Fez to Marrakech Desert Tour 2025: A 4-Day Sahara Review
Thinking about a desert trip across Morocco, you know, is honestly one of those ideas that just sticks in your head. Well, I finally did the 4-day trip from Fez to Marrakech, and to be honest, it was pretty much everything I hoped for and a bit more. This isn’t just about getting from one city to another; in fact, it’s about seeing the country completely transform right before your eyes. At the end of the day, you see so many different sides of Morocco. We went through a bunch of different little towns, saw some seriously big mountains, and, of course, spent a night under what felt like a million stars in the Sahara. I mean, if you’re thinking about it for 2025, let me just give you the rundown of how it all sort of played out, day by day.
Day 1: From Fez’s Medina to the Middle Atlas Mountains
So, the first morning was an early one, leaving the old, winding streets of Fez behind. The feeling was, like, a little bit electric with anticipation. You start out in a comfortable 4×4, and it’s pretty much a relief to be out of the city’s intense energy and on the open road. Almost immediately, the landscape begins to change, which is actually super interesting to watch. First, we passed through Ifrane, a town that honestly feels like it was plucked right out of Switzerland; seriously, it’s all neat, with pointed-roof houses and a completely different vibe from Fez. By the way, the air there is noticeably crisp and cool. The real highlight for me on this day was, frankly, the cedar forest, where we stopped to see the Barbary macaque monkeys. They are obviously not shy at all, and you can get really close, which is kind of a fun experience. The day basically ends with a drive to Midelt, a town that’s more or less known for its apple groves, for a restful night before heading deeper south.
Day 2: Ziz Valley’s Green Ribbon and the Dunes of Merzouga
Alright, so on day two, you really start to feel like you’re heading into the desert. The drive itself is pretty amazing, especially as we began to descend towards the Ziz Valley. In a way, it’s like a gigantic green snake of palm trees cutting through a dry, reddish canyon, which is a very stunning sight. The driver stopped at a viewpoint, and you could just see this incredible ribbon of life stretching for miles, which was frankly breathtaking. You can just about feel the atmosphere changing as you get closer to the Sahara. As a matter of fact, the temperature climbs, and the world just seems to open up. Finally, we arrived in Merzouga, a small town that literally sits on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The moment you first see those dunes is just, well, something else. They are honestly so much bigger and more orange than you can prepare for. Next, we left our big bags, hopped on our camels, and began the quiet, rhythmic trek into the sea of sand for our overnight stay.
Day 3: Desert Dawn and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
Waking up in the Sahara is, I mean, absolutely unforgettable. You have to get up before the sun, but it’s so worth it. The silence is actually the first thing you notice; it’s so complete. Then, as the light begins to creep over the horizon, the colors of the dunes shift from soft purples to bright, burning oranges—it’s honestly quite a moment. After a simple camp breakfast, we took the camels back to Merzouga, a little sadly to be leaving the dunes behind. From there, the day’s drive was a completely different kind of spectacular. We were on what they call the ‘Road of a Thousand Kasbahs’, and you can really see why. We made a stop at the Todra Gorge, where you can walk between these absolutely massive canyon walls, which sort of makes you feel tiny. The drive through the Dadès Valley was also pretty cool, with its strange rock formations and old, fortified villages just sitting there. You just spend most of the day in awe of the raw, powerful scenery all around you.
Day 4: Ait Benhaddou’s Film Set and the High Atlas Crossing
On the final day, frankly, you think you’ve seen it all, but Morocco has one last showstopper for you. First, we explored Aït Benhaddou, which is this incredibly preserved kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You have almost certainly seen it before; apparently, it’s been in a ton of movies and shows like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Walking through its ancient, earthy passages is sort of like stepping back in time; you can almost imagine the caravans that used to pass through. After that, we began the final part of our trip: crossing the High Atlas Mountains. The road, known as the Tizi n’Tichka pass, is just an engineering marvel, with hairpin turns that offer frankly unbelievable views. The scenery changes one last time, from arid plains to green mountain valleys. Then, almost suddenly, you’re descending towards the plains of Marrakech, and you know this incredible adventure is nearly over. Arriving in Marrakech in the late afternoon is a little bit of a jolt back to reality, but what a way to get there.
Key Tips and What to Actually Pack
Okay, so if you’re going to do this trip, a little bit of preparation goes a long way. Here are a few things that I honestly found super helpful. You’ll thank yourself for remembering this stuff.
- A good scarf: It’s not just for looks; in fact, a traditional Moroccan ‘cheche’ is pretty much a lifesaver in the desert to protect you from sun and sand. You can buy one along the way, too.
- Layered clothing: The days are warm, obviously, but the desert nights get seriously chilly, so you’ll want a warm jacket or fleece.
- Sun protection: This is a no-brainer, really. Sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and high-SPF sunscreen are absolutely essential.
- Small overnight bag: You just take a small bag with you on the camel to the desert camp, leaving your main luggage in the car or at a hotel in Merzouga.
- Cash: Like, you should definitely have some Dirhams on hand for small things like water, snacks, and tips for your guides, who really work hard.
- Portable charger: Electricity is limited at the desert camp, so a power bank for your phone is basically a very good idea.
“At the end of the day, the thing that stays with you is the incredible silence of the Sahara and the genuine warmth of the people you meet. It’s just an experience that sort of resets your perspective.”
Read our full review: 4-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech Full Review and Details
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