5-Day Desert Tour: Fes → Merzouga → Marrakech (Private)
A 5-day private route from Fes to Marrakech via Volubilis & imperial Meknes, the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley, a sunset camel trek (or 4x4) in Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Dades & Rose Valleys, Skoura, Ouarzazate and UNESCO Aït Benhaddou, crossing the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Top highlights
- Volubilis Roman ruins + Meknes imperial monuments
- Middle Atlas via Azrou cedar forest (Barbary macaques)
- Ziz Valley panoramas + Rissani stop (time-dependent)
- Merzouga dunes (Erg Chebbi) sunset camel trek + camp night
- Todra Gorge walk + Dades & Rose Valleys scenery
- Skoura oasis + Ouarzazate + UNESCO Aït Benhaddou
- High Atlas crossing via Tizi n’Tichka to Marrakech
Overview
This 5-day itinerary links Fes to Marrakech through Morocco’s most iconic landscapes: imperial heritage, cedar forests, oasis valleys, Sahara dunes, dramatic gorges and kasbah routes. The camel trek is optional — a 4x4 transfer can be arranged.
Itinerary (Sample)
- Pick-up from your riad/hotel in Fes
- Explore Volubilis Roman ruins (site guide optional)
- Continue to Meknes: gates & squares (time permitting)
- Middle Atlas drive via Azrou cedar forest (macaques)
- Arrive Midelt area • dinner/overnight at your hotel
- Ziz Gorge descent + panoramic viewpoints over palm oases
- Rissani stop (market/time dependent) • optional “Berber pizza”
- Arrive Merzouga • tea welcome & prepare for the dunes
- Sunset camel trek (or 4x4) into Erg Chebbi to your camp
- Dinner, music & stargazing • overnight in a private tent
- Optional sunrise over the dunes
- Return by camel or 4x4 • breakfast & freshen up
- Drive via Erfoud toward Tinghir
- Walk in Todra Gorge among the limestone cliffs
- Dinner & overnight in the Todra area
- Morning stroll (time permitting) then depart Todra
- Dades Valley scenery (kasbahs & rock formations)
- Rose Valley (seasonal) • Skoura palm oasis stop
- Arrive Ouarzazate • dinner & overnight
- Optional Kasbah Taourirt / film studios stop (time permitting)
- Visit Aït Benhaddou UNESCO ksar
- High Atlas crossing via Tizi n’Tichka Pass with scenic stops
- Arrive Marrakech • drop-off at your accommodation
Included & details
- Private A/C vehicle with professional driver
- Pick-up in Fes & drop-off in Marrakech
- 4 nights accommodation (Midelt area, Merzouga camp, Todra area, Ouarzazate)
- Daily breakfasts
- Dinner at the desert camp
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi dunes (or 4x4 transfer on request)
- Fuel, tolls & transport insurance
- Lunches, drinks, and personal expenses
- Entrance fees to sites/monuments
- Local guides (Volubilis, Aït Benhaddou, etc.) — optional
- Gratuities
- Flights and travel insurance
- Luxury desert camp (private bathroom) — subject to availability
- 4x4 transfer to/from camp (instead of camels)
- Extra stops (viewpoints / cooperatives) depending on timing
- Hotel category upgrades
Desert nights can be cool (especially Oct–Mar) — pack warm layers. Days 2 and 5 have longer drives, but we pace them with stops. Camp category (standard vs luxury) and shower setup are confirmed before booking.
FAQs
No. A 4x4 transfer to the camp can be arranged if you prefer not to ride camels.
Typical daily driving is 3–5 hours. Desert transfer days can reach 6–7 hours with breaks and scenic stops.
Comfortable shoes, warm layer for night, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a small backpack. In winter, bring a heavier jacket.
Yes. We can adapt the same highlights to start in Marrakech and end in Fes.
