PRIVATE DESERT TRIP — MARRAKECH TO FES VIA MERZOUGA

OVERVIEW

This tour is for the traveller who wants to get from Marrakech to Fes without taking the boring road. Instead of a straight drive between the two cities, this 2-day route dips south through the High Atlas Mountains, past the legendary Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and all the way out to the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga — where you’ll spend the night in the desert beneath an astonishing sky. The next morning, you head north through the Ziz Valley and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, arriving in Fes with a collection of memories that most travellers simply never get.

It’s a big two days. The distances are real and the driving is substantial. If you’d prefer a more relaxed pace, our 3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour is probably the better fit — but if you’re short on time and high on energy, this one delivers.

DURATION: 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
START: MARRAKECH
END: FES
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE

HIGHLIGHTS

– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
– Admiring the panoramic mountain landscapes of southern Morocco
– Visiting the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic example of Moroccan earthen architecture
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour
– Sleeping under a vast, star-filled desert sky in a luxury camp
– Travelling north along the scenic Ziz Valley
– Passing through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, home to Barbary macaques
– Arriving in the ancient medina city of Fes

ITINERARY

DAY 1: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → AIT BEN HADDOU → MERZOUGA

Your driver will be at your accommodation early. The journey south heads straight into the High Atlas on the famous Tizi n’Tichka route — one of the most cinematic drives in Morocco, with jaw-dropping views of Berber valleys and rocky peaks that stretch in every direction.

Your first proper stop is the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — the region’s most celebrated historic fortification. Built from clay and straw, this ancient ksar has a way of stopping people in their tracks. It’s appeared in countless international productions, and it’s every bit as impressive in person as it looks on screen.

From there you continue southeast through Ouarzazate — Morocco’s film capital — pushing deeper into the pre-Saharan landscape. By late afternoon, the dunes of Erg Chebbi come into view. You’ll meet your camels and ride into the heart of the dunes as the sun descends, flooding everything in amber and rose.

Dinner and an evening of traditional Berber music await at the luxury desert camp, where a private tent with en-suite bathroom is ready and waiting.

DAY 2: MERZOUGA → ZIZ VALLEY → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → IFRANE → FES

After watching the sunrise over the dunes and having breakfast at the camp, you head north on the second leg of the journey. The drive takes you through the lush Ziz Valley — a beautiful ribbon of palm groves and riverbanks cutting through otherwise arid terrain — and then up into the Middle Atlas Mountains.

Near Azrou, the forest opens up and you may well spot Barbary macaques in the cedar trees alongside the road. The charming mountain town of Ifrane comes next, looking like it was lifted straight from the Swiss Alps and dropped into Morocco, before the road descends toward Fes. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or riad in the ancient medina city.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or food allergies when booking.
– This tour involves a lot of driving — it suits travellers who are comfortable with long days on the road.
– All vehicles are modern, air-conditioned, and well maintained.
– The itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted upon request.