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5-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour
TRIP SUMMARY
Experience Morocco’s most iconic highlights in just five unforgettable days.
Experience the soul of Morocco on this 5-day journey from the ancient corridors of Fes to the red walls of Marrakech. This curated itinerary is designed for travelers who want to see the full spectrum of Morocco’s landscapes. Your adventure begins in Fes, the country’s cultural heart, before climbing through the Middle Atlas cedar forests—home to wild Barbary macaques.
As the landscape shifts to the arid beauty of the south, you’ll find yourself in the Sahara Desert, where you’ll trade your vehicle for a camel and trek into the golden dunes of Merzouga for a night under the stars. The journey continues through the dramatic Todra Gorges and the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs," passing through lush oases and the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou. Finally, you’ll cross the majestic High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, descending into the bustling energy of Marrakech.
Trip Length
5 days
Trip Type
Culture, Nature, Adventure
Ideal Season
All Year Around
ITINERARY BREAKDOWN
Day 1: Fes: Exploring the Imperial City and medieval medina
Welcome to Fes, the oldest imperial city in Morocco, home to the most complete medina in the Arab world and one of the world's largest pedestrian zones (no cars!). Much of the city has remained untouched for hundreds of years, transporting visitors back to medieval times. Fes is divided into three major points of interest: the two medina quarters, Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, and the modern, French-influenced Ville Nouvelle. Spend a half-day with your guide exploring the maze-like alleyways. Start in Fes el Bali at the impressive Bab Boujeloud gate and make your way in.
Browse leather goods in a shop next to the Chouara Tannery before heading upstairs for a view of the 11th-century dye pots a technique and process that has changed little over the centuries! Visit the oldest operating university in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin University (founded in 859 CE), and catch a glimpse of the decorated interior of the mosque (non-Muslims cannot enter). Explore the Al Attarine Madrasa and marvel at the intricate zellij (mosaic tilework). Head to Fes el Jdid to see the Mellah (Jewish quarter and cemetery), and if time allows, catch the sunset from the vantage point of the Merenid Tombs.
Day 2: Over the mountains and into the desert
Start your day bright and early as you travel south toward Merzouga. Along the way, you will climb up and over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 m) through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. Enjoy sightings of local Barbary macaque monkeys before stopping for lunch in Midelt, known as the "apple city," near the Moulouya River. Continue over the Tizi n'Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley, famous for its hidden oases and clusters of palm trees. Along the road, you'll see many fortified houses known as ksars built to protect precious goods, including gold, salt, and spices.
Proceed to Erfoud, renowned for its date festival and fossil mining. Here, you can visit a local collective to learn about the process and meet some artisans. Continue to Erg Chebbi, an expansive sea of sand dunes covering an area of 13.5 square miles (35 square km). These massive dunes are never stationary, shifting and moving with the changing winds! Upon reaching Merzouga, climb atop a camel to ride through the dunes to your pre-prepared camp. Climb a nearby sand dune to watch the sunset before returning to camp for a delicious dinner and relaxing by the campfire.
Day 3: Desert towns, lush oases & film-worthy landscapes
Catch the sunrise before renting a sandboard to test your skills on the dunes. Leave the dunes and head to Khemliya to experience a traditional Saharan village its people are originally from Mali. Continue west and pass through a dramatic gate into Rissani, a market town known for its livestock auction and unique "donkey parking lot," a sight worth seeing and experiencing! Make your way to the desert town of Tinerhir before reaching the 984-foot (300 m) deep Todra Gorge. You will have time to explore the gorge and relax in the cool waters of the shallow Todra River.
Travel through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs (old fortresses or fortifications). Though many kasbahs are now in disrepair, local families still live in some of them. You may even come across nomads herding their animals. Head west to Kelâat M'Gouna, known for its Festival des Roses, where you can see extensively cultivated farmland bordered with fragrant rose bushes. Continue west to Ouarzazate, a gateway to the Sahara Desert popularized by the film industry. Join a studio tour and discover how the nearby desert landscapes have been featured in many films.
Day 4: Aït Benhaddou kasbah, Tizi n'Tichka Pass over the High Atlas to Marrakech
Rise early and continue to Morocco's most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Aït Benhaddou. It is estimated that this old ksar (walled town) dates back to the 11th century when it held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route. Stop to explore the narrow streets and passageways of this traditional mud-brick city. From there, travel along the winding road over the High Atlas mountains, noting the highest peak, Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet or 4,167 m). Stop near the top of the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (7,415 feet or 2,260 m) to admire the view over the mountain range.
Visit an Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert to discover the traditional extraction process of this "Moroccan Liquid Gold" before descending the High Atlas Mountains into the shifting desert plains. Upon arriving in the "Red City," your adventure continues with a guided Marrakech half-day tour. Accompanied by an expert local guide, you will dive into the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Begin by exploring the architectural majesty of the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque; its iconic 253-foot (77 m) minaret serves as the city's spiritual landmark. Wander through the lush, fountain-filled Koutoubia Gardens just as the setting sun casts a golden glow over the palm-fringed paths. Finally, experience the electric atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech’s legendary main square. As your guide orients you through the vibrant stalls and storytelling circles, you'll witness the square transform into an open-air theater the perfect introduction to your evening in Marrakech.
Return to Jemaa el-Fna Square to experience the lively activity: musicians, performers, snake charmers, and bustling stalls. Grab something to eat or choose a nearby café and enjoy the show!
Day 5: Marrakech: Exploring the Red City & Depart
Spend your final morning discovering the cultural richness of Marrakech. With your guide, explore landmarks such as the Bahia Palace, the vibrant souks, and the historic medina, where artisans, spice merchants, and craft ateliers fill the narrow streets with color and energy. Depending on your departure time, you may visit the Majorelle Garden or enjoy a relaxed stroll through the shaded paths of the Medina’s hidden riads. After soaking in the last impressions of the Red City, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward journey, marking the end of your unforgettable Moroccan adventure.
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Highlights
Discover rural markets, hidden oases, ancient caravan routes, and fortified kasbahs.
Explore the medieval mystery of the Fes Medina.
Visit souks and markets, or take a cooking class in Marrakech.
Sleep under the stars at a desert camp among the Sahara's dunes.
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