• Spot Barbary apes in their natural habitat in the cedar forests near Azrou
• Ride a camel across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi
• Watch the sun rise and set over the Sahara
• Spend a night in a private tent at a luxury desert camp
• Enjoy a full day of desert exploration by 4×4
• Meet nomadic Berber families and learn about their way of life
• Discover the dramatic Todra and Dades Gorges
• Visit a Berber family living in a mountain cave near Bou Tharar
• Explore the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
• Step inside the historic Glaoui Kasbah of Telouet
• Cross the High Atlas Mountains on the way into Marrakech

Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert

Your 5 days tour from Fes to Marrakech begins with a morning pick-up from your riad or hotel in Fes. The route heads south through Ifrane, a mountain town known for its alpine-style architecture, before entering the cedar forests near Azrou, where wild Barbary apes are often seen among the trees.

Continuing south, the road follows the palm-lined Ziz Valley, one of the most scenic drives in Morocco, before arriving in the Merzouga desert by early afternoon. Mount a camel for the ride into the dunes of Erg Chebbi and take in a breathtaking Sahara sunset from the top of a high dune.

At the desert camp, settle into your private tent, enjoy a traditional dinner, and gather around the campfire for an evening of Berber music and drumming beneath the stars.

Driving distance: Approximately 460 km Driving time: Approximately 6.5–7 hours

Day 2: Merzouga Desert Discovery

Early risers can catch a striking Sahara sunrise before breakfast. Today is dedicated to exploring the desert around Merzouga in depth.

Visit Khamlia, a village celebrated for its Gnawa musical tradition, then head off-road to the abandoned village of M’Fis, once home to a Galena mining community. Continue to a nomadic family living near the Erg Chebbi dunes, where you will be welcomed with tea and a firsthand look at their traditional lifestyle.

After lunch, relax at a riad overlooking the dunes, with time for a swim or a quiet moment to take in the scenery. In the late afternoon, take a short walk into the dunes to enjoy a second unforgettable desert sunset. Travelers who want more time in the Sahara can request an extra night at the camp when booking.

Driving distance: Approximately 57 km Driving time: Approximately 1 hour 15 min

Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

After breakfast, leave Merzouga behind and head toward the Dades Valley, stopping along the way in Rissani, Tinghir, and the Todra Gorge. If your visit falls on a market day in Rissani (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday), you will have the chance to explore a lively traditional souk filled with local crafts, spices, and street food.

At Todra Gorge, take a walk beneath the towering canyon walls that rise dramatically on either side of the river, one of the most striking natural landmarks on this fes to marrakech tour route.

Arrive in the Dades Valley in the evening, where dinner and an overnight stay await at your hotel.

Driving distance: Approximately 310 km Driving time: Approximately 5 hours

Day 4: Dades Valley – Bou Tharar – Kelaat M’Gouna – Skoura – Ouarzazate

Start the morning with a relaxed walk in the Dades Valley, or opt for a guided hike through the Monkey Fingers rock formations for a closer look at the valley’s unusual geology.

From Dades, the route continues off-road toward Kelaat M’Gouna, with an optional stop to visit a nomadic Berber family living in a mountain cave near Bou Tharar, where you can share a glass of tea and learn about cave-dwelling traditions still practiced today. Kelaat M’Gouna itself is known as the heart of Morocco’s Rose Valley, particularly beautiful in the spring bloom.

Continue to Skoura, a historic oasis once used as a stopover for caravans crossing between the Mediterranean and sub-Saharan Africa. Visit the Amridil Kasbah, a well-preserved fortress offering a glimpse into life in the region three centuries ago, before transferring to your hotel in Ouarzazate for the night.

Driving distance: Approximately 144 km Driving time: Approximately 3 hours

Day 5: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas Mountains – Telouet – Marrakech

Begin the final day with a visit to Ouarzazate, nicknamed the “Hollywood of Africa,” including a stop at the Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Studios film sets.

Continue to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s most recognizable landmarks, featured in productions such as Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones.

After lunch, cross the High Atlas Mountains toward Marrakech, stopping at scenic viewpoints and the Kasbah of Telouet, once the seat of power of the influential Glaoui family. Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation, marking the end of your 5 days tour from Fes to Marrakech.

Driving distance: Approximately 204 km Driving time: Approximately 4 hours