Description
Mind the direction: this itinerary begins in Fes and ends in Marrakech — it does not return to its starting point. It is a crossing of Morocco, south and then west, about 1,034 km against the 565 of the motorway, with the Sahara in the middle.
Day one drops from the Middle Atlas to the desert: Ifrane, the cedars of Azrou, lunch in Midelt, Erfoud and the Ziz Valley, then an hour on camelback to Mouhou Camp, with a stop on the dunes for sunset. Day two crosses the south: the Rissani market if you pass on a Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday, the palm groves of Tinghir and the Todra Gorge at the foot of the High Atlas, as far as Ouarzazate. Day three belongs to the kasbahs — Taourirt, then Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO site since 1986 — and to the Tizi N’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres.
Three tight days, with one night in a tent in the desert and one in a hotel in Ouarzazate. If you want two Sahara nights and the time to stop properly, look at the four-day version.
It is the tour for travellers flying out of Marrakech who do not want to lose a day retracing the road: between the two imperial cities, the desert and the Atlas become the journey itself.
| Day | Departure from | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fes | Merzouga desert |
| 2nd | Merzouga | Ouarzazate |
| 3rd | Ouarzazate | Marrakech |
Tour itinerary
Day 1
Fes > Ifrane > Azrou > Errachidia > Merzouga:
The 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech starts at 8:00, when one of our drivers — Ahmed or Omar — picks you up from your hotel in Fes.
You travel towards Merzouga across the Middle Atlas mountains, passing beautiful Berber villages along the way.
The first stop is Ifrane, often called the “Moroccan Switzerland” for its European appearance. Then you visit the cedar forest of Azrou, where you can see the monkeys in their natural habitat. We continue to Midelt, where at 1,500 metres the air is already cooler: lunch is at a local restaurant, with tagine, grilled meat and mint tea.
In the afternoon the journey continues south to Erfoud, a town known for its fossils and its annual date festival. You cross the scenic Ziz Valley, where you can stop to admire sweeping views of the palm-filled oasis.
Next you reach the beautiful Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. From here you begin a camel ride to our Berber desert camp. The camel ride lasts 1 hour, including a stop on top of the dunes to watch the sunset. You can also try sandboarding, take photos and enjoy the peaceful desert view.
After this beautiful experience, you continue to Mouhou Camp, our own camp, where you are welcomed with a cup of Moroccan tea and have time to relax before dinner.
In the evening you can enjoy a performance of traditional Berber drum music around the fire, admire the starry sky and spend the night in a nomad tent.
Day 2
Merzouga > Todra > Dades Valley > Skoura > Ouarzazate:
Today, since you are already in the desert, it is worth waking up early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise near the camp. After this special moment you have breakfast and a shower at the camp. Then, as you prefer, you can ride a camel or take a 4×4 back to the starting point, where you meet your driver.
You then continue your 3-day trip from Fes to Marrakech. If it is a market day (Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday), you visit the weekly market of Rissani. Afterwards we pass through small Berber villages such as Touroug, Tinjdad and Tinghir. In Tinghir we stop to admire the beautiful Todra Valley, known for its palm trees and green landscapes.
Next we head to the Todra Gorge, at the foot of the High Atlas mountains. This area is very popular with climbers. You will have free time to walk among the impressive canyons. Afterwards we stop for lunch.
In the afternoon we continue our journey to Ouarzazate, passing Boumalne Dades and Skoura. We arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening, where you have dinner and spend the night in a hotel or riad.
Day 3
Ouarzazate > Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah > High Atlas > Marrakech:
After breakfast we start the day by visiting the Taourirt Kasbah and, if you wish, the film studios of Ouarzazate. Then we head to Ait Benhaddou to explore its famous ancient kasbah, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Many famous films were shot here, including Gladiator, Astérix and Obélix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile and Sahara with Penélope Cruz. You will have free time for lunch.
We then continue the journey through the High Atlas mountains, crossing the highest road pass in Morocco, Tizi N’Tichka, at 2,260 metres above sea level. The road offers breathtaking views over the valleys, the mountains and the nearby Berber villages. In the afternoon or evening we arrive in Marrakech, where we drop you at your hotel. This is the end of your private 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakech.
Book the 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakech through the desert
The price of the 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech starts at 195 euros, but varies according to the number of participants and the type of accommodation.
Book nowNote: The itinerary of the 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech can be personalised to suit your needs.
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Experienced private driver
- 1 night in a private hotel room (dinner and breakfast included)
- 1 night in a private tent at a desert camp (dinner and breakfast included)
- Camel rides in the desert
- Sandboarding on the dunes (optional)
Not included
- Entrance tickets, where required
- Drinks
- Lunches
Frequently asked questions
What should I know before booking the trip?
– You receive confirmation at the time of booking.
– No pressure to buy and no tourist traps.
– No hidden costs.
– Our desert tours in Morocco are available every day of the week, all year round.
Avoid the hassle: book your desert tour with us in advance to get the best guaranteed prices and stay at the best properties we work with.
– The desert camps we work with are comfortably equipped with beds, mattresses and enough blankets to keep you warm during the winter months, so a sleeping bag is not needed.
– The driving times indicated above do not include time for sightseeing, photo stops, lunch or coffee.
– Pick-up for the tour is at around 8:00; we will confirm the exact time the day before departure.
– For lunch, our driver will recommend restaurants serving fresh food, or you are welcome to choose your own.
Can I reach the camp without riding a camel?
Yes, you can skip the camel ride and reach the camp by 4×4, or even on a quad or buggy excursion.
How far are Marrakech and the desert from Fes?
The distance between Fes and Marrakech depends on the route you take:
Directly by motorway: about 565 km, the fastest and most direct route.
Directly via Azilal and Beni Mellal (national road): about 466 km, a shorter but slower and more scenic route.
Through the Merzouga desert (via southern Morocco): about 1,034 km. This longer route lets you explore the beautiful south, including the Sahara desert, along the way.
Are towels and toilet paper provided at the camp?
Yes, the camp provides clean towels and toilet paper in the bathrooms, and solar panels supply electricity to charge your phone and camera.
What if we travel in August, with the heat and the blowing sand?
In August the Sahara easily passes 45 °C and sandstorms can arrive. If a night under canvas becomes impossible, you sleep in a hotel in Merzouga instead of the camp and we set off again the next morning as planned.
What our travellers say
Excellent
Based on 64 reviews on Tripadvisor
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