3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour

3 Days

Overview

This private 3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour connects two of Morocco’s imperial cities through the High Atlas Mountains, the valleys of southern Morocco, and the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, visit the UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, and travel through Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley.

Explore Todra Gorge, enjoy a sunset camel trek, and spend the night in a Sahara desert camp before continuing through the Ziz Valley, Midelt, the cedar forests near Azrou, and Ifrane. The journey ends at your hotel or riad in Fes. This is a private, customizable tour with standard and luxury accommodation options.

Tour Highlights

✓ Private 3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour through the Sahara with no shared vehicle
✓ Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass
✓ Visit the UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
✓ Explore the Dades Valley and walk through Todra Gorge
✓ Enjoy a sunset camel trek and an overnight stay in an Erg Chebbi desert camp
✓ Travel through the Ziz Valley, Midelt, Azrou, and Ifrane before arriving in Fes

Itinerary

The 3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Travel through the High Atlas Mountains and cross the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, stopping along the way for panoramic views of mountain villages, valleys, and traditional Berber landscapes.

Continue to the UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortified villages. Enjoy time to explore its earthen streets and historic buildings while learning about its importance along the ancient caravan routes between the Sahara and Marrakech.

After lunch, continue through Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the Sahara. The journey then follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses, with scenic stops available along the way.

Arrive in the Dades Valley in the late afternoon or early evening. Check in at your hotel or guesthouse and enjoy dinner surrounded by the valley’s dramatic rock formations.

Approximate driving time: 6–7 hours, excluding sightseeing, meal stops, and breaks.
Overnight: Hotel or guesthouse in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast included.

After breakfast in the Dades Valley, continue through the changing landscapes of southern Morocco toward Tinghir and Todra Gorge. On arrival, enjoy time to walk beside the river beneath the gorge’s towering limestone cliffs.

The journey then continues through a series of small towns and pre-Saharan landscapes toward Erfoud, a town known for its fossils and dates. After a lunch stop along the way, travel onward to Merzouga, where the golden Erg Chebbi dunes rise at the edge of the Sahara Desert.

In the late afternoon, begin a camel trek across the dunes, with time to stop for photographs and enjoy the sunset. Guests who prefer not to ride a camel can reach the camp by 4×4 vehicle.

At the desert camp, enjoy a traditional dinner followed by Berber music around the campfire beneath the Sahara sky.

Approximate driving time: 4–5 hours, excluding the walk at Todra Gorge, lunch, breaks, and the camel trek.

Overnight: Standard or luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi, with dinner and breakfast included.

Wake early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes, followed by breakfast at the desert camp. Return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4 vehicle and begin the journey north toward Fes.

Travel through Erfoud and Errachidia before stopping at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Ziz Valley, where date palms stretch between rocky cliffs. Continue through changing landscapes toward Midelt, with a stop for lunch along the way.

In the afternoon, cross the Middle Atlas Mountains and travel through the cedar forests near Azrou, where Barbary macaques may sometimes be seen in their natural habitat. Continue through Ifrane, known for its alpine-style architecture and cooler mountain climate.

Arrive in Fes in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on traffic and the number of stops made during the journey.

Approximate driving time: 7–8 hours, excluding lunch, viewpoints, breaks, and other stops.

End of Tour: Drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes.

Included & Not Included

- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver

- Fuel, tolls, parking, and all transportation costs

- Pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech

- Drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes

- One night in a hotel or guesthouse in the Dades Valley

- One night in a standard or luxury desert camp, according to the selected category

- Two breakfasts and two dinners

- Sunset camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes

- 4x4 transfer to and from the desert camp for guests who prefer not to ride a camel

- Lunches and drinks

- Entrance fees to monuments and attractions

- Local guides

- Optional activities such as quad biking and sandboarding

- Personal expenses and tips

Private Tour Price

The price of this private 3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour depends on your travel dates, group size, and selected accommodation category. Standard and luxury options are available. Contact us with the number of travelers, your preferred dates, and accommodation choice, and we will send you a personalized quote.

What to Know Before Your 3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour

Wear comfortable walking shoes for Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorge, and the desert terrain.
Pack light layers, as temperatures can change between the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. Desert mornings and evenings may be cold, especially outside summer.
Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for protection from the sun.
This three-day itinerary includes several hours of driving each day. Regular stops are made for meals, viewpoints, short walks, and rest breaks.
A small backpack is recommended for the desert camp. Your main luggage will be transported to the camp by 4x4 vehicle and will be waiting for you on arrival.
The camel trek is optional. Guests who prefer not to ride a camel can travel to and from the desert camp by 4x4 vehicle.
Arrival in Fes is normally in the late afternoon or early evening, so avoid scheduling an early flight or train on the final day.
Keep valuables and important documents with you, and inform us in advance about dietary requirements, special occasions, or personal requests.

Gallery

Barbary macaques in the cedar forest near Azrou.

Dades Valley during a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech

Camel caravan crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset.

Map

FAQ

Yes. This is a private tour for your group only, with a private air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking driver. The stops can be adjusted when possible.

Three days is the shortest practical itinerary for traveling from Marrakech to Fes through Merzouga. It includes several hours of driving each day, but there are regular stops for sightseeing, meals, viewpoints, and short walks. A four-day tour is recommended for travelers who prefer a slower pace.

Pick-up is from your hotel or riad in Marrakech, usually between 8:00 and 8:30 in the morning. The tour ends with drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes on the third day.

The tour includes one night in a hotel or guesthouse in the Dades Valley and one night in a desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes. Standard and luxury accommodation options are available.

Two dinners and two breakfasts are included. Lunches and drinks are not included, and your driver will suggest suitable restaurants along the route.

Yes. The camel trek is optional, and guests who prefer not to ride can travel to and from the desert camp by 4×4 vehicle.

Arrival in Fes is normally in the late afternoon or early evening. The exact time depends on traffic, weather, and the number of stops made during the journey. We recommend avoiding a flight or train reservation for the same evening.