+212 600 643 098 moroccoactiveadventures@gmail.com
6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech: A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes
Home › Itineraries › 6 days
6 days · Cities & desert

6 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech through the Desert

Fly into Fes and take your time going south: a whole day in the medina, two nights at the edge of the Sahara, the gorges, and a quiet evening at Aït Benhaddou before Marrakech.

See the day-by-day route
6 days / 5 nightsStarts in FesEnds in MarrakechPrivate tour
Fes→Ifrane→Midelt→Merzouga→Todra Gorge→Dades Valley→Ouarzazate→Aït Benhaddou→Marrakech

About this 6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech

Our 6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech starts in the oldest medina of Morocco. From there you travel south through the cedar forest to the Sahara.

First, a local guide shows you the madrasas, souks and tanneries of Fes. Then you walk among the cedars near Ifrane and follow the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. After that, a 4x4 trip to Khamlia comes before a camel trek to the desert camp. Next, you sandboard at sunrise and walk in the Todra Gorge. Finally, you sleep at Aït Benhaddou and cross the High Atlas to Marrakech. As a result, this 6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech never feels rushed. It is a private trip on your dates.

Highlights of this 6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech

  • Full day in the Fes medina
  • Cedar forest & macaques
  • Ziz Valley
  • 4x4 to Khamlia & a nomad tent
  • Camel trek & desert camp
  • Sandboarding at sunrise
  • Todra Gorge walk
  • Night at Aït Benhaddou

6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Guided Fes

    A full day in the medina with a local guide: the Bou Inania madrasa, the dyers’ souk and a rooftop view over the tanneries.

    Stay: Riad in Fes
  2. 2day
    Day 2

    Cedar forest & the road south

    Walk among the cedars and Barbary macaques near Ifrane, then follow the Ziz Valley to the edge of the dunes at Merzouga.

    On the road: about 7–8 h with stopsStay: Riad in Merzouga
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Nomads, 4x4 & a camel trek

    A 4x4 tour to the village of Khamlia and a nomad tent, then a camel trek at sunset to a desert camp.

    On the road: about 1 h by 4x4Stay: Desert camp
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Sandboarding & the Todra Gorge

    Sandboarding at sunrise, then an easy walk between the cliffs of the Todra Gorge, and the Dades Valley for the night.

    On the road: about 5 h with the walkStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  5. 5day
    Day 5

    Road of the kasbahs to Aït Benhaddou

    Through the Valley of Roses and Ouarzazate to Aït Benhaddou, with a guided walk up through the ksar.

    On the road: about 4 h with stopsStay: Riad in Aït Benhaddou
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    Over the High Atlas to Marrakech

    Berber villages and viewpoints on the Tichka road, arriving in Marrakech in the early afternoon.

    On the road: about 4 h

What’s included in this 6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech

Included

  • 5 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
  • Breakfast every morning
  • Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
  • Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
  • Pick-up in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
  • Camel ride as described in the programme
  • 4x4 excursion in the desert
  • Mountain guide and mule for the luggage
  • Local guide for the guided visits

Not included

  • International flights
  • Lunches and drinks
  • Entrance fees to monuments and museums
  • Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for drivers and guides

Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.

Where you stay

  1. Night 1Riad in Fes
  2. Night 2Riad in Merzouga
  3. Night 3Desert camp
  4. Night 4Riad in Dades Valley
  5. Night 5Riad in Aït Benhaddou

Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.

Best time for this trip

Spring and autumn are best for Fes and the desert. Summer days in the Sahara are very hot, and from December to February the Middle Atlas can be snowy.

  • JanPossible
  • FebGood
  • MarBest
  • AprBest
  • MayGood
  • JunPossible
  • JulAvoid
  • AugAvoid
  • SepGood
  • OctBest
  • NovBest
  • DecGood

What to bring for this trip

  • Walking shoes for the medina and the gorge
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Fes
  • Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Warm layer for the desert night and Ifrane
  • Headtorch for the camp
  • Small overnight bag for the camp
  • Snacks for the long drive south
  • Refillable water bottle

Booking & payment

How to book
Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
Payment
A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
Cancellation
Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
Weather & changes
If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.

6 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech through the Desert: your questions

Why start a 6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech in Fes?

Fes is the best place to land if you want the medina first. The route then heads south through the Middle Atlas to the Sahara without any backtracking.

How many nights in the Sahara on the 6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech?

Two nights at Merzouga: one in a riad at the edge of the dunes and one in a desert camp.

Can you meet us at Fes airport or the train station?

Yes. We meet you at Fes airport, the train station or your riad.

Is it cold in the Middle Atlas?

In winter the area around Ifrane can be snowy and cold, so bring a warm layer. In summer it is pleasantly cooler than Fes.

Can we finish at Marrakech airport?

Yes, we drop you at the airport or your hotel. Plan an evening flight, as the Tichka road takes several hours.

Local team in MoroccoYour trip is planned and run by our own team on the ground.
Private, on your datesOnly you and your travel companions, starting when you want.
Every day can changeAdd a night, an activity or a slower pace – the plan adapts to you.
Answers on WhatsAppAsk us anything before you book: +212 600 643 098.

What our travellers say

TA5.0 ●●●●●
Moroccan Active Adventures on Tripadvisor
●●●●●

A holistic experience

Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
A
Read all reviews on Tripadvisor

Activities on this trip

Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.

Camel & horseback treksCamel & horseback treksDay 3 – Nomads, 4x4 & a camel trekDetails →Desert camping & stargazingDesert camping & stargazingDay 3 – Nomads, 4x4 & a camel trekDetails →Hiking & trekking adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresDay 2 – Cedar forest & the road southDetails →4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 & off-road safarisDay 3 – Nomads, 4x4 & a camel trekDetails →A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in FesCultural explorationDay 1 – Guided FesDetails →

Optional activities

Add one or more of these to your 6-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.

Hot air balloon rideOptional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →Quad & buggy ridesOptional · extraQuad & buggy ridesQuad or buggy in the Agafay desert or the palm groveSee the activity →Cycling & mountain bikingOptional · extraCycling & mountain bikingCycling in the oasisSee the activity →Authentic culinary experiencesOptional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesFood tour or cooking classSee the activity →Faith & spiritual journeysOptional · extraFaith & spiritual journeysSpiritual and heritage visitSee the activity →Wellness and relaxationOptional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →
Quick request

Request this 6-day trip

Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.

  • No payment to send a request
  • Private tour on your dates
  • Or write to us: +212 600 643 098

More ideas for 6 days in morocco

6 days in Morocco: Ouzoud, Bin el Ouidane & Aït BouguemezMorocco Tour 6 Days: Waterfalls, Lake & the Happy ValleyPrivate tour · Round trip from Marrakech · Mountains & waterThe green side of Morocco: the Ouzoud waterfalls, a kayak on the turquoise lake of Bin el Ouidane and two nights of walking in Aït Bouguemez, the “Happy Valley” of the central High Atlas. 6 days in Morocco: Northern Loop from Tangier6 Days Tour from Tangier: Chefchaouen, Fes & the AtlanticPrivate tour · Round trip from Tangier · North, round tripA round trip from the ferry port: the white medina of Tetouan, two nights in Chefchaouen with the Akchour hike, two nights in Fes, Volubilis and the seaside town of Asilah before you sail home. 6 days in Morocco: South to North: Marrakech to Tangier6 Days Tour from Marrakech to Tangier via the SaharaPrivate tour · Marrakech to Tangier · Desert, cities & northThe whole country in one direction: the kasbah road, a night in the dunes, a guided day in Fes, Volubilis and the blue city of Chefchaouen, ending at the port of Tangier for the ferry to Spain.

See all 10 ideas for 6 days

A similar trip, shorter or longer

All Morocco itineraries, 4 to 30 days · Luxury tours · Small group tours · Women only tours · Activities · Travel tips · About our team

Camel & horseback treks
Land adventure

Camel & horseback treks

On this trip: Day 3 – Nomads, 4x4 & a camel trek

Camel trekking Morocco’s Sahara is the slow, quiet way into the desert: a line of camels led by a guide on foot, swaying over the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga as the light turns soft. Most of our guests ride at sunset to a camp in the dunes and come back at sunrise. It is calm, not sporty – anyone who can sit on a saddle for an hour can do it.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), Agafay desert, Marrakech palm grove
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Easy, no experience needed for camels
Minimum age
Children ride with an adult; ask us for small kids
  • The classic Sahara moment
  • Local camel men
  • Slow travel
See the full activity page
 Desert camping & stargazing
Land adventure

Desert camping & stargazing

On this trip: Day 3 – Nomads, 4x4 & a camel trek

Sahara desert camping in Morocco is about one evening you will not forget: arriving at a camp hidden between the dunes of Erg Chebbi, climbing a ridge for sunset, eating tagine by the fire while drums play, then lying on a rug under more stars than you thought possible. Our camps near Merzouga range from simple nomad-style tents to comfortable tents with real beds and private bathrooms.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes), Agafay desert near Marrakech
Duration
1 to 3 nights
Level
Easy, for all ages
Camp types
Nomad-style, standard and luxury tents
  • Real dunes
  • A sky full of stars
  • Choose your comfort
See the full activity page
 Hiking & trekking adventures
Land adventure

Hiking & trekking adventures

On this trip: Day 2 – Cedar forest & the road south

Hiking Morocco’s High Atlas is a walk through a lived-in landscape: terraced fields, walnut trees, flat-roofed Berber villages built from the same red earth as the mountains, and mule paths that people still use every day. Our local mountain guides grew up around these valleys. They choose the route, set a steady pace and arrange lunch or a night in a village house.

Where
High Atlas (Imlil, Ourika, Toubkal), Dades & Todra gorges, Merzouga dunes
Duration
Day hikes to 5-day treks
Level
Easy valley walks to challenging summit treks
Minimum age
Valley walks for families; Toubkal for fit teens and adults
  • Real mountains near Marrakech
  • Toubkal, the big one
  • Village life on the trail
See the full activity page
 4x4 & off-road safaris
Land adventure

4x4 & off-road safaris

On this trip: Day 3 – Nomads, 4x4 & a camel trek

A 4x4 tour Morocco style takes you where normal cars cannot go: around the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, across the black stone plains near Merzouga, up rough mountain tracks in the Atlas and down into dry riverbeds where nomads still water their flocks. You sit back with an experienced local driver who knows the pistes, the weather and the best places to stop.

Where
Merzouga & Erg Chebbi, High Atlas tracks, Dades & Todra gorges, Agafay
Duration
Half day to multi-day private tours
Level
Easy – you are a passenger, no driving needed
Group
Private vehicle for your family or group
  • Reach the hidden places
  • Drivers who know the pistes
  • Private and flexible
See the full activity page
 A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes
Moroccan experience

Cultural exploration

On this trip: Day 1 – Guided Fes

Our Morocco cultural tours are built around people, not just monuments. You walk the medinas of Fes and Marrakech with a guide who grew up there, drink mint tea in a Berber village in the Atlas, watch craftsmen cut zellige tiles or dye leather, and share a meal with a family. The aim is simple: to understand how Moroccans live today, and where those traditions come from.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day city walk to 10+ day tours
Level
Easy – mostly walking
Group
Private or small group
  • Living medinas
  • Amazigh heritage
  • Crafts you can watch being made
See the full activity page
 Hot air balloon ride
Air adventure

Hot air balloon ride

Optional extra: Sunrise flight before or after your trip

A hot air balloon Marrakech flight is the quietest way to see Morocco wake up. You leave the city in the dark, watch the burners light up the envelope, and lift off just as the sun climbs over the Atlas Mountains. Below you, red-earth villages, olive groves and dry riverbeds turn gold, and on clear winter mornings the snow on the High Atlas shines on the horizon.

Where
Countryside outside Marrakech (launch site set by the pilot each morning)
Duration
About 1 hour in the air, 4-5 hours door to door
Start time
Very early pick-up, before sunrise
Level
No experience needed
  • Sunrise over the Atlas
  • Silent, slow flying
  • Rural Morocco from above
See the full activity page
 Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

Optional extra: Quad or buggy in the Agafay desert or the palm grove

Quad biking Marrakech style means leaving the city noise behind in minutes: dusty palm grove tracks, Berber villages and the rocky hills of the Agafay desert, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. Our guides ride in front, set the pace to the slowest rider and stop for photos and mint tea. You do not need any experience – we show you the controls and do a short practice loop before we leave.

Where
Marrakech palm grove (Palmeraie), Agafay desert, Merzouga dunes
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Beginner friendly, no experience needed
Minimum age
Drivers usually 16+; younger children ride as buggy passengers
  • Desert right next to the city
  • Quad or buggy, your choice
  • Real landscapes, not a track
See the full activity page
 Cycling & mountain biking
Land adventure

Cycling & mountain biking

Optional extra: Cycling in the oasis

Mountain biking Morocco’s High Atlas means riding mule paths between Berber villages, rolling down terraced valleys and stopping for tea where the trail meets a walnut grove. Our guides know the tracks around Marrakech, the Ourika and Imlil valleys and the Agafay hills, and pick routes that fit your level – from easy dirt roads to longer climbs and technical descents.

Where
Agafay desert, Ourika and Imlil valleys (High Atlas), Dades and Todra gorges
Duration
Half day to multi-day tours
Level
Easy to challenging – routes chosen for you
Bikes
Mountain bikes and e-bikes, helmet included
  • Mountains near the city
  • Village trails, not empty parks
  • Huge variety
See the full activity page
 Authentic culinary experiences
Moroccan experience

Authentic culinary experiences

Optional extra: Food tour or cooking class

A Morocco food tour is the quickest way into the country’s heart. With one of our local guides you taste fresh msemen pancakes at breakfast, follow the smell of cumin through the spice souk, try harira and grilled meat at the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna, and learn why a tagine needs time. We take you where locals actually eat, not where the menus are in five languages.

Where
Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
3-hour food walk to full-day class
Level
Easy – come hungry
Diets
Vegetarian options on request
  • Street food you would not find alone
  • Markets as a lesson
  • Cooking with real cooks
See the full activity page
 Faith & spiritual journeys
Moroccan experience

Faith & spiritual journeys

Optional extra: Spiritual and heritage visit

A Morocco spiritual tour follows the faiths that shaped this country over centuries. Muslim scholars studied in the medersas of Fes, Sufi brotherhoods still gather in their zawiyas to chant and pray, and Jewish families lived in the mellahs of Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira for generations. Our local guides tell these stories with knowledge and respect, whatever your own beliefs.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira, Meknes, Merzouga
Duration
1 day to 10+ days
Level
Easy – walking and visits
Group
Private, family or faith groups
  • Islamic heritage you can enter
  • Sufi music and zawiyas
  • Jewish heritage of Morocco
See the full activity page
 Wellness and relaxation
Moroccan experience

Wellness and relaxation

Optional extra: Traditional hammam and spa time

A Morocco wellness retreat with us is built around your rhythm, not a fixed timetable. Start with a traditional hammam in Marrakech, rest in a riad courtyard with only the fountain for company, stretch on a yoga mat facing the Atlantic, and end with a night in the Merzouga desert where the silence is almost total. We plan the logistics so you can simply let go.

Where
Marrakech, Agafay, Atlas valleys, Essaouira, Taghazout, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day hammam to 7+ day retreat
Level
Easy – all fitness levels
Group
Solo, couples, friends or private groups
  • The hammam ritual
  • Riads made for rest
  • Yoga with a view
See the full activity page
WhatsAppPlan my trip