Overview
Our 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes is the best way to travel between the two cities and see the Sahara on the way. This Marrakech to Fes desert tour takes you through the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorge and the golden dunes of Merzouga.
Ride a camel at sunset, spend the night in a luxury desert camp and wake up for the sunrise over the dunes, before crossing the Middle Atlas, its cedar forests and Ifrane on the way to Fes.
This 3 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour is private and flexible, with a local driver-guide: one of the most complete Morocco desert tours in a short time.
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka Pass
- Visit the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- See the Dades Valley and walk in the Todra Gorge
- Camel trek into the Merzouga dunes and night in a luxury camp
- Stroll the traditional souk of Rissani
- Meet the Barbary macaques in the cedar forest near Ifrane
Itinerary · Day by Day
DAY1Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Roses Valley – Dades Valley
Early pick-up in Marrakech and drive through the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, with stops at the panoramic viewpoints.
Explore the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, film set of Gladiator and Game of Thrones, then Ouarzazate, free time for lunch, the Roses Valley and the palm grove of Skoura, before the night in Boumalne Dades.
Clean and comfortable rooms with a private bathroom and your choice of double, twin or single beds. Breakfast and dinner included. If your preferred accommodation is unavailable, we arrange a similar option of the same category.
DAY2Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Tinjdad – Merzouga (Sahara)
A stop at the viewpoint over the Dades Gorges, then a walk in the high red canyon of the Todra Gorge.
Through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad we reach the dunes of Merzouga. Ride a camel to the top of a dune for the sunset and continue to your luxury desert camp for dinner, Berber music and the night.
Sahara Eden Camp, or similar
Private tent with a comfortable bed and a private bathroom with a hot shower. Dinner and breakfast included, with Berber music around the campfire under the stars. We never use basic camps or shared bathrooms.
DAY3Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Ifrane – Fes
Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast, then the old caravan town of Rissani and its souk (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) and a fossil workshop in Erfoud.
A panoramic stop over the Ziz Valley, lunch in Midelt, then the cedar forests and their Barbary macaques and Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco. Drop-off at your riad or hotel in Fes.
End of the tour · drop-off at your riad, hotel or the airport
Gallery
Tour Map
Route: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Merzouga – Rissani – Ifrane – Fes
Accommodations
Choose one category for your whole trip. The desert camp is always luxury. These are our usual choices; if one is fully booked we arrange a similar hotel of the same category.
| Night | Standard | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night 1 Dades Valley | Riad Gabsi | Riad Paradise or Dar Blues | Eden Boutique Hotel |
| Night 2 Sahara (erg chebbi) | Sahara Eden Camp, or similar · luxury desert camp only | ||
Price
The “from” price is for a private group of 17 people or more in standard accommodation. The final price depends on your group size, travel dates and the hotel category you choose. Ask us for a free quote.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned 4×4 or deluxe van for 3 days
- English or Spanish speaking local driver-guide
- Pick-up and drop-off at your riad, hotel or the airport in Marrakech and Fes
- 1 night in hotels or riads of your category + 1 night in a luxury desert camp
- Breakfast and dinner every day (vegetarian and vegan options)
- Camel ride in the dunes (one camel per person)
- Stops for photos and breaks whenever you want
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Personal expenses
Booking
If you’re looking to book or personalize this tour itinerary, let us know your ideas and preferences. We’ll craft an experience uniquely tailored to your vision. Our goal is to help you create the perfect Moroccan adventure. Don’t hesitate to contact us by email for more details.
If we haven’t replied to your message, please contact us on WhatsApp at +212 647-064454. We’ll be happy to help you!
Before You Go
- Bring layers: nights can be cold in the mountains and the desert, even in summer (and very cold from November to February).
- Pack sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and a scarf to protect you from sun and sand.
- For mosques and holy places, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the only one open to non-Muslims.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the medinas, gorges and kasbahs.
- Bring a small bag for the desert night; your big luggage stays safe in the car.
- Have some cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and small shopping; card payment is rare in villages.
- Roads in the mountains are winding: tell us if you get car sick and we will stop more often.
- Mobile network works in most places, and Wi-Fi is available in the hotels.
Reviews
FAQs
Is this tour private?
Yes. The car, the driver and the guide are only for you and your group. We never mix travelers from different bookings.
Are hotels included?
Yes, every night is included in the category you choose (standard, mid-range or luxury), and the desert night is always in a luxury camp.
Are meals included?
Breakfast and dinner are included every day. Lunches and drinks are not included, so you can choose where and what to eat.
Is the airport transfer included?
Yes. We pick you up at your riad, hotel or the airport in Marrakech and drop you off at the end of the tour in Fes.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Of course. You can add a night, change the hotels or add experiences like a nomad family visit, a cooking class or a romantic dinner in the dunes. Tell us your wishes.
What kind of vehicle is used?
A private air-conditioned 4×4 or deluxe van, depending on the size of your group.
What is the best time for this tour?
The tour runs all year. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant. Summer days are hot, and winter nights in the mountains and the desert are cold.
