Start in Morocco's cultural capital, then head through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley to the Sahara, finishing in Marrakech if you wish.
Connect Morocco's two greatest imperial capitals through cedar forests, gorges & Sahara dunes
Experience the magic of the deep Sahara: sunset camel ride, private heated luxury tent with en-suite shower & campfire drumming
Step back into the Middle Ages in the world's largest car-free urban maze: Chouara tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin & ancient madrasas
Journey through the Rif Mountains to Morocco's iconic azure town: indigo stairways, Outa el-Hammam square & Ras el-Maa waterfall
Fes is the shortest classic route into the Sahara from a major city. The road crosses alpine Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forests, home to wild Barbary macaques, then descends through the Ziz Valley to Merzouga in about 7 to 8 hours of driving.
Because the route continues naturally west through the Todra and Dades valleys, many travelers fly into Fes and out of Marrakech, seeing the desert on the way without any backtracking. Fes also works as a base for day trips to Chefchaouen, Volubilis and Meknes.
| To | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Meknes | 65 km | 1 h |
| Volubilis | 80 km | 1.5 h |
| Chefchaouen | 200 km | 3.5–4 h |
| Merzouga | 470 km | 7–8 h |
| Marrakech | 530 km | 7–8 h |
Approximate driving times without stops. They vary with weather and traffic.
Everything you need to know before booking your Morocco journey
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