Fes Desert Tour

3 Days Tour From Fes To Marrakech Via The Sahara

Travel from Fes to Marrakech through the Middle Atlas, Merzouga, Todra and Dades Gorges, Ouarzazate, and Ait Ben Haddou. Enjoy camel trekking across Erg Chebbi, a luxury desert camp, Sahara sunsets, and scenic High Atlas landscapes.

Duration
3 Days
Starts 
Fes
ends

Marrakech

Transport
4×4 / minivan or minibus
Overview

3 Days Desert Tour From Fes

This  3-day desert journey from Fes to Marrakech, traverses diverse landscapes, from the Middle Atlas Mountains to the Sahara’s golden dunes. Highlights include a camel trek in Merzouga, exploring the Todgha Gorges, and visiting the iconic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of southern Morocco, witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and experience the warmth of Berber hospitality. The tour blends adventure, scenic beauty, and cultural exploration, culminating in the vibrant city of Marrakech.

Why you’ll like this route

Trip highlights

  • Explore the Swiss-inspired town of Ifrane.
  • Encounter Barbary macaques in the Middle Atlas Mountains.
  • Admire the Ziz Valley’s palm tree-filled landscape.
  • Enjoy a magical camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes.
  • Watch a mesmerizing sunset from a high dune.
  • Experience a night of Berber culture in a luxury desert camp.
  • Witness a tranquil sunrise in the Sahara Desert.
  • Journey through Rissani, Erfoud, and the stunning Todra Gorges.
  • Stroll along the Todra River and beneath the Todgha Gorge.
  • Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Traverse the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
  • Conclude the journey in Marrakech, the “Red City,” in the late afternoon.
Day by day

Itinerary

1

Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Erfoud – Merzouga

Start your 3 days tour from Fes to Marrakech with a morning departure from your Fes accommodation. The journey unfolds with a scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, where cedar forests house the indigenous Barbary macaques. A lunch stop along the route provides flexibility, allowing you to dine at your preferred time.

As the landscape transforms, the Ziz Valley reveals its beauty filled with palm trees. Arriving in Merzouga, the late afternoon marks the beginning of an enchanting camel trek. Each traveler sets out on a camel, traversing the Erg Chebbi dunes towards a luxury desert camp. A stop atop a high dune treats you to a captivating sunset, followed by an evening immersed in Berber culture, featuring rhythmic drumming, storytelling, and the celestial wonders of the star-lit desert sky.

Overnight: Merzouga — Meals: Breakfast, Dinner — Drive time: ~8 hours

2

Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges

An early morning sunrise spectacle in the Sahara is recommended before a delicious breakfast at the camp. Choose between a camel trek or a comfortable 4×4 ride back to Merzouga town. The journey continues to Boumalne Dades, passing through Rissani, Erfoud, and the impressive Todgha Gorges. If your visit aligns with a market day, explore the traditional market in Rissani, offering a glimpse into southern Morocco’s vibrant culture.

A leisurely stroll along the Todra River and through the Todgha Gorge in Tinghir provides another scenic highlight. The day concludes with a picturesque drive through the Dades Valley, offering breathtaking views of the unique rock formations known as the ‘monkey fingers.’ Your evening is spent in a charming hotel amidst the captivating Dades Valley.

Overnights: Dades Gorges — Meals: Breakfast, Dinner — Drive time: ~5 hours

3

Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

Concluding your 3-day desert journey, begin the day with a delightful breakfast at your accommodation. The scenic drive takes you to Ait Ben Haddou, passing through the enchanting Valley of Roses and Ouarzazate. In Ouarzazate, you have the option to explore the Atlas Studio, home to preserved film sets and decorations. Alternatively, capture memorable photos from outside.

A short distance away lies the iconic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, renowned for its appearances in Game of Thrones and films like Gladiator. After exploring the kasbah and enjoying a satisfying lunch, continue your journey to Marrakech. Traverse the majestic High Atlas Mountains and the elevated Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260 meters above sea level, reveling in the breathtaking landscapes. Your day concludes with an anticipated arrival in Marrakech, expected in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast  — Drive time: ~6 hours
Inclusions

What’s included

Included
  • ✓ Private air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
  • ✓ English-speaking local driver/guide
  • ✓ Luxury desert camp
  • ✓ Daily breakfast
  • ✓ Dinner in Merzouga and Dades Gorges
  • ✓ Vegetarian & vegan meal options
  • ✓ Camel ride & sandboarding
  • ✓ Photo and rest stops
  • ✓ Free time to explore
  • ✓ Airport, hotel & riad transfers
Not included
  • × Lunches, drinks & extra dinners
  • × Entrance fees
  • × Tips
  • × Personal expenses
  • × Anything not listed
Route

Map

Good to know

Before you book

How can I book the tour?

You can book the tour by contacting our team with your preferred travel date, number of travelers, and any special requests. We will provide the available options and booking details.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup from your accommodation in Fes is included at the beginning of the tour, and the journey ends with drop-off in Marrakech.

Can I customize the itinerary?

Yes. The itinerary can be customized according to your travel preferences, interests, and available time. Contact our team to discuss any changes you would like to make.

Enquire about this trip
Reply within 24 hours from our Marrakech office

01
Private, not grouped

Every departure is exclusive to your party — no joining strangers, no fixed schedule.

02
Local driver-guides

Guides who know the Atlas roads and desert routes firsthand, not a rotating subcontractor pool.

03
Flexible routing

Adjust the return leg, add nights, or change the pace — all before you book.

04
Direct support

One point of contact in Marrakech for the full trip, before and during travel.

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