Fez to Marrakech: 4-Day Sahara Desert Trip Honest Review 2025

So, you’re thinking about that trip from Fez to Marrakech, the one that cuts right through the Sahara. Well, let me tell you, it’s pretty much an experience that sticks with you. I mean, going from one of Morocco’s oldest cities, across huge mountains, and then into those famous orange sands is kind of a big deal. You actually get to see the country change in front of your eyes. It’s more or less a full-on visual story. I was looking for something that wasn’t just a city break, you know, something with a bit of grit and a whole lot of amazing views. Honestly, this four-day trek seemed to check all the boxes, and at the end of the day, it really delivered. It’s like you see three or four different countries in one go. You’ve got the city feel, the mountain atmosphere, the quiet of the desert, and then another totally different city feel. This review is basically just my honest take on what it was like, day by day.

Day 1: Leaving Fez’s Labyrinth for the Atlas Mountains

Okay, so that first morning was, in a way, a bit of a shock to the system. You leave the seriously tight and twisting alleyways of the Fez medina, and suddenly you are in a comfortable 4×4, you know, on an actual open road. Our driver, who was a really nice guy, picked us up right from our riad. It’s just a little thing, but it honestly makes the start so much less stressful. Soon enough, we were climbing. And I mean, like, really climbing into the Middle Atlas Mountains. The air got cleaner and a lot cooler pretty much right away. One of the first stops was in Ifrane, which, you know, they call the “Switzerland of Morocco.” It’s sort of a funny comparison, with its pointy-roofed houses, but it really is a world away from Fez.

As a matter of fact, the highlight for me this morning was the cedar forest just past Ifrane. This is where you actually get to see the Barbary macaque monkeys. Seriously, they are just there, hanging out by the road, and they’re not shy at all. We stopped for a bit to watch them, and it’s sort of one of those “wow, I’m really in a different place” moments. Anyway, the drive continued, and the scenery just kept changing. We’re talking green hills turning into more rugged, reddish-brown landscapes. We stopped for lunch in a small town called Midelt, which is apparently known for its apples. The tagine was, to be honest, really good. Then it was back in the car for the last part of the drive. You could just feel the landscape getting drier and flatter, you know? And then, just as the sun started to get low, we saw them. At the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like seeing the Erg Chebbi dunes for the first time; they are just these huge, flowing mountains of sand on the horizon. We more or less arrived at our hotel at the very edge of the desert, feeling tired but seriously excited for the next day.

Day 2: The Camel Trek into Erg Chebbi’s Heart

So, this was the day everyone was really waiting for. After a slow morning and some breakfast, we had a little bit of time to explore the area around Merzouga. Our guide actually took us to hear some Gnawa music, which is a sort of traditional spiritual sound with these heavy, deep rhythms. It’s definitely a unique cultural thing to experience. Then, in the late afternoon, it was, you know, camel time. I was sort of expecting it to be a bit uncomfortable, but honestly, you get into the rhythm of the camel’s walk pretty quickly. The person leading our little caravan was obviously an expert and made sure everyone was okay. He was just a little quiet but had a really calming presence.

Frankly, riding through those dunes is an experience that is hard to put into words. There’s almost no sound except for the soft padding of the camel’s feet on the sand and the occasional comment from someone in the group. The dunes are just enormous, seriously, and they create these beautiful, flowing shapes and shadows that change with the light. We rode for maybe an hour and a half, just as the sun was starting its descent. The way the light paints everything in shades of gold, orange, and then deep purple is just, well, something you have to see for yourself. We arrived at our desert camp, which was basically a collection of nice, sturdy tents set up in a hollow between some big dunes. The feeling of hopping off the camel and putting your feet in the cool sand is, in a way, quite special.

I mean, the silence out there is probably the most memorable thing. You’re sitting on top of a sand dune, watching the last sliver of sun disappear, and there’s just… nothing. No traffic, no city sounds. It’s actually a kind of quiet that you can feel.

After sunset, it was time for dinner. We all gathered in a big tent where they served us a seriously delicious meal, another tagine, which seems to taste better every time. Afterwards, the local Berber guides brought out some drums and lit a campfire. So, we all sat around the fire, under this incredible blanket of stars, you know? With no city lights, the Milky Way is so clear it almost looks fake. They played music, sang songs, and told us some old stories. It’s pretty much the perfect way to finish a day like that. At the end of the day, it’s not just about the sights; it’s about that whole feeling of community around the fire.

Day 3: Desert Sunrise and the Road to the Gorges

Waking up for the sunrise is, to be honest, not optional. One of the guides gives you a gentle wake-up call while it’s still dark and pretty cold. You kind of climb up the nearest dune, find a spot to sit, and just wait. Then, you know, the sky starts to lighten up, and the sun slowly peeks over the horizon, lighting up the tops of the dunes one by one. It’s arguably one of the most peaceful and beautiful things you’ll ever see. After taking a bunch of photos that probably don’t do it justice, it’s time to get back on the camels for the ride back to the hotel. It’s a slightly different view in the morning light.

After a much-needed shower and a big breakfast back at the hotel on the edge of the desert, we were basically back on the road. Today’s drive was all about dramatic canyons and changing scenery again. Our first major stop was the Todra Gorge. As a matter of fact, it’s this huge canyon carved by a river, with these sheer rock walls that are, like, hundreds of feet high on either side. We got out of the car and actually walked along the river at the bottom of the canyon. You feel very small standing down there, looking up. It’s a popular spot for rock climbers, and you can sort of see why. The temperature is noticeably cooler inside the gorge, which is a nice break.

From there, the route took us through what they call the Dades Valley, sometimes referred to as the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.” You just see these old, crumbling mud-brick fortresses all along the way, and it makes you think about all the history of this place. The landscape itself is just incredible, with strange rock formations that have names like “monkey fingers.” Seriously, they kind of do look like that. Our stopping point for the night was a really nice riad built right into the side of the valley, offering an amazing view from the terrace. The air was fresh, and it was just a really chill place to spend the night after a long day of driving and exploring, you know?

Day 4: Ancient Villages and Crossing the High Atlas

So, for our final day, we started with a drive out of the Dades Valley. By the way, the switchback roads going up and down the valley are a little bit of an adventure on their own. The main event for the day, and arguably one of the biggest highlights of the whole tour, was the visit to Aït Benhaddou. This place is, well, pretty famous. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and if it looks familiar, it’s because it has actually been the backdrop for a ton of movies and TV shows, like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. It’s this massive fortified village, or ksar, made entirely of earthen clay. It looks like something straight out of history.

We spent a good amount of time here, walking across the bridge and then up through the narrow, winding alleys to the very top. It’s basically like stepping back in time. Only a few families still live there, but you can explore the old buildings and imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago. The view from the top granary, looking out over the surrounding area, is absolutely worth the climb. It really gives you a sense of why they built it there, with such a commanding position over the old caravan route. Frankly, it’s a history lesson and an amazing photo opportunity all in one.

After Aït Benhaddou, it was time for the last leg of the trip to Marrakech. This part of the drive involves crossing the High Atlas Mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. This pass is extremely high, over 7,000 feet, and the road that winds its way through it is just spectacular. There are, like, a million hairpin turns, but the views are seriously breathtaking. You see small Berber villages clinging to the mountainsides. The landscape changes once again as you start to descend, becoming greener. Finally, as the afternoon wore on, we could see the plains of Marrakech ahead. Arriving in Marrakech is another one of those contrasts; you go from the mountain quiet to the full-on energy of a big city. Our driver dropped us right at our riad, and just like that, the four-day adventure was more or less over. It was an absolutely incredible way to see the real Morocco.

Some Final Thoughts and Practical Pointers

Okay, so if you are thinking of doing this, here are just a few things to keep in mind. The driving days are actually quite long, so be ready for a lot of time in the car. But, you know, the car is comfortable, there’s air conditioning, and the scenery is so varied that it doesn’t really get boring. The guides and drivers usually make plenty of stops for photos, stretching, and bathroom breaks. To be honest, they’ve got it down to a science. When it comes to packing, layers are definitely your friend. It can be hot during the day, but it gets pretty cold at night, especially in the desert and the mountains, even in the summer.

Here are some items I was pretty glad I brought with me:

• A scarf or headwrap: Seriously useful for protecting against the sun and sand when you’re on the camel.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses: Obviously, the sun is no joke out there.
• Comfortable trousers: You will want something comfortable for the long camel ride.
• A warm jacket: For the cold desert nights, at the end of the day, you’ll need it.
• Cash: Useful for buying snacks, drinks, and for tipping your guides. Not everywhere takes cards.
• A portable charger: So you can keep your phone and camera juiced up for all the pictures you’ll definitely be taking.

The accommodations were, frankly, better than I might have expected. The hotels and riads were clean, full of character, and the hosts were always super welcoming. And the food, well, you’ll eat a lot of tagine and couscous, but it’s always delicious and freshly made. In other words, just relax and go with the flow. It’s an adventure, right? Things might not always go exactly to plan, but that’s sort of part of the fun of it. The guides are locals who really know their stuff and seem to genuinely love sharing their culture, which makes all the difference.

Read our full review: [4 days to the Sahara desert from Fez to Marrakech Full Review and Details]
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