Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Two nights in a camp among the highest dunes in Morocco.
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7 Days • Private Desert & Imperial Morocco Tour
The 7 Day Tour from Fes via Merzouga starts in Fes, spends two nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes, follows the kasbah road to Marrakech and ends by the ocean in Casablanca.
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Departure
Fes
Tour Type
Private one-way tour
Destination
Fes → Merzouga → Marrakech → Casablanca
Transport
Private 4x4 or air-conditioned minivan
Availability
Daily, flexible start time
Overview
Our 7 Day Tour from Fes via Merzouga is a week-long private trip for travelers who want the Sahara, the south and Marrakech without long, tiring days. An English-speaking driver takes you through the Middle Atlas to two nights in an Erg Chebbi camp, then west through Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley. You sleep near Aït Ben Haddou to see the ksar in evening light, cross the High Atlas to Marrakech for two nights in a riad, and finish at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, close to the airport. Most driving days are moderate after the first. It suits first-time visitors, couples and families who like a steady pace. Nights are spent in a desert camp, a valley hotel, a kasbah guesthouse and a Marrakech riad.
One steady week that links the dunes, the kasbahs, Marrakech and the Atlantic.
What to expect
Two nights at a camp in Erg Chebbi
Walk the narrow floor of Todra Gorge
Sleep beside the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
Guided walk through the Marrakech medina
Visit the Hassan II Mosque by the sea
Day by day
1
Fes → Midelt → Merzouga
Approx. distance: 470 km
Pickup is around 8 am from your Fes accommodation. You climb through Ifrane and the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques gather, then cross the plateau to Midelt for lunch at your own cost.
The afternoon follows the Ziz Valley palm groves to Merzouga. A camel ride brings you into the dunes for sunset, followed by dinner and a night at the camp.
KEY STOPS: Ifrane, Azrou cedar forest, Midelt, Ziz Valley
STAY: Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
MEALS: Dinner
2
Merzouga → Khamlia → Merzouga
Approx. distance: 80 km
A slow desert day. Watch sunrise, have breakfast, then visit Khamlia to hear Gnawa music over mint tea. Continue to Rissani for its market and date sellers.
The afternoon is free near the dunes for rest or paid extras such as quad biking or sandboarding. Dinner and the night are at the same camp.
KEY STOPS: Khamlia, Rissani
STAY: Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
3
Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Approx. distance: 290 km
After breakfast you drive west through the Tinejdad oasis to Tinghir. A short walk takes you into Todra Gorge, where the rock walls rise close to 300 metres above the stream.
In the late afternoon you reach the Dades Valley, with its kasbahs and folded red rock. Dinner and the night are in a valley hotel.
KEY STOPS: Tinejdad, Tinghir, Todra Gorge
STAY: Hotel in the Dades Valley
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
4
Dades Valley → Skoura → Aït Ben Haddou
Approx. distance: 180 km
An easy day on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. You pass Kelaat M'Gouna, known for roses, and the palm grove of Skoura, then drive through Ouarzazate, home of the film studios.
You arrive at Aït Ben Haddou in the afternoon with time to cross the river and climb through the ksar as the light softens. Dinner is at a kasbah guesthouse close by.
KEY STOPS: Kelaat M'Gouna, Skoura, Ouarzazate
STAY: Kasbah guesthouse near Aït Ben Haddou
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
5
Aït Ben Haddou → Tizi n'Tichka → Marrakech
Approx. distance: 190 km
After breakfast the road climbs into the High Atlas and over the Tizi n'Tichka pass at about 2,260 metres, with stops at viewpoints and Berber villages.
You reach Marrakech around lunchtime and check into a riad in or near the medina. The rest of the day is free, and the evening scene at Jemaa el-Fna is a short walk away.
KEY STOPS: Tizi n'Tichka, High Atlas villages
STAY: Riad in Marrakech
MEALS: Breakfast
6
Bahia Palace → Medina Souks → Jemaa el-Fna
A day without driving. In the morning a licensed local guide walks you through the medina, including the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque from outside and the souks of the old city.
The afternoon and evening are free. You might visit the Majorelle Garden, relax in a hammam or return to Jemaa el-Fna for dinner at the food stalls. You spend a second night in the riad.
KEY STOPS: Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, souks, Jemaa el-Fna
STAY: Riad in Marrakech
MEALS: Breakfast
7
Marrakech → Casablanca
Approx. distance: 240 km
After breakfast you drive north on the motorway to Casablanca, about 3 hours. Your driver takes you to the Hassan II Mosque, built partly over the Atlantic, where guided visits of the interior run at set times.
The tour ends with drop-off at your Casablanca hotel or Mohammed V Airport.
KEY STOPS: Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca corniche
STAY: Drop-off in Casablanca or at the airport
MEALS: Breakfast
The route
Two nights in a camp among the highest dunes in Morocco.
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An overnight stop to see the earthen ksar at sunset.
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Two nights in a riad and a guided walk through the medina.
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The Hassan II Mosque on the ocean before your drop-off.
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Photography
Practical details
Pickup in Fes and drop-off in Casablanca
Private vehicle, fuel and English-speaking driver
6 nights in a camp, hotel, kasbah guesthouse and riad
6 breakfasts and 4 dinners
Camel ride and a guided Marrakech medina walk
Lunches, drinks and dinners in Marrakech
Entry fees for monuments and the Hassan II Mosque
Tips and personal expenses
Enquiry
Send us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability. We can also add nights, change hotels or end the trip in Marrakech.
Good to know
What does the 7 Day Tour from Fes via Merzouga include?
Private transport with an English-speaking driver, six nights of accommodation, six breakfasts, four dinners, the camel ride and a guided walk in Marrakech.
Is the trip private?
Yes. Only your group travels in the vehicle, and the daily timing is flexible.
Can I finish in Marrakech instead of Casablanca?
Yes. We can end the tour in Marrakech on day six and adjust the price.
What accommodation is used?
A desert camp in Erg Chebbi, a Dades Valley hotel, a kasbah guesthouse near Aït Ben Haddou and a riad in Marrakech.
Can we visit inside the Hassan II Mosque?
Non-Muslim visitors can join the guided interior tours, which run several times a day except during prayer times. The ticket is paid on site.
Is this week suitable for families?
Yes. After the first day most drives are moderate, and there are two rest-style days in the desert and in Marrakech.
What should I bring?
Warm layers for the desert and the mountain pass, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and clothing that covers shoulders and knees for the mosque visit.
More journeys
Tell us how you want to spend your week and we will plan it with you. Every message is answered by our local team.