4 Days Marrakech to Fes Sahara Tour

This 4-day tour is for travellers who are heading from Marrakech to Fes and want more than one rushed evening in the desert. The extra day around Merzouga makes the pace comfortable and gives you time to meet the people who live on the edge of the Sahara.

Why four days works so well

Most of the driving on this route is unavoidable: Marrakech to Merzouga is around 560 km, and Merzouga to Fes around 470 km. What changes with four days is that you stop rushing. Instead of arriving at the dunes and leaving at sunrise, you have a whole day in and around Erg Chebbi before continuing north.

Days one and two: Atlas, kasbahs and gorges

We leave Marrakech around 7:00, cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m and spend time at the ksar of Ait Benhaddou before driving through Ouarzazate and Skoura to the Dades Valley. On day two we walk in the Todra Gorge near Tinghir, then continue about three hours to Merzouga. Camels carry you into the dunes for sunset and a night at our camp.

Day three: a slow day in the Merzouga area

After sunrise and breakfast, we take you by 4x4 around the dunes. You visit Khamlia, a village of Gnawa families descended from West African ancestors, where musicians play the guembri and qraqeb over tea. You can meet a nomad family if they are camped nearby, and, depending on the day, see the market in Rissani, which is busiest on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The second night is at a desert-edge guesthouse with a pool, or at the camp again if you prefer.

Day four: the Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas to Fes

The final drive follows the Ziz Valley palm groves and gorges to Midelt, then crosses the Middle Atlas via the cedar forest near Azrou and the town of Ifrane, arriving in Fes in the late afternoon.

Before you book

This tour ends in Fes, so plan your onward train or flight from there. If you need to be back in Marrakech instead, our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is a loop that returns you to where you started. We run this route year round, but spring and autumn bring the most comfortable temperatures.