3 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
Overview
The 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech is an unforgettable journey through the heart of Morocco, blending majestic landscapes with cultural encounters that will stay with you forever. From the Middle Atlas Mountains to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, every moment offers a new discovery. Traveling in a private, comfortable vehicle, you will experience the dramatic contrast between cedar forests, green valleys, and the endless horizons of the Sahara Desert.
The first day reveals the natural treasures of the Middle Atlas. Passing through Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine-style architecture, and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques, you will enjoy a scenic drive with time to pause and admire local life. Continuing south, the landscapes shift into rocky plateaus and desert plains before reaching Erfoud, the gateway to the Sahara, and finally the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, where your camel trek begins.
Your second day brings the magic of a Sahara sunrise before exploring palm groves, desert plateaus, and the rugged Todra Gorge. This spectacular canyon, with cliffs rising up to 300 meters, offers both serenity and awe-inspiring beauty. The road continues toward the Dades Valley, where fertile oases and dramatic rock formations create one of Morocco’s most iconic landscapes. Here, you spend the night in a comfortable hotel, enjoying Berber hospitality in the heart of the mountains.
On the final day, the road leads through the Valley of Roses and the palm groves of Skoura, where kasbahs dot the scenery. A stop at Aït Ben Haddou, Morocco’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, allows you to walk through a labyrinth of earthen alleys that have served as the backdrop for countless films. Crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains, you finally descend into Marrakech, where the tour concludes. Over three days, this journey captures Morocco’s diverse beauty — from snowy peaks and lush valleys to desert sands and ancient kasbahs.
Included/Exclude
- Private 4×4 or minivan with driver
- Pick-up & drop-off at accommodation
- 2 nights (hotel & luxury desert camp)
- Dinner & breakfast daily
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Local guide in Aït Ben Haddou
- Free time to explore sites
- No hidden costs or forced shopping
- Lunches & drinks
- Monument entry fees not listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips & personal expenses
- Optional extras (quad, sandboarding, etc.)
Tour Plan
Departing from Fes in the morning, the adventure begins with a drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains. You pass Ifrane, with its European-style chalets and clean streets, before stopping in Azrou’s cedar forests, where Barbary macaques roam freely. Continuing south, the landscapes shift as you cross mountain passes and reach the town of Midelt for lunch. In the afternoon, the journey enters desert terrain, passing through Erfoud, known for its fossils, before arriving at Merzouga, the gateway to Erg Chebbi. Here, camels await to carry you across the dunes at sunset. At camp, you are welcomed with mint tea and settle into your private tent with ensuite bathroom. Dinner is served under the stars, accompanied by traditional Berber music and the stillness of the desert night.
An early start rewards you with the unforgettable sight of the sunrise over Erg Chebbi’s dunes. After breakfast in the camp, you return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4 and begin the day’s journey. Traveling through Erfoud, you may stop to see fossil workshops before continuing toward Tinghir, where lush palm groves line the desert. The highlight is the Todra Gorge, with its towering canyon walls and refreshing riverbed — perfect for a walk and photo stop. After lunch, the road winds into the Dades Valley, renowned for its kasbahs and unique rock formations known as the “Monkey Fingers.” Dinner and overnight are enjoyed in a comfortable hotel overlooking the valley.
After breakfast, you continue through the Valley of Roses, a fertile region famous for its rosewater products and the festival held each spring. The route passes Skoura’s palm groves and ancient kasbahs before reaching Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Morocco” for its film studios. After a short visit, you travel to Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose mudbrick architecture has appeared in Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Following lunch here, the journey continues through the High Atlas Mountains and across the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, offering sweeping views of valleys and peaks. By late afternoon or evening, you arrive in Marrakech, where the tour concludes.
Location
Find a route from your location
Related Tours
Review Scores
Last Minute Deals
