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6 days desert tour from Fez to Merzouga
A 6-day desert tour from Fez to Merzouga is one of the best ways to experience the beauty, culture, and landscapes of Morocco. This journey takes travelers from the historic city of Fez through the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, traditional Berber villages, dramatic valleys, and finally to the golden dunes of Merzouga, home of the famous Sahara Desert.
Along the way, visitors can explore charming towns such as Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” and Azrou, where wild monkeys live in the cedar forest. The route continues through Midelt, Ziz Valley, and Erfoud, offering stunning scenery of mountains, palm groves, and desert landscapes.
The highlight of the tour is reaching Merzouga, where guests enjoy a camel trek across the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, watch a magical sunset, and spend the night in a traditional desert camp under the stars. Travelers can also discover nomadic culture, listen to local Gnawa music, and enjoy authentic Moroccan cuisine.
This 6-day tour is perfect for those who want a relaxed pace, enough time to explore each region, and unforgettable memories of Morocco’s Sahara Desert. It combines adventure, culture, nature, and comfort in one incredible trip.
6 days desert tour from Fez to Merzouga
The 6-day desert tour starts in Fez and ends in Marrakech
Itineraries
Day 1
Fez - City Tour
Arrival in Fez in the morning. You’ll be met at the airport at your flight’s scheduled arrival time with a sign bearing your name, and then transferred to the medina.
We’ll begin the guided tour of the medina, one of the largest walled cities in the world. Founded in 790 AD, it spans a period somewhere between the Middle Ages and the present day.
We’ll explore the narrow streets filled with shops selling fresh fruit, piles of spices, Berber rugs, and many other examples of Moroccan art. We’ll visit the Royal Palace, the potters, and the tanners, followed by the world’s oldest university (older even than Oxford or the Sorbonne).
Afterward, we’ll have lunch at a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. Following lunch, we’ll finish our tour of the medina and return to your riad. Accommodation with breakfast.
Day 2
Day 2: Fez – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
We’ll depart from Fez for Ifrane, a stunning destination situated at an elevation of 1,650 meters, nicknamed “the Switzerland of Morocco,” where we’ll take a stroll to admire the scenery before continuing on to Merzouga. We’ll pass through the Zad Pass in the Middle Atlas Mountains toward the town of Midelt, situated at an altitude of 1,488 meters.
The road winds through the stunning Ziz Gorges until we reach Er-Rachidia. Finally, we’ll arrive in Erfoud, the gateway to the desert, and from there we’ll take the road to Merzouga. Overnight stay at a hotel near the dunes
Day 3
Merzouga - Khamlia - Nomadic family
After breakfast and a shower, we’ll check out of the hotel and head out on an excursion to explore the area: the village of Khamlia (whose inhabitants are of Sudanese origin, descended from slaves), where we’ll dance and enjoy their traditional spiritual music known as Gnawa, designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
We’ll eat the typical Berber pizza, and depending on the weather, in the afternoon we’ll swap the 4×4 for “8×8” dromedaries and ride them across the dunes to the secluded Jaimas camp located in the heart of the desert, where we’ll spend a starry night accompanied by the silence of the desert. Drum party… (An unforgettable night!!)
Day 4
Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Wake up to watch the sunrise after breakfast. Then we head out across the desert to the ancient town of Rissani and the Todra Gorges (you can hike along the Todra Gorges by the river).
We stop to enjoy the panoramic views of the ancient Berber mud-brick villages overlooking the Todra Valley, where many rock climbers come to enjoy their favorite sport. We continue to Dades for the night in the Dades Valley.
Day 5
Dades Valley - Valley of Roses - Ouarzazate - Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech
Next, we’ll head to the Dades Valley via the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” then continue along a road that leads us to the roses. Thousands upon thousands of roses fill the air with their fragrance in Kelaa M’Gouna. It’s the most beautiful of the rose gardens in the Valley of Roses, where the Rose Festival is celebrated in May. Dances and parades take place under a constant shower of petals.
Did you know it takes a ton of petals to produce a liter of rose extract? We’ll pass through Skoura, a vast palm grove, and see the condition of most of the kasbahs that were once concentrated in this grove.
Departure for Marrakech, crossing once again the Tizi Tichka Pass, at an altitude of about 2,260 meters, the “Pass of the Pastures.” It is the highest mountain pass on Morocco’s roads. Although subjected to very strong winds, the high meadows perched on the slopes of the High Atlas serve as pastures in the summer.
En route, we visit the famous kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is the best-preserved fortified village (ksar). Arrival in Marrakech late in the evening at the riad.
Day 6
Marrakech - City Tour
Free day: a guided tour of the city and its main monuments led by a guide specializing in history.
Marrakech is, along with Meknes, Fez, and Rabat, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Youssef Ibn Tachfin, the first emir of the Berber Almoravid dynasty, and served as the capital of the Islamic Empire.
Marrakech is one of Morocco’s most important cities and is located in the south of the country, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. It boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it the country’s main tourist attraction.
Marrakech is known as the “Red City” due to the color of its buildings. In 2001, UNESCO declared Djemaa el Fna Square a World Heritage Site; it is one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world. Everything in Marrakech revolves around Djemaa el Fna: crowds of people gather in this public space, filling it with color and culture—musicians, storytellers, snake charmers, and dancers.
At sunset, the square fills with food stalls illuminated by hundreds of lights, and as night falls, countless people gather to eat. In the distance, overlooking the scene in the square, stands the city’s oldest Almohad monument, the Koutoubia Mosque.
At the agreed-upon time, transfer to the airport to conclude our services. Have a safe trip.
Included:
- Pick-up from your accommodation in Fez
- Private transport with air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- 5 nights accommodation
- Camel trek in Merzouga Desert
- 1 night in desert camp
- Breakfasts and dinners (depending on accommodations)
- Drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
Not Included:
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments or attractions
- Tips for driver/guide
The tour usually starts in the morning from your accommodation in Fez, around 8:30 AM.
The tour ends in Marrakech at your accommodation or the nearest accessible point.
Yes, the camel trek in Merzouga Desert is included in the tour.
Usually between 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the season and camp location.
Yes, a 4x4 transfer to the desert camp can usually be arranged upon request.
The tour includes hotels/riads during the trip and one night in a desert camp in Merzouga.
Yes, vegetarian and other dietary options are available if requested in advance.
The tour can be organized as private or shared, depending on your preference.
Yes, the tour is suitable for most ages, and the itinerary can be adjusted if needed.