Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip: 2, 3, 4 or 5 Days Through the Sahara
Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip: Choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 Days
Between Marrakech and Fes, one day is never enough. Choose the length that suits your time and your energy: a short 2-day dash to the dunes, the classic 3-day crossing, a slower 4-day route via Telouet and Skoura, or a 5-day adventure that starts with a Toubkal trek. Every option ends in Fes after a night in the Sahara.
This Marrakech to Fes desert trip is the most scenic way to travel between two imperial cities. Instead of the direct highway, you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, explore the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and spend a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. You then drive north through the Ziz Valley, Midelt, Azrou and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to reach Fes.
The page below details the 3-day version, our most popular. The 2-day trip is a condensed run via Ouarzazate and Agdez. The 4-day trip adds Telouet, Skoura and a night in the Todra Gorge. The 5-day trip begins with a hike to the Toubkal Refuge from Imlil. Tell us how many days you have and we confirm the best route.
- Options2, 3, 4 or 5 days, Marrakech to Fes
- Itinerary below3 days, 2 nights
- Desert nightErg Chebbi, Merzouga
- Camel rideTo a camp behind an oasis
- HighlightsAit Benhaddou, two gorges, cedar forests
- EndsYour hotel in Fes
Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass and its Berber villages
- Explore Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage fortified village
- Stay overnight in the dramatic scenery of the Dades Gorge
- Walk into the Todra Gorge before heading to the dunes
- Ride a camel to a camp behind an oasis in Erg Chebbi and enjoy Berber music under the stars
- Try sand boarding on the dunes as an optional activity
- Watch the sunrise over Erg Chebbi before the drive north
- Meet the monkeys of the cedar forests near Azrou on the way to Fes
Marrakech to Fes in 3 Days: Main Itinerary
This is the classic 3-day crossing. The 2-day, 4-day and 5-day variations are described in the sections below.
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Gorge via Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate
We pick you up at your Marrakech hotel and head for the renowned Tizi n’Tichka pass, which crosses the High Atlas Mountains with wide views over the valleys and Berber villages. You then explore Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose earthen towers have appeared in many films.
After a pause in Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert, the road continues to the Dades Gorge, where you spend an enchanting night among striking rock formations.
Day 2: Dades Gorge, Todra Gorge and the Erg Chebbi dunes
Start the day by exploring the Todra Gorge, where steep canyon walls frame a narrow oasis valley. Then continue to the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, with lunch in Erfoud on the way.
In the afternoon you take a camel ride to a camp behind an oasis, and you can try sand boarding on the dunes as an optional activity. Spend a night under the stars with Berber music, far from any city light.
Day 3: Sunrise, Midelt, Azrou and arrival in Fes
Watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes and enjoy breakfast at the camp. We then drive north through the Ziz Valley Gorge to Midelt and the Middle Atlas town of Ifrane, before crossing Azrou.
Along the way you meet playful monkeys in the lush cedar forests. You reach your hotel in Fes by evening.
Why Book Your Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip With Visit the Desert
Four versions, one route
Whether you have 2, 3, 4 or 5 days, you cross the same stunning landscapes and sleep in the Sahara. You choose how slowly you want to go.
No backtracking
You start in Marrakech and finish in Fes, so you do not lose a day returning. It is a transfer and a holiday in one.
A local team that adapts
Want to skip a stop, add a night or swap the hotel? Tell us your dates and comfort level and we adjust the plan.
What Is Included in the Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip
Included
- Pick-up at your hotel in Marrakech and drop-off at your hotel in Fes
- Transport by vehicle with a driver for the whole route
- Overnight stays along the route, including a night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Camel ride to the camp behind the oasis
- Berber music at the camp
- Breakfast on the last morning before the drive to Fes
Not included
- Lunches (for example in Erfoud on day 2)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips for your driver and camp staff
Good to Know Before You Go
Choosing the right length
The 2-day trip is the quickest way to sleep in the dunes. The 3-day version is the best balance, the 4-day adds more time in the oases and gorges, and the 5-day suits active travellers.
Long driving days
Distances in southern Morocco are big. Plan for many hours on the road each day, with regular stops for photos, lunch and walks.
The 5-day option is a trek
It starts with a hike from Imlil via Sidi Chamharouch to the Toubkal Refuge and an early summit ascent the next day. Good fitness and warm clothing are essential, so tell us about your experience.
What to pack
A small overnight bag for the camp, a warm layer for the evenings, closed shoes and sun protection. Nights in the desert and the mountains can be cold outside summer.
Best season
Spring and autumn are ideal. Summer is very hot in the south and winter nights are cold, so we adjust the camp and the plan to the date.
Choose Your Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip
Tell us how many days you have in the booking form on this page, or message us and we suggest the best version of the Marrakech to Fes trip.
Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip: Frequently Asked Questions
How many days should I choose for the Marrakech to Fes desert trip?
The 3-day trip is our classic choice, with a night in the Dades Gorge and a night in the dunes. If you have only 2 days, we offer a condensed route, and with 4 or 5 days you gain time in the oases or in the High Atlas.
What does the 2-day Marrakech to Fes trip include?
It leaves Marrakech early, crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Ouarzazate, pauses at Agdez and reaches Merzouga for a camel safari and a night in a nomad style camp. Day 2 follows the Ziz Valley, Azrou and the cedar forests to Fes.
What is different on the 4-day trip?
It starts with the Kasbah of Telouet and sleeps in Ait Benhaddou, then visits Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate and the Skoura Oasis before a night in the Todra Gorge. Day 3 is a camel journey to Erg Chebbi, and day 4 goes to Fes.
What is the 5-day desert expedition?
It starts in Imlil with a walk through Sidi Chamharouch to the Toubkal Refuge, followed by a summit ascent and a night with a Berber family. Days 3 to 5 cross Ait Benhaddou, the gorges, Erg Chebbi and the cedar forests to Fes.
Where do we sleep on the 3-day trip?
The first night is in the Dades Gorge and the second is in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, behind an oasis. You reach it by camel and wake up for the sunrise. For more details of this route, see our 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour.
Can I do the trip in the opposite direction?
Yes, the same landscapes can be crossed from Fes to Marrakech. See our 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour and tell us your dates.
Can I try sand boarding in the dunes?
Sand boarding is available at the Erg Chebbi dunes as an optional activity on day 2 of the 3-day trip. Ask us when you book so we organise it for your group.
What is the best time of year for the trip?
March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable weather for the desert and the mountains. Summers are very hot in the south, and winter nights can be cold, so pack layers and tell us your dates.
