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The Sahara Line: 4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fès
Cross the High Atlas, sleep in the dunes of Merzouga and arrive in Fès — the classic Morocco road trip, done privately.
4 days · 3 nights
From Marrakech Private tour
MarrakechTizi n'TichkaAït Ben HaddouDadèsTodraMerzougaMideltFès
01Overview
A one-way private desert tour from Marrakech to Fès: the Tichka pass, Aït Ben Haddou, the Dadès and Todra gorges, a night in the Merzouga dunes and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas.
This is the route our drivers know best — and the one most travellers dream of when they think of Morocco. In four unhurried days you cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), walk through the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Dadès valley and ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi for a night under the stars.
On the last day the road climbs north through Midelt and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, where Barbary macaques live, before dropping into Fès. Because it is one-way, you see twice as much of Morocco without driving back the same road — perfect if your trip continues to Fès, Chefchaouen or the north.
Everything is private: your own car and driver, and you decide where to stop for photos, mint tea or a walk.
02Highlights
- Tizi n'Tichka pass, the highest road in the High Atlas
- Aït Ben Haddou, UNESCO World Heritage ksar
- Dadès gorge and the Todra canyon walls
- Sunset camel trek and a night in the Merzouga dunes
- Sunrise over Erg Chebbi
- Cedar forest and Barbary macaques near Azrou
- One-way: ends in Fès, no backtracking
03Day by day
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Day 1
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Ben Haddou → Dadès valley
Leave Marrakech at 8:00 and climb into the High Atlas through Berber villages and walnut groves to the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Visit the fortified ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, then continue past Ouarzazate and the oasis of Skoura to the Valley of Roses and the Dadès valley.
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Day 2
Dadès gorge → Todra gorge → Merzouga
Morning drive up the switchbacks of the Dadès gorge, then on to Tinghir and a walk through the 300-metre walls of the Todra gorge. Afternoon across the desert plains via Erfoud to Merzouga, where camels wait to carry you into the dunes for sunset and a night in camp.
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Day 3
Sunrise in the dunes → Ziz valley → Midelt
Wake early for sunrise from the top of a dune, ride back and enjoy breakfast. The road follows the Ziz valley palm groves and gorges north to Midelt, the apple capital at the foot of the Middle Atlas.
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Day 4
Midelt → Azrou cedar forest → Ifrane → Fès
Drive through the cedar forest near Azrou to see the Barbary macaques, pass the alpine-style town of Ifrane and arrive in Fès in the early afternoon, dropped at your riad.
04What's included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle (4×4 or minivan)
- Your own local driver-guide
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Accommodation in hand-picked riads and kasbahs
- One night in a Sahara desert camp (private tent)
- Sunset camel trek in the dunes
- Breakfasts and dinners
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Official local guides in the medinas (optional)
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Pickup: Your hotel or riad in Marrakech, 8:00. Drop-off at your riad in Fès.
05On the road
06Reviews
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