An easier private desert crossing from Fes to Marrakech, with more time for the Middle Atlas and southern valleys.
Tour overview
The extra day removes the long first push from Fes to the desert and gives the valleys the time they deserve.
You spend a night in the Ziz Valley or Midelt area, reach Merzouga rested, and keep a free stretch for a 4x4 excursion, Khamlia music or simply the dunes.
The route then heads west through Todra, Dades, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou before the Atlas crossing to Marrakech.
This 4 days Fes to Marrakech desert tour keeps the same Sahara crossing but spreads the journey across a calmer schedule. It gives time for Midelt or the Ziz Valley before Merzouga, then continues through Todra, Dades and Ait Ben Haddou.
The route is a good fit when you want a private transfer between Fes and Marrakech with a proper desert stop on the way.
Day by day
Day 1
A relaxed start from Fes through Ifrane and the cedar forests near Azrou, where the Barbary macaques live, before an early finish in the apple town of Midelt.
Day 2
Cross the Tizi n’Talghomt pass and drop into the Ziz Valley, with viewpoints over the palm groves, then reach Merzouga for a camel trek into Erg Chebbi and dinner at the camp.
Day 3
Sunrise in the dunes and a free morning for an optional 4x4 excursion, then west through Rissani and Tinghir, stopping to walk in Todra Gorge before the Dades Valley.
Day 4
The kasbah road through Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, then the Tizi n’Tichka pass over the High Atlas and drop-off in Marrakech.
The route
An overview of the main stops on this journey. Exact stops and timings are adapted to your dates and pace.
When to go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for this route: warm days, cool desert nights and clear light over the dunes. Summer brings very hot afternoons in the south, so days start early and rest hours fall in the middle of the day. Winter is quiet and bright, with cold nights in the desert and possible snow on the High Atlas passes.
Read the seasons guideGallery
Private travel
This tour runs privately for your group only. You travel in your own vehicle with a local driver who knows the roads, the villages and the seasons, so the itinerary can shift during the trip if you would rather stay longer somewhere or set off earlier.
Families, couples and small groups all travel the same way, with accommodation chosen to match the comfort level you ask for — from simple guesthouses to more comfortable hotels and desert camps.
To book this private 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech, send us your travel date, number of travellers, pick-up location in Fes and preferred accommodation category through the request form.
Please mention any special requirements, including child seats, dietary needs, a private 4×4 transfer to the desert camp or optional activities such as quad biking and dune buggy rides.
After receiving your request we confirm availability and send you the final itinerary, accommodation details and total price. Your reservation is confirmed once the required deposit has been received.
To secure your reservation, a deposit of €100–€200 is required. The exact amount is stated in your final quotation and depends on the total booking value and the services you choose.
The deposit can be paid securely through PayPal. The remaining balance is normally paid in cash directly to your driver at the start of the tour.
Card payment can also be arranged. A 5% processing fee applies to payments made by card.
Your booking is fully confirmed once the deposit has been received and written confirmation has been sent with the final itinerary, desert camp details and payment summary.
We share pick-up times, accommodation details and packing suggestions for the desert once your dates are confirmed.
Good to know
What travellers say
74 reviews from travellers who booked with us. Figures checked September 2026.
“Our recent tour through Morocco was nothing short of spectacular, but what truly made the experience stand out was the exceptional service we received. A special shoutout goes to our driver, Omar, who was the highlight of our trip. What we appreciated most was how he catered to our specific interests, often suggesting stops and experiences that perfectly matched what we were looking for.”
“We just finished a 14 days tour of Morocco. The travel agency designed a travel plan for us that brings us from the modern Casablanca to the exotic Chefchaouen, Fes and Sahara. We were all well looked after by our driver Omar, who is courteous, gentle and humourous. He seems to know everyone wherever we visit.”
“We just returned from an unforgettable 10-day trip to Morocco with my wife and our three children, and I can't recommend this travel agency enough. They planned a perfectly balanced itinerary covering Marrakesh, Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Casablanca, giving us a wonderful mix of culture, history, and relaxation.”
Other routes
2 daysA short desert escape from Fes across the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley to the dunes.
3 daysJourney south from Fes to Merzouga, then follow Morocco’s kasbah road across the High Atlas.
3 daysA Fes round trip with a full day in the dunes of Merzouga before returning north.
2 daysThe quickest way to reach Erg Chebbi from Marrakech, with one night in a desert camp.
Your Morocco journey starts here
Tell us your dates, group size and the comfort level you have in mind, and we will come back with the full plan and price.