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Private 3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga
Book this private 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech with Morocco Experience Tours. You cross the Middle Atlas and sleep in a luxury Sahara camp. You ride a camel at sunset and finish at Ait Ben Haddou before Marrakech. It suits travelers who want the dunes and the southern kasbahs on one route.
3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech Overview
Connect two imperial cities on this 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, organized by Morocco Experience Tours. First, you climb through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. Then, you reach the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Finally, you follow the old kasbah road south of the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Two Nights, Two Landscapes
Furthermore, this 3 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech pairs efficient travel with boutique stays. On the first night, you sleep in a luxury Sahara camp. On the second night, you rest in a hotel or riad in the Dades Valley, among red cliffs. As a result, families, photographers, and couples get camel treks, canyons, and film-set kasbahs. All of it fits on one 3 days Morocco desert tour.
The drives are long, so this tour is full rather than slow. For a calmer pace, try our 4-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech or the 5-day tour via Merzouga. Prefer to return to Fes? See our 3-day Merzouga tour from Fes. Going the other way? Choose the 3-day tour from Marrakech to Fes.
3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech at a Glance
This table shows the route, the overnight stop, and the approximate driving time.
| Day | Route | Overnight | Driving (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Ziz Valley, Merzouga | Sahara camp | about 7.5 hours |
| 2 | Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley | Hotel or riad in the Dades Valley | about 4.5 hours |
| 3 | Dades Valley, Rose Valley, Skoura, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech | Marrakech (end of tour) | about 7 hours |
- Highlights :
- Travel through the alpine towns of the Middle Atlas, including Ifrane
- See wild Barbary macaques in the Azrou cedar forests, from a respectful distance
- Enjoy a traditional lunch break in the mountain town of Midelt
- Capture panoramic photos over the green Ziz Valley oasis
- Enjoy a sunset camel trek over the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Sleep in a luxury Sahara camp with a private boutique bathroom
- Hike through the red limestone cliffs of Todra Gorge
- Explore the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- Included :
- Private A/C 4x4 or Minivan + Fuel throughout
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Pick-up in Fes (your riad, hotel, or the airport) and drop-off in Marrakech
- 1 night in a luxury desert camp with a private bathroom
- 1 night in a hotel or riad in the Dades Valley
- Dinner and breakfast at the camp and at the Dades hotel
- Sunset camel trek, and a camel or 4x4 transfer at sunrise
- Excluded :
- Daily lunches & drinks
- Optional local guides in the cities and at the kasbah
- Entrance fees to historical monuments
- Personal shopping expenses & souvenirs
- Gratuities for your drivers and guides
- International travel insurance
3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech Itinerary — Day by Day
Day 1: Fes, Ifrane, the Cedar Forest, Midelt and the Merzouga Desert Camp
Your driver meets you at your riad in Fes around 8 a.m. First, you pass Ifrane, a town of alpine houses often called “the Switzerland of Morocco”. Next, you stop in the cedar forest of Azrou to watch wild Barbary macaques, without feeding them. After lunch in Midelt, you cross the Tizi n’Talghemt pass at 1,907 meters.
Then, you follow the Ziz Valley, where thousands of date palms fill the canyon floor. In the late afternoon, you reach the Erg Chebbi dunes, ride a camel for about an hour and watch the sunset. Dinner and Berber drums at the camp end the day. About 7.5 hours of driving.
Day 2: Merzouga, Rissani, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then return by camel or 4×4 for breakfast. Next, you visit Rissani, an old caravan town whose souk is busiest on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and a fossil workshop in Erfoud.
After lunch, you walk along the river in Todra Gorge, between towering limestone cliffs. In the afternoon, you drive up the Dades Valley to see the “monkey fingers” rocks and check in to your hotel for dinner. About 4.5 hours of driving.
Day 3: The Rose Valley, Skoura, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
After breakfast, you drive through the Rose Valley, where roses bloom in spring, and the Skoura palm grove. Next, you pass Ouarzazate and explore the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO village of red earth.
Finally, you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, with photo stops on the way, and reach your riad in Marrakech by early evening. About 7 hours of driving.
Know Before You Go: 3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
- Starting point: Fes. Your driver collects you early in the morning at your accommodation.
- End point: Marrakech, at your riad, hotel, or the airport, by early evening.
- Length: this Fes to Marrakech 3 days desert tour lasts 3 days and 2 nights.
- Driving: all three days are long, at about 7.5, 4.5, and 7 hours of driving, plus stops. For a slower pace, choose our 4-day tour.
- Meals: dinner and breakfast at the camp and the hotel. Lunches are not included.
- Desert night: 1 night in a luxury Sahara camp near Merzouga, with a private bathroom. For camps, camel treks, and dunes in detail, read our Merzouga desert guide.
- What to bring: a small overnight bag for the camp, and a warm layer for the desert night.
- Best season: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable. See our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
- Roses: the Rose Valley blooms in spring, so expect fields of flowers only at that time.
- Wildlife note: Barbary macaques near Azrou are wild; observe them without feeding, for their health and yours.
- Best for: travelers who want a one-way Fes to Marrakech route through the Sahara, with two nights.
Private 3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga FAQ
Is a 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech worth it?
Yes, if you want the Sahara and the southern kasbahs on a one-way route. However, all three days involve long drives. For a calmer rhythm, consider our 4-day tour.
How long is the drive each day?
Day 1 takes about 7.5 hours, day 2 about 4.5 hours, and day 3 about 7 hours, plus stops. Therefore, you reach Marrakech by early evening.
Is this Fes to Marrakech desert tour private?
Yes. You travel in your own vehicle with a professional driver, so there are no strangers on board. Moreover, your driver can adjust photo stops along the way.
How much does the 3-day tour cost?
The price depends on your group size, camp category, and travel season. Therefore, send us your dates and your group size, and we'll reply with a clear quote. You can request a quote in a few minutes.
What is included in the 3-day tour?
It includes a private vehicle and driver. It also includes 1 night in a luxury Sahara camp. Another night is in a hotel or riad in the Dades Valley. You also get dinner and breakfast at both places, plus a sunset camel trek. However, lunches, entrance fees, and gratuities are not included.
Do I have to ride a camel?
No. The tour includes a 4x4 alternative for the sunrise return. Tell your driver which option you prefer.
Is it cold at night in the desert?
From November to February, desert nights can fall to about 0 to 5 °C (32 to 41 °F). Bring a warm layer, and ask us about heating at the camp.
Can I start in Marrakech instead?
Yes. Our 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes runs the same route in the other direction.
Is Fes the same as Fez?
Yes. Fes and Fez are two spellings of the same city, so a Fez to Marrakech desert tour is this same route. Your driver collects you at your hotel or riad in the city.
Can I customize this 3-day tour?
Yes. Every route can be adjusted for additional days, different accommodation levels, or specific interests. Visit our Morocco custom tours page, or contact us directly.
What is the route of the 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech?
The route goes through Ifrane → Midelt → Fleuve de Ziz → Merzouga → Rissani → Tinghir → Boumalne Dadès → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech → ma. You can open the full route on Google Maps. Want a different route? Build your own with our custom Morocco tours.
What should I pack and know before the trip?
Bring layers, comfortable shoes and a warm jacket. See what to pack for the Morocco desert, the official Visit Morocco information and how a private driver in Morocco works.
- Customize Your Sahara Escape
This 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech can be tailored to your pace. For example, you can add a second night in the Sahara, upgrade your camp, or add more stops. Additionally, our travel specialists can arrange bespoke guided experiences. Simply tell us your preferences in the booking request.
Ready to book this 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech? Send us your travel dates or chat with us on WhatsApp. To compare more lengths, see our Morocco itineraries.
Get your price within a few hours
Free quote, no commitment. Tell us your dates and number of travelers and we will reply with the price of this tour.
- Tour Map :
Tour route (9 stops)
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