10 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech

Fes to Marrakech 10 Days

This tour is perfect for those who want to take their time exploring Morocco. It features tours of two Imperial cities – Fes and Marrakech – as well as time to explore the Sahara and to visit the Atlantic Coastal town of Essaouira with many interesting stops along the way.

*Imperial cities were capitals of Morocco at various points in history. Today Rabat is the capital city, but that was not always the case.

Duration: 10 Days, 9 Nights
Distance: 1,,469 km / 912 miles
Start: Fes
End: Marrakech
Type: Private or Group Tour

*This tour can go in reverse if you prefer to start in Marrakech and end in Fes.

Trip Highlights

Explore the Imperial city of Fes which, today, is the artisan capital of Morocco.
Enjoy gorgeous scenic views driving through the Middle Atlas Mountains
Visit the wild Barbary macaques in Azrou forest.
Visit Todra Gorge
Ride a camel over the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara
Camp overnight in the desert with dinner, music, and a private tent
Enjoy traditional Gnawan music in Khamlia Village
Explore Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritiage Site near Ouarzazate
Navigate the Tizi n’Tichka pass
Spend a day on the Atlantic shore in Essaouira
Spend a day exploring the Imperial city of Marrakech, Morocco’s Red City.
Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech’s main square

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Fes

The first day, your arrival day, begins when we meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in the historical medina of Fes. Depending on your arrival time and how you feel, there may be time to explore the city a little bit. Or, if you prefer, you can use the day to relax. We will work the details out with you individually.

Day 2: Explore Fes

Fes was founded by Idris I in the 12th century. It boasts the largest medina in the Arab world, the oldest university in the world, souks with every spice you can imagine, mosques, plazas, potters, and leather tanning. It has become the artisan capital of Morocco, so if hand-made items are your “thing,” you will truly enjoy exploring this city! After a day of exploring, we will have dinner then sleep in a hotel.

Day 3: Fes -> Ifrane -> Azrou Forest -> Midelt -> Merzouga

After breakfast we will head southeast toward Merzouga along roads that started as trails for ancient camel caravans. During this part of the trip through the Middle Atlas Mountains, you will see the High Atlas Mountains in the background. We will stop in Morocco’s largest cedar forest to stretch and enjoy the sites, and you may even see the famous Barbary macaques After lunch in Midelt, we will continue through the open high desert and observe many more changes in scenery as we approach Errachidia.

We always have time to stop for pictures, so don’t be shy about asking! We’ll see the luxurious Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet date palm groves. Eventually you’ll see the mountains give way to the sand dunes of the Sahara. When we arrive in Merzouga you will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea, aka Berber whisky, and some snacks. We will have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 4: Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Khamlia Village

Today will begin with a hearty breakfast to prepare us to explore the area around Merzouga. We’ll travel to Khamlia Village where many people originally from the Sudan have settled. We’ll enjoy some mint tea as we listen to a short concert of spiritual Gnawan music. From there we will visit the Lake of Merzouga, also called Lake Dayet Srij, where you are likely to see many birds IF there is water. The next stop will be the bustling town of Rissani, the hometown of the royal family and the home to one of the oldest authentic souks in the country. If it is souk day, we shop.

In ancient times, this city was a meeting place for caravans traveling from all directions, some from as far away as Timbuctou, Mali! Along the way you will see many signs for fossils. This region was once the bottom of the sea and fossils are plentiful. If you have an interest and would like to stop at a fossil shop, please let us know. After this visit we will return to Merzouga for some rest, then mount camels to explore the dunes as you ride to the campsite where you will enjoy a hearty dinner, some live music, and spend the night.

Day 5: Merzougai -> Rissani -> Todra Gorge -> Boumalne Dades

If you wake up early enough, you will see what may be the most beautiful sunrise you have ever seen over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. After that we will trek back to the hotel for breakfast and showers before we begin out trip toward Marrakech. We will drive through Rissani and Tinghir before stopping for lunch in Todra Gorge. The gorge is the highest and more narrow gorge in the country, and it will seem even more striking as you walk along the river that carved it from the rocks. After lunch we will drive through teh Dades Valley where you will see beautiful Berber villages, countless date palms, and the majectic sand castle-like formations known as “monkey toes.” We will stop for the night in a beautiful hotel overlooking the Dades Valley.

Day 6: Boumalne Dades -> Kalaat M’gouna ->Amridil Kasbah -> Ouarzazate

After breakfast we will begin our travels toward Ouarzazate. Along the way we will see the route of a thousand Kasbahs. If you’re wondering, that is not an exaggeration. Someone counted and found there are actually more than one thousand of them. We will stop in Kalaat M’gouna, Morocco’s Rose City, to learn about the process of turning roses into products like rose water, essential oils, and other products. From there we will drive on to Amridil Kasbah which was home to one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century. The property passed to the powerful Glaoui family during the colonial era. It is a beautiful example of traditional architecture. We will end today’s trip at a hotel in Ouarzazate.

Day 7: Ouarzazate -> Ait Ben Haddou -> Tizi n’Tichka Pass -> Marrakech

After breakfast we will had to the 17th century kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You may recognize it from movies or tv shows like Gladiator or Lawrence of Arabia. This ancient walled city was once an important stop for camel caravans traveling between the Sahara and Marrakech. Today it is a great example of the traditional earthen architecture commonly associated with Morocco. We will continue to Marrakech along the routes those camel caravans used to travel, including the 2,260 meter high Tizi n’Tichks pass, the highest point in our country. . This part of the journey will offer too many beautiful views to count, and we will stop for pictures are often as you wish. We will arrive in Marrakech by later afternoon and check into a hotel or riad for the night.

Day 8: Essaouira

After breakfast at the hotel, we will take a full day trip to the coastal city of Essaouira. The two and a half hour drive will leave plenty of time to walk through and explore the “City of Wind.” The alleys of the medina are full of handicrafts, and the waves attract surfers from all over the world. The city of Essaouira has a rich history including a strong Portuguese influence in the 15th and 16th centuries when they built a walled fortress to protect the city. We will visit the women’s argan oil cooperative where they process argan nuts into both culinary and cosmetic grade oil. Lunch will be on your own either in the medina or at the port. We will meet up in the afternoon to drive back to Marrakech and spend the night at the hotel or riad.

Day 9: Marrakech

This day is entirely devoted to exploring the Imperial city of Marrakech. It was nicknamed the “Red City” because of the red earthen walls on the buildings. We will visit many attractions including the Menara, the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, and Majorelle Gardens. At sunset we will go to the main square for Jamaa el-Fna, the daily collection of dancers, storytellers, snake charmers, artisans, merchants, jugglers, and food vendors who gather as part of the ancient tradition of the city. Afterwards we will return to our hotel for the night.

Day 10: Marrakech

This is the last day of the trip. Because we do not know what time your flight departs, we are leaving today open to spend as you wish. Shopping? Another visit to the square? Extra time to relax and talk in a cafe? We will work this day out together. We will have you at the airport in time for your flight.

The Fee Includes:

Comfortable, air conditioned vehicle
English or Spanish speaking guide
Transfers to and from the airport or train station
Overnight accommodation at luxury campsite
Camel ride
Breakfast and dinner each day

The Fee Does NOT Include:

Admission to attractions
Lunch
Drinks outside of meals
Tip for your guide (optional)