6 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes: Sahara & Imperial Cities

Complete 6-Day Morocco Desert Tour Itinerary

Your Morocco sightseeing tours adventure begins with morning pickup from your Marrakech accommodation. The drive through the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi N'Tichka Pass (2,260m) offers breathtaking panoramic views and glimpses of traditional Berber villages clinging to mountainsides like ancient guardians.

Your first major stop is the historic Telouet Kasbah, once the seat of the powerful Glaoui family, where crumbling walls tell stories of Morocco's complex political past. Continue to Ait Benhaddou, the UNESCO World Heritage site where Hollywood magic meets Moroccan heritage – this fortified village's red-earth buildings seem to glow against the desert backdrop.

After an optional traditional lunch, proceed to Ouarzazate, where you can visit film studios or the Kasbah of Taourirt. The day concludes with a scenic drive through the Rose Valley, famous for its Damascus roses and Festival of Roses each May, before reaching the Dades Valley for overnight accommodation in a traditional riad.

After breakfast overlooking the Dades Valley's dramatic rock formations, journey to the impressive Todra Gorges, where a narrow canyon reveals towering red cliffs reaching 300 meters high. This natural wonder is popular with rock climbers from around the world, and you'll have free time to walk through the gorges and feel the cool mountain air.

Travel through the palm-lined Ziz Valley to Erfoud, the "fossils town," where you can learn about fossilized marble production that reveals Morocco's ancient past when this desert region was covered by ocean. Your final destination is Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, where your vehicle gives way to camels for an unforgettable trek into Erg Chebbi dunes.

As the sun begins its descent, pause atop a sand dune to witness one of nature's most spectacular displays – a Sahara sunset that paints the sky in impossible shades of orange, pink, and purple. Spend the night at a luxury desert camp, enjoying traditional Berber dinner and music around a campfire under the Milky Way.

Wake before dawn to witness the breathtaking Sahara sunrise, when the first rays of light transform the dunes into a golden ocean that seems to stretch to infinity. After breakfast, dedicate a full day to exploring the Merzouga region through various optional activities.

Your adventure might include an off-road track to ancient eyeliner mines where Berber women once gathered kohl, and visits to nomadic families who maintain traditional ways of life in this harsh yet beautiful environment. Share mint tea while learning about desert survival, traditional crafts, and the philosophy of nomadic life.

Visit Khamlia village for authentic Gnawa music and dancing performed by people of sub-Saharan origin whose ancestors were brought along trans-Saharan trade routes. The wild Merzouga Lake (Flamingo Lake) offers seasonal wildlife viewing, while lunch in Merzouga town and walks through palm groves provide peaceful interludes. Overnight in a riad or hotel in the Merzouga region.

After breakfast, bid farewell to the desert and drive through Rissani, where you can visit the traditional souk (market) if it's market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday). The journey continues through the lush Ziz Valley, known for extensive palm groves that create green ribbons through otherwise arid landscapes.

Stop for lunch in Midelt, a mountain town in the Middle Atlas where Berber and Arab cultures blend seamlessly. The afternoon brings you to Azrou Cedar Forest, home to the famous Barbary Macaques – Morocco's only monkey species – which you can observe and photograph in their natural habitat.

Continue to Ifrane, often called "Little Switzerland of Morocco" for its clean streets, alpine-style architecture, and cooler climate that provides relief from desert heat. Finally, arrive in Fes, Morocco's spiritual and cultural heart, where you'll check into your riad for the night, ready for tomorrow's deep dive into imperial history.

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, embark on a comprehensive guided tour of Fes with a knowledgeable local guide. This UNESCO World Heritage site reveals layers of history through its magnificent architecture and bustling medina life.

Your tour includes the Royal Palace gate with its impressive brass doors, the historic Mellah (Jewish quarter) that tells stories of Morocco's multicultural past, and the serene Jnane Sbile Gardens. Enter the old medina through Bab Boujloud (the Blue Gate), where medieval life continues much as it has for centuries.

Explore the well-preserved Medina (Fes El Bali), a labyrinth of narrow alleys and bustling souks where craftsmen practice trades passed down through generations. Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, the world's oldest continuously operating university founded by a woman, and the famous Chouara Tannery where traditional leather dyeing creates a rainbow of colors.

Architectural gems like Bouanania Medrasa and Madrasa Al-Attarine showcase intricate Islamic design, while the Najjarine fountain and Nejjarine Museum celebrate Morocco's woodworking heritage. The tour concludes with panoramic views of the medina from Borj Sud, providing perspective on this medieval masterpiece.

On your final day, enjoy breakfast at your Fes hotel before transfer to Fes Saiss Airport for departure. For those seeking to extend their adventure, we offer transfers from Marrakech to Casablanca or day trips from Marrakech to Casablanca, allowing you to experience Morocco's economic capital.

The journey from Marrakech to Casablanca reveals how far Marrakech is from Casablanca (approximately 240 kilometers) while showcasing Morocco's diverse landscapes. In Casablanca, visit the iconic Hassan II Mosque, one of the world's largest mosques overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, along with Mohammed V Square and the famous Rick's Café inspired by the classic film.

This Marrakech to Casablanca tour option provides the perfect conclusion to your Moroccan adventure, whether you're catching international flights or extending your stay to explore more of this captivating kingdom.

We will pick you up for a quick tour of Fes after breakfast and then drive you off at the airport. Six-day tour comes to an end in Marrakech.