Short on time but determined to see the Sahara? This 2 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour is designed precisely for travellers who cannot afford to miss the desert — even with only two days to spare. It is an ambitious itinerary, honest in its demands: long hours in the car, rewarded by one of Morocco’s most breathtaking experiences.
Departing Fes, you cross the cedar forests and mountain passes of the Middle Atlas, descend through the lush Ziz Valley, and arrive at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga just in time for sunset. You mount your camel and ride into the golden dunes as the sky blazes with colour, spending the night in a private luxury tent at a desert camp beneath one of the world’s most star-filled skies.
The following morning, after a desert sunrise and breakfast, the return route sweeps westward through the ancient Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and over the High Atlas Mountains to arrive in Marrakech by evening.
If you have even one extra day, the 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour is highly recommended — it splits the journey more comfortably and adds far more sightseeing along the way.
The 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour is one of Morocco’s most rewarding journeys — a route that connects two of the country’s greatest imperial cities while passing through the very heart of the Sahara. Over three days, you travel from the ancient medina of Fes southward through the forested Middle Atlas Mountains, across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, and westward through canyon landscapes and ancient kasbahs to arrive in Marrakech.
Along the way you will ride camels at sunset across the Erg Chebbi dunes, sleep under a sky blazing with stars in a luxury desert camp, watch Barbary macaques in their cedar forest home near Azrou, walk through the dramatic Todra Canyon, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains on the final stretch to Marrakech.
This is a private tour — fully tailored to your pace, interests, and budget — with a dedicated driver and guide accompanying you for all three days.
– Passing through the alpine town of Ifrane — Morocco’s “Little Switzerland”
– Crossing the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains
– Spotting Barbary macaques in the cedar forest near Azrou
– Riding a camel across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
– Watching the Merzouga desert sunset from the top of a high dune
– Spending an unforgettable night in a luxury desert camp in the middle of the Sahara
– Sitting around a campfire with Berber music and drumming
– Gazing at a sky overflowing with stars
– Sleeping in a private tent with an en-suite bathroom
– Watching a calm and beautiful desert sunrise
– Visiting the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou on the way to Marrakech
– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass
DAY 1: FES → IFRANE → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA
Your private driver picks you up from your accommodation in Fes early in the morning. The road heads south through Morocco’s green heartland, climbing into the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains. The elegant alpine town of Ifrane — with its red-roofed European-style buildings and cool mountain air — is a striking contrast to the heat of the Sahara that awaits.
Near Azrou, keep your eyes on the roadside cedar trees — Barbary macaques, one of the world’s few wild monkey species native to Africa, are commonly spotted here and are famously relaxed around visitors.
The landscape transitions dramatically as the road descends from the mountains into the Ziz Valley — a long, verdant corridor of date palms tracing the river southward through increasingly arid terrain. By late afternoon, the great orange dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon, rising dramatically from the flat desert floor.
You arrive at the dunes in time for the most beautiful moment of the day: mounting your camel and riding into the Sahara as the sun descends in a blaze of amber and gold. The luxury desert camp receives you with warmth — a traditional dinner is served, followed by an evening of live Berber drumming and singing around the campfire. Your private tent, furnished with an en-suite bathroom, awaits beneath a sky blazing with stars.
DAY 2: MERZOUGA → AIT BEN HADDOU → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → MARRAKECH
An early rise for the desert sunrise — a slow, golden spectacle from the top of the dunes that is unlike anything else in Morocco. After breakfast at the camp, you leave the desert behind and begin the long but rewarding drive westward toward Marrakech.
The route passes through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou — one of Morocco’s most iconic kasbahs, a complex of earthen towers and ancient alleyways that has served as a backdrop for countless international film and television productions. After exploring its timeless lanes, the road climbs through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, offering sweeping views across ridgelines and valleys, before descending into Marrakech in the evening.
– This tour involves a significant amount of driving — please be prepared for long road days.
– For a more relaxed experience, consider the 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour.
– Please inform us of any dietary requirements when booking.
– All vehicles are modern, air-conditioned, and regularly maintained.
– The itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted upon request.
– Pick-up from your accommodation in Fes
– Private air-conditioned 4×4 SUV, van, or minibus
– English-speaking driver/guide (other languages available on request)
– 1 night in a luxury desert camp (private tent with en-suite bathroom)
– Meals: 1 dinner & 1 breakfast
– Camel trekking experience across Erg Chebbi dunes
– Sandboarding
– Drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
– Lunches and beverages
– Entrance fees where applicable
– Tips (optional but appreciated)
Please fill out the form below to contact us, and we will respond as soon as possible. For a faster response please send a WhatsApp: +212 668-342513 message or call us at +212678099129 . We look forward to connecting with you. Email: info@merzougadunestours.com
Paying for your tour is straightforward. A small upfront deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot — this can be sent via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The outstanding balance is then settled directly with your driver or guide on the first day of your trip, accepted in euros, US dollars, or Moroccan dirhams.
Morocco’s official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While major hotels and larger establishments tend to accept credit cards, smaller markets and towns generally operate on a cash-only basis, so it’s advisable to carry local currency.
Absolutely. The tour can be fully tailored to match your preferences — whether that means adding extra destinations, upgrading your accommodation, or switching to alternative transport such as a private 4×4 vehicle.
Yes, camel rides are commonly included in desert tour packages, typically used to cross the dunes on the way to your overnight camp.
Camel rides are a standard part of desert experiences and are used to reach the overnight camp by crossing the dunes.
Guests stay in traditional Berber-style tents within a desert camp setting. Amenities include comfortable bedding, warm blankets, shared or private bathroom facilities (depending on the camp category), and a shared dining area for meals and socializing.
The policy varies based on how far in advance you cancel relative to your departure date. A booking deposit is required to hold your reservation, and partial or full refunds may apply depending on the notice given.
