PRIVATE TOUR — Private Top 5 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes
OVERVIEW
This five-day Marrakech to Fes tour takes the slow, off-the-beaten-path route between the two cities. Travelling one-way in a 4×4, it leaves the standard tour-bus circuit behind to reach places the bigger vehicles can’t — a Berber family living in a mountain cave, an off-road crossing to the Dades Valley, and a full day exploring the Erg Chebbi region with a nomad family visit.
The unhurried pace is the point. You cross the High Atlas, see the Telouet and Ait Ben Haddou kasbahs, walk into two gorges, ride camels into the Sahara, and finish in Fes via the Ziz Valley and Ifrane — with time to take in the landscape rather than just pass through it.
Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.
DURATION: 5 DAYS /4 NIGHT
START:MARRAKECH
END: FES
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE
HIGHLIGHTS
– Crossing the High Atlas
– The historic Glaoui Kasbah of Telouet
– Exploring the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
– A visit to a Berber family living in a mountain cave
– The Dades and Todra gorges
– Camel trekking across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– Spectacular desert sunsets and sunrises
– A night in a luxury desert camp
– Meeting a Berber nomad family in the desert
– A full desert day
– Barbary macaques in a cedar forest near Azrou
DAY 1: MARRAKECH -> HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -> AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH -> OUARZAZATE
Your five day tour starts with a morning pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. The road climbs into the High Atlas, with stops to take in the scenery and to explore the Telouet Kasbah, once the stronghold of the El Glaoui family.
Arriving at Ait Ben Haddou around noon, you can have lunch before exploring the kasbah, a backdrop for films and series including The Mummy, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones. The journey continues to Ouarzazate — the Hollywood of Africa and a gateway to the desert — home to the Atlas Studios, where you can tour the film sets or visit the Taourirt Kasbah, another fortified village once held by the El Glaoui family. You’ll then transfer to your hotel for dinner and the night.
Approximate driving distance/time: 204 km / 4 hours
DAY 2: OUARZAZATE -> SKOURA -> KELAAT M’GOUNA -> BOU THARAR -> DADES VALLEY
After breakfast, we set off for Skoura, an oasis of more than 4,000 hectares of palms that once served as a caravan stopover between the coast and Sub-Saharan Africa. Here you’ll see the Amridil Kasbah, with its glimpse of daily life behind the walls 300 years ago.
The journey continues to Kelaat M’Gouna and the Rose Valley — in spring, you can walk among the blooming roses — then on through Berber villages towards Bou Tharar. From there an off-road route leads to the Dades Valley, with a stop to visit a Berber family living in a mountain cave, where you share tea and learn about their way of life.
At the Dades Valley you check in to your hotel, with the option of a walk or a guided hike through the Monkey Fingers Canyon, with its rock formations, slot canyons, and views. Dinner and overnight are at your hotel.
Approximate driving distance/time: 144 km / 3 hours
DAY 3: DADES VALLEY -> TODRA GORGE -> MERZOUGA DESERT
After breakfast, the drive to the Merzouga desert begins, with a stop to walk through the Todra Gorge and take in the views over the Tinghir oasis.
By afternoon you reach Merzouga, where a camel ride carries you into the dunes for sunset from a high ridge. A cup of tea greets you at your luxury camp before you settle into your private tent. After dinner, the evening ends around a campfire with drumming and Berber songs under the stars.
Approximate driving distance/time: 310 km / 5 hours
DAY 4: MERZOUGA DESERT EXPLORATION
If you’re up early, the sunrise is worth catching. After breakfast, a full day exploring the desert begins at Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music, played by locals whose roots trace to southern African countries. From there we head off-road to M’Fis, an abandoned village known for its galena mines (galena being a mineral once used in cosmetics).
You’ll then visit a nomad family living near the Erg Chebbi dunes, welcomed with Berber hospitality and a look at their life far from any town. After lunch, we move to a riad with views over the golden dunes, with time to relax or swim before a walk out to the dunes for sunset. You can also choose to spend this night at the camp instead — just let us know at booking.
Approximate driving distance/time: 57 km / 1 hour 15 minutes
DAY 5: MERZOUGA DESERT -> ZIZ VALLEY -> IFRANE -> FES
One more chance for an early sunrise over the dunes from your riad. After breakfast, the journey to Fes begins, with stops at the Ziz Valley, a cedar forest near Azrou where Barbary macaques often appear, and the town of Ifrane, often called the Switzerland of Morocco.
You’ll arrive in Fes by late afternoon, with drop-off at the nearest accessible point to your accommodation marking the end of the tour.
Approximate driving distance/time: 500 km / 7 hours 30 minutes
IMPORTANT NOTES
– Driving times don’t include stops for lunch and sightseeing.
– This route can also run in reverse as the 5 days tour from Fes to Marrakech.
– A 4×4 is used throughout to handle the off-road sections.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Your luggage stays with you; during the camel trek a 4×4 carries it to camp, so it’s waiting on arrival.
– Your guide may suggest a Berber shop where you can try on traditional dress and take photos at no cost; buying anything is optional.
– Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and good walking shoes are recommended.
– The guided hike of the Monkey Fingers Canyon is available on request before the tour begins.
– Accommodation in the desert is a luxury camp with private tents. Three paired options are offered , and you can mix nights between them. If a listed property isn’t available, a similar one of the same standard is arranged and you’re told before the tour.
– Extra activities can be added before, during, or after the tour — airport transfers, a Marrakech guided tour, hot air balloon ride, day trips to Essaouira, Ouzoud Waterfalls, or Ourika Valley; a desert photographer, romantic desert dinner, proposal setup, quad biking, or buggy driving; and in Fes, a guided tour, a day trip to Chefchaouen, or a day trip to Volubilis and Meknes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: BOOKING & PAYMENT
Q: How far in advance should I book my tour?
A: We recommend securing your reservation as early as possible to guarantee availability, particularly during peak travel seasons. Early booking also gives you maximum flexibility when selecting accommodation options and customising your itinerary.
Q: How do I pay for my tour?
A: Our payment process is straightforward. To confirm your booking, a small deposit is required upfront, payable via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The remaining balance is settled in cash on the first day of your tour, paid directly to your driver-guide. We accept euros, US dollars, or an equivalent amount in Moroccan dirhams.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Full details of our cancellation terms are available on the dedicated cancellation policy page of our website. We encourage all travellers to review these conditions before confirming their reservation.
Q: Can I customise my itinerary?
A: Absolutely. All of our private tours are fully tailorable. You are welcome to request changes to the route, adjust the duration, add or remove destinations, and select accommodations that suit your budget and preferences. Simply contact us and we will design a trip around your requirements.
SECTION 2: TRANSPORT
Q: What vehicles are used on tours?
A: The vehicle provided depends on the size of your group. We typically use Toyota Prado Land Cruiser TX 4x4s for smaller parties, Ford Tourneo Custom vans, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses for groups of eight or more. All vehicles are air-conditioned and maintained to a high standard of comfort.
Q: Are airport transfers included?
A: Yes. Every private tour we operate can include a pick-up at your arrival airport and a drop-off at the end of your trip, if you require it. Your driver-guide will be waiting for you upon arrival. Please note that flights are not included in the tour price.
Q: Which airports serve Morocco?
A: The majority of international flights arrive into Marrakech and Casablanca. Additional options include Fes, Tangier, Agadir, Ouarzazate, and Errachidia. We can arrange a meet-and-greet at any of these airports.
SECTION 3: GUIDES
Q: Who are the driver-guides?
A: We handpick each of our driver-guides for their knowledge, professionalism, and genuine passion for Morocco. Beyond navigating the country safely, they serve as cultural interpreters — sharing local history, traditions, and stories throughout the journey. Many of our guests mention their guides by name in reviews, which reflects the lasting impression they make.
Q: Are guides English-speaking?
A: Yes. All standard tours are conducted in English. If you prefer a guide who speaks French, Spanish, or another language, please inform us at the time of booking and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.
SECTION 4: ACCOMMODATION
Q: What types of accommodation are offered?
A: We offer a range of options to suit different budgets and tastes, from characterful riads and boutique guesthouses in medina settings to luxury desert camps in Merzouga. We do not offer standard desert camps with shared facilities. All camps in our portfolio feature private tents with en-suite bathrooms and showers.
Q: Do the desert camps have private bathrooms?
A: Yes. Every camp we work with is classified as a luxury camp. Each tent includes a private en-suite bathroom with a shower, ensuring comfort throughout your desert stay.
Q: Can I choose my own accommodation?
A: Yes. We present a selection of pre-vetted accommodation options at each price point for you to choose from. You may mix and match across the options provided. If you have a specific property in mind, let us know and we will do our best to arrange it.
SECTION 5: DESERT & ACTIVITIES
Q: How far is the Sahara desert from Marrakech?
A: Merzouga, gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, is approximately 560 kilometres (348 miles) from Marrakech. Given this distance, our 3-day tours from Marrakech include an overnight stop in the Dades Valley en route, rather than attempting to cover the journey in a single day.
Q: How far is the Sahara desert from Fes?
A: The journey from Fes to the Merzouga desert covers roughly 500 kilometres, equivalent to approximately 310 miles.
Q: How far is Casablanca from the desert?
A: Casablanca sits approximately 660 kilometres (around 410 miles) from the Merzouga desert. A tour of five days or more is recommended when departing from Casablanca in order to allow adequate time in the desert without excessive driving pressure.
Q: Is the camel ride compulsory?
A: Not at all. If you prefer not to ride a camel, we are happy to transfer you to the desert camp by 4×4 vehicle at no additional charge. Just let us know your preference in advance.
Q: What activities are available in the desert?
A: Beyond the camel trek and overnight camp experience, a range of optional activities can be arranged in and around Merzouga, including quad biking, buggy driving, sandboarding, and horseback riding. A professional photographer can also be booked to accompany your desert experience. Romantic dinners and desert proposal setups can be arranged upon request.
Q: What additional activities can be added to a tour?
A: Before your main tour, we can arrange transfers from the airport, a guided city tour, or day excursions to destinations such as Essaouira, the Ouzoud Waterfalls, or the Ourika Valley. During the tour, optional extras include the activities listed above. After the tour, hot air balloon rides over Marrakech, guided Fes tours, and day trips to Chefchaouen or Volubilis and Meknes can be arranged.
SECTION 6: TOUR STRUCTURE & EXPERIENCE
Q: What is the difference between a private tour and a shared group tour?
A: On a private tour, your vehicle, guide, and complete itinerary are reserved exclusively for your group. On a shared tour, you travel alongside a small number of other guests — typically no more than ten in total — sharing the vehicle and stops but retaining a private room at the hotel and a private tent at the desert camp. Shared tours offer a more cost-effective option while still maintaining a high level of comfort and service.
Q: Are 7 days enough to see Morocco?
A: Yes, a well-structured 7-day itinerary provides enough time to visit several of Morocco’s key destinations, including Marrakech, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara Desert, Ait Ben Haddou, and the Atlas Mountains. It is a comfortable pace for most travellers and allows genuine engagement with each place rather than a rushed overview.
Q: What can I see in Morocco in 7 days?
A: In one week, a typical itinerary covers Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque, Rabat, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the ancient medina of Fes, a night in the Sahara Desert with a camel trek, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and the High Atlas Mountains en route to Marrakech.
Q: What is the best 7-day itinerary for Morocco?
A: The ideal route depends on your starting point. Travellers beginning in Tangier typically follow the Tangier-to-Marrakech route via Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, and the Atlas Mountains. Those starting in Casablanca can follow the Casablanca-to-Marrakech circuit. We are happy to advise based on your arrival and departure airports.
Q: Where can I book a Morocco tour?
A: Tours can be booked directly through Morocco Fabulous Travel. As a locally based operator with in-depth knowledge of the country, we offer personalised service, expert guidance, and competitive pricing. You can contact us via our website, email, phone, or WhatsApp.
Q: Are meals included?
A: On desert tours, two dinners and two breakfasts are typically included — dinner and breakfast at the desert camp, and breakfast at the hotel in the Dades Valley. Lunches are generally not included, as guests often prefer to explore independently during midday stops. Full details of meal inclusions are listed on each individual tour page.
Q: Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
A: Yes. Please inform us of any dietary preferences — including vegetarian or vegan requirements — at the time of booking, and we will ensure appropriate meals are arranged throughout the tour.
