Travel from Marrakech to Fes in style on this 3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour — a route that weaves through some of Morocco’s most spectacular landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas to the golden dunes of the Sahara and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas.
Along the way, you will discover the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, drive along the legendary Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, sleep in a beautiful valley hotel in Boumalne Dades, and experience the Todra Canyon. The highlight of the journey comes when you ride a camel into the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend a night at a luxury desert camp under a sky overflowing with stars.
The second night is spent at a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, before you head north through the Ziz Valley and the forested mountains of the Middle Atlas on your way to Fes — the intellectual and spiritual heart of Morocco.
– Driving through the scenic High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n’Tichka Pass
– Exploring the historic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah — a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– Travelling along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
– Watching a glorious desert sunrise over the dunes
– Spending an unforgettable night in a luxury desert camp under the stars
– Passing through the Ziz Valley, lined with date palms and ancient mud-brick villages
– Spotting Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou in the Middle Atlas
DAY 1: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → AIT BEN HADDOU → OUARZAZATE → DADES VALLEY
Departing Marrakech in the morning with your private driver, the road heads southeast, climbing through Berber villages and mountain passes on the way to the Tizi n’Tichka summit. The views across the High Atlas are extraordinary — jagged ridgelines, hidden valleys, and a landscape that feels entirely removed from the bustle of city life.
Your first stop is the remarkable Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This ancient fortified village of earthen towers and alleyways was once a key stop on the trans-Saharan trade route. Today it stands as one of Morocco’s finest examples of southern architecture and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continuing east, you pass through Ouarzazate — Morocco’s gateway to the desert and home to one of Africa’s largest film studios. From here, the road winds along the base of the Atlas mountains through a succession of kasbahs and oases, leading you to your first night’s accommodation in the Dades Valley. The valley’s hotel, framed by extraordinary canyon walls, is a stunning place to rest.
DAY 2: DADES VALLEY → TINGHIR OASIS → TODGHA CANYON → MERZOUGA DESERT
After breakfast, the day begins with a drive to Tinghir, where a wide, lush oasis offers a refreshing contrast to the arid rock of the day before. From Tinghir, you enter the magnificent Todgha Canyon — a narrow gorge with sheer walls rising over 300 metres above a shallow stream. It is one of Morocco’s most extraordinary natural landscapes and a popular destination for rock climbers from around the world.
The afternoon journey carries you through increasingly open desert terrain until the vast orange dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon. You arrive in time for the most magical moment of the desert day — sunset from the back of a camel, winding through the dunes as the sky turns to fire.
At your luxury desert camp, dinner is served by lamplight and the evening fills with the rhythms of Berber music under an infinite canopy of stars.
DAY 3: MERZOUGA DESERT → ZIZ VALLEY → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → IFRANE → FES
The final day begins with a quiet sunrise over the dunes — a gentle, golden spectacle worth every early alarm. After breakfast at the camp, you head north, leaving the Sahara behind.
The drive follows the Ziz Valley, a long corridor of palm groves and ksour that has served as a gateway between the Sahara and the north for centuries. As you climb into the Middle Atlas, the landscape transforms dramatically — ancient cedar forests replace desert sands, and the cool mountain air is a refreshing contrast.
Near Azrou, you may catch a glimpse of the Barbary macaques — a species of wild monkeys that inhabit these forests. The journey continues through the elegant mountain town of Ifrane and on to Fes, where you will be dropped at your hotel or riad in the late afternoon.
– Dietary requirements should be shared when booking.
– The full-day desert programme can be tailored to your preferred activities.
– All vehicles are air-conditioned and in excellent condition.
– The nomadic family visit may vary depending on their location on the day.
– Pick-up from your accommodation in Marrakech
– Private air-conditioned 4×4 SUV, van, or minibus
– English or Spanish-speaking driver/guide (other languages on request)
– 2 nights accommodation: 1 night in Dades Valley hotel + 1 night in luxury desert camp
– Meals: 2 dinners & 2 breakfasts
– Camel trekking experience
– Drop-off at your accommodation in Fes
– Lunches and beverages
– Entrance fees where applicable
– Tips (optional but appreciated)
– Please notify us of any dietary requirements or food restrictions when booking.
– All vehicles are air-conditioned, modern, and well maintained.
– The itinerary is fully customisable — please reach out if you would like to make any changes.
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.
