5-Day Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga, Dades & the Atlas
A private one-way journey that links Fes and Marrakech across the very best of the south. It drops through the cedar-fringed Middle Atlas to the dunes of Erg Chebbi for a night in the desert, then traces the Todra and Dades gorges and crosses the High Atlas past Aït Ben Haddou to finish in Marrakech. Offered on a basis, with details confirmed around your dates. A starting price per person is published for this route; the exact total depends on your party size and the accommodation you choose, and is confirmed around your dates before booking.
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Why You'll Love This Tour
Ifrane and the cedar-forest Middle Atlas
The Ziz Valley and the dunes of Erg Chebbi
Sunset camel trek and desert-camp night
Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
Aït Ben Haddou and the High Atlas into Marrakech
Itinerary
Day 1: Fes → Ifrane → Middle Atlas → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Day 2: Merzouga and Erg Chebbi — camel trek and desert night
Day 3: Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Day 4: Dades → Skoura → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech
Day 5: A free morning in Marrakech
What you will experience
Every item below is a stop on this itinerary — not an extra to buy.
Ifrane — The Middle Atlas town of pitched roofs and gardens, built in the 1930s and unlike anywhere else on the route. Explore Ifrane & Cedar Forest
Cedar forest — The cedar woodland of the Middle Atlas, where Barbary macaques live wild beside the road.
Ziz Valley — A wide palm valley cut into bare rock on the road south — the viewpoint above it is one of the best stops of the day.
Merzouga — The village at the edge of the dunes where the desert part of the trip begins, and where Morocco Grand Adventure is based. Explore Merzouga
Erg Chebbi dunes — The tall dune sea outside Merzouga — the Sahara most travellers picture, and the landscape this journey is built around. Explore Erg Chebbi
Sunset camel trek — Ride into Erg Chebbi as the light drops, led on foot by a guide from the desert, and reach camp with the dunes still glowing.
Night at a desert camp — Sleep between the dunes in a tented camp rather than driving back to a town for the night.
Sunrise over the dunes — Wake early for first light on Erg Chebbi, when the sand changes colour and the ridges throw long shadows.
Rissani souk — The market town near Merzouga, and one of the least staged souks on the southern route — busiest on market days.
Todra Gorge — Walk into the canyon where the limestone walls close to a few hundred metres apart and rise straight up. Explore Todra Gorge
Dades Valley — Red rock, palm gardens and earthen villages along the river — the classic overnight between the mountains and the desert. Explore Dades Valley
Skoura oasis — A working palm oasis of kasbahs and gardens rather than a viewpoint you look at from the road. Explore Skoura Oasis
Aït Ben Haddou — Walk up through the earthen ksar on the far side of the river — a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most striking stop on the road south. Explore Aït Ben Haddou
High Atlas crossing — The road climbs over the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with time to stop where the view opens out.
Marrakech — The red city at the foot of the Atlas, and the usual start or finish of the southern routes. Explore Marrakech
What's Included
Private air-conditioned vehicle
Professional English-speaking driver
Fuel and tolls
Selected riads, guesthouses and a desert camp per the confirmed itinerary
Breakfasts and dinners as confirmed
Sunset camel trek and desert-camp night at Erg Chebbi
Not Included
International flights
Lunches and drinks
Entrance fees
Tips and personal expenses
How booking works
Send your request: Free. No payment, no card details, no obligation.
We confirm your trip: We check your dates, group size and availability, then send you the itinerary and the final price in writing.
20% deposit: Paid only after you have approved the confirmed trip. It secures your booking.
80% on arrival: The remaining 80% is paid when you arrive in Morocco.
Cancel more than 7 days before the trip and there is no charge. Within 7 days, 50% is charged.
FAQ
Is this a fixed-price tour?
A starting price per person is published for this route. Your exact total depends on how many of you travel — the per-person price comes down as the group grows — and on the accommodation you choose, so we confirm the final figure with your dates before any payment. You are welcome to ask us to adjust the itinerary first.
Where does the route finish?
It is designed to end in Marrakech, which suits travelers flying out of the city; other arrangements can be made.
Is the desert night included?
Yes, a sunset camel trek and a night in an Erg Chebbi camp are part of the proposed itinerary.