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Enjoy completely different views all the way from Fes to Marrakech! This is the best route to see the core landscapes of Morocco. This 4 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour covers iconic imperial cities and the must-see desert.
You will explore the medieval religious city of Fes, walking through car-free labyrinth of yellow alleys and visiting world-famous tannery. Pass through the alpine town of Ifrane and head to the massive golden sand dunes of the Sahara.
Admire the bright red canyons of Todra and Dades, passes by the Hollywood movie sets in Ouarzazate, and crosses the grand High Atlas Mountains before arriving in Marrakech.
A high-performance private transfer and an expert local guide are ready for you.
View Destinations
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fes | Bab Boujloud, Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Quaraouiyine, Chouara Tannery, Marinid Tombs |
| 2 | Ifrane, Merzouga | Colonies of Macaque Monkeys, Erg Chebbi Dunes, 4×4 Off-Road Desert Drive & Dune Bashing (0.5h) or Desert Camel Trekking (1-2h) |
| 3 | Tinejdad, Dades Gorges | Rissani, Khettara, Ksar El Khorbat, Todra Gorges, Dades Gorges |
| 4 | Ouarzazate, Marrakech | Valley of the Roses, Skoura Oasis, Aït Ben Haddou, Tizi n'Tichka Pass, Berber Villages |
Fes
Ifrane, MerzougaTinejdad, Dades Gorges
Ouarzazate, Marrakech
Today, meet in the hotel or riad lobby. Spend the day walking in Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities and a living UNESCO medieval museum. This foremost of Morocco's four Imperial Cities boasts a completely car-free medina, leading travelers through a historic labyrinth of 9,000 winding alleyways and ancient souks.
Enter the historic old town through Bab Boujloud, a celebrated gateway. Marvel at its classic Moorish design and iconic mosaic tiles—colored blue for Fes and green for Islam—before heading straight down into the lively main market streets.
From there, visit the Bou Inania Madrasa, the most magnificent historic college in Fes. This beautiful masterpiece blends local Berber traditions with elegant Andalusian style. As you walk through the peaceful courtyard, you can admire Morocco’s best craftsmanship, featuring intricate plasterwork, fine cedarwood, and colorful Zellige tiles that create a quiet, timeless space.
Next, visit Al-Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri and recognized as the world’s oldest active university. Often dubbed the "Oxford of the Islamic world," this spiritual heart allows non-Muslims to admire its stunning green-tiled roofs and intricate Zellige courtyard directly from the entrance gates.
Next, experience Chouara Tannery, where local artisans preserve an unchanged 11th-century tradition. Holding fresh mint against the powerful aroma, you’ll look down upon a spectacular sea of multi-colored stone vats where leather is still dyed by hand.
Next, ascend to the 14th-century Marinid Tombs for the ultimate panoramic vista of Fes. Perched on a northern hill, these historic royal ruins offer a wide, open space to wander freely, capture spectacular photographs, and watch a breathtaking sunset over the sprawling ancient medina below.
Overnight in Fes.
Optional: Moroccan brass engraving
Starting at 9:30 AM, this three-hour workshop teaches you geometric layout using a compass and ruler. With clear, easy-to-follow steps, you will confidently learn to draw circles and divide them into precise segments.
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Highlights: Alpine Landscapes, Cedar Forests & Barbary Macaques, Sahara Desert Gateway, Sunset Camel Trek or 4x4 Off-Road Drive, Traditional Berber Campfire Night.
Alpine Escape to Ifrane: Depart Fes and ascend into the Middle Atlas mountains. Your first stop is Ifrane, known as the "Switzerland of Morocco" for its clean alpine architecture. Nearby, drive through ancient cedar forests where you can spot wild Barbary macaques.
Journey to the Dunes: Continue through Midelt for lunch as the landscape transitions into vast desert horizons. By late afternoon, arrive at Merzouga, the golden gateway where the asphalt ends and the majestic Erg Chebbi Dunes begin.
Into the Sahara: Switch transport to enter the wilderness. Choose a peaceful Camel Trek (1–2 hours) across waves of liquid gold, or an exhilarating 4x4 Off-Road Drive with Dune Bashing (0.5 hours) directly to your camp.
Under the Desert Stars: Savor a traditional Tagine dinner at your Comfort Desert Camp (private tents and bathrooms). Gather around a crackling bonfire for live Berber drumming under a spectacular canopy of stars.
Optional Upgrades: Khamlia Village for spiritual Gnawa music; Luxury Desert Camp with a swimming pool.
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Highlights: Desert Sunrise, Authentic Rissani Market, Ancient Irrigation Engineering, 19th-Century UN-Awarded Mud Village, Majestic Todra Gorges, Panoramic Cliffside Stay.
Wake up early for an optional Sahara Sunrise and Sandboarding.
After leaving the dunes, visit Rissani, the historical cradle of the ruling dynasty. If traveling on market days (Tue/Thu/Sun), explore its vibrant donkey and spice markets.
Ancient Oasis Engineering: Drive to Tinejdad to see the Khettara, an ancient underground irrigation marvel. Nearby, explore Ksar El Khorbat, a beautifully preserved 19th-century mud-brick village named a UN "Best Tourism Village." Browse its Oasis Museum before lunch.
The High Canyons: Descend into the breathtaking Todra Gorges, where massive limestone walls rise 300 meters straight up. Continue to the Dades Gorges to admire the iconic serpentine Hairpin Bends as children play in the cool mountain streams.
Peaceful Cliffside Stay: To bypass the noise and vendors of the town center, check into your boutique hotel or Kasbah-style boutique guesthouse perched high on the cliffs of Boumalne Dades, featuring a panoramic sunset dinner.
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Highlights: Valley of the Roses, Skoura Palm Groves, Hollywood of Africa (Film Studios), UNESCO Aït Ben Haddou, High Atlas Tizi n'Tichka Pass.
Rose Valleys & Green Oases: Depart Boumalne Dades and pass through the fragrant Valley of the Roses in Kelaa Megouna (Optional Spring Add-on: April-May Rose Festival & distillery visit). Next, enjoy a 10-minute deep-breath break in the lush Skoura Oasis, home to the famous Kasbah Amridil.
The Hollywood of Africa: Arrive in Ouarzazate (UNESCO) to tour legendary film studios where cinematic masterpieces like Gladiator and Game of Thrones were shot. Admire the historic Kasbah Taourirt, the former palatial residence of the Glaoui family.
The Golden Fortress: Explore the spectacular earthen citadel of Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO). Wander through its clay labyrinth and climb to the summit for an unforgettable panoramic view of the ancient valley.
Crossing the Atlas: Navigate the dramatic bends of the High Atlas Mountains via the legendary Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m), passing red-earth Berber Villages.
Arrive at your hotel or Riad in Marrakech by evening (estimated 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM).
Note: Occasional mountain road maintenance may cause brief, temporary pauses.
Dining:Accommodation:Pace:
Vehicle ServiceAirport/Train Station TransfersProfessional Guide ServiceDriver ServiceHotel AccommodationDaily Hotel BreakfastMeals as SpecifiedEntrance FeesInsuranceSpecial ExperiencesComprehensive Service
China Visa FeeInternational / Domestic AirfareTransportation During Free TimeOptional ActivitiesMeals Not ListedBeveragesExtra Expenses Inside Scenic AreasTips for Guide and DriverPersonal ExpensesSingle Room SupplementOne-on-one Wheelchair Assistance
It depends on whether you seek tourist photos or raw exploration. A 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) takes you to postcard-perfect, orange sand dunes that are easily accessible by tarmac road, meaning you will share the dunes with large tour buses, quad bikes, and dozens of crowded camps.
Conversely, a Marrakech to Erg Chigaga Tour via M'Hamid is an off-road expedition into the wildest, most remote wilderness of the Moroccan Sahara. Erg Chigaga boasts the highest dunes in Morocco, zero light pollution, and absolute isolation. If you want a civilized, crowd-free adventure with authentic 4x4 rally tracks, the Erg Chigaga loop is the definitive choice.
Yes, but 4 days is more recommended. The driving distance from Marrakech to the deep desert is massive. A 3-day itinerary forces you to spend 8 to 9 hours a day trapped inside a vehicle, leaving zero time to actually enjoy the scenery.
By choosing a curated 4 Days Sahara Desert Tour, you split the long journey beautifully. You get to enjoy a relaxing night in a boutique Riad in Ouarzazate, explore ancient kasbahs without rushing, spend a full, unhurried afternoon in the deep desert camp, and return via the thrilling Paris-Dakar rally route.
Zagora is a bustling desert outpost town, but its local sand dunes (Tinfou) are small, flat, and located right next to the highway—offering very little "true Sahara" feeling. Marrakech to M’Hamid represents the actual end of the tarmac road and the literal gateway to the true dune sea.
M'Hamid is where the real desert wilderness begins. We bypass the touristy stops in Zagora and drive straight to M'Hamid to drop tire pressure and launch our off-road crossing into the massive waves of Erg Chigaga.
Geographically, it is a massive detour. Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) sits on a northern highway axis that connects easily to Fes. Erg Chigaga sits in the deep southwest. Trying to drive from Erg Chigaga to Fes in a single day requires over 10–11 hours of grueling mountain and desert transit, completely destroying the luxury pacing of your holiday. Our 5 Days Sahara Desert Tour is designed as a flawless southwest loop that starts and ends elegantly in Marrakech, maximizing scenery while minimizing exhaustion.
These two stops offer entirely different cultural layers. Kasbah Tamnougalt is a majestic, 16th-century earthen fortress overlooking the Draa Valley. Our itinerary stops here exclusively to enjoy mint tea on a panoramic rooftop terrace, soaking in the views of the palm oasis against the backdrop of Jbel Kissane without wasting your energy walking through crumbling ruins.
Tamegroute, located further south, is a living spiritual center. It is famous for its 17th-century underground Sufi library housing ancient manuscripts on gazelle parchment, and its traditional pottery workshops—the birthplace of Morocco's iconic emerald-green glazed ceramics.
Standard sedans and large tour buses cannot access Erg Chigaga. The final 60 to 80 kilometers of the route from M'Hamid into the camp—and the return route across Lake Iriqui to Foum Zguid—consist entirely of trackless sand drifts, dried riverbeds, and rugged stone hammadas. This route requires a powerful, high-clearance 4x4 vehicle (such as a Toyota Land Cruiser) driven by an expert Saharan navigator who knows how to handle deep sand and trackless terrain.
The Paris-Dakar Rally is the world’s most legendary, grueling off-road race. When the rally ran through Africa, the segment between Erg Chigaga, the dry bed of Lake Iriqui, and Foum Zguid was considered one of its most challenging stages. On Day 4, our 4x4s follow this exact historical race track. It allows our guests to experience a true desert crossing loop ("East In, West Out") so you never have to see the same scenery twice, turning your return transit into an adrenaline-fueled geomorphic expedition.
The Saharan midday sun (between 12:00 and 14:00) can be intense. Cheap tours often force clients to drive or ride camels during these blistering peak hours. Our premium 5 Days Sahara Desert Tour features strict quality control: we cross the off-road tracks early in the morning, arriving at our luxury camp right before noon. You will spend the hottest hours of the day relaxing inside a beautifully styled, climate-controlled dining tent, enjoying a gourmet lunch and a siesta, before heading out for camel trekking when the sun drops and turns to liquid gold.
Our hand-picked, luxury desert camp provides modern comfort deep in the wilderness, featuring private en-suite bathrooms, king-sized bedding, running hot water, and solar-powered electricity. However, because Erg Chigaga is strictly isolated from civilization, there is no cellular signal or Wi-Fi deep in the dunes. This zero-signal environment is precisely why it is an elite destination: it guarantees total digital detoxification and preserves a pure sky with zero light pollution, making it a world-class paradise for stargazing and astrophotography.
A good night's sleep is essential during your Fujian tour. In our private tours, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred hotel class—whether it's luxury 5-star, comfortable 4-star, or economic 3-star accommodations.
We carefully select hotels/camps in prime locations in Marrakech/Boumalne Dades/Erg Chigaga (Close to M'hamid), situated close to vibrant commercial streets or major tourist attractions. All our partner hotels maintain long-term relationships with us and are equipped with essential amenities including windows, air-conditioning, hot water, showers, and Wi-Fi (with the exception of basic conditions at Mount Everest) to ensure a comfortable stay.
The hotel staff are proficient in English and dedicated to providing high-quality service. Should you have any special requirements during your stay, they are always available to assist you to ensure a truly pleasant experience.
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Tripadvisor 4.9
4.9 | 16,674 reviews
I highly recommend this 6-day Beijing and Shanghai group tour! It’s the perfect short trip to see China’s top highlights like the Great Wall and the Bund.
The price was fantastic for the value we received, with excellent guides and no forced shopping. A wonderful, budget-friendly experience!
Our 10-day China tour through Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Shanghai was absolutely incredible! Traveling in a small group made everything seamless. The guides were highly knowledgeable, and I really appreciated the "no shopping stops" policy.
From hiking the Mutianyu Great Wall to the stunning Li River cruise and Shanghai's modern skyline, every moment was perfectly planned. Highly recommend Asia Odyssey Travel!
I recently finished the 8-day Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai small group tour with Asia Odyssey Travel, and it was absolutely fantastic! Traveling with just 12 people made the experience intimate and fun.
Our English-speaking guides were incredibly knowledgeable, bringing historical sites like the Terracotta Warriors and the Forbidden City to life. I truly appreciated their strict "no shopping stops" policy, which gave us much more time to explore.
The high-speed train transfers were seamless, and the hotels were very comfortable. A perfect, hassle-free trip! Highly recommended!
Just came back from an amazing 8 days tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. The tour is very well organized and we enjoyed every minute of it. But what made the difference is the kindness and commitment of Asia Odyssey staff to provide exceptional service; including the travel assistant, Cindy and the three tour guides, Mary, Timo and Jessica. Thank you all for making our first time journey to China unforgettable!
Marrakech - Dades Gorges - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Sahara Desert (Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Morocco) - Draa Gorges - Agdez - Marrakech/Fes
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Marrakech - Dades Gorges - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Sahara Desert (Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Morocco) - Draa Gorges - Agdez - Marrakech/Fes
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I highly recommend this 6-day Beijing and Shanghai group tour! It’s the perfect short trip to see China’s top highlights like the Great Wall and the Bund.
The price was fantastic for the value we received, with excellent guides and no forced shopping. A wonderful, budget-friendly experience!
Our 10-day China tour through Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Shanghai was absolutely incredible! Traveling in a small group made everything seamless. The guides were highly knowledgeable, and I really appreciated the "no shopping stops" policy.
From hiking the Mutianyu Great Wall to the stunning Li River cruise and Shanghai's modern skyline, every moment was perfectly planned. Highly recommend Asia Odyssey Travel!
I recently finished the 8-day Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai small group tour with Asia Odyssey Travel, and it was absolutely fantastic! Traveling with just 12 people made the experience intimate and fun.
Our English-speaking guides were incredibly knowledgeable, bringing historical sites like the Terracotta Warriors and the Forbidden City to life. I truly appreciated their strict "no shopping stops" policy, which gave us much more time to explore.
The high-speed train transfers were seamless, and the hotels were very comfortable. A perfect, hassle-free trip! Highly recommended!
This was a group trip organised by Asia Odyssey Travel and I had booked with them for the 29th July tour. Overall it was a fantastic experience starting from the rail station pick up, the hotel stays, the food and the guide during each day. Ms. Freya as a guide was nice and a little sweet girl. Shall get better with experience. My best wishes to her. Ms. Nia, the tour coordinator cooperated with me very well since my booking and everything was smooth. I reccomend Asia Odyssey for future travels. Best wishes.
We organized an 18-day tour across China with Asia Odyssey Travel, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the very beginning, we were supported by Steven, who speaks excellent English and showed great patience and flexibility. He helped us design a fully customized itinerary based on our preferences, adjusting the original proposals to suit our needs. Steven also stayed in touch throughout the trip to make sure everything went smoothly—and we even had the pleasure of meeting him in person during our stop in Yangshuo!
Our journey included many destinations: Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie, Furong, Fenghuang, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Shanghai. We took two domestic flights and three trains, including two long-distance rides. In each location, we were met by a local English-speaking guide and a driver. We were truly impressed by the professionalism and kindness of every guide we had: Vincent in Beijing, Tina in Chengdu, Christine in Chongqing, Rachel in Zhangjiajie – Furong and Fenghuang, and Helen in Guilin. Each of them was knowledgeable, helpful, and a joy to spend time with.
Although we’re not usually the type to travel with organized tours, we wanted a good balance between guided experiences and time on our own. Asia Odyssey Travel was incredibly accommodating, allowing us the flexibility to explore independently while still taking care of all the logistics—like picking us up from airports or train stations and ensuring someone accompanied us to our hotels, which was especially valuable in a country where English is not widely spoken.
Thanks to Steven’s advice and the guidance of the local experts, we were able to make the most of every stop—visiting key sights at the right times and avoiding crowds whenever possible. We always felt supported, cared for, and in good hands.
We wholeheartedly recommend traveling with Asia Odyssey Travel, and if we return to the region in the future, we’ll definitely choose them again!
Just came back from an amazing 8 days tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. The tour is very well organized and we enjoyed every minute of it. But what made the difference is the kindness and commitment of Asia Odyssey staff to provide exceptional service; including the travel assistant, Cindy and the three tour guides, Mary, Timo and Jessica. Thank you all for making our first time journey to China unforgettable!
Navigating China has never been easy with Asia Odyssey Travel and the knowledgeable guides. Tani has been also very helpful and responsive to my queries and I’ve learned a lot on how things work in China. The itinerary is worth it but ensure you warm up before your tour because the explorations need a lot of walking. Also, having a small group is ideal since we had time to know each other, and learn from new acquaintances.
I recently had the pleasure of touring Beijing with an amazing guide Steven and driver, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! From the moment we were picked up, everything was well-organized, smooth, and enjoyable.
Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. He shared fascinating insights about Beijing’s history and culture, making each site we visited even more meaningful. Their enthusiasm and storytelling brought places like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven to life. They also gave us great recommendations for local food and hidden gems, which made our trip even more special.
The driver was equally fantastic—always punctual, professional, and courteous. Navigating Beijing’s busy streets can be challenging, but our driver made it feel effortless. The vehicle was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, making our journey stress-free and enjoyable.
Overall, this was an unforgettable experience, thanks to our guide and driver. I highly recommend their services to anyone visiting Beijing.
Booking through Asia Odyssey Travel made everything so easy! The entire trip on the Century Voyage was seamless and stress-free. The all-inclusive pricing was a huge plus—no surprise charges, just pure relaxation. The ship itself is stunning, with luxurious interiors and spacious cabins that felt like a high-end hotel room. The staff was super friendly and spoke great English, which made everything more comfortable.
