3 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour | Complete Morocco
PRIVATE DESERT JOURNEY

3 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour

Cross the High Atlas Mountains, explore Ait Ben Haddou, spend a night beside the Erg Chebbi dunes and continue through the Middle Atlas to Fes.

Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Dades Valley → Merzouga → Fes
Duration3 Days / 2 Nights
StartsMarrakech
EndsFes
Travel StylePrivate Tour
PriceFrom €289 pp
THE JOURNEY

Marrakech to Fes through the Sahara

This 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour links two of Morocco’s great imperial cities via the country’s most scenic southern route. Cross the High Atlas Mountains, visit Ait Ben Haddou, travel through the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge, and spend a memorable night beside the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga.

Instead of returning to Marrakech after the Sahara, the route continues north through the Ziz Valley, Midelt, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and Ifrane before finishing in Fes. It is an excellent choice for travelers who want to combine a desert experience with an overland journey between Marrakech and Fes.

Tour highlights

Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass through the High Atlas Mountains.
Explore UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou.
Travel through Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Valley of Roses.
Discover Dades Valley and Todra Gorge.
Camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Spend the night at a Sahara desert camp.
See the Ziz Valley, cedar forest and Ifrane on the way to Fes.
ROUTE AT A GLANCE

Your journey across Morocco

Marrakech High Atlas Ait Ben Haddou Dades Valley Todra Gorge Merzouga Ziz Valley Middle Atlas Fes
DAY BY DAY

3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour Itinerary

Open each day to see the full route, visits and approximate driving time.

DAY 01 Marrakech → High Atlas → Ait Ben Haddou → Dades Valley
MARRAKECH · TIZI N’TICHKA · AIT BEN HADDOU · OUARZAZATE · VALLEY OF ROSES · DADES

Your 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour begins with a morning pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Leaving the city behind, travel toward the spectacular High Atlas Mountains and cross the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which reaches an altitude of 2,260 meters. Along the way, there will be several opportunities to stop at panoramic viewpoints overlooking mountain valleys, traditional Amazigh villages, and the dramatic landscapes of the High Atlas.

Continue to the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortified villages. You will have time to walk through the ancient ksar, discover its traditional earthen architecture, and climb higher into the village for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. After the visit, continue toward Ouarzazate, often referred to as the gateway to the Sahara.

From Ouarzazate, the journey continues through Skoura and the Valley of Roses, passing palm groves, kasbahs, small villages, and changing landscapes before reaching the beautiful Dades Valley. Before finishing the day, you can stop at some of the valley’s panoramic viewpoints and distinctive rock formations.

Approximate driving distance: 320 km   |   Driving time: 6–7 hours, excluding stops and visits
DAY 02 Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga → Erg Chebbi
DADES · TINGHIR · TODRA GORGE · ERFOUD · MERZOUGA · ERG CHEBBI

After breakfast, depart the Dades Valley and continue through the landscapes of southeastern Morocco toward Tinghir, a beautiful oasis town surrounded by palm groves and traditional villages. From Tinghir, follow the road toward Todra Gorge, one of the most impressive natural sights along the desert route.

You will have time to walk through the gorge and admire its enormous limestone cliffs before continuing toward the Sahara. The scenery gradually becomes more arid as you travel through towns and villages such as Tinjdad and Erfoud, an area particularly known for its fossils and date palms.

By the afternoon, arrive in Merzouga, located at the edge of the magnificent Erg Chebbi dunes. Here, you will leave the vehicle behind and begin a camel trek into the Sahara. Travel across the golden dunes while enjoying the changing colors of the desert, with the opportunity to stop and watch the sunset from the dunes before continuing to your desert camp.

After reaching the camp, you will have time to relax and experience the peaceful atmosphere of the Sahara. Later in the evening, enjoy traditional Berber music around the campfire beneath the desert sky.

Approximate driving distance: 270 km   |   Driving time: 4.5–5 hours, excluding stops, visits and the camel experience
DAY 03 Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Middle Atlas → Fes
MERZOUGA · ERFOUD · ER-RACHIDIA · ZIZ VALLEY · MIDELT · CEDAR FOREST · IFRANE · FES

Start the final day with the opportunity to wake up early and watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. Afterwards, leave the Sahara and begin the journey north toward Fes, passing through a completely different series of landscapes.

Travel through Erfoud and Errachidia before reaching the spectacular Ziz Valley. Stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the valley, where thousands of date palms stretch between the surrounding mountains. Continue through the Ziz Gorge and across mountain roads toward Midelt, located between the High Atlas and Middle Atlas ranges.

After a break in the Midelt area, continue across the Middle Atlas Mountains toward the cedar forests near Azrou. There will be time for a short stop in the forest before continuing to Ifrane, a mountain town known for its distinctive alpine-style architecture and well-kept surroundings.

From Ifrane, complete the final section of the journey to Fes, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening. Your driver will take you to your hotel or riad, or as close as possible if your accommodation is located within the pedestrian areas of the Medina.

Approximate driving distance: 470 km   |   Driving time: 7–8 hours, excluding stops and visits
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Choose the comfort level that suits your trip

This itinerary includes one night in the Dades Valley and one night in the Merzouga desert. Properties are subject to availability and may be replaced by a comparable option of the same standard.

WHAT’S COVERED

Included & not included

Included

✓ Private air-conditioned transportation
✓ English-speaking driver / guide
✓ 1 night accommodation in the Dades Valley
✓ 1 night desert camp in Merzouga
✓ Breakfasts
✓ Dinners in Dades and Merzouga
✓ Camel experience in Erg Chebbi
✓ Marrakech pickup and Fes drop-off

Not included

— Lunches
— Drinks
— Entrance fees where applicable
— Local guides unless specifically arranged
— Optional activities
— Personal expenses
— Gratuities
PRICING

Private 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour

Prices start from €289 per person. The final price can be affected by the number of travelers in your group, travel dates or season, and the accommodation package selected.

Send us your dates and group size and we will confirm the exact quotation before you book.

PRICES FROM
€289
per person

Exact pricing depends on group size, travel period and accommodation selected.

CHECK YOUR PRICE
HOW TO BOOK

A simple booking process

Tell us your dates and preferences and our team will confirm availability, the final price and the arrangements before your tour is secured.

01

Send your request

Share your preferred dates, number of travelers and accommodation level.

02

Receive confirmation

We confirm availability, your selected accommodation and the exact tour price.

03

Secure your booking

Once you are happy with the arrangements, follow the payment instructions provided to secure the reservation.

04

Travel Morocco

We send your final tour details and remain available before and during your journey.

REQUEST THIS JOURNEY

Check availability & receive your exact price

Use the form to send your preferred travel dates and group details. We will reply with availability, accommodation options and the exact quotation.

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GOOD TO KNOW

Frequently asked questions

Is this Marrakech to Fes desert tour private?

Yes. This itinerary is designed as a private journey, giving your group its own vehicle and greater flexibility with stops along the route.

How much does the tour cost?

Prices start from €289 per person. The exact price can vary depending on group size, travel dates and the accommodation package selected.

Do we visit Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorge?

Yes. Ait Ben Haddou is visited on Day 1 and Todra Gorge on Day 2 before continuing to Merzouga.

Is the camel experience included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a camel experience across the Erg Chebbi dunes before the overnight desert camp.

How long is the final drive from Merzouga to Fes?

Day 3 covers approximately 470 km and generally involves around 7–8 hours of driving, excluding stops and visits.

Can we travel with luggage?

Yes. Your luggage travels with you in the vehicle between Marrakech and Fes.

Can the itinerary or hotels be customized?

Yes. The tour can be adapted according to your dates, preferred accommodation category and other travel requirements, subject to availability.

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YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

Ready to travel from Marrakech to Fes through the Sahara?

Send us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability and your exact price.