Fes Desert Tours
to Marrakech via the Sahara
3 to 5 Days · Erg Chebbi · Todra Gorge · Marrakech
Plan My Fes Desert TourFes Desert Tours
Fes is the natural starting point for a one-way desert crossing to Marrakech. The route heads south through the Middle Atlas, the cedar forest near Azrou, and the Ziz Valley before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga. From the Sahara it continues west through Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou, and over the High Atlas into Marrakech. Not a single road is repeated.
Pro Morocco Tours has been running Morocco desert tours from Fes since 2010. Every itinerary on this page is personally driven and tested by Hassan, born near the Erg Chebbi dunes, before it goes on the site. Nothing is on the route that does not deliver.
Which tour length suits you?
Three days is the minimum for a meaningful Sahara trip from Fes — you reach the desert, spend one night at Erg Chebbi, and arrive in Marrakech the following afternoon. Four days adds a proper stop at Todra Gorge and more time in the Dades Valley. Five days gives you two nights near the desert and the most relaxed pace on the full crossing.
What is included?
Every Morocco desert tour from Fes includes an air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver-guide, all overnight accommodation, the sunset camel trek at Erg Chebbi, dinner and breakfast at the desert camp, and all fuel and road tolls. Entry fees to monuments and personal expenses are not included.
Can I do this tour in reverse from Marrakech?
Yes. Every tour on this page runs equally well starting in Marrakech and ending in Fes. The route covers the same stops in the opposite direction. If your flights use Marrakech as the entry point and Fes as the exit, or vice versa, contact us and we will build the itinerary around your schedule.
Fes Desert Tours
Why start your desert tour in Fes?
Fes sits at the northern edge of the Middle Atlas, which means every Morocco desert tour south from Fes passes through the cedar forest, Ifrane, and the Ziz Valley before reaching the Sahara. The route adds a complete Atlas crossing to the desert experience that tours starting in Marrakech do not include going south.
How far is the Sahara from Fes?
The Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga are roughly 430 kilometres from Fes — around 6 to 7 hours of driving including stops at Ifrane, the cedar forest, and the Ziz Valley. Every Morocco desert tour from Fes reaches the desert on Day 1 or Day 2 depending on the tour length.
Fes Desert Tours — 3 to 5 Days
Three Fes to Marrakech desert tours, from a 3-day crossing to a 5-day itinerary with two nights near the Sahara. Every tour is fully customisable, any date.
Fes → Sahara → Marrakech
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour 3 Days
One Way
Cedar forest, Ziz Valley, sunset camel trek at Erg Chebbi, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou, and the High Atlas crossing into Marrakech. The full southern crossing in three days.
Fes → Sahara → Marrakech
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour 4 Days
One Way
More time at each stop than the 3-day crossing. A full afternoon in Todra Gorge, an overnight in the Dades Valley, one Sahara night at Erg Chebbi, and a relaxed final day through Ait Ben Haddou into Marrakech.
Fes → Sahara → Marrakech
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour 5 Days
Two Sahara Nights
Two nights near Erg Chebbi with a full exploration day in the Merzouga area. The most relaxed version of the Fes to Marrakech crossing — enough time to feel the Sahara rather than just pass through it.
Key Stops on Every Morocco Desert Tour from Fes
Every Fes to Marrakech desert tour follows the same core route south. Here is what each stop looks like and why it is worth the drive.
Ifrane & Cedar Forest
The first stop south of Fes is Ifrane, a planned town in the Middle Atlas that looks unexpectedly alpine at 1,665 metres. From there the road climbs into the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques live wild along the roadside. It is the opening landscape of every Morocco desert tour from Fes and it sets a different tone from anything that follows.
Ziz Valley
Below Midelt the road enters the Ziz Valley, a long corridor of date palms and ancient mud-brick ksour running through bare plateau. The valley stretches south toward the desert as far as the eye can reach. It is the transition zone between the Atlas and the Sahara, and the viewpoint above the valley floor is one of the more quietly impressive stops on the entire route.
Erg Chebbi — Merzouga Sahara
The centrepiece of every Fes desert tour. The Erg Chebbi dunes reach 150 metres at their highest point and stretch for 22 kilometres. Every Sahara trip includes a sunset camel trek into the dunes, dinner at the desert camp, Gnawa music around the fire, and a sunrise from the top of the dune the following morning.
Todra Gorge
A 300-metre limestone canyon where the walls narrow to just a few metres at the base. The walk along the canyon floor is flat and accessible, taking around 40 minutes. Even in summer, the air inside the gorge stays cool. It appears on the route between the desert and the Dades Valley and is consistently one of the highlights guests mention most.
Dades Valley
The Route of a Thousand Kasbahs runs west from Tinghir through rose gardens, ancient earthen forts, and the Monkey Fingers rock formations above the gorge. The zigzag road viewpoint above Boumalne Dades is one of the most photographed stretches on any Morocco desert tour. Many Fes to Marrakech tours overnight here — the gorge at dawn is worth it.
Ait Ben Haddou & High Atlas
The UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou sits above the Ounila River on the approach to Marrakech. Its earthen towers have appeared in Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and dozens of other productions. From there the route climbs the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 metres before descending into the Marrakech plain — the final act of every Fes to Marrakech desert tour.
Why Choose Pro Morocco Tours for Your Fes Desert Tour
Fes Desert Tours — FAQ
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What are the best Morocco desert tours from Fes?
The best Morocco desert tour from Fes depends on how many days you have. The 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour is the most popular — it covers the cedar forest, Erg Chebbi, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, and Ait Ben Haddou in one continuous route. The 4 and 5-day versions slow the pace down and add more time at each stop, with the 5-day giving two nights near the Sahara.
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How long does a Fes to Marrakech desert tour take?
Fes to Marrakech desert tours run from 3 to 5 days. The 3-day tour is the minimum for a meaningful Sahara experience — you drive through the Middle Atlas on Day 1, spend one night at Erg Chebbi on Day 2, and arrive in Marrakech via Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, and Ait Ben Haddou on Day 3. The 5-day version adds a second Sahara night and a full exploration day near Merzouga.
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What does a Fes to Marrakech desert tour include?
Every Morocco desert tour from Fes includes an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, all overnight accommodation, the sunset camel trek at Erg Chebbi, dinner and breakfast at the desert camp, and all fuel and road tolls. Entry fees to monuments and personal expenses are not included.
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Can I do this tour in reverse, starting in Marrakech and ending in Fes?
Yes. Every Fes to Marrakech desert tour on this page runs equally well in reverse. The route covers the same stops in the opposite direction. If your flights use Marrakech as the arrival airport and Fes as the departure, contact us and we will plan it around your schedule.
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Can I customise my Fes to Marrakech desert tour?
Yes. Every Morocco desert tour from Fes on this page is a starting point. You can add an extra night in the Sahara, extend a stop at Todra Gorge or the Dades Valley, or build a completely bespoke itinerary. Contact us with your dates and preferences and we will put together the right tour.