7-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour

Day by day

Your 7-day plan

1. 1

   Day 1

   Fes to Midelt via Ifrane & the Azrou cedars

   Leave Fes through Ifrane, the alpine 'Moroccan Switzerland', and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to troops of Barbary macaques. Cross the Middle Atlas plateaux and the Col du Zad to Midelt, the 'apple town' between the Middle and High Atlas, for the night. A scenic 3–4 hour drive through cool highland country.

   • Ifrane
   • Azrou cedar forest & macaques
   • Col du Zad
   • Midelt
2. 2

   Day 2

   The Ziz Valley to Merzouga & the dunes

   Head south over the Tizi n'Talghemt pass, then down the spectacular Ziz Gorges and the long palm canyon of the Ziz Valley through Errachidia and Erfoud to Merzouga. Camels carry you into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset and a first night in a desert camp. About 5–6 hours of driving with stops at the Ziz viewpoints.

   • Tizi n'Talghemt
   • Ziz Gorges
   • Ziz Valley palm canyon
   • Camel trek
   • Erg Chebbi camp
3. 3

   Day 3

   A full day in the Erg Chebbi dunes

   No long drive today. Sunrise over the dunes, then a relaxed day around Merzouga: the Gnaoua village of Khamlia, the nomad families, the seasonal Lake Dayet Srji, sandboarding and an optional 4x4 circuit of the erg. A second night deep in the sand under a brilliant desert sky.

   • Erg Chebbi sunrise
   • Khamlia Gnaoua music
   • Lake Dayet Srji
   • Sandboarding
   • Second desert night
4. 4

   Day 4

   Rissani, Tinghir & the Todra Gorge

   Ride the camels back at sunrise, then drive west through the Rissani souk and the date palmeraie of Tinghir to the towering 300 m walls of the Todra Gorge. Walk along the river beneath the cliffs and overnight near the gorge or in nearby Tinghir. A steady 4–5 hour driving day.

   • Rissani souk
   • Tinghir palmeraie
   • Todra Gorge
5. 5

   Day 5

   Dadès Gorges & the Valley of the Roses

   Drive the dramatic Dadès switchbacks and explore the rose-coloured Dadès Gorges and the 'monkey-fingers' rock formations, then follow the Valley of the Roses, famous for its spring harvest, to the Skoura palm oasis and Kasbah Amridil. Overnight near Skoura or Ouarzazate. A shorter, scenery-rich day of about 3–4 hours.

   • Dadès switchbacks
   • Dadès Gorges
   • Valley of the Roses
   • Skoura palmeraie
   • Kasbah Amridil
6. 6

   Day 6

   Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou

   Visit Ouarzazate, the 'door of the desert', with its Taourirt kasbah and film studios, then the short drive to the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Explore the earthen citadel at leisure and overnight nearby so you catch it in the soft evening and morning light. An easy 2–3 hour driving day with time to wander.

   • Ouarzazate
   • Taourirt kasbah
   • Atlas film studios
   • Aït Ben Haddou
7. 7

   Day 7

   Over the Tizi n'Tichka to Marrakech

   The final crossing of the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), with Berber village stops, argan cooperatives and mountain panoramas, descending to finish in Marrakech around midday or early afternoon. Roughly 4 hours on the road to close the crossing.

   • Tizi n'Tichka pass
   • High Atlas panoramas
   • Berber villages
   • Arrival in Marrakech

Good to know

Practical notes

• This is a one-way crossing — start in Fes and finish in Marrakech (or reverse it), so it doubles as a desert tour and a city-to-city transfer.
• Seven days adds two nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes and a full rest day in the sand, so the long north-to-south distances never feel rushed.
• A private 4x4 with a driver-guide suits the distances and lets you stop in the Ziz Valley, the gorges and at Aït Ben Haddou.
• Pack layers for the cool Middle Atlas cedar country, the hot dunes and the cold desert nights.

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