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The earthen ksar of Ait Benhaddou climbing its hill above the dry riverbed, a rider in the foreground

Ait Benhaddou · Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0

Fes to Marrakech through the Sahara in five days

Five days, one way: Fes to the Merzouga dunes (470 km), two nights in an Erg Chebbi camp with a full desert day between them, then west along the kasbah road through the Todra and Dadès gorges, a night at Ait Ben Haddou and over the Tizi n'Tichka into Marrakech. Private or small-group, custom-quoted.

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Start in one imperial city, end in another, with the Sahara between them.

  • Length: 5 days, 4 nights
  • Fes to Merzouga: 470 km, 7–8 hours
  • Merzouga to Ouarzazate: 360 km, via Todra & Dadès gorges
  • Format: Private or small-group

The crossing most people fly over

The motorway from Fes to Marrakech is 530 km of nothing in particular. This route takes the long way round: cedar forest, the Ziz palms, two nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes, then west along the kasbah road through two canyons and over the High Atlas.

We don't sell it in three or four days. From Fes the dunes are a full day's drive away, and five days is what it takes to enjoy the desert rather than just reach it.

Other ways to do it

A sharp dune ridge snaking across the Erg Chebbi sand sea under a blue sky5 days, 4 nights5-day Sahara tour from FesTwo nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes, a night in Midelt each way, back to Fes.See the trip

The five days

Day 1

Fes to Merzouga

Ifrane, the cedars, Midelt and the Ziz valley; camels into the dunes for sunset. 7–8 hours of driving.

Day 2

A full desert day

Sunrise, the Rissani market, Gnawa music in Khamlia, and a second night in camp.

Day 3

The Todra gorge to the Dadès

West through Tinghir and the Todra narrows to a riad night in the Dadès valley.

Day 4

Skoura, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou

The palm groves of Skoura and the film town of Ouarzazate, then a night at the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, 30 km beyond it.

Day 5

Over the Atlas to Marrakech

The Tizi n'Tichka pass: 3.5–4 hours from the ksar to your Marrakech riad.

Road distances and times are typical ranges for a private car, without stops.

Who's with you

A driver-guide from Fes who knows this road, in English, French or Spanish, with Arabic and Berber on the way. We name your driver and any local guides in the written proposal, so you know who is meeting you before you travel.

What we arrange

  • Private car and driver from your Fes riad to Marrakech
  • Two nights in an Erg Chebbi camp, with camel rides, dinner and breakfast
  • A riad night in the Dadès valley and one at Ait Ben Haddou
  • Stops planned around light, market days and your pace

Tell us what matters

  • Comfortable or simple camp
  • A night in Midelt on the way down
  • Add a sixth day in the gorges
  • End at Marrakech airport

How we work

  • Private or small-group
  • Operated by Serenity Morocco Tours
  • Riad pickup in Fes
  • Written itinerary and custom quote

Before you ask us

The questions people ask us most before they plan a trip.

Can I go from Fes to Marrakech through the desert in 3 or 4 days?
We don't run it that short. Day one alone is 7–8 hours of driving to Merzouga, and the gorges day is 360 km. In three or four days you get one rushed night in the dunes and long days in the car. Five days gives you two desert nights, a full day in the dunes and the gorges at an easy pace.
What do you do on the free desert day?
It is yours. Most people walk the dunes at sunrise, visit the Rissani market and the old ksour, have lunch in a local house and hear Gnawa musicians in Khamlia, then return to camp for sunset. You can also simply rest in camp; the day does not need filling.
What is the desert camp like?
Camps sit among the Erg Chebbi dunes, a camel ride or a short drive from Merzouga. Tents have proper beds and blankets; many have private bathrooms. Dinner is tagine under the stars, often with drumming by the fire. Tell us whether you want simple or more comfortable and we match the camp.
When is the best time for the Sahara from Fes?
October to April is the comfortable window: warm days, cold nights, clear skies. Late March to May and October are the sweet spots. June to August is very hot at midday, so we start early and rest through the afternoon. December and January nights in the camp can drop close to freezing.
Is the tour private or shared?
You choose. Private means only your group, your own car and driver, and a timetable you set. Small-group means sharing the car and camp with a few other travellers on fixed dates. Either way we send a written itinerary and a custom quote; nothing is charged until you approve it.

Keep planning

Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons)

Tell us your dates. We'll plan it with you.

  1. Tell us what drew you in. Your dates, who is travelling and what you want to see.
  2. A person reads it. We write a day-by-day plan for your group, private or small-group.
  3. You change anything. Then we confirm the guides, drivers and riads.
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