Set off on a remarkable 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakech, fully experiencing the incredible beauty and rich culture of Morocco's Sahara Desert. This is a private adventure and authentic experience; enjoy beautiful mountain scenery, visit traditional Berber villages, and see the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Enjoy riding camels on the expansive dunes of Erg Chebbi and relish in the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises that light up the sky with brilliant colors. Experience a magical night in a desert luxury camp in Merzouga, far from the hustle and bustle of civilization, among the silence of the Sahara, and under a star-filled sky—a truly special one-off experience.
In addition to the desert, explore the Middle Atlas Mountains and cedar forests near Azrou, where you can see the mischievous Barbary macaques. Visit the impressive Todra Gorge and the iconic UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, famous for its traditional mud-brick architecture and for filming.
During this 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour, you can enjoy cultural experiences, spectacular scenery, and authentic encounters with Morocco's unique heritage and landscapes, creating memories to last a lifetime.
After you have enjoyed breakfast in your hotel or riad, your Fes to Marrakech desert tour begins. We will then head towards the stunning Moroccan desert. Our first stop is the region of Ifrane, known as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco.’
We continue our journey towards the Middle Atlas Mountains and will stop in the cedar forests to see the impressive Barbary macaques, a unique species of monkey found only in this region.
Lunch is organized at a restaurant along the way, with the option to have lunch at any time that works for you. When we are close to Merzouga, we will stop to enjoy the stunning Ziz Valley filled with palm trees.
We will arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon for what we have been waiting for: a camel ride. We'll ride to a luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi on our own camels. On the way, we will stop to watch the sunset from a tall dune. Have a wonderful evening featuring the local culture of the Sahara Desert. We will enjoy drumming, storytelling, and spectacular stars in the desert sky.
An early morning is highly recommended for watching a peaceful sunrise. After breakfast, you can return to Merzouga by camel or 4x4.
You will then continue on the scenic journey towards Boumalne Dades, passing by Rissani, Erfoud, and the amazing Todgha Gorges. If your visit occurs on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, you will also have the opportunity to visit a local market in Rissani, so you can get a glimpse of the culture of southern Morocco. Enjoying a short walk along the Todra River, at the bottom of the impressive Todgha Gorge in Tinghir.
Arrival in Boumalne Dades in the afternoon. Before checking into the hotel, you will take a scenic drive through the Dades Valley to a scenic point that has beautiful views of the famous rock formations, known as the ‘monkey fingers.’ You will enjoy spending the night in a lovely hotel in the Dades Valley.
Today is the end of your 3-day trip from Fez to Marrakech through the desert. Following a delectable breakfast at your riad, your driver will transport you to Ait Ben Haddou, passing through the Rose Valley and Ouarzazate. Along this route, you will go through many beautiful Berber villages.
In Ouarzazate, you can visit Atlas Studios (optional). This studio has a few film sets and decorations from many movies. You may opt to take only a few memorable photos outside and move on.
The well-known Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou is 15 kilometers from Ouarzazate and has appeared in Game of Thrones as Yunkai and in many other famous movies, like Gladiator.
After visiting the Kasbah and having a tasty lunch, you will continue your journey to Marrakech, traveling through the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260 meters above sea level. Enjoy a relaxing, long drive through beautiful scenery. You will arrive mid-afternoon in Marrakech.
Carefully selected lodgings ensure comfort and authenticity throughout the tour. Accommodations may be adjusted based on availability, and upgrades are available upon request.
What our travelers say about their experiences
"We took the 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakech. I cannot imagine coming to Morocco without doing this trip. We toured ancient kasbahs, hiked around canyons, ate traditional food and listened to Berbers drumming, rode on camels through the desert where we camped and stayed up late at night stargazing. Our guide's name was IDIR. He was very knowledgeable, super kind, and provided as much history and info on Berber and desert culture as we asked for. I cannot imagine a more perfect guide or experience."
"This was an amazing trip. Our guide Idir was very knowledgeable about Morocco and the Berber people and went out of his way to make sure we had the best experience possible. We drove through the beautiful Atlas Mountains and the desert, with many places to stop and take photos. The overnight camel trek was the experience of a lifetime. Contact Ibrahim and he will accommodate your trip according to your schedule and your preferences. You cannot go to Morocco without doing this tour."
"We had a great time within the 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakech. The landscape was magnificent and the camel riding was lots of fun. Also, the desert camp and hotel we stayed in are very nice. Our driver Idir is so kind and patient that he takes us to many places in these days. He arranged a quite comfortable trip for us. So, highly recommended!"
"We did the 3-day, 2-night trek from Fes, through the Atlas Mountains and into the Sahara before ending in Marrakesh. Our guide, Hassan, made the difference between a wonderful time and a once-in-a-lifetime trip. He was incredibly knowledgeable and lots of fun. Drumming under the stars and full moon in the sand dunes of the Sahara was another extraordinary moment as well. I can't wait to go back to Morocco!"
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour. Learn about what’s included, comfort level, and useful travel details before you go.