4 days from Marrakech to Fes

Your 4-day adventure from Marrakech to Fes begins with an early departure across the beautiful High Atlas Mountains. The road climbs the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, offering panoramic views of valleys, traditional Berber villages, and terraced fields. Along the way, you will have several stops to admire the scenery and learn about local Berber culture.

The journey continues to the spectacular UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco’s most iconic ksar and a filming location for classics such as Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After exploring the narrow alleys and ancient architecture of the kasbah, you travel toward Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Desert,” where you may visit the Atlas Film Studios or the historical Kasbah Taourirt. In the afternoon, the road leads you through the lush Skoura Oasis and the fragrant Valley of Roses before reaching the dramatic rock formations and winding canyons of the Dades Valley, where you spend the night.

After breakfast in the Dades Valley, the tour continues toward one of Morocco’s most impressive natural wonders: the Todgha Gorge. Sculpted by centuries of water erosion, its towering cliffs reach up to 300 meters, creating a breathtaking natural corridor ideal for walking and photography. Leaving the gorge behind, you pass through the desert towns of Tinjdad and Touroug before reaching Erfoud, a city famous for its date market and fossil workshops.

As you approach Merzouga, the scenery transforms into vast desert plains and the first views of the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi appear. Upon arrival, you settle into your hotel or riad located near the dunes, giving you time to relax, enjoy a swim, explore the desert on foot, or choose optional activities such as quad biking, buggy rides, or a sunset walk on the dunes. This comfortable first night in Merzouga allows you to fully enjoy the calm and beauty of the Sahara before your camping experience.

Your third day is dedicated entirely to discovering the magic and culture of the Merzouga desert. After breakfast, you embark on a local exploration that may include visiting a nomadic Berber family living in traditional black tents, giving you insight into their desert lifestyle. You then continue to the village of Khamlia, home to the Gnawa people, where you can enjoy their spiritual music and learn about their origins.

The tour often includes a short 4x4 adventure around the Erg Chebbi dunes, a visit to the Merzouga oasis, and—depending on the season—a stop at the serene Dayet Srij lake, known for attracting migratory birds including flamingos. In the late afternoon, your camel caravan awaits to take you deep into the dunes during a spectacular sunset. You arrive at your desert camp where you will enjoy a traditional dinner, Berber drumming under the stars, and an unforgettable night surrounded by the silence and beauty of the Sahara.

Wake up early to witness the sunrise over the dunes, an unforgettable moment that captures the essence of the Sahara. After breakfast, you return to Merzouga village by camel or 4x4 and begin your journey north toward Fes. The road takes you through Rissani, birthplace of Morocco’s Alaouite dynasty, before entering the lush palm groves of the Ziz Valley, one of the country’s longest and most scenic oasis systems. You then cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through volcanic landscapes around Midelt and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to Barbary macaque monkeys.

A final stop is made in Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco” because of its clean streets, alpine-style architecture, and cool climate. By late afternoon or early evening, you arrive in Fes and are dropped off at your accommodation, marking the end of an enriching 4-day journey from Marrakech to Fes with two magical nights in Merzouga.