4 days / 3 nights·Max 12
This is the tour for travellers who want the Sahara without doubling back on themselves. You get an extra day over our 3-day desert tour — enough time to properly slow down in the Dades Valley — and instead of returning to Marrakech, you finish in Fes, ready to explore Morocco's oldest imperial city or fly home from Fes-Saïss airport. The route runs south-to-north: Marrakech to the Dades Valley on day one, on to Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi on day two, a full sunrise-to-departure day in the desert on day three, then the long but spectacular drive north through the Ziz Valley's palm groves and the cedar forests around Ifrane — Morocco's so-called 'Switzerland' — arriving in Fes by evening on day four. This suits travellers building a south-to-north Morocco itinerary, or anyone who wants Marrakech and the Sahara without the logistics of a return flight from Marrakech. It pairs naturally with a few days in the Fes medina afterward.
Depart Marrakech at 07:00, crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass. We stop at Aït Benhaddou for a 90-minute walk through the UNESCO ksar, then continue through Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley's palm groves to the Dades Gorge. Overnight at a guesthouse with gorge views, with time for a short walk before dinner.
Morning walk in the Dades Gorge before driving through Todra Gorge, its walls narrowing to 10m at the tightest point. Continue via Tinjdad and Erfoud to Merzouga, arriving mid-afternoon. Camels take you 45 minutes into Erg Chebbi, timed for sunset over the dunes, before dinner at your desert camp.
Climb the dunes on foot for sunrise, then return to camp for breakfast. Unlike our 3-day tour, you have a full free morning here — options include a visit to a Gnawa musician's home in Khamlia, a stop at the black nomad tents, or simply resting at the camp before a second night under the stars.
Depart after breakfast, driving north through the Ziz Valley's 40,000-palm oasis and the Tafilalt date-growing region. We stop in Er-Rachidia and again in Ifrane, the cedar-forest town known for its Alpine-style architecture, before descending to Fes in the late afternoon. Drop-off at your riad in the medina.
“Exactly what we wanted — Sahara first, then straight into Fes without wasting a day retracing the route. The free morning in Merzouga on day 3 meant we actually rested instead of rushing to the next stop.”
“The Ifrane stop was a surprise highlight — nobody mentions the cedar forest but it broke up the long drive north perfectly. Guide was excellent at pacing the trip.”
“Two nights in the desert instead of one made a real difference. Arrived in Fes relaxed rather than exhausted, ready to dive into the medina the next morning.”
It's built for travellers moving north through Morocco rather than flying home from Marrakech. Ending in Fes saves the better part of a day compared with driving all the way back south, and sets you up to explore Fes or continue to Chefchaouen and the north.
Yes — this version adds a second night in the desert and continues north to Fes instead of ending in Merzouga. If you're not headed north, the 3-day one-way or our 3-day loop tour may suit you better.
Yes, Fes-Saïss Airport has regular domestic and some international connections. We recommend booking flights for the evening of day 4 or the following day to allow buffer time for the drive.
Comfortable walking shoes, a warm layer for desert nights (it drops to 8–12°C even in summer), sunscreen, a scarf for sand, a head torch, and a camera. The desert camp provides blankets and bedding both nights.
Yes, both nights are at the same desert camp in Erg Chebbi — furnished tents with real beds, not backpacking tents, with solar lighting and shared bathrooms.
March–May and September–November for mild temperatures and clear skies. December–February is also excellent, if cold at night. We suspend desert departures in July–August when Sahara temperatures exceed 48°C.
A 7-day small-group crossing from Marrakech to Fes via Ait Benhaddou, the Dadès Valley and a night in the Sahara at Merzouga — max 12 travellers, one-way route.
A 6-day small-group tour through Morocco's four imperial cities — Fes, Meknes, Rabat and Casablanca — for travellers whose main interest is history and architecture rather than desert or mountains.
A 3-day one-way desert tour from Marrakech to Fes: Aït Benhaddou, the Dades Valley, camel trek and a night in the dunes, then on through the Ziz Valley to Fes. Ends in Fes — ideal if you're continuing north or flying out from Fes–Saïss.
Tell us your dates, pace and must-sees. We'll plan a private route around them and send you a free quote.
