3 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour via Merzouga

Overview

About this tour

Why go back the way you came? This one-way desert tour links Morocco's two great imperial cities with the Sahara in between, so you finish in Fes rather than doubling back to Marrakech.

You will cross the High Atlas and the Middle Atlas, sleep in the Dades Valley and in our Merzouga camp, then ride north through the Ziz Valley's palm oasis and the cedar forest where Barbary macaques live. It is the smartest route for travellers continuing north.

3 Days Marrakech to Fes Morocco Desert Tour — private tour from Marrakech

Camel caravan crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga

View over the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Tour highlights

One-way route: no backtracking
Aït Ben Haddou and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
Todra Gorge and the Tinghir palm oasis
Camel trek and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Ziz Valley viewpoints and Midelt's apple country
Ifrane, the 'Switzerland of Morocco', and cedar forest macaques

Your route

Marrakech
Dades Valley
Merzouga
Ifrane
Fes

Day by day

Itinerary

Day1 Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Ben Haddou → Dades Valley

Morning pick-up in Marrakech and a scenic climb over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Explore the earthen Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, then continue past Ouarzazate, Skoura's palm grove and the rose fields of Kalaat M'Gouna. Evening arrival in the Dades Valley, with its red rock formations glowing at sunset.

Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley
Dinner

Day2 Dades → Tinghir Oasis → Todra Gorge → Merzouga

Breakfast, then a stop above the Tinghir palm oasis and a walk into Todra Gorge. Via Rissani we reach Merzouga in the afternoon. Your camel caravan leaves at golden hour for the dunes of Erg Chebbi; dinner and Berber music await at camp.

Desert camp, Merzouga
Breakfast, Dinner

Day3 Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Ifrane → Fes

Sunrise from the dunes, breakfast at camp, then north along the Ziz Valley with its canyon viewpoints. Lunch in Midelt, then through the Middle Atlas cedar forest where Barbary macaques play by the road. A short stop in alpine Ifrane before arriving in Fes in the evening.

End of tour — drop-off
Breakfast

What's included

Price includes & excludes

Included

Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or minivan) with fuel
English-speaking driver-guide for the whole journey
Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes (hotel, riad or airport)
2 nights of accommodation in hotels, riads and kasbahs
1 night in our desert camp in Merzouga
Camel trek into the dunes at sunset
Breakfasts and dinners as shown in the itinerary

Not included

Lunches and drinks
Entrance fees to monuments and museums
Local city guides (optional — we can arrange them)
Optional activities such as quad bikes or sandboarding
Tips for your driver and camp staff
Flights and travel insurance

Where you sleep

Night 1Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley
Night 2Desert camp, Merzouga

Practical information

Good to know

Private & flexible

Only your group travels in the vehicle. Ask your driver to stop for photos whenever you like, and tell us if you want to change the route or add days.

Your desert camp

Our camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes has comfortable tents with real beds and blankets. Your big luggage stays in the 4x4 — take a small bag for the night.

What to pack

Sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf for the wind, comfortable shoes and a warm layer: desert nights are cold from November to March.

Best time to travel

October to May is ideal. In summer we start early and rest at midday to avoid the heat. Every season has its own beauty.

Food & diets

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are possible. Just tell us when you book or let your driver know on day one.

How to book

Send us your dates and number of travellers. We reply with a price for your group. A small deposit confirms the tour; the balance is paid in cash on the first day (euros, dollars or dirhams).

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Which vehicles do you use?

Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles adapted to your group: 4x4 Land Cruisers or minivans for small groups, and Mercedes Sprinter minibuses for groups of 8 or more.

How far in advance should we book?

As early as possible, especially for spring, autumn and holiday periods. Last-minute requests are welcome too — contact us and we will do our best.

How do I pay for the tour?

We ask for a small deposit when you book. The balance is paid in cash to your driver on the first day of the tour, in euros, dollars or Moroccan dirhams.

What happens to my luggage in the desert?

Your suitcases stay safely in the vehicle or are brought to the camp by 4x4. You only need a small backpack for the camel ride.

I don't want to ride a camel. Can I still sleep at the camp?

Of course. We can take you to the camp by 4x4 instead of camel.

Can we change the itinerary?

Yes. All our tours are private, so we can add nights, change hotels, include activities or adjust the route to your wishes.

Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?

Yes. We adapt the pace, the stops and the accommodation for families and for travellers who prefer an easier rhythm.