3 Days / 2 Nights
3 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour
Travel from Fes to Marrakech through the Middle Atlas Mountains, Merzouga Sahara, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas Mountains.
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour
Cross Morocco from Fes to Marrakech Through the Sahara
The 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour combines the journey between two of Morocco's most fascinating cities with an unforgettable experience in the Merzouga Sahara.
Leave Fes and travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through Ifrane and the cedar forest before continuing toward Midelt. As the journey heads farther south, the green mountain scenery gradually gives way to rocky plateaus and the palm-filled landscapes of the Ziz Valley.
By the end of the first day, reach Merzouga beside the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Ride camels across the Sahara and spend the night at a Merzouga desert camp surrounded by the quiet desert landscape.
The second part of the journey takes you west through Rissani, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley. These landscapes offer a striking contrast to the open Sahara, with deep valleys, dramatic canyon walls and traditional villages.
On the final day, continue through the Rose Valley and Ouarzazate before visiting the historic Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. The journey finishes with a scenic crossing of the High Atlas Mountains before descending toward Marrakech.
Tour Highlights
Highlights of Your 3-Day Fes to Marrakech Tour
Middle & High Atlas Mountains
Cross two of Morocco’s great mountain regions, traveling through the Middle Atlas from Fes and later crossing the High Atlas on the journey to Marrakech.
Cedar Forest
Enjoy a stop in the Middle Atlas cedar forest, where Barbary macaques may sometimes be seen in their natural environment.
Camel Ride & Desert Camp
Ride camels across the golden Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night in the peaceful desert surroundings of Merzouga.
Ait Ben Haddou
Explore the UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and discover its distinctive traditional earthen architecture.
Tour Itinerary
3 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Your 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour begins with pickup from your accommodation in Fes. Leave the city and travel south toward the Middle Atlas Mountains.
Stop in Ifrane, often called the Switzerland of Morocco because of its mountain setting and distinctive alpine-inspired architecture.
Continue through the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas. Barbary macaques live in parts of this region and may sometimes be seen during the stop, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Travel onward toward Midelt and continue south through increasingly dry landscapes. The road eventually reaches the Ziz Valley, where a long green oasis of palm trees creates a striking contrast with the surrounding rocky terrain.
Continue toward Merzouga at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. In the late afternoon, begin your camel ride across the golden dunes and experience the changing colors and peaceful atmosphere of the Sahara.
Continue across the dunes to your Merzouga desert camp. Enjoy dinner and spend the night surrounded by the quiet desert landscape.
Overnight: Merzouga desert camp
Meals: Dinner and breakfast
Day 2
Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Wake early if you would like to enjoy the morning light over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After breakfast at the desert camp, leave Merzouga and continue toward Rissani.
Rissani is a historic town in the Tafilalt region with deep connections to the old caravan routes that once crossed this part of southern Morocco.
Continue west toward Tinghir and Todra Gorge. As you approach the gorge, the landscape changes from broad desert plains to steep mountain scenery and palm-filled valleys.
Stop at Todra Gorge and enjoy time to walk beneath its impressive rock walls. The narrow canyon and towering cliffs make this one of the most distinctive natural landscapes along the route.
Later, continue toward the Dades Valley, passing traditional villages and dramatic rock formations before reaching your accommodation for the night.
Overnight: Hotel or riad in the Dades Valley
Meals: Dinner and breakfast
Day 3
Dades Valley → Rose Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas Mountains → Marrakech
After breakfast, leave the Dades Valley and continue through the landscapes of southern Morocco toward the Rose Valley and Ouarzazate.
Along the route, see traditional villages, kasbahs and the distinctive dry landscapes that characterize this part of Morocco.
Continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco's best-known historic ksars. Take time to explore the fortified village and its traditional earthen architecture.
After visiting Ait Ben Haddou, begin the journey across the High Atlas Mountains. The mountain road provides another major change of scenery, with valleys, traditional villages and panoramic viewpoints along the way.
Descend from the High Atlas toward Marrakech and arrive later in the day, where your 3-day journey from Fes through the Sahara comes to an end.
What's Included
- ✓Pickup from your accommodation in Fes
- ✓Drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
- ✓Private air-conditioned transportation
- ✓English-speaking driver
- ✓One night in the Merzouga desert camp
- ✓One night in the Dades Valley
- ✓Camel ride for each traveler across the Erg Chebbi dunes
- ✓Dinner during the overnight stays
- ✓Breakfast during the overnight stays
What's Not Included
- ×Lunches
- ×Drinks
- ×Personal expenses
- ×Tips
- ×Entrance fees where applicable
Tour Route
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour Route
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for a Fes to Marrakech desert tour?
Yes. Three days is a popular choice for travelers who want to travel from Fes to Marrakech while experiencing Merzouga and the Sahara along the way. The route covers a large distance, so expect several hours of driving each day.
What route does the 3 days Fes to Marrakech desert tour follow?
The journey starts in Fes and crosses the Middle Atlas before continuing through Midelt and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. From the Sahara, the route continues through Rissani, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley. On the final day, travel through the Rose Valley and Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
Does the tour visit Merzouga and Erg Chebbi?
Yes. Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes are at the heart of this desert tour. You reach Merzouga on the first day and experience the Sahara before spending the night at a desert camp.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes. A camel ride for each traveler across the Erg Chebbi dunes is included as part of the Merzouga desert experience.
Do I have to ride a camel?
If you prefer not to ride a camel, please let us know before the tour so we can discuss an alternative way to reach the desert camp.
Can we see Barbary macaques in the cedar forest?
Barbary macaques live in parts of the Middle Atlas and may sometimes be seen during the cedar forest stop. Because they are wild animals, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Does the tour visit Ait Ben Haddou?
Yes. Ait Ben Haddou is an important stop on the final day before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. The historic ksar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its traditional earthen architecture.
Is there a lot of driving on this tour?
Yes. The route from Fes to Marrakech through Merzouga covers a large part of Morocco in three days. Each day includes driving, but the journey is broken up by scenic viewpoints, sightseeing stops and overnight stays.
What should I bring for the Sahara Desert?
Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sun protection and layered clothing are useful. Temperatures in the desert can change between daytime and night, so bringing a warm layer is recommended, especially outside the summer months.
What time will we arrive in Marrakech?
Arrival in Marrakech is normally later on the third day. The exact time can vary depending on traffic, weather, road conditions and the amount of time spent at sightseeing stops along the route.