Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara: 3 or 4 Days? Route, Stops and Tips

The fastest way from Marrakech to Fes is the motorway through Casablanca and Rabat. The most beautiful way crosses the Atlas Mountains, the valleys of the south and the Sahara. It is about 1,000 km, so here is how to split it.

The route

1. Marrakech to the Dades Valley: the Tizi n’Tichka pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses.
2. Dades Valley to Merzouga: the Todra Gorge, Tinghir and the road to the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
3. Merzouga to Fes: the Ziz Valley, Midelt, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and Ifrane.

3 days or 4 days?

The 3 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes follows the route above with long days on the road. The 4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes with Ouarzazate adds a night in Midelt, so the last stage is shorter and you arrive in Fes rested. If your schedule allows, the 4-day version is more comfortable.

Highlights along the way

• Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed earthen ksar.
• The Dades Gorges and their famous winding road.
• The Todra Gorge, with walls rising around 300 m.
• The Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sunrise.
• The Ziz Valley, a canyon of palm trees.

Prefer to go the other way?

From Fes, the 4 Days Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech and the 5 Days Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech follow the same road in reverse.

A day-by-day example

• Day 1: leave Marrakech in the morning, cross the High Atlas, visit Ait Ben Haddou, continue through Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses and sleep in the Dades Valley.
• Day 2: walk in the Todra Gorge, drive to Merzouga and ride a camel into the dunes for sunset and a night in the desert camp.
• Day 3: sunrise over the dunes, then north through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas to Fes.

What to pack

Bring layers: the High Atlas and the Middle Atlas can be cold, the south warm and the desert cool at night. A small overnight bag for the camp, sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf will make the trip more comfortable.

Best season

March to May and September to November are the most pleasant months for this route. In winter, snow sometimes closes the mountain passes for a few hours, and your driver will adapt the timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is it from Marrakech to Fes through the desert?

About 1,000 km, compared with around 530 km on the direct motorway.

Is the 3-day tour too tiring?

It involves long drives, but with regular stops. If you prefer a slower pace, choose the 4-day tour.

Do we spend a night in the desert?

Yes. Every Marrakech to Fes desert tour includes a night in a camp in the Merzouga dunes.