From Marrakech the road climbs the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, runs the Valley of Roses and the Dades and Todra gorges to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga for a camel ride and a night in a desert camp, then crosses the Middle Atlas to Fes. Spring and autumn are best; midsummer in the desert is brutally hot.
Month by month
Best: February, March, April, May, October, November
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
Worth avoiding: July, August.
Weather and crowds
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C / 70°F | 7°C / 44°F | 3 | Moderate |
| February | 22°C / 72°F | 8°C / 46°F | 5 | Moderate |
| March | 23°C / 74°F | 10°C / 49°F | 8 | Moderate |
| April | 28°C / 82°F | 13°C / 55°F | 4 | Moderate |
| May | 31°C / 88°F | 15°C / 60°F | 3 | Moderate |
| June | 34°C / 93°F | 19°C / 65°F | 0 | Quiet |
| July | 40°C / 104°F | 22°C / 71°F | 0 | Moderate |
| August | 39°C / 102°F | 22°C / 72°F | 0 | Moderate |
| September | 33°C / 92°F | 19°C / 66°F | 1 | Moderate |
| October | 31°C / 87°F | 16°C / 61°F | 3 | Moderate |
| November | 26°C / 78°F | 11°C / 52°F | 3 | Moderate |
| December | 21°C / 70°F | 8°C / 46°F | 6 | Moderate |
Weather: averages of recent years from Open-Meteo historical data (CC BY 4.0). Crowds: estimated from the seasons and holiday periods, not measured.
How long to stay
5–10 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 8h from the US East Coast, 3h from Europe, 9.5h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Most people take a private driver or a small-group tour; the drives are long and the roads twisty.
- Nights in the desert are cold even after hot days; bring a warm layer.
- Fly into Marrakech and home from Fes.
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