Travelling from Marrakech to Fes through the Sahara is one of the most beautiful road trips in the world. Instead of the direct 5–6 hour drive through the plains, this route crosses the High Atlas, follows valleys of kasbahs and palm groves, spends a night in the dunes of Merzouga and climbs through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. Here is the route, day by day.
How many days do you need?
The minimum is 3 days and 2 nights, which covers roughly 950 km. With 4 days you drive less each day and have more time to explore the gorges and the desert. Both are private tours starting from your riad in Marrakech and ending at your accommodation in Fes.
Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ait Benhaddou – Dades Gorges
Leave Marrakech in the morning and climb the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), the highest road pass in Morocco. Stop at Berber villages and viewpoints before reaching the UNESCO ksar of Ait Benhaddou (see our Ait Benhaddou guide). After lunch, pass through Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses near Kelaat M’Gouna, famous for its rose festival in May. Overnight in a hotel in the Dades Gorges, known for their red rock formations and the famous zigzag road.
Day 2: Dades – Todra Gorges – Merzouga (Sahara)
Drive to Tinghir and walk inside the Todra Gorges, where limestone walls rise over 300 metres above a clear stream. Continue through Tinejdad and Erfoud, a town known for fossils and dates. In the late afternoon you reach Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Ride a camel into the dunes at sunset, have dinner and listen to Berber music around the fire in the desert camp.
Day 3: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Middle Atlas – Fes
Wake up early for sunrise over the dunes, then ride back and have breakfast. The long drive north passes the Ziz Valley, a spectacular canyon of palm trees, and the town of Errachidia. Cross the Middle Atlas via Midelt and the cedar forests of Azrou, where Barbary macaques live, and Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Arrive in Fes in the evening.
Distances and driving times
| Stage | Distance | Driving time* |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech – Dades Gorges | ~330 km | 6–7 h |
| Dades – Merzouga | ~290 km | 5 h |
| Merzouga – Fes | ~470 km | 8 h |
*Without stops. With visits and photo stops, each day is longer – which is why a 4-day version is more relaxed.
The reverse route: Fes to Marrakech
The same trip works in the opposite direction, starting in Fes and ending in Marrakech. Popular options: 3 days from Fes to Marrakech, 4 days from Fes to Marrakech and 5 days from Fes to Marrakech.
Tips for this road trip
- Pack a small overnight bag for the desert camp – see our packing list.
- Bring warm clothes: the Atlas passes and desert nights are cold in winter.
- Carry some cash; ATMs are rare between Tinghir and Midelt.
- Choose spring or autumn for the most comfortable temperatures – see the best time to visit the Sahara.
Book this itinerary
Choose the 3-day tour from Marrakech to Fes or the more relaxed 4-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour. Message us on WhatsApp at +212 606-957514 for availability and prices.