Overview of your 3 day Sahara desert tour from Marrakech to Fes
This 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes takes you across Morocco from south to north, with a night in the Sahara on the way. Over 3 days and 2 nights you cross the High Atlas Mountains, visit Ait Benhaddou and the Todra Gorge, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes, and finish through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. It is a private Marrakech to Fes desert tour with a local driver-guide, a hotel night and a night in a desert camp.
Why this tour is unique
Instead of driving back the same way, you travel one way and see two different Moroccos. The south brings kasbahs, gorges and golden dunes. The north brings the palm groves of the Ziz Valley, the mountain town of Midelt and green cedar forests near Azrou, before you arrive in Fes, the country’s oldest imperial city.
Tour highlights
- High Atlas MountainsCross the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka pass (about 2,200 m).
- Ait BenhaddouWalk through the UNESCO-listed clay Kasbah famous for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
- Dades Valley & Todra GorgeStand beneath 300-meter-high vertical canyon walls.
- Sahara Camel Trek & Desert CampRide a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep under the stars.
- Ziz ValleyDrive past long green ribbons of date palms between the desert and the mountains.
- Middle Atlas Cedar ForestLook for Barbary macaques near Azrou and pass through Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”.
Route map
You will depart Marrakech and head southeast across the High Atlas Mountains to the Dades Valley for your first night. On day two, you continue east through the Todra Gorge to reach the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. On the final day, you turn north through Er-Rachidia, the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the Middle Atlas Mountains to finish in Fes.
Day-by-day itinerary of the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes
Day 1: Marrakech to Fes desert tour starts: Ait Benhaddou and Dades Valley
6 hours driving
Your driver will pick you up at 8:00 am from your Marrakech accommodation or from the airport. We begin by ascending the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Our main morning highlight is the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou Kasbah (also spelled Ait Ben Haddou). Learn more about the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (opens in a new tab). After lunch in Ouarzazate, we drive through the Valley of Roses to reach our hotel in the Dades Valley.
Day 2: Dades Valley to Todra Gorge and Merzouga
5 hours driving
After breakfast, we take a short drive to the awe-inspiring Todra Gorge. You’ll have free time to walk through the massive 300-meter-high canyon walls. We then continue our journey through Erfoud until the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi (opens in a new tab) appear. Trade your vehicle for a camel, riding into the desert at sunset to reach your camp.
Day 3: Merzouga to Midelt, Azrou and Fes
8 hours driving
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, you ride your camel back to the edge of the desert to meet your driver. We head north through Erfoud and Er-Rachidia, then follow the palm groves of the Ziz Valley to Midelt for lunch. In the afternoon we cross the Middle Atlas, stopping in the cedar forest near Azrou to look for Barbary macaques, and pass through Ifrane before arriving in Fes in the early evening. Fes is home to the Medina of Fez (opens in a new tab), one of the best preserved old cities in the Arab world.
Prices and packages
We offer three tier levels to suit your travel style. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
- Private transportation
- 4-star hotels or traditional riads
- Standard desert camp
- Excellent 4-star to luxurious 5-star hotels
- Upgraded luxury desert camp
- Comfortable private car
- Hand-picked 5-star and high-end boutique hotels
- Premium VIP desert camp
- Entrance fees included
Prices may vary depending on travel dates and final accommodation choice. Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free.
Hotels and camps where you’ll stay
Choose a package to see the hotels and camps we use on this tour.
- Riad Bahammou Hotel
- Grand Canyon Lodge
- Dar Ahlam Dades
- Ksar Sultan Dades
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Riad Dar Blues
- Hotel Xaluca Dades
- Palm Hotel Dades
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Tents with air conditioning
- Eden Boutique Dades
- Merzouga Luxury Desert Camps
- Desert Luxury Camp
Every desert camp tent has a private washroom with a shower. We confirm your exact hotels when you book, depending on availability.
What’s included and excluded
Included
- Private, air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- English-speaking driver/guide
- 2 nights accommodation (as per selected package)
- Private washroom with shower at the desert camp
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (2 breakfasts, 2 dinners)
- Sunset and sunrise camel treks in Erg Chebbi (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp, if you prefer)
- Pick-up at your Marrakech accommodation or the airport, and drop-off in Fes
Excluded
- Lunches and daytime drinks
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums (included in the Luxury Package)
- Accommodation in Fes after the tour
- Tips and gratuities
What travelers say about this trip
Reviews from our sister company, Morocco Top Trips
A 10-day trip with friends through Marrakech, the Sahara, Chefchaouen and Fes. The camel trek and the night in the desert camp were their favorite parts, and they praise their knowledgeable guide Brahim, driver Mohammed and comfortable places to stay.
A couple on a 9-day trip across the High Atlas, the gorges and the Sahara. They praise a responsive owner, skilled driving by their driver-guide Said, and varied stops that kept the pace relaxed.
For this traveler the Sahara was the highlight, with its sunrises, sunsets and starry skies. They thank guides Brahim and Mohamed for their knowledge and for always being available.
Good to know before you go
Pick-up and start
Pick-up is usually at 8:00 am from your Marrakech accommodation or the airport. If the time changes, your driver will message you on WhatsApp with the time and meeting point.
Distance and driving
On the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes, the roads over the High Atlas and the Middle Atlas are winding, so bring motion-sickness tablets if needed.
Best time to go
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months, with warm days and cooler evenings. In summer, daytime temperatures in Merzouga often pass 40°C. In winter, nights near the dunes can get close to freezing, and snow can fall in the Middle Atlas around Ifrane, so the route may change with the weather.
The camel trek and the camp
The sunset camel ride into camp lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. If you prefer not to ride a camel, you can be transferred to the camp by 4×4 instead. Your bags travel to the camp by SUV, and anything you leave in the vehicle is safe.
What to pack
Layers are crucial. The desert is hot during the day, and both the desert nights and the Middle Atlas can be cold. Bring a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a scarf (for sand and sun protection), sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While hotels and larger restaurants take cards, you should carry cash for small purchases, lunches, and tips in rural areas.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco. Expect to tip guides, drivers, and camp staff if you are happy with the service. A general rule is 10% in restaurants and a lump sum for your driver at the end of the trip.
Connectivity
Most hotels along the route have free WiFi. The desert camps have limited to no connectivity, so enjoy the chance to unplug and look at the stars.
Frequently asked questions about the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes
How much does the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes cost?
Prices start from €390 per person for the Comfort package. The Superior package is €546 and the Luxury package €702 per person, based on two travelers. The difference is the level of accommodation, and prices may vary with your travel dates. The pricing section above shows what each package includes.
Do infants and children pay?
Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free. For older children, tell us their ages when you send your request, and we will confirm the price for your group.
How long is the drive on a Marrakech to Fes desert tour?
Marrakech to Merzouga is roughly 550 km, and Merzouga to Fes is about 470 km. On this tour the driving is split across three days, about 6 hours on Day 1, 5 hours on Day 2 and 8 hours on Day 3. Those are driving times, and you also stop for photos, meals and visits along the way. Arriving in Marrakech a day early? See 10 Best Things to Do in Marrakech (opens in a new tab).
Is a 3 day Sahara desert tour from Marrakech to Fes worth it?
Yes, if you are traveling from Marrakech to Fes anyway. Instead of a direct transfer, you see the High Atlas, Ait Benhaddou, the Todra Gorge, a night in the dunes and the Middle Atlas on the same journey. The trade-off is long driving days. If you prefer a slower pace, a 4-day tour gives you more time at each stop. If you continue north after Fes, see 7 Best Things to Do in Chefchaouen (opens in a new tab).
Is it safe to travel to Merzouga and the Sahara?
The route from Marrakech to Merzouga and on to Fes is one of the most traveled tourist routes in Morocco. You travel in a private vehicle with a local driver-guide who knows the roads, the stops and the camps. As anywhere, keep your valuables with you in busy places, and check your own government’s travel advice before you go. You can also read Is Morocco Safe? What Travelers Should Know (opens in a new tab).
What is the best time of year for this tour?
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months. See the “Good to know” section above for what to expect in summer and winter.
How does payment work?
We ask for a 30% deposit to confirm your booking, and the remaining balance is paid on the first day of the tour. Send us your dates and group size through the form on this page or on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the details for your dates.
Is the 8-hour drive on Day 3 too difficult?
It is a long day on the road, but the scenery changes all day, from desert to palm valleys to cedar forest, and we stop for coffee, photos and lunch in Midelt. If you prefer shorter days, ask us about a 4-day itinerary.
What happens to my luggage during the camel ride?
We take your bags to the camp by SUV, so you can ride the camel with nothing to carry. If you would rather leave something behind, it is safe in the vehicle.
Can I skip the camel ride?
Yes. The camel ride is optional. If you prefer not to ride, we transfer you to the desert camp by 4×4 instead, and you still enjoy the sunset and sunrise over the dunes. Just let us know when you book or tell your driver on the day.
Are there toilets and showers in the desert camp?
Yes. All our packages include a private washroom with a shower at the desert camp.
Ready to book this route?
We usually reply within 24 hours.