Fes to Marrakech 7 days desert tour: overview table
Starting in Fes has a practical advantage: the city is closer to the Erg Chebbi dunes than Marrakech, so you reach the Sahara on day two and spend two nights there before the long westward run through the kasbah valleys. The week ends with two nights in Marrakech, which gives you time to recover from the road.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Fes | Half-day guided walk in Fes el-Bali: Chouara tannery, Bou Inania, Al Quaraouiyine | Riad in the Fes medina |
| 2 | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga | Cedar forests, Barbary macaques, palm canyons | Hotel at the edge of the dunes |
| 3 | Erg Chebbi | Nomad family, Khamlia Gnawa music, sunset camel trek | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 4 | Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dadès Valley | Sahara sunrise, market town, gorge walk | Kasbah hotel in the Dadès |
| 5 | Dadès – Valley of Roses – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech | UNESCO ksar, Tizi n'Tichka (2,260 m) | Riad in Marrakech |
| 6 | Marrakech guided day | Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia, souks, Jemaa el-Fna | Riad in Marrakech |
| 7 | Departure | Transfer to Marrakech airport or Casablanca (about 2.5 hours) | – |
Who the 7 days in Morocco from Fes suits, and the alternatives
This route is ideal if you fly into Fes and out of Marrakech, want the desert at the heart of your trip and like having guided time in both imperial cities. Day five is the longest stretch, about 8 to 9 hours with stops; every other transfer is shorter, and day three involves only 4x4 tracks around the dunes.
- Less time? The 4 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech covers the desert and gorges without the city days.
- Want Midelt and Ouarzazate overnights instead of Marrakech sightseeing? The 6 day Morocco tour from Fes breaks every drive into short legs.
- Starting in Marrakech? The 7 day Morocco itinerary from Marrakech runs south first and adds Chefchaouen.
As a private tour, you can also begin in Chefchaouen or Meknes, swap the Marrakech guided day for a trip to the Atlas Mountains or Essaouira, or finish in Casablanca.
Sahara desert tour from Fes: what happens in Merzouga
The first desert night is in a comfortable hotel at the foot of the dunes. Merzouga has comfortable, clean, well-serviced hotels rather than a luxury tier, so this night is identical in both the comfort and luxury categories.
Day three is spent in and around Erg Chebbi. A morning drive off-road takes you to a nomad family for tea, then to Khamlia for Gnawa music. Late in the afternoon the Merzouga camel trek begins: about 90 minutes across the sand to watch sunset from a dune, then on 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 camels the next morning instead.
In the comfort camp, each private tent, normally for two people, has its own bathroom and toilet; a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used, and the luxury category upgrades the camp. We do not organise isolated wild bivouacs, since Erg Chebbi has many camps. Our Merzouga and Sahara travel guide explains the area in more detail.
What the Fes desert tour 7 days includes
- Included: airport or hotel pick-up in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech (or Casablanca), private air-conditioned vehicle and driver-guide for seven days, six nights' accommodation with daily breakfast, dinners in the Sahara and the Dadès Valley, the camel trek, and private local guides for Fes and Marrakech.
- Not included: international flights, lunches, dinners in Fes and Marrakech, monument and museum tickets, tips and travel insurance.
Pricing starts from €750 per person for groups of 4 to 6. Solo travellers and couples receive a quote adjusted to the private vehicle and driver. Driver-guides work in English, French, Spanish or Italian; Spanish and Italian depend on availability for your dates and are confirmed before booking.
Seasons, packing and money for one week in Morocco
- Spring and autumn: the most comfortable months, warm days in the desert and pleasant city walking.
- Summer: Fes and Marrakech are hot, and the Sahara regularly exceeds 40 °C in the afternoon; ask about air-conditioned tents.
- Winter: crisp, sunny days, cold desert nights and possible snow around Ifrane and on the Tizi n'Tichka.
Bring layers, a warm jacket for the desert night, a scarf for sun and sand, comfortable shoes for the medinas and the Todra Gorge, and modest clothing for religious sites. The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so withdraw cash on arrival in Fes; card payment is limited on the road. If you have extra days, our guide to Fes and Meknes suggests what to add before the tour starts.