The journey at a glance
What makes this route special
Give Morocco a full week, with time in Marrakech before the road opens towards the High Atlas, southern valleys and Sahara. This seven-day, six-night journey ends in Fes and includes a complete day around Merzouga between two desert-area nights.
The rhythm combines arrival time, a Marrakech city day, a four-day desert crossing and a final Fes day adapted to your departure. The long drives still exist, but the week gives the cities and dunes their own place in the itinerary.
Expect two nights in Marrakech, one in Dades, two near Merzouga and one in Fes. Camp and lodge choices, local guides, meals and airport transfers are confirmed in the quote. Day 7 is not automatically a full sightseeing day if you leave early; add a Fes night when you want more time.
For a shorter transfer-focused route, compare the four-day Marrakech–Fes crossing. If you arrive in Casablanca, explore the ten-day grand journey.
- A full week connecting Marrakech, Merzouga and Fes
- Two Marrakech nights before the desert crossing
- A complete Merzouga day and two desert-area nights
- Clear six-night plan with a flexible final Fes day
- A full local day in the Merzouga area
One day at a time
Your itinerary
This is a suggested route. Timing and stops are agreed in your personal itinerary and may change with conditions.
- 01
Arrive in Marrakech — settle into Morocco
Meet at the arrival point specified in your quote and transfer to your selected accommodation. If your riad is in the medina, agree where the vehicle stops and how luggage reaches the door. Keep this day light after travel: a short neighbourhood walk or café stop may suit an early arrival, while a late flight simply means check-in and rest. The itinerary does not promise a full guided city tour on an arrival day. Tomorrow is reserved for Marrakech, so there is no need to rush its sights this evening.
Overnight: Marrakech.
Pace: a flexible arrival day shaped around your flight. - 02
Marrakech — medina, courtyards & time to explore
Begin with a relaxed breakfast before an agreed walking visit with a licensed local guide if included. Build the route around your interests: medina lanes, craft quarters and selected historic monuments rather than trying to enter every attraction. A palace or garden visit requires the relevant ticket arrangements and availability. Pause for lunch and leave a little room for a courtyard café or independent wandering. Later, Jemaa el-Fnaa and nearby streets offer a changing city atmosphere, with the timing adapted to your comfort. Discuss walking distance, access needs and shopping preferences in advance so the day feels personal rather than a fixed commercial circuit.
Overnight: Marrakech.
Pace: a city day with guided walking if agreed, breaks and free time. - 03
Marrakech → High Atlas → Ait Ben Haddou → Dades valley
Leave Marrakech in the morning and watch the city give way to foothills and mountain roads. Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka, taking suitable breaks for views and fresh air. At Ait Ben Haddou, an agreed walk introduces the earthen lanes of the ksar; climbing to higher viewpoints is optional and depends on your comfort and the weather. Continue past the Ouarzazate area into the southern valleys. The day ends at your agreed Dades accommodation, with time to settle in rather than add another distant visit. Lunch, local guiding and entrance arrangements are confirmed in the quote.
Overnight: Dades valley.
Pace: a full road day, with winding mountain sections and short walks. - 04
Dades valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga & Erg Chebbi
Travel through the valley towards Tinghir, where palm groves and settlements lead to the steep walls of Todra Gorge. Enjoy an agreed short walk on the accessible valley-floor route if conditions allow; a gorge stop is not a technical hike. Continue east through increasingly open landscapes towards Merzouga. Reach the dune area with the sunset transfer planned around the day’s actual arrival time. Choose a camel ride or request a vehicle option before booking. At the selected camp, settle into your tent and enjoy the evening at your own pace. Facilities, dinner and transfer inclusions should be named in your quote.
Overnight: the selected camp near Erg Chebbi.
Pace: a travelling day with a gorge stop and a desert transfer. - 05
A complete day around Merzouga — no intercity transfer
Wake near the dunes without needing to leave for the next city. The whole day stays in the Merzouga region, giving you time for a slow breakfast, changing desert light and a quieter afternoon. If you want to explore, agree a local vehicle excursion before booking: possibilities include Khamlia, dune-edge scenery or Rissani when the market schedule fits. Local visits depend on availability and the wishes of the people hosting them; a private family encounter is not promised. During warmer hours, choose shade and rest rather than an exposed walk. Finish with another evening near Erg Chebbi. A camp or dune-edge lodge can be selected for this second night.
Overnight: Merzouga, in the agreed lodge or camp.
Pace: a local desert day; optional visits and substantial time to relax. - 06
Merzouga → Ziz valley → Midelt → Middle Atlas → Fes
After breakfast, leave the dunes and follow the northbound route through the Ziz valley. Palm-filled stretches contrast with dry slopes before the climb towards Midelt and the Middle Atlas. Plan the day around comfortable breaks and selected viewpoints rather than a long checklist. A brief Ifrane-area stop can be considered if timing allows; wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and animals should not be fed. Reach Fes at the agreed drop-off point, arranging help with luggage if your riad sits inside a vehicle-free medina. This is a long transfer, so keep the evening free of flights and other tight connections.
Overnight: Fes.
Pace: a long intercity road day. - 07
Fes — final discoveries & departure
Use the final day for an agreed Fes walk or a quieter morning before your onward journey. When your departure time allows, a licensed local guide can help you explore selected medina lanes and historic sites, with tickets itemised in advance. If you have an early flight or train, departure arrangements take priority and sightseeing must be shortened or moved to another day. Confirm where the tour ends and whether an airport, station or hotel transfer is included. Extra Fes nights are an extension rather than part of the six-night price.
Overnight: none included; an additional Fes night can be arranged.
Pace: a city/departure day, depending on your onward plans.
Before you go
The details that matter
Final services and inclusions are confirmed in your quote.
Suggested inclusions
- Private transport and agreed pickup/drop-off
- Driver for the agreed route
- Stops described in your confirmed itinerary
- Accommodation category and meals listed in your quote
- Desert camp and sunset transfer option specified in your quote
Not included unless agreed
- Flights and travel insurance
- Lunches, drinks and meals not listed in the quote
- Monument tickets, local guides and optional activities unless specified
- Personal purchases and optional tips
Practical notes
- Driving days are substantial; allow comfort stops and avoid an onward flight on the final evening.
- Carry a small overnight bag, sun protection, closed shoes and warm layers for cooler evenings.
- Ask about the camp location, bathroom arrangements and the transfer option before confirming.
- Camel rides are optional. Request a vehicle transfer and discuss mobility needs in advance.
- Share arrival and departure times before booking; sightseeing on days 1 and 7 depends on them.
- A full additional Fes day requires an extra night if your departure is early.
Suggested season: Spring and autumn are often comfortable for mixed city and desert routes; ask about conditions for your dates.
Good to know
Your questions, answered
Does this really include a full desert day?
Yes. Day 5 stays in the Merzouga region, between the nights of days 4 and 5. You leave for Fes on day 6.
How are the six nights divided?
Two nights in Marrakech, one in Dades, two in the Merzouga area and one in Fes. The desert nights may be a camp and a lodge, as specified in your quote.
Can I visit Fes properly on departure day?
It depends on your departure time. Day 7 can include an agreed city visit when timing permits. Choose an extra Fes night for an unhurried full sightseeing day before an early onward journey.
