9 Days Tour from Fes - Best Itinerary

This 9-day tour from Fes to the Sahara Desert takes you through Morocco’s historic cities, mountain landscapes, and desert regions. The journey begins in Fes, the country’s cultural capital, and continues through scenic routes to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains. In Chefchaouen, you will explore the Medina, visit the Kasbah and Dar el Makhzen (Sultan’s Palace), and stop at Café Hafa overlooking the sea before continuing to Tangier. The tour then proceeds to Rabat to visit the Oudayas Kasbah and the Andalusian Gardens.

From Rabat, the route heads south through the Middle Atlas Mountains toward the Sahara Desert. In Merzouga, you will ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night in a desert camp under the stars, experiencing the unique atmosphere of the Sahara.

The tour continues through the Todra Gorge and Dades Valley, known for their dramatic rock formations and changing scenery. You will also visit historic fortified kasbahs, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Ben Haddou, before ending the journey in Marrakech, where you can explore the souks, historic palaces, and Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

9 Days Desert Tour from Fes Information:

Highlights of the 9 Days Fes Desert Tour (In Order)

Drive through the Rif Mountains
Walk through the blue streets of Chefchaouen Medina
Visit the old Medina in Tangier
Enjoy sea views while relaxing at a café in Tangier
Discover Rabat, including the Oudayas Kasbah, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and Hassan Tower
Walk around the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Explore the lively city of Marrakech
Travel via Tizi n'Tichka Pass through the High Atlas Mountains
Visit the historic Ait Ben Haddou
Explore the Todra Gorge, passing beautiful villages and landscapes
Discover green oases and ancient kasbahs in the Dades Valley
Experience the Merzouga Desert, including the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in the Sahara

9 Days Desert Tour Itinerary From Fes

Day 1: Fes - Meknes - Chefchaouen

Your 9-day Fes desert tour begins with pickup from your hotel or riad in Fes and departure toward Chefchaouen. Along the way, you will stop in Meknes to visit Bab Mansour, the monumental gateway connecting the Medina to the Imperial City, now used as an art gallery. After lunch, you will continue to Place Hedim, the city’s main square, where artists, merchants, and food vendors gather. You may watch street performers, browse local handicrafts such as rugs, ceramics, and slippers, or relax at a café with outdoor seating. In the evening, the square becomes livelier with music, juice stalls, and traditional games.

After Meknes, the journey continues through the Rif Mountains before arriving in Chefchaouen. You will explore the blue-painted streets of the Medina, known for its narrow alleys, mountain views, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the valley. The town is also well known for its relaxed atmosphere and large population of cats.

Chefchaouen is famous for its local crafts, including textiles, clothing, spices, metalwork, and especially leather goods made by skilled artisans. You may also sample regional specialties such as the city’s renowned goat cheese. After dinner, you will be transferred to your hotel or riad in Chefchaouen for the night.

Day 2: Chefchaouen - Tangier

After breakfast, you will drive to Tangier to explore some of the city’s main highlights. The visit begins in the old Medina, historically the heart of the city, with its narrow lanes leading to souks, riads, museums, cafés, mosques, and hotels. This area offers a strong sense of local culture, traditional food, and shopping opportunities.

After lunch, you will visit the Kasbah area, starting with Dar el Makhzen (Sultan’s Palace), an important example of traditional Moroccan architecture. The palace is surrounded by gardens and houses both the Museum of Moroccan Arts and the Archaeological Museum. You will then stop at Café Hafa, known for its panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea, where you can relax with traditional Moroccan mint tea.

The tour continues with a short drive to Cape Spartel, followed by a visit to the Caves of Hercules, a site featuring both natural and man-made caves with distinctive rock formations. The caves are also known for having appeared in several international films. After the visit, you will be transferred to your hotel in Tangier for the night.

Day 3: Tangier – Rabat

The day begins with a visit to Kasbah of the Udayas, a 12th-century fortified settlement overlooking the Atlantic. You will walk through narrow alleys lined with white and blue houses and view windows decorated with flowers. Inside the kasbah, you will also visit the Andalusian Garden, a peaceful space combining Andalusian and Moroccan architectural styles, featuring fountains, orange trees, greenery, and resident cats. Please note that food is not permitted inside the gardens.

Next, you will visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the final resting place of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II. The mausoleum is known for its blend of modern and traditional Moroccan architecture, white marble walls, and green-tiled roof. Entry is free, but visitors must cover their shoulders and knees.

Adjacent to the mausoleum stands the Hassan Tower, a well-preserved 44-meter-high minaret with distinctive Islamic design and decorative calligraphy. From the tower area, you can enjoy panoramic views of Rabat. Before transfer to your hotel or riad, you may take a walk along the Bou Regreg River, which separates Rabat from the city of Salé.

Day 4: Rabat - Casablanca - Essaouira

Today, your 9-day desert tour from Fes continues to Casablanca. You will stop at the Royal Palace of Casablanca, where you can admire the palace’s impressive exterior and learn about its role in Morocco’s royal history. While the palace is not open to the public and is used mainly for official ceremonies, its architecture reflects the cultural influences that shape Casablanca.

Nearby, you will visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the world. During a guided tour, you can enter the mosque to discover its detailed interiors, including gold-decorated ceilings, marble floors, and colorful ceramic tilework.

Later in the day, the journey continues along the Atlantic Coast to Essaouira, where you will check into your hotel or riad for the night.

Day 5: Essaouira - Marrakech

After breakfast, the day begins with a walk through the Essaouira Medina, whose fortified walls date back to the late 18th century. The Medina reflects a blend of European and Moroccan architecture and features narrow streets and small alleys lined with clothing shops, fruit carts, street food stalls, and vendors selling pottery, argan oil, leather shoes, wooden items, and rugs.

In the afternoon, you will visit Port of Essaouira and Skala du Port, two of the city’s most popular landmarks. At the port, you can watch fishermen bringing in their daily catch and see a wide variety of seafood for sale. Skala du Port, accessed through its large gate, is known for its historic bronze cannons and elevated viewpoints overlooking the ocean. The site also gained recognition after appearing in the TV series Game of Thrones.

You will then continue to the 18th-century ramparts built to protect the port, where large Portuguese cannons are still preserved. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, especially in the late afternoon. Later, you will drive to Marrakech, where you will spend the night.

Day 6: Guided Tour of Marrakech

The guided tour of Marrakech begins with a visit to the Bahia Palace, a 19th-century palace built by the grand vizier. The palace features traditional Moroccan architecture, detailed tilework, stained-glass windows, inner courtyards, fountains, and orange trees. As it can become busy later in the day, the visit may take place in the morning.

Next, you will visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the largest Islamic college in Morocco. With your guide, you will learn about its historical role as a center of learning while exploring its interior courtyard and halls, admired for their blend of Moorish and Andalusian architectural styles.

The tour continues with a stop at the Koutoubia Mosque. While non-Muslims are not permitted inside, the exterior and minaret can be viewed, with a recommended photo spot near the main entrance. You will also visit the Saadian Tombs, known for their carved plaster, woodwork, and colorful zellij tile decoration.

From here, you will head north of Jemaa el-Fnaa to explore the souks, where you will find spices, street food, herbal remedies, and local handicrafts. You may then choose to visit the Majorelle Garden, located northwest of the Medina. The garden features bamboo groves, palm trees, cacti, water features, and the iconic blue fountain, along with the nearby Berber Museum. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel for the night.

Day 7: Marrakech - Boumalne Dades

Today, the journey continues toward Boumalne Dades, a region known for its dramatic landscapes. The drive begins with a crossing of the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains. You will then stop at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and fortified village in southeastern Morocco. While exploring the kasbah’s narrow alleys, you may encounter local residents offering handicrafts, Berber music, or traditional mint tea.

Later, you will visit Kalaat M’Gouna, located southwest of Boumalne Dades and known as the center of the Valley of the Roses. This area is famous for the cultivation of Damascus roses, which bloom in spring and are used to produce rose water, rose oil, and local products. Along the road, you may see vendors selling rose-based items before continuing toward Boumalne Dades for the night.

Day 8: Boumalne Dades - Merzouga Desert

After breakfast, the journey continues with a visit to the Monkey Fingers Rock Formation, a distinctive rock formation rising from the Dades Valley. You will then proceed to the Todra Gorge, where steep canyon walls reach up to 500 meters. The surrounding landscape offers panoramic viewpoints, including views of the winding mountain road, which is a popular photo stop.

In the afternoon, the route continues toward Merzouga, located on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a camel ride into the dunes of Erg Chebbi, timed to witness the sunset from the top of the dunes.

At the desert camp, you will be welcomed by the local staff, often with traditional mint tea. After being shown to your tent and having time to freshen up, dinner will be served at the camp, followed by an overnight stay in the desert.

Day 9: Merzouga - Fes or Marrakech (Optional)

On the final day of your 9-day Morocco tour, you will rise early to watch the sunrise over the dunes. You will then return from the desert camp to Merzouga, either by camel ride or by 4WD vehicle. From here, the tour can end in Fes or continue to Marrakech, depending on your preference.

If returning to Fes, the route passes through Midelt, a town located between the High and Middle Atlas Mountains, surrounded by mountain landscapes, valleys, and plains. If continuing to Marrakech, the drive includes Alnif, known for its desert scenery, and Ouarzazate.

The tour officially ends in either Fes or Marrakech, based on your chosen option, and assistance will be provided to finalize your drop-off location.

Tour On The Map

Our Tour Price

The price for this 9-day Sahara Desert tour from Fes starts from €980 per person. The tour can be fully customized based on your preferences, travel dates, and schedule. Please note that the final price may vary depending on the season of travel and the level of accommodation selected.

9 Days Desert Tour from Fes Included and Excluded:

Included

Private A/C Vans or 4×4 vehicles
Professional driver (English, Italian and Spanish)
Pick up & drop off at your accommodation
Overnight in a traditional nomad tent
Dinners (Boumalne Dades Merzouga Desert)
Breakfasts
Flexible stops
Camel ride for sunset and sunrise
Guided tour of Marrakech
8 nights' accommodation
Celebrate any special occasions such as birthdays, job promotions and lots more.
Sandboarding

Excluded

What You Should Know Before You Go?

Bring personal toiletries, as this is a trip lasting more than one week.
Book in advance once your plans are confirmed to avoid availability issues.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and pack layered clothing suitable for long days and changing temperatures.
The tour can be customized to meet your specific requirements and preferences.
Accepted payment methods include PayPal and bank wire transfer.
Please do not join the tour if you are feeling unwell.