This 5 Days Marrakech to Chefchaouen Desert Tour is one of the most spectacular routes Morocco has to offer — a journey from the warm red city of Marrakech, deep into the golden Sahara desert, then north through the ancient medina of Fes to the famous blue city of Chefchaouen, perched high in the Rif Mountains.
Along the way, you will ride camels at sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes, sleep under the desert stars in a luxury camp, explore the bustling medina of Fes with a local guide, and wander the photogenic blue-painted alleyways and cascading bougainvillea of Chefchaouen. It is a journey that captures Morocco in all its vivid, contrasting beauty — ancient and modern, desert and mountain, Saharan and Mediterranean.
All our itineraries are fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.
– Enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains
– Visiting the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah — a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– Walking through the dramatic natural beauty of Todra Canyon
– Sleeping under a billion Saharan stars in a luxury desert camp
– Watching stunning sunrises and sunsets from the Erg Chebbi dunes
– Riding camels through the Merzouga desert at golden hour
– Exploring the ancient and labyrinthine medina of Fes
– Discovering the legendary Blue City of Chefchaouen
– Visiting the colourful souks and local craft workshops of Chefchaouen
DAY 1: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → AIT BEN HADDOU → DADES VALLEY
Your private driver collects you from your accommodation in Marrakech in the morning. The route heads south through the High Atlas Mountains, cresting the Tizi n’Tichka Pass — one of North Africa’s most dramatic mountain drives. Berber villages punctuate the switchbacks, and the views of the mountain landscape are extraordinary.
Your first major stop is the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of remarkable earthen architecture that has served as a filming location for some of cinema’s most iconic productions. The kasbah rises from the valley floor in a complex of towers, alleyways, and fortified walls that tell the story of Morocco’s ancient trans-Saharan trading routes.
The afternoon takes you east along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, through date palm groves and ruined fortresses, until you reach your overnight accommodation in the Dades Valley — a beautifully situated hotel framed by the dramatic gorge.
DAY 2: DADES VALLEY → TODRA CANYON → MERZOUGA DESERT
A morning drive east brings you to the Tinghir Oasis, where a wide green belt of date palms and crops stretches along the riverbed — a vivid reminder of how life here depends entirely on water. Beyond Tinghir, the road enters the Todra Canyon, where sheer limestone walls tower hundreds of metres above your head, creating a narrow passageway of extraordinary natural drama.
Continuing southeast, the landscape gradually opens into the pre-Saharan desert — flat, stony, and increasingly golden. By late afternoon, the great dunes of Erg Chebbi appear ahead. You arrive in time to saddle up your camel and ride into the heart of the dunes as the sun puts on its finest show — a blazing desert sunset that transforms the sand into copper and flame.
Dinner is served at the luxury desert camp, followed by an evening of traditional Berber percussion and singing around the campfire, beneath one of the world’s most extraordinary night skies.
DAY 3: MERZOUGA DESERT → ZIZ VALLEY → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → IFRANE → FES
After the sunrise and a final breakfast at the camp, you begin the long but rewarding drive north to Fes. The route follows the Ziz Valley — a corridor of lush date palm groves stretching along the riverbanks — before climbing into the cooler, forested terrain of the Middle Atlas Mountains.
Near Azrou, wild Barbary macaques may be spotted in the ancient cedar forest — a charming and unexpected wildlife encounter. The European-style mountain town of Ifrane, with its red-roofed chalets and mountain scenery, provides an atmospheric lunch stop.
By late afternoon, you arrive in Fes — the spiritual and intellectual heart of Morocco. Check in to your riad or hotel in or near the medina.
DAY 4: EXPLORE FES → CHEFCHAOUEN
The morning is spent exploring the UNESCO-listed medina of Fes el-Bali — one of the world’s largest living medieval cities. With a knowledgeable local guide at your side, you will navigate its 9,000-plus narrow alleyways, visit the famous Chouara Tanneries, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Andalusian Quarter, and the bustling souks where artisans craft leather, brass, ceramics, and textiles in workshops that have barely changed in centuries.
In the early afternoon, your journey continues north by private vehicle toward the Rif Mountains and the legendary Blue City of Chefchaouen. Arriving in the late afternoon, you will have time to begin exploring the medina’s impossibly photogenic blue-painted lanes before dinner.
DAY 5: EXPLORE CHEFCHAOUEN → TANGIER / FES / CASABLANCA / MARRAKECH
Your final morning in Chefchaouen is one of the most peaceful of the entire trip. Wake up early to wander the medina before the day-trippers arrive — the blue alleyways in the morning light are utterly magical. Visit the central Plaza Uta el-Hammam, browse the handicraft shops for locally woven blankets and handmade goods, and hike above the town to the Spanish Mosque for a panoramic view of Chefchaouen against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains.
In the afternoon, your driver transports you onward to your chosen destination: Tangier, Fes, Casablanca, or back to Marrakech — depending on your onward travel plans.
– Please inform us of any dietary requirements when booking.
– All vehicles are air-conditioned and regularly maintained.
– The itinerary is fully flexible and can be adjusted upon request.
– Chefchaouen medina is best explored on foot; comfortable shoes are essential.
– Entrance fees for Fes medina monuments are not included.
– Pick-up from Marrakech airport or your accommodation on Day 1
– Private air-conditioned SUV, van, or minibus (based on group size)
– English-speaking driver/guide (other languages available on request)
– 4 nights accommodation with breakfast included
– Dinner at Dades Valley hotel and at the desert camp
– Camel trekking experience in the Merzouga desert
– Sandboarding
– Local guide for the Fes medina tour on Day 4
– Drop-off at the airport, port, or hotel in Tangier on Day 5 (or alternative destination)
– Lunches and beverages
– Entrance fees where applicable
– Tips (optional but appreciated)
– Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or food allergies when booking.
– Comfortable, breathable clothing is recommended for daytime; warmer layers are advised for evenings in the desert.
– All vehicles are modern, air-conditioned, and regularly maintained.
– The itinerary is fully flexible and can be adjusted to your needs and interests.
– If you prefer to skip the camel ride, a 4×4 transfer to the camp is available.
Please fill out the form below to contact us, and we will respond as soon as possible. For a faster response please send a WhatsApp: +212 668-342513 message or call us at +212678099129 . We look forward to connecting with you. Email: info@merzougadunestours.com
Paying for your tour is straightforward. A small upfront deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot — this can be sent via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The outstanding balance is then settled directly with your driver or guide on the first day of your trip, accepted in euros, US dollars, or Moroccan dirhams.
Morocco’s official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While major hotels and larger establishments tend to accept credit cards, smaller markets and towns generally operate on a cash-only basis, so it’s advisable to carry local currency.
Absolutely. The tour can be fully tailored to match your preferences — whether that means adding extra destinations, upgrading your accommodation, or switching to alternative transport such as a private 4×4 vehicle.
Yes, camel rides are commonly included in desert tour packages, typically used to cross the dunes on the way to your overnight camp.
Camel rides are a standard part of desert experiences and are used to reach the overnight camp by crossing the dunes.
Guests stay in traditional Berber-style tents within a desert camp setting. Amenities include comfortable bedding, warm blankets, shared or private bathroom facilities (depending on the camp category), and a shared dining area for meals and socializing.
The policy varies based on how far in advance you cancel relative to your departure date. A booking deposit is required to hold your reservation, and partial or full refunds may apply depending on the notice given.
