3-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour via Merzouga
Arriving in Fes and flying home from Marrakech? This private 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech turns the journey between the two cities into the highlight of your trip. Cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, ride a camel into the Merzouga dunes for a night in the Sahara, then continue through the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech.
Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Ziz Valley → Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Aït Benhaddou → Marrakech
Highlights
- Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest
- Barbary macaques in the wild
- Ziz Valley palm groves
- Sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Night in a Merzouga desert camp
- Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Skoura oasis and Ouarzazate
- UNESCO kasbah of Aït Benhaddou
Itinerary
Fes – Middle Atlas – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Early pick-up at your riad in Fes. Drive south through Ifrane and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to Barbary macaques, then down the Ziz Valley. In the late afternoon, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, dinner and a night in the desert camp.
Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast at camp. Head west through the market town of Rissani to the towering walls of the Todra Gorge, then on to the Dades Valley, the valley of a thousand kasbahs, for the night.
Dades – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech
Through the Skoura palm oasis to Ouarzazate and the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, then over the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech in the evening.
Included
- Private A/C vehicle
- Professional driver-guide
- Pick-up in Fes, drop-off in Marrakech
- 1 night desert camp, 1 night Dades hotel
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Optional activities (sandboarding, 4×4)
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Driving times
Times below are driving only. Stops for photos, visits and meals come on top.
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fes to Merzouga, via Ifrane and the Ziz Valley | about 470 km | about 8 hours |
| Day 2 | Merzouga to the Dades Valley, via the Todra Gorge | about 270 km | about 5 hours |
| Day 3 | Dades Valley to Marrakech, via Aït Benhaddou | about 320 km | about 6 hours |
Best time to go
The best months for this desert tour are March to May and September to November, when days are warm and nights at the camp are cool. In summer (June to August) midday in the Sahara is very hot, so camel rides are planned for sunset and sunrise. In winter (December to February) days are sunny and mild, but desert nights are cold, so bring a warm jacket.
Your Fes to Marrakech desert tour route
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Merzouga
- Tinghir
- Boumalne Dades
- Aït Benhaddou
- Marrakech
Fes to Marrakech desert tour FAQ
What is the best way to travel from Fes to Marrakech?
The train is fastest, but a desert tour turns the trip into an experience: you see the Middle Atlas, sleep in the Sahara and visit the gorges and kasbahs of the south instead of spending a day on the rails.
Can I do this tour in 4 days instead?
Yes. A 4-day version adds a second night in the desert or a night near Aït Benhaddou for a slower pace. Ask us, or see our 4-day Marrakech to Fes tour, which runs the same road in the other direction.
Where do you pick us up in Fes?
At your riad or hotel in Fes, or the nearest gate a car can reach in the medina, usually around 7:30.
Can we end in Fes and start in Marrakech instead?
Yes, see the tours from Marrakech, or tell us your plan and we will adapt the route.
How long is the drive each day?
The longest driving day is day 1, Fes to Merzouga, via Ifrane and the Ziz Valley: about 470 km, about 8 hours of driving. The other days are shorter. There are stops for photos, visits and meals along the way, and the driving times table on this page shows every day.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes. Because the tour is private, we can adjust the pace and add extra stops for children. Tell us their ages when you book so we can plan the day around your family.
