Private 2-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga

Day 1: Fes to Ifrane, the Cedar Forest, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and the Merzouga Desert Camp

Your 2-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech starts early in the morning. Your professional English-speaking driver greets you at your accommodation. Leaving Fes behind, your air-conditioned vehicle travels south through Imouzzer to Ifrane. This town is often called “the Switzerland of Morocco” for its alpine architecture, clean streets, and cool climate. Next, you’ll pass through the cedar forests of Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques live among the trees. It’s a good spot to observe them respectfully, without feeding them.

After lunch in Midelt, the route crosses the Tizi n’Talghemt pass, at 1,907 meters. Then, you’ll follow the Ziz River canyon, with a panoramic stop over the green palm oases below. By late afternoon, you’ll reach the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. There, you’ll switch to a camel for a trek across the sand to watch the sunset. Finally, you’ll check into your luxury camp, where you can try sandboarding or simply relax. The night ends with a multi-course Moroccan dinner and live Berber drumming around the campfire.

Day 2: Merzouga to the Todra Gorge, Ait Ben Haddou, and Marrakech

Waking early for a Sahara sunrise among the dunes is a highlight. After breakfast at camp, you’ll return to Merzouga by camel or 4WD, where your driver meets you. Then, you’ll head west along the desert highway, past the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Next, you’ll reach the Todra Gorge, where the river has carved a 300-meter limestone canyon. You can walk along the riverbed and photograph the red cliffs. Afterward, you’ll stop for lunch near Ouarzazate.

After lunch, the route continues west to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO-listed fortified village. It is also a filming location for Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Game of Thrones. You’ll take a short walk through its earthen corridors. Finally, the route climbs back over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with photo stops at the viewpoints. By late evening, your driver drops you at your hotel, riad, or the Marrakech airport.