5-Day Morocco Tour from Fes to Marrakech

This 5-day Morocco itinerary, spanning from Fes to Marrakech through the Sahara Desert, offers the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and stunning landscapes. You’ll journey through the picturesque Ziz Valley, explore the dramatic Todra and Dades Gorges, and traverse the scenic Tizi N’Tichka pass. Along the way, you’ll discover the beauty of the Middle Atlas Mountains, with a stop at Cedar Forest to snap some photos with the iconic Barbary apes. Then, dive into the magic of the Sahara Desert, where you’ll ride camels across the vast Erg Chebbi dunes, experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and spend a night beneath the twinkling stars. You’ll also visit Ouarzazate, known for the famous Atlas Studios, and explore the historic Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Finally, as you make your way through the High Atlas Mountains, enjoy the charm of traditional Berber villages before reaching the vibrant city of Marrakech.

Tour Highlights

• The Atlas Mountains magnificent scenery.
• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou Kasbah.
• Take a stroll through the breathtaking Dades gorges.
• Sahara Desert – Sleep under the stars against a backdrop of towering sand dunes.
• Drive along Ziz Valley and cross the Middle Atlas Mountains with its cedar forests to Fes.
• Explore the gorgeous town of Chefchaouen, and discover its mountainous terrain.
• Fez Medina guided tour including artisans’ quarter and Fes tannery.

Your Daily Itinerary

DAY 1: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi

In the early morning, we depart from Fes and head southeast, passing through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains. Our first stop is Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine atmosphere. We then continue to the largest cedar forest in North Africa, where you’ll have a chance to feed the playful Barbary monkeys and snap some memorable photos. As we journey further south, we’ll pass through picturesque Berber villages and rural landscapes, where nomadic shepherds can often be seen with their flocks. We’ll take a break for a delicious lunch in Midelt, a town known for its natural beauty and cultural significance. After lunch, we’ll continue our trip via the Tizi N’Talghamt pass, heading towards the Ziz Gorge. Before reaching the Sahara Desert, we’ll pause to take in breathtaking views of the Ziz Valley, a hidden oasis dotted with palm trees and traditional mud-brick villages. By late afternoon, we’ll arrive at the edge of the Sahara, where you’ll spend your first night in a desert hotel or riad, ready to embrace the magic of the dunes.

DAY 2: Merzouga Desert Tour

After breakfast at your accommodation in Merzouga, we’ll embark on a half-day journey into the Sahara Desert. Your driver will take you to visit nomadic Berber families living in traditional tents, where you can learn about their way of life and share a cup of tea with them. We’ll then head to the M’Fis mines, former French-operated sites, to explore their history. Next, we’ll visit Khamlia village, where descendants of Sudanese and Malian Berbers reside. Here, you’ll enjoy the soulful sounds of Gnaoua music and have lunch with the locals. Before mounting camels, we’ll explore an oasis on the edge of the desert. After a short rest back at your hotel or riad, gather your belongings for your overnight stay at a desert camp. Your adventure continues with a camel trek over the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you’ll witness a stunning sunset from the top of a dune. Afterward, return to the camp for dinner, followed by a relaxing evening under the stars with Berber music. If you feel like it, join in the dancing to the traditional beats.

DAY 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges

Start your day early to witness the stunning sunrise over the dunes before returning to your desert camp for a refreshing shower and a delicious breakfast. Afterward, you’ll have the option to ride back on camels or in a 4×4 vehicle, meeting your driver to head west toward Rissani, a historic city that once played a key role in trade caravans. If your visit coincides with market days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Sundays), you’ll have the opportunity to explore the area’s largest souk. From Rissani, we’ll continue through Erfoud, known for its fossils, passing through small towns until we reach the lush Todra Valley, surrounded by ancient mud villages. Stop for lunch in a local village, then head toward the Todra Gorges, where towering cliffs rise 300 meters high. Afterward, journey through the Dades Valley to admire its unique sandcastles and rock formations, famously called “monkey toes.” End your day with an overnight stay in a hotel or riad overlooking the stunning valley.

DAY 4: Dades Gorges – Kalaat M’Gouna – Skoura – Ouarzazate

After breakfast, we head towards Ouarzazate, passing through the scenic Roses Valley and Skoura. Our journey takes us along a winding road, often featured in car commercials, leading to the striking Dades Gorges with its dramatic rock formations. We then continue to Kalaat M’Gouna, also known as Roses Town, where over 400 tons of rose petals are harvested annually and turned into rosewater, creams, and perfumes by local cooperatives. A vibrant festival is held here every May. After lunch in Roses Town or nearby, we travel the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs to Skoura, renowned for its stunning kasbahs, including the 17th-century Kasbah of Amridil. Finally, we drive through the oasis toward Ouarzazate, where you’ll enjoy dinner and spend the night in a hotel or riad.

DAY 5: Ouarzazate – Kasbah Ait Benhaddou – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

Today, we begin our adventure in Ouarzazate, often referred to as the “Hollywood of Africa.” Visit the renowned cinema studios where iconic films like *Game of Thrones*, *Lawrence of Arabia*, and *Gladiator* were shot. Ouarzazate is also home to Africa’s largest solar power station and is famous for its local handicrafts, including intricate wooden gates, silver items, and rugs. Next, we head to the stunning Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has appeared in numerous films. Our journey then takes us through the awe-inspiring Tizi N’Tichka pass, which rises 2,260 meters above sea level in the High Atlas Mountains, offering views of charming Berber villages. By day’s end, our driver will take you to your accommodation in Marrakech or a nearby parking area, marking the conclusion of your 5-day Morocco tour from Fes to Marrakech via the desert.