Overview of This Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour
Our 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour crosses the Middle Atlas to Merzouga for a camel ride and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes, then heads west through Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech, with your own driver.
From Fes, the desert is closer than from Marrakech: one long day’s drive. That makes this the natural route south for travelers who start their trip in Fes or Tangier. The first day gets you to the dunes by sunset; the next two take you through the kasbah country and over the High Atlas without backtracking.
- Ifrane and the Middle Atlas cedar forests
- Sunset camel ride and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
- The Skoura palm grove and Ait Ben Haddou
- The High Atlas crossing at the Tizi n’Tichka
Fes to Marrakech in 3 Days
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Day 1: Fes over the Middle Atlas to Merzouga
About 8 h driving · 470 kmWe collect you from your Fes riad in the morning. The road climbs to Ifrane, with its tidy red roofs, and through the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques sit by the road. After lunch in Midelt, under the snowy Jbel Ayachi in spring, you descend the Ziz gorges to Erfoud and Merzouga. A camel ride takes you into the dunes for sunset and a night at camp.
- Stops
- Ifrane, Azrou cedar forest, Midelt, Ziz Valley
- Overnight
- Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2: Merzouga to Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
About 5 h driving · 290 kmClimb a dune for sunrise, then ride back for breakfast. West of Merzouga, stop in Rissani, where caravans once set out across the Sahara, then walk into Todra Gorge. The night is in a kasbah hotel in the Dades Valley.
- Stops
- Rissani, Tinghir, Todra Gorge
- Overnight
- Kasbah-style hotel in the Dades Valley
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner
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Day 3: Dades Valley to Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
About 6 h 30 min driving · 320 kmDrive through the Skoura palm grove and Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou for a walk through the ksar. The afternoon crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka, and your driver drops you at your hotel in Marrakech in the evening.
- Stops
- Skoura, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi n’Tichka
- Overnight
- Arrival in Marrakech
- Meals
- Breakfast
Route Map: Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga
About 1,080 km one way. The first day is the longest, about 8 hours with stops in the Middle Atlas.
What’s Included in This Desert Tour
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for 3 days
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- 2 nights: desert camp and kasbah hotel
- Breakfast and dinner on both nights
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Pickup in Fes and drop-off at your Marrakech riad or hotel
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Monument entrance fees
- Tips for driver and guides
- Travel insurance
Where You’ll Stay
One night at a desert camp and one in a kasbah-style hotel. We send the camp options for your dates with the quote.
- Merzouga · 1 night Desert camp Options sent with your quote
- Dades Valley · 1 night Kasbah-style hotel Options sent with your quote
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour Prices
Every private tour is priced for your group, so we quote it rather than list one fixed price. Three things set it:
- Group sizeThe vehicle and driver cost the same whatever the size of your party, so the more of you travel, the less each person pays.
- Hotel levelComfortable riads and hotels, or a step up to superior riads and a luxury desert camp.
- SeasonSpring and fall are the busiest months for riads and desert camps.
Customize This Tour
Make it 4 days with a second desert night or a night at Ait Ben Haddou, or start in Tangier or Chefchaouen instead of Fes.
Customize This 3-Day Tour
Your driver/guide
One professional, English-speaking driver/guide for all three days, in an air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan depending on your group size. Other languages are available on request.
Meet our drivers and guidesFes to Marrakech Tour FAQ
How many days do you need for a trip from Fes to Marrakech through the desert?
Three days is the minimum and the most popular choice. Four days adds a second desert night or a slower last day.
What is the longest day?
Day 1, Fes to Merzouga, is about 8 hours of driving. We break it at Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt and the Ziz Valley.
Can we start the 3 day trip from Fes to Marrakech in Chefchaouen?
Yes, but Chefchaouen to Merzouga is too far for one day, so we add a night in Fes or the Middle Atlas.
Can we stay longer in Marrakech at the end?
Of course. The tour ends at your Marrakech hotel; we can book extra nights and a day trip from there.
