pickup time: 8:30 AM from any location in Marrakech.
– The itinerary is fully customisable — contact us to adapt any day.
– Vehicles: Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 pax) or Mercedes/Ford minivan (up to 8 pax).
– Price varies by group size and accommodation category.
– Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking.
– Entrance fees to Fes monuments, Volubilis, and Ait Ben Haddou are not included.