Across Morocco in Six
6-Day Marrakech to Fes Tour via the Sahara
Marrakech to Fes at a speed that leaves something in the tank
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Marrakech → Fes
- About 22 hours over 6 days. driving
The classic south-to-north crossing with room to breathe. Ait Ben Haddou gets an overnight, the gorges get a morning each, the desert gets two nights, and Fes gets a full guided day. Nothing here is unusual and that is deliberate: this is the route most first-time visitors want, spread over six days instead of three.
Why I run it this wayOne week away, one country crossed properly, and a guided day in Fes at the end rather than a taxi to the airport.
The things worth stopping for
- Ait Ben Haddou with an overnight and a dawn
- The Ounila valley and Telouet on the way over the Atlas
- Two nights in Erg Chebbi with a full free day
- Todra and Dades given proper time
- The Ziz gorge and the Azrou cedar forest
- A full guided day in the Fes medina with a licensed local guide
Where this trip takes you
Straight lines between stops, not the exact roads — the driving is the winding version of this.
How the trip goes
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Day 1: Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou
Driving: About 4 hoursA deliberately short first day. Over the Tichka, the Ounila valley and Telouet, then the ksar in late light with time to walk it. Night at its foot.
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Day 2: Ait Ben Haddou to Dades
Driving: About 4 hoursThe ksar at sunrise, then Ouarzazate, Skoura and Amridil, the Rose Valley, up into the Dades.
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Day 3: Dades to Merzouga
Driving: About 5 hoursTissdrine switchbacks, Todra gorge, then east. 4x4 into the dunes, camel at sunset, first night at camp.
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Day 4: The desert
Driving: About 2 hours localSunrise on the crests, the 4x4 morning to Khamlia and the nomad camps, a slow afternoon, second sunset and second night.
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Day 5: Merzouga to Fes
Driving: About 8 hoursThe only long day. Rissani, the Ziz gorges, Midelt for lunch, the cedars and the macaques at Azrou, into Fes in the evening.
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Day 6: Fes, guided
Driving: No drivingA full guided day in the medina: tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin, Bou Inania, the Nejjarine fountain and the Mellah. Drop at riad or airport.
I'll email you this itinerary — every day, what's included, what it costs — so you can think it over and share it.
One email with the itinerary. No account, and I don't pass your address to anyone — see the privacy policy.
What's included
Included
- Private van with me driving
- 4x4 and desert driver for the dune days
- 5 nights including 2 in the desert
- Licensed Fes guide for a full day
- Half board outside the cities
- Camel ride
- Marrakech pickup, Fes drop-off
Not included
- Lunches
- Entry fees
- Tips
Read more about where you'll be
A closer look
Other routes worth a look
2 Days · 1 Nights2-Day Zagora Desert Tour from Marrakech
Two Days to Zagora$230–$310 per person · accommodation included
3 Days · 2 Nights3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Marrakech
Three Days to the Dunes$390–$530 per person · accommodation included
3 Days · 2 Nights3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour via Merzouga
The High Atlas Crossing$420–$580 per person · accommodation includedTell me when you're coming
Every route bends: more time somewhere, a different start, a night added. Send your dates and I'll plan it around you.