Looking for the right 3 day tour from Fes? Three days is the most popular way to reach the Sahara from Fes. You cross the Middle Atlas, see wild Barbary macaques in the cedar forest, follow the palm-filled Ziz Valley and sleep in a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. However, there are two very different 3-day routes, and the best one depends on where you want to finish. This guide compares them side by side.
Quick answer: if your trip continues south, choose the one-way 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech. It adds Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou, and you never drive the same road twice. If you must return to Fes, choose the 3-day Merzouga desert loop from Fes. It gives you a full day in the desert and a second night near the dunes.
3 Day Tour from Fes: The Two Routes Compared
| Book | Fes to Marrakech | Merzouga loop |
|---|---|---|
| Start and end | Fes → Marrakech | Fes → Fes |
| Night 1 | Desert camp | Desert camp |
| Night 2 | Dades Valley | Hotel facing the dunes |
| Time in the desert | One evening and one sunrise | About 1.5 days |
| Highlights | Todra Gorge, Dades, Ait Ben Haddou, High Atlas | Nomad family, Khamlia, palm groves |
| Longest day | Day 1, about 7.5 hours | Days 1 and 3, about 7.5 hours |
| Best for | Travelers continuing to Marrakech | Flights home from Fes |
In short, the route to Marrakech is a journey across Morocco, while the loop is a slower desert stay. Starting in Marrakech instead? Read our guide to the 3 day tour from Marrakech.
Route A: Day by Day from Fes to Marrakech
Day 1: Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt and the Merzouga camp
Your driver meets you at your riad around 8 a.m. First, you pass Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Next, you stop in the cedar forest of Azrou to watch wild Barbary macaques. After lunch in Midelt, you cross the Tizi n’Talghemt pass at 1,907 meters and follow the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. Finally, a camel takes you into the dunes for sunset and dinner at the camp. About 7.5 hours of driving.
Day 2: Rissani, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
After sunrise, you visit Rissani, an old caravan town, and a fossil workshop in Erfoud. Then, you walk along the river in Todra Gorge and drive up the Dades Valley to see the “monkey fingers” rocks. About 4.5 hours of driving.
Day 3: The Rose Valley, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Next, you pass the Rose Valley, the Skoura palm grove and Ouarzazate, and explore the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Lastly, you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters and reach Marrakech by early evening. About 7 hours of driving.
Route B: Day by Day on the Merzouga Loop
Day 1: Fes to the Merzouga camp
The first day follows the same road as Route A: Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley, then a camel trek to the camp for sunset.
Day 2: A full desert day with nomads and Khamlia
This is what makes the loop special. After sunrise, a 4×4 takes you across the rocky plains to a former mine and a nomad family, where you share Berber tea. Then, you visit Khamlia, a village known for Gnaoua music, and walk in the palm groves. You sleep in a hotel facing the dunes.
Day 3: Rissani, Erfoud and back to Fes
Finally, you visit Rissani and Erfoud, then follow the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas back to Fes. Read more about this road in our guide from Fes to Merzouga.
Which 3 Day Tour Should You Choose?
- Check your next stop: if you continue to Marrakech, Essaouira or the coast, the one-way route saves a full day of travel.
- Flying home from Fes? The loop brings you back to your riad, so you avoid a long transfer.
- Want more desert time? The loop gives you a full day around Merzouga.
- Want more variety? The route to Marrakech adds canyons, kasbahs and the High Atlas.
- Traveling with children? Both work, but plan snacks for the long first day. Read our tips for Morocco with kids.
Is 2 Days Enough from Fes?
A 2-day Merzouga desert tour from Fes is possible, but you spend most of it in the car. The 2-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech is even more rushed. Therefore, three days is the realistic minimum for most travelers. With four days, the 4-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech or the 4-day Merzouga and canyons loop from Fes give you an even calmer pace.
Merzouga or Zagora from Fes?
From Fes, the choice is easy: Merzouga is much closer than Zagora, and its Erg Chebbi dunes are far higher. All our desert tours from Fes go to Merzouga. Compare both deserts in Merzouga vs Zagora.
What Is Included in Our 3 Day Tours from Fes
All our tours are private. They include your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver, two nights of accommodation (a desert camp and a hotel), the camel trek, and dinner and breakfast each night. Lunches, drinks and entrance fees are not included. You can also upgrade to a luxury tent with a private bathroom: see our guide to the luxury desert camp in Merzouga.
Best Time for a 3 Day Tour from Fes
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. In winter, the Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou can be snowy, which is beautiful, but nights in the desert are cold. In summer, the desert is very hot, so the camel trek starts late in the day. Read our guides to Morocco in winter and the best time to visit Morocco, or the official Fes guide.
What to Pack
- A small overnight bag for the camp
- A warm layer, especially for the Middle Atlas and desert nights
- A scarf and sunglasses against sun and sand
- Comfortable shoes for the dunes and Todra Gorge
- Cash for lunches and tips
See our full list of what to pack for the Morocco desert.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking the loop when you continue south: the route to Marrakech covers the same desert and saves a return day.
- Leaving no time for Fes: the medina deserves at least one full day before or after the tour. Read our Fes medina guided tour guide.
- Feeding the macaques: watch them from a distance, because food harms them.
- Packing a big suitcase for the camp: large luggage stays in the vehicle.
Before or After Your Tour
If you have a spare day in the north, Chefchaouen is about 4 hours from Fes. Read our guide to a Chefchaouen day trip from Fes or Tangier. Or browse all our tours from Fes.
Compare also the 2 day tour from Fes and the 4 day tour from Fes.
3 Day Tour from Fes FAQ
Is 3 days enough for the Sahara from Fes?
Yes. Three days are enough to reach Merzouga, sleep in the dunes and enjoy the desert without rushing too much.
Can I end a 3 day tour from Fes in Marrakech?
Yes. The one-way route ends at your riad in Marrakech on the evening of day 3.
How long is the drive from Fes to Merzouga?
About 7.5 hours of driving, with stops in Ifrane, the cedar forest and Midelt.
Will I see monkeys on the way?
Usually, yes. Wild Barbary macaques live in the cedar forest near Azrou, on day 1 of both routes.
Is the tour private?
Yes. You travel only with your group, in your own vehicle with a professional driver.
Book Your 3 Day Tour from Fes
In conclusion, a 3 day tour from Fes is the classic way to see the Sahara from northern Morocco. Choose the route to Marrakech to cross the country, or the loop to enjoy the desert longer and return to Fes. Tell us your dates, and we will plan the rest.
Plan this trip: ask for a free quote, write to us on WhatsApp, or see all our tours from Fes.
