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6 days tour from Marrakech to Fes: 6 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara
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6 days · Desert & cities

6 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara

One more day than the classic crossing makes all the difference: shorter drives, a sunset at Aït Benhaddou, a whole day in the Sahara and a proper morning in the old medina of Fes.

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

About this 6 days tour from Marrakech to Fes

Our 6 days tour from Marrakech to Fes crosses the country through the Sahara at an easy pace. Every day has shorter drives and more time on foot.

First, you spend a quiet evening at the ksar of Aït Benhaddou. Then you pass Skoura and walk among the rocks of the Dades gorges. After that, you hike in the Todra Gorge and ride camels at sunset to a desert camp. Next, a whole day in the dunes brings sandboarding, a 4x4 loop and Gnawa music. Finally, the cedar forest leads to Fes and a guided morning in its medina. In short, this 6 days tour from Marrakech to Fes is private and planned around your flights.

Highlights of this 6 days tour from Marrakech to Fes

  • Sunset at Aït Benhaddou
  • Skoura palm grove
  • Dades “monkey fingers” walk
  • Todra Gorge
  • Camel trek & desert camp
  • Sandboarding & 4x4 loop
  • Cedar forest near Ifrane
  • Guided Fes el-Bali

6 days tour from Marrakech to Fes: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Marrakech to Aït Benhaddou

    A shorter first day over the Tichka pass, with the afternoon free to explore the ksar of Aït Benhaddou on foot and watch the sunset from its old granary.

    On the road: about 4 hStay: Riad in Aït Benhaddou
  2. 2day
    Day 2

    Skoura & the Dades gorges

    Through Ouarzazate and the Skoura palm grove to the Dades Valley, with a walk among the rock formations called the “monkey fingers”.

    On the road: about 3–4 h with stopsStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Todra Gorge & camel trek

    A walk deep into the Todra Gorge, then Merzouga and a sunset camel trek to a camp in the dunes.

    On the road: about 5 h with the walkStay: Desert camp
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Desert day

    Sunrise on the dunes, then sandboarding, a 4x4 loop around Erg Chebbi, a nomad family and the music of Khamlia.

    Stay: Riad in Merzouga
  5. 5day
    Day 5

    Ziz Valley & the cedar forest to Fes

    North through the Ziz palm groves and Midelt, a short walk in the cedar forest near Ifrane, and on to Fes.

    On the road: about 7–8 h with stopsStay: Riad in Fes
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    Fes el-Bali on foot

    A guided morning in the old medina: the Karaouiyine, the Chouara tanneries and the copper market, then departure.

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

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 Marrakech and drop-off in Fes (hotel, riad, airport)
  • Camel ride as described in the programme
  • 4x4 excursion in the desert
  • 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 Aït Benhaddou
  2. Night 2Riad in Dades Valley
  3. Night 3Desert camp
  4. Night 4Riad in Merzouga
  5. Night 5Riad in Fes

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 the most pleasant for both the Sahara and Fes. In summer the desert is very hot, and in winter the Middle Atlas can be snowy and the camp night cold.

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

What to bring for this trip

  • Walking shoes for the gorges and the medina
  • Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Warm layer for the desert night and the Middle Atlas
  • Headtorch for the camp
  • Small overnight bag for the camp
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Fes
  • Snacks for the drive to Fes
  • 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 Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara: your questions

What is the difference between this 6 days tour from Marrakech to Fes and a 5-day one?

The sixth day lets you sleep at Aït Benhaddou, spend a whole day in the Sahara and have a full morning in Fes, with shorter drives every day.

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

One night in a desert camp in the dunes, and one in a riad in Merzouga at the edge of the sand.

Is the drive from Merzouga to Fes long?

Yes, about 7 to 8 hours with stops in the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the cedar forest near Ifrane, where Barbary macaques live.

Can we end the tour at Fes airport?

Yes. After the guided morning in the medina we drop you at Fes airport or at the train station.

Can we do the route the other way round?

Yes – see our 6 days tour from Fes to Marrakech, which follows the same idea in reverse.

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
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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…
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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 – Todra Gorge & camel trekDetails →Desert camping & stargazingDesert camping & stargazingDay 4 – Desert dayDetails →Hiking & trekking adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresDay 2 – Skoura & the Dades gorgesDetails →4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 & off-road safarisDay 4 – Desert dayDetails →A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in FesCultural explorationDay 6 – Fes el-Bali on footDetails →

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.

Quad & buggy ridesOptional · extraQuad & buggy ridesQuad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunesSee 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 →Hot air balloon rideOptional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee 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: Bab Bou Jeloud gate and the old medina of Fes6 Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca: North, Fes & the SaharaPrivate tour · Casablanca to Marrakech · Cities, north & desertA big loop of the country from your Casablanca landing: Rabat, two nights in blue Chefchaouen with a waterfall hike, Volubilis and Fes, a night in the Sahara and the kasbah road down to Marrakech. 6 days in Morocco: A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes6 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech through the DesertPrivate tour · Fes to Marrakech · Cities & desertStart with a full guided day in Fes, then the cedar forest, a riad and a camp at Merzouga, sandboarding at sunrise, the Todra Gorge and a night at Aït Benhaddou before Marrakech. 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.

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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 – Todra Gorge & 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 4 – Desert day

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 – Skoura & the Dades gorges

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 4 – Desert day

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 6 – Fes el-Bali on foot

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
 Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

Optional extra: Quad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes

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
 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
 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
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