4 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fez via Merzouga Erg Chebbi
Cross the Atlas Mountains, trace ancient kasbahs, and sleep beneath the stars of the Sahara.
This 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fez takes you through some of Morocco's most dramatic landscapes, from the UNESCO-listed village of Ait Benhaddou to the towering golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. The journey is rated easy, making it accessible for most travelers seeking genuine desert immersion without technical challenges.
You will pass through Ouarzazate, the so-called gateway to the Sahara, before descending into the Dades Valley and the spectacular Todra Gorges. Each stop layers another dimension of Moroccan geography and culture onto the experience, building toward the highlight: a night in a desert camp at Merzouga.
The final day offers a flexible ending — either returning to Marrakech or continuing north through Midelt and Ifrane to finish in Fez, making this route practical for travelers with onward itineraries in either direction.
Tour Highlights
Walk the ancient corridors of the UNESCO World Heritage site at Ait Benhaddou, one of Morocco's most photographed kasbahs.
Stand inside the soaring canyon walls of Todra Gorges, where the narrow corridor rises over 300 meters above the riverbed.
Ride a camel at sunset and again at sunrise across the Erg Chebbi dunes for an unforgettable Sahara experience.
Spend a night at a desert camp under a canopy of stars, with a traditional Berber dinner and live music performance.
Explore the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Dades Valley, one of Morocco's most scenic overland routes.
Visit nomadic Berber families in the desert by 4x4, sharing tea and traditional Berber flatbread in their tents.
Choose your own ending: return to Marrakech or conclude the journey in Fez via Midelt and the cedar forests of Ifrane.
Itinerary
Depart Marrakech and cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tichka Pass before arriving at the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has served as a backdrop for numerous international productions. Continue to Ouarzazate for lunch, then travel onward through the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley, where dinner and overnight accommodation await at Kasbah Amazigh Hotel.
Travel the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs eastward, passing a series of ancient earthen fortresses and oasis palmeries before reaching the Todra Gorges. After time to explore the canyon and lunch at a local cafe, the road continues across the Tafilalt plain to Merzouga, where dinner and an overnight stay at a desert auberge at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes close the day.
After breakfast, enjoy free time to swim, relax, or join optional excursions including a 4x4 visit to nomadic families, quad biking, buggy riding, or sandboarding on the dunes (available at additional cost). As the afternoon cools, mount a camel for the ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes to reach your desert camp in time for sunset. Dinner and a Berber music performance follow under the open sky.
Rise early for a sunrise camel ride back from the camp, then enjoy breakfast before beginning the long return journey. Travelers can choose to end in Marrakech via Ouarzazate or continue north through Midelt and Ifrane to conclude the tour in Fez, with an estimated arrival of around 20:30.
What Is Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned transport throughout
- Professional driver and guide
- 3 nights accommodation (hotel, auberge, and desert camp)
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Sunset and sunrise camel rides at Erg Chebbi
- Berber music entertainment at the desert camp
- Visit to Ait Benhaddou and Todra Gorges
Not Included
- Lunches throughout the tour
- Entry fees to monuments and sites
- Optional activities: quad biking, buggy riding, sandboarding
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Personal travel insurance
- Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
Ready to Cross the Sahara?
Secure your place on this 4-day desert journey through Morocco's most iconic landscapes, from ancient kasbahs to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Book Now
