Marrakech to Fes in 5 days: the itinerary at a glance
This route uses its extra days in two places: a full day around the Erg Chebbi dunes, and a night in Midelt that breaks the long drive from the Sahara to Fes into two easy halves.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Aït Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dadès Valley | High Atlas pass, UNESCO ksar, palm oasis | Kasbah-style hotel in the Dadès Valley |
| 2 | Dadès – Todra Gorge – Tinjdad – Erfoud – Merzouga | 'Monkey fingers' rocks, Todra canyon, fossils | Hotel at the edge of the dunes |
| 3 | Merzouga and Erg Chebbi (no highway driving) | Nomad family, Gnawa music in Khamlia, seasonal lake, sunset camel trek | Desert camp |
| 4 | Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt | Sahara sunrise, Ziz palm grove viewpoint | Hotel or guesthouse in Midelt |
| 5 | Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes | Cedar forest, Barbary macaques, alpine-style Ifrane | Drop-off in Fes (not included) |
Day 1 is the longest, around 7 to 8 hours including Aït Benhaddou. Day 2 is about 6 hours with the Todra walk, and days 4 and 5 are only around 4 hours each.
Why a 5 days tour from Marrakech to Fes beats a rushed crossing
On 3- and 4-day versions, the last day from the dunes to Fes is a drive of roughly 8 to 9 hours. Here it is split by an overnight in Midelt, a quiet town on the high plains between the High and Middle Atlas, so you arrive in Fes in the early afternoon with time to settle in and explore.
- Need to be quicker? The 4 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes keeps the desert day but drops the Midelt night.
- Travelling solo or on a budget? The shared 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes covers the essentials in a group.
- Starting in Fes? The 5 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech is the slow route in the other direction, with a night near Ouarzazate instead.
This pace particularly suits families with children, older travellers and anyone who wants to enjoy the scenery rather than watch the clock.
Your Sahara day and Erg Chebbi camel trek
After a restful night at the hotel by the dunes, day 3 is spent entirely around Erg Chebbi. A 4x4 takes you to a nomad family for mint tea and to Khamlia, a village with sub-Saharan roots, for Gnawa music. After good rains, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji can attract flamingos. The middle of the day is free for rest or an optional 1 to 2 hour quad bike ride or sandboarding; see our Sahara desert activities in Merzouga for ideas.
In the late afternoon you ride camels for about an hour and a half into the dunes for sunset and continue to camp. The camel ride depends on camel availability that day; if none are free, you reach camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes and ride the next morning. In the comfort camp each tent is private, normally for two, with its own bathroom and toilet, and a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used. A luxury booking upgrades the camp and the Dadès Valley night; Merzouga hotels are comfort category only.
Best time for a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech to Fes
- Spring (March to May): mild weather throughout, roses in Kelaat M'Gouna in late spring and green Middle Atlas valleys.
- Summer (June to August): very hot in the desert afternoons, so the free midday on day 3 is welcome; Midelt, Azrou and Ifrane offer cooler air on the way north.
- Autumn (September to November): warm, clear and comfortable, and Midelt's apple harvest season.
- Winter (December to February): sunny days and cold nights; snow can affect the Tizi n'Tichka pass, Midelt and Ifrane.
During Ramadan the tour runs normally, with lunch stops planned around café opening hours.
Packing, money and what's included
- Packing: layers for the mountains and desert night, long loose trousers for the camel, a scarf, sunglasses, sun cream and a small overnight bag for the camp.
- Money: the dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so take cash from Marrakech for lunches, drinks, entrance fees and tips, which are not included.
- Etiquette: ask before photographing people, especially at the nomad visit, and dress modestly in villages.
Included: door-to-door transfer from Marrakech to Fes, private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, four nights with breakfast and dinner, the 4x4 desert excursion and the camel trek. Accommodation in Fes and international flights are not part of the package. When you arrive, our guide to Fes and Meknes will help you plan your time in the medina.