5 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech

Detailed Day Wise Itinerary

• Day 1: Fes » Ifrane » Ziz Valley » Merzouga Desert » Camel trek[476Km]

  After having breakfast at your riad, you'll travel towards the southeast following the Caravan roads to Merzouga. During the 5-day tour from Fes to Marrakech, you'll catch glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. You will stop at the Cedar Forest, which is the largest one in Morocco, over the Middle Atlas Mountains. Here, you may even spot Barbarian apes.

  After lunch in Midelt, you will continue through the large open high desert. You'll notice how the scenery changes and starts to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia. Your journey continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet date palm grove, which is famous for date cultivation. This area is the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty, which is the current ruling royal family in Morocco. You'll arrive at Merzouga at the end of the afternoon. You will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking into your riad.

• Day 2: Merzouga » 4x4 Tour around Merzouga » Khamlia » Erg Chebbi Camel Trek[60Km]

  After having breakfast at your place, you'll set off on an exciting adventure in the area. First stop, you'll visit the Gnawa people in Khamlia, who originally came from Sudan/Mali. You'll get to enjoy their music and learn about their nomadic way of life. You might also want to check out the lively marketplace in Rissani, a traditional town that holds a special place in Moroccan history. This town was where the ruling family of Morocco originated, and it used to be a hub for caravan trade reaching as far as Tombouctou in Mali. While you're there, you'll notice many folks wearing hoods and veils.

  After your explorations, you'll head back to either the village of Merzouga or the village of Hassilabied to relax. In the afternoon, you'll hop on a camel, guided by an experienced camel handler, for an adventure in the Merzouga sand sea. Your night stay will be in a desert camp, and the type of camp depends on your choice of accommodations - it could be a luxury camp or a standard one. Dinner is included, and there's even a vegetarian option. Plus, for your comfort, the camp has Western-style bathrooms. Enjoy your desert experience!

• Day 3: Merzouga desert » Rissani » Todra Gorges » Dades Valley[273Km]

  In the wee hours of the morning, just before the sun peeks out, your camel guide will gently wake you up. It's a chance to see one of the most amazing sunrises you might ever witness. Once you're back, you'll have breakfast and freshen up at the Berber camp.

  After sunrise, you'll make your way back to the village of Merzouga. On the way, you'll be mesmerized by the stunning Erg Chebbi sand dunes. They look different as the light changes throughout the day.

  Then, it's time to head to Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra Gorges. These gorges are the tallest and narrowest in all of Morocco. For lunch, you'll be in the heart of the gorge. Later on, you'll drive through the Boulmane Dades Valley, where you'll see impressive sandcastles and incredible rock formations known as "monkey toes". Your overnight stay will be in a fancy hotel that has a great view of the Dades Valley.

• Day 4: Dades Valley » Kasbah Amridil » Palm Groves of Skoura » Ouarzazate[133Km]

  After having breakfast at the hotel, we'll hop in the car and start our journey through the Boulmane Dades Valley, heading towards the rose-filled Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. This is the route of One Thousand Kasbahs, which are like cool-looking forts and castles, and you'll have plenty of chances to snap some great photos along the way.

  We'll make a pit stop in Kalaat M'Gouna, also called "the rose city", where you can grab some rosewater. It'll keep your stuff smelling nice long after your 5-day desert trip from Fes to Marrakech is done. Then, we'll continue to Ouarzazate, passing by the Amridil Kasbah, which used to belong to a Berber chieftain in the old days. Nowadays, it's home to lots of Glaoui folks. When it gets dark, we'll settle down in Ouarzazate for the night.

• Day 5: Ouarzazate » Ait Benhaddou Kasbah » Tizi N'Tichka Pass » Marrakech[212Km]

  After an early morning meal at the riad or hotel, we embark on the last leg of the 5 days tour from Fes to Marrakech. Our destination is the cool fortified village called Ait Benhaddou, where we'll explore the famous Kasbah. This place is so awesome that it's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. They've filmed some big movies here, like Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, and Sahara with Penélope Cruz.

  Once we're done checking out the kasbah, we'll head back to Marrakech. On the way, we'll pass through Tizi N'Tichka pass, which is the highest point in our country at 2260 meters. You'll get to see some stunning views from the viewpoints and we'll stop here and there to snap pictures of the little Berber villages. By late afternoon, we'll reach Marrakech and settle into your riad in the Medina for the night. That's the end of our 5-day tour from Fes to Marrakech via the Merzouga desert. Time to rest up in your riad!