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.
– Crossing the cedar forests and mountain passes of the Middle Atlas
– Spotting Barbary macaques in the wild cedar forest near Azrou
– Riding camels through the golden Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
– Watching a spectacular sunrise and sunset over the Merzouga desert
– Spending a memorable night in a luxury desert camp
– Walking through the breathtaking Todra Gorge in Tinghir
– Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
DAY 1: FES → IFRANE → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA DESERT
An early morning pick-up from your accommodation in Fes begins this three-day adventure. Heading south, the road climbs through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, passing through the alpine town of Ifrane — a surprisingly European-looking mountain retreat nestled in the Moroccan Atlas. Near Azrou, the cedar forest is home to Barbary macaques — wild monkeys that inhabit these ancient trees and can often be spotted by the roadside.
Beyond the mountains, the Ziz Valley unfolds in a long ribbon of date palms and ancient villages stretching southward through the pre-Saharan landscape. The gradual transition from mountain green to desert gold is one of the most dramatic landscape shifts in all of Morocco.
By late afternoon, the great orange dunes of Erg Chebbi rise from the horizon. Your camel is waiting. You ride into the dunes as the setting sun transforms the sand into copper and flame, arriving at your luxury desert camp as the first stars appear. A traditional Moroccan dinner, live Berber music, and a private tent with an en-suite bathroom beneath an infinite desert sky close out an extraordinary first day.
DAY 2: MERZOUGA DESERT → RISSANI → TODRA GORGE → DADES VALLEY
Wake before dawn for the Sahara sunrise — a quiet and golden spectacle from the top of the dunes that will stay in your memory long after you return home. After breakfast at the camp, you leave the desert by camel or 4×4 and head west.
Passing through the historic market town of Rissani — the ancestral home of Morocco’s ruling Alaouite dynasty and a lively souk town at the edge of the Sahara — you continue to Tinghir and the famous Todra Gorge. The canyon’s towering limestone walls rise over 300 metres on either side of a clear mountain stream, pressing in close to create one of Morocco’s most dramatic natural corridors. A short walk through the gorge is one of the tour’s most memorable experiences.
From Tinghir, the afternoon drive carries you westward through the pre-Saharan valleys to the Dades Valley, where your hotel is set among striking canyon scenery for the night.
DAY 3: DADES VALLEY → AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → MARRAKECH
The final day combines two of southern Morocco’s greatest highlights. The morning drive west passes through the landscape of the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs — a route lined with ancient earthen fortifications and palmeries — to the legendary Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a complex of extraordinary earthen towers rising above a dry riverbed, once a key stop on the trans-Saharan caravan route and today one of Morocco’s most photographed and iconic monuments. Its ancient lanes, communal granaries, and commanding views make it a compelling and atmospheric stop.
From Ait Ben Haddou, the road climbs back into the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with sweeping views across ridgelines, valleys, and Berber villages, before the long descent into Marrakech. Drop-off at your accommodation in the early evening.
– Please inform us of any dietary requirements when booking.
– All vehicles are modern, air-conditioned, and well maintained.
– The itinerary is fully flexible — modifications welcome.
– Entrance fees to Ait Ben Haddou are not included.
– 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)
– 2 nights accommodation: luxury desert camp + Dades Valley hotel
– Meals: 2 dinners & 2 breakfasts
– Camel trekking experience
– 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.
