9 Days from Fes to Sahara and Marrakech

Your Morocco desert tour from Fes begins with a warm welcome at Fes Airport. Our driver will greet you and provide a comfortable transfer to your charming riad located in the heart of the Fes Medina. Spend the afternoon relaxing, enjoying Moroccan tea, and settling into the rhythm of this ancient city. Depending on your arrival time, you might stroll the local souks or simply unwind before the adventure begins. Dinner and overnight stay at the riad.

After breakfast, meet your local guide for a full-day exploration of Fes, Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital. Begin at the Royal Palace gates and wander through the historic Jewish quarter (Mellah), home to the first Mellah in Morocco.

Visit iconic landmarks like the Al Quaraouiyine University, the oldest continually operating university in the world, and the colorful tanneries where leather is still dyed using ancient techniques. Enjoy lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant before visiting tile workshops and climbing to a panoramic viewpoint offering sweeping views of the labyrinthine medina. Dinner and overnight at your riad.

Depart Fes after breakfast toward Morocco’s Middle Atlas. Your first stop is the charming town of Ifrane, known as “Moroccan Switzerland” for its alpine-style houses. Continue to Azrou’s cedar forest to meet the wild Barbary apes that inhabit this peaceful woodland. Journey onward via the Tizi N'Talghamt pass with its striking volcanic landscapes. Enjoy lunch in Midelt before descending into the dramatic Ziz Valley, with its endless palm groves and adobe villages. Continue past Erfoud and reach Merzouga, where your hotel sits at the foot of the towering Erg Chebbi dunes. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Begin your desert exploration by visiting Khamlia, a village renowned for its Gnawa musicians, descendants of sub-Saharan slaves. Enjoy their hypnotic music and learn about their history. Next, visit nomadic families living in the desert, gaining insight into their traditional way of life.

In the afternoon, meet your camel guide for a trek into the heart of the Sahara. Ride over golden dunes as the sun sets, painting the sands with brilliant hues. Arrive at the desert camp for dinner under the stars, accompanied by Berber music. Overnight in a comfortable nomadic tent with modern amenities.

Wake early to witness the spectacular sunrise over the dunes before returning by camel to Merzouga for breakfast. Then head to Rissani, a historic town famous for its bustling souk and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, ancestor of the Alaouite dynasty.

Continue to Erfoud, renowned for its fossil workshops, then drive toward Todra Gorges. Enjoy a walk along the river beneath cliffs that tower 300 meters high. The day ends in Dades Valley, where you’ll marvel at the bizarre rock formations known as “monkey fingers.” Dinner and overnight in a hotel overlooking the valley.

Start the day with a scenic drive through the Dades Valley, stopping for photos of the dramatic rock formations. Then travel along the Valley of Roses, famous for its rose festival and local distilleries producing rose water and cosmetics.

Visit a nomad family in their cave to share mint tea and learn about their lifestyle. Drive through Skoura’s palm groves and visit the impressive Kasbah Amridil, one of Morocco’s best-preserved kasbahs. Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the desert and Morocco’s film capital. Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate.

After breakfast, explore Ouarzazate’s Taourirt Kasbah and, optionally, the famous Atlas Film Studios. Then visit the iconic Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco’s most famous ksar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel along the scenic Ounila Valley to reach Telouet, where the crumbling yet fascinating Kasbah of the Glaoui family awaits. Cross the majestic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, winding through the High Atlas Mountains with panoramic views of Berber villages and valleys. Arrive in Marrakech for dinner and overnight in a charming riad.

After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Marrakech’s vibrant medina. Explore the stunning Bahia Palace, the intricate Saadian Tombs, and the iconic Koutoubia Mosque. Visit the colorful Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent.

Spend the afternoon wandering the souks, where artisans sell everything from leather goods to spices. Soak in the energy of Jemaa el-Fnaa square, filled with street performers, food stalls, and musicians. Enjoy free time in the evening before returning to your riad for dinner and overnight.

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at your riad. Depending on your flight time, there may be an opportunity for some last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Then transfer to Marrakech Airport, marking the end of your unforgettable Morocco desert tour from Fes.