6-Day Group Tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara Desert

• Night 1: Hotel/riad in Marrakech.

• Night 2: Accommodation in the Dades Gorges.

• Night 3: Luxury desert camp in Merzouga.

• Night 4: Hotel/riad in Marrakech.

Yes, a camel ride or a 4×4 ride is included, but you can also opt for a quad ride at an extra cost (upon request).

You’ll travel in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle (minibus, minivan, or 4×4 depending on the group size).

• Breakfasts: Included every day.

• Dinners: Included in Dades and at the desert camp.

• Lunches: Not included, but stops are made at well-known local restaurants.

• Comfortable and light clothing for the day.

• A jacket or coat for the night (it can get cold in the desert).

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap or hat.

• Closed or sports shoes.

Yes, the tour is family-friendly, but it’s recommended to check in advance in cases of reduced mobility due to short walks and the camel ride.

7. We offer both options:

• Private tour: Just for your group.

• Shared tour: With other travelers, ideal for meeting people and lowering costs.

Yes, we can tailor the tour to your interests, including extra nights, additional stops, or extra services.

A driver/guide will accompany the group throughout the trip, and a local guide will be provided for more in-depth visits (such as Ait Ben Haddou).

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons to travel to Morocco.

It takes approximately 9 to 10 hours by road to travel from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert, specifically Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, covering a distance of around 550 kilometers.

The Agafay Desert camp is the closest desert to Marrakech. It’s a unique desert because it’s rocky, unlike the usual sandy dunes of the Sahara, and it takes about one to two hours by car to reach from Marrakech. While it may seem less traditional, the location offers a convenient opportunity for those who want to enjoy a day trip or an overnight stay in the desert while still being based in Marrakech.

Tizi n’Tichka Pass: Travelers often stop at this mountain pass to stretch their legs and admire the views of the Atlas Mountains.

Ait Benhaddou: Known for its well-preserved kasbahs, this historic fortified village is a must-see along the way. It has appeared in many films and TV shows and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ouarzazate: Known as the “Gateway to the Sahara,” Ouarzazate is where some tourists stop for lunch or a quick rest. It’s famous for the movies filmed here, including Babel and The Mummy, and for the nearby historic site, Kasbah Taourirt, which is worth a visit.

Dades Valley: Located between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains, the Dades Valley offers stunning landscapes with lush greenery and towering rock formations. Many travelers stop here to enjoy the scenery and take photos.

Todra Gorge: This dramatic canyon is a popular stop for its towering rock walls that rise high above visitors. Travelers often take a short hike through the gorge or enjoy a picnic while soaking in the spectacular views.

Merzouga is a village located on the edge of the Sahara Desert in southeastern Morocco. The desert area near Merzouga, especially the Erg Chebbi dunes, is often referred to as part of the Sahara Desert. However, strictly speaking, the Sahara Desert is a vast desert region covering much of North Africa, spanning multiple countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, and Sudan. Therefore, while Merzouga is situated within the Sahara Desert region, it is only a small part of this immense desert landscape.

Beauty is subjective, but one of the most famous and striking deserts in Morocco is the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. These towering sand dunes, reaching up to 150 meters high, offer a fascinating landscape of golden sands that change color throughout the day. The Erg Chebbi dunes are known for their spectacular views at sunrise and sunset, when the desert landscape is bathed in orange and reddish hues. Additionally, the vastness of the Sahara Desert around Merzouga, with its rolling dunes and clear skies, creates an otherworldly and unforgettable experience for visitors.

Without a doubt, visiting the Sahara Desert in Morocco is well worth it for many reasons. It offers a unique and unforgettable experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the vastness and beauty of the desert landscape. Watching the sunrise or sunset over the sand dunes is a magical experience you will remember for a lifetime. Additionally, exploring the desert on camelback or spending a night under the stars in a desert camp is an unparalleled adventure. The Sahara Desert also offers the opportunity to learn about Berber culture and traditions, as many desert tours include visits to local villages and encounters with the communities living in the desert. Overall, a trip to the Sahara Desert in Morocco gives you the chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with nature in a truly stunning setting.

Heading east, you will arrive at Ouarzazate, a city known as the “Gateway to the Desert.” Historically, it was an important caravan crossroads between the High Atlas and the Sahara. Today, it is a melting pot of cultures, where Amazigh, Arab, Jewish, and European influences converge, a result of the French colonial legacy and earlier periods.

In addition to its strategic history, Ouarzazate is famous for its film industry. It is home to Atlas Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world. Entire cities have been recreated here for movies such as Lawrence of Arabia and The Mummy. You can tour old film sets and feel like you’ve stepped right into a movie scene.

Nearby Highlight:
Visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, a vast adobe citadel that once belonged to the powerful Glaoui family. Its traditional Moroccan architecture, with maze-like passageways and richly decorated interiors, is simply fascinating.

On the way to the Dades Valley, make a stop at Skoura, a lush oasis full of date palm groves and ancient kasbahs. Unlike other more crowded tourist destinations, Skoura offers tranquility, authentic rural life, and the chance to visit the Kasbah of Amridil, one of the best-preserved kasbahs in Morocco.

Enjoy a guided walk among the palm groves and discover how the locals continue to practice traditional farming techniques.

As you venture into the High Atlas, the road will lead you to the impressive Dades Valley, nicknamed the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.” This fertile mountain corridor is famous for its unique rock formations, some resembling monkey fingers, and for the gardens that flourish along the river.

The area is dotted with small Berber villages where traditions remain alive. It’s common to see women fetching water or washing clothes in the river while shepherds guide their flocks over the hills.

Must-see:
Take a scenic drive through the Dades Gorges, known for their tight zigzag curves and steep canyon walls. It’s one of the most thrilling and photogenic roads in Morocco.

Further along the route are the Todra Gorges, a series of limestone canyons carved by the Todra River. Just outside Tinghir, these vertical cliffs reach up to 400 meters high, creating an impressive and accessible natural spectacle.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or prefer a leisurely walk, the base of the gorge offers shaded trails along the river, where you might encounter children playing or women weaving carpets in nearby villages.

Optional activity:
For the more adventurous, rock climbing is very popular in this area, with routes suitable for all skill levels.

Fes is a city that instantly captures the imagination, a place where centuries of history blend seamlessly with vibrant daily life. As you step inside its legendary medina, you’re transported into a world of winding alleys, fragrant souks, and ancient craftsmanship that has survived untouched for generations. The sounds of artisans at work, the colors of traditional textiles, and the rhythm of daily life create an atmosphere that feels both magical and deeply authentic. Fes is home to architectural marvels like Al Karaouine University and intricate madrasas that showcase the finest Moroccan artistry, making every corner an invitation to explore, learn, and be inspired.

What makes Fes truly unforgettable is not just its past, but the feeling it evokes. Travelers fall in love with its energy, the contrast between lively market streets and peaceful riad courtyards, the warmth of the locals, and the sense of discovery around every turn. Whether you’re admiring panoramic views from the city’s hilltop forts, tasting traditional dishes that reflect centuries of culinary tradition, or watching the sun illuminate the ancient rooftops at dawn, Fes creates moments that stay with you long after you leave. It’s a city that invites you to slow down, immerse yourself, and experience Morocco in its most authentic and heartfelt form.

Finally, you arrive at Merzouga, a small village on the edge of the towering Erg Chebbi dunes, where golden sands stretch as far as the eye can see. Here, the adventure reaches its peak.

A camel ride is the quintessential desert experience. At sunset, ride across the dunes to a remote camp. Spend the night under the stars in a Berber tent, savoring local cuisine, listening to traditional stories, and enjoying drum music around the fire.

Extra experiences in Merzouga:

• Sandboarding: Glide down the dunes as if on a snowboard, but over soft sand.

• Quad biking: For an adrenaline rush, drive a quad bike through the desert.

• Visit to the village of Khamlia: Known for its Gnawa music, with sub-Saharan roots, Khamlia is the soul of Saharan rhythm.

• Valley of the Roses (El Kelaa M’Gouna): If you travel in spring, you can witness the rose harvest and visit cooperatives that produce rose water and rose oil.
• Rissani: A historic city with a lively traditional market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. It is also known as the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty.
• Fossil Museum in Erfoud: Discover ancient fossils and learn about the geological significance of this region.