- Free cancellationFor a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Duration 3 daysCheck availability to see starting times
- Live tour guideAR, DE, EN, IT, FR, ES
- Pickup includedPickup available from all hotels and riads in Marrakech. Pickup time between 7:00 AM…
- Small groupGroup size
- Starts in MarrakechMarrakech → Tizi n'Tichka Pass → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate →…
The marrakech to fes desert tour 3 days is a small-group crossing from Marrakech to Fes via the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, and the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga. It suits travellers who want a desert night and camel trek without backtracking to Marrakech, but the pace is brisk — long driving days and early starts leave little slack.
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas at Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m) with photo stops
- Guided walk through UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou kasbah
- Sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes and sandboarding option
- Overnight in a traditional Dades Valley hotel and a desert camp under stars
- Sunrise camel ride, then drive the Ziz Valley and cedar forest to Fes
- Drop-off at your Fes hotel, riad, or airport included
About this tour
The route climbs out of Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), drops to the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then follows the Valley of Roses to a traditional hotel in the Dades Valley. Day two adds a walk in the Todra Gorges before reaching Merzouga for a sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes, sandboarding, and a night in a desert camp with Berber dinner and music. Day three begins with a sunrise camel ride, then crosses the Tafilalet palm grove, the Ziz Valley, and the Middle Atlas cedar forest near Azrou — where Barbary macaques sometimes appear — before dropping you at your hotel, riad, or <a href=
https://comemorocco.com/destinations/fes/>,Fes,>Sais Airport.
Expect early pickups (7:00–7:30 AM) and long stretches behind the wheel — roughly 5–6 hours driving on day one, 3–4 on day two, and 7–8 on the final leg. The trade-off for covering this distance in three days is limited time at each stop and a group that can reach 100 travellers, though it is marketed as small-group. A local guide at Ait Ben Haddou and all lunches are extra.
Itinerary
Marrakech to Dades Valley via Tizi n'Tichka and Ait Ben Haddou
Cross High Atlas, visit UNESCO kasbah, Valley of Roses
Depart Marrakech early and climb the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m). Stop at the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou kasbah — a local guide can be hired on site but is not included. Continue through Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses at Kelaat Mgouna, reaching a traditional hotel in the Dades Valley for dinner and overnight.
Dades Valley to Merzouga via Todra Gorges
Walk in Todra Gorges, sunset camel trek, night in desert camp
Morning walk among the sheer cliffs of the Todra Gorges, then drive to Merzouga on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Late afternoon camel trek into the dunes for sunset with an option to try sandboarding. Evening at a desert camp: Berber dinner, music, and overnight in nomad-style tents (a Deluxe Luxury Camp upgrade is available for extra cost).
Merzouga to Fes via Rissani, Ziz Valley, and Cedar Forest
Sunrise camel ride, cross Tafilalet palm grove, possible monkey sighting, drop-off in Fes
Early sunrise camel ride back to camp for breakfast. Depart Merzouga through the Tafilalet palm grove and the market town of Rissani, then follow the Ziz Valley north. The road climbs into the Middle Atlas cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques are often seen, before descending to Fes for early-evening drop-off at your hotel, riad, or <a href=
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Merzoucha to Fes via Rissani, Ziz Valley, and Cedar Forest
Sunrise camel ride, cross Tafilalet palm grove, possible monkey sighting, drop-off in Fes
Early sunrise camel ride back to camp for breakfast. Depart Merzouga through the Tafilalet palm grove and the market town of Rissani, then follow the Ziz Valley north. The road climbs into the Middle Atlas cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques are often seen, before descending to Fes for early-evening drop-off at your hotel, riad, or <a href=
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For reference — the operator may change the order of stops.
Includes
- Camel trek (sunset and sunrise)
- Sandboarding
- Dinner (2 nights)
- Breakfast (2 mornings)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional multilingual driver
- Accommodation: 1 night traditional hotel in Dades Valley
- Accommodation: 1 night desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Pickup from Marrakech hotels/riads
- Drop-off in Fes (hotel, riad, or airport)
- Lunches
- Local guide at Ait Ben Haddou kasbah
- Drinks
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Upgrade to Deluxe Luxury Desert Camp (optional, extra cost)
Meeting point
Pickup: Pickup from all hotels and riads in Marrakech between 7:00–7:30 AM (exact time confirmed evening before via WhatsApp/email). For riads in the Medina with limited vehicle access, a nearby meeting point is arranged. Airport pickup available on request.
Meeting point: Near Hôtel Restaurant Café de France, Rue des Banques, Marrakesh, Morocco (for travellers not picked up).
Ends at: Fes
Important information
Know before you go
- Pickup time 7:00–7:30 AM confirmed evening before via WhatsApp/email
- For riads in Medina with no vehicle access, a nearby meeting point is arranged
- Airport pickup in Marrakech available on request
- Drop-off in Fes at hotel, riad, or Fes Sais Airport; if riad inaccessible, nearest accessible point
- Infants and small children allowed (infant seats available, infants sit on adult lap)
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Group size up to 100 travellers (described as small group)
- Local guide at Ait Ben Haddou not included — can be hired on site
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Our take
Is the Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days worth it?
The marrakech to fes desert tour 3 days delivers the essential Sahara experience — Erg Chebbi dunes, a camel trek at sunset and sunrise, a night in a desert camp, and the dramatic High Atlas crossing — in a single efficient loop that deposits you in Fes instead of returning you to Marrakech.
What you gain: two iconic landscapes (Atlas peaks and golden dunes), UNESCO-listed <a href=
Verdict: book it if you have exactly three days, want the desert without backtracking, and can tolerate long drives. Skip it if you prefer a slower pace or want to add the Draa Valley or a second night in the dunes.
What you pay extra for on this tour
Yes, if you want a single booking that covers the High Atlas, a UNESCO kasbah, dramatic gorges, and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes with camel trek and sandboarding — all while moving from Marrakech to Fes. The 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes condenses about 1,000 km of driving into three long days, so you see a lot but spend 7–9 hours daily on the road.
The trade-off is pace: early starts (7:00–7:30 AM pickup), limited time at each stop, and a group size up to 100 split across vehicles. If you prefer slower travel, consider breaking the journey with a night in Ouarzazate or spending two nights in the desert instead.
Who this tour suits — and who should look elsewhere
This tour suits travellers who want a structured marrakech to fes via merzouga route with logistics handled — transport, accommodation, camel trek, and two dinners included. It works for solo travellers, couples, and families (infant seats available) who don’t mind sharing a vehicle with up to 100 people overall.
Skip it if you want a private 4×4, more than an hour in Todra Gorges, or a guide for the whole trip (only a driver is guaranteed; Ait Ben Haddou guide is extra). Photographers chasing golden-hour light at each site will find the schedule too tight. Anyone prone to motion sickness should note the Tizi n’Tichka pass climbs to 2,260 m with many switchbacks.
Group size up to 100 means you may be in a large coach rather than a minibus; ask the operator before booking if vehicle size matters to you.
Best time of year for the Marrakech-Fes desert route
March–May and September–November offer the most comfortable temperatures: daytime highs in the 20s °C at altitude and 30s °C in the desert, with cool nights. Summer (June–August) brings extreme heat in Merzouga — often 45 °C+ — making the camel trek and sandboarding gruelling. Winter (December–February) sees cold nights near freezing in the dunes and possible snow on the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which can delay the drive.
Spring adds wildflowers in the Valley of Roses (usually April) and greener landscapes; autumn has clearer skies for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. Ramadan affects opening hours and meal availability — check dates if travelling then.
What you pay extra for on this tour
The marrakech to fes desert tour price covers transport, driver, two nights’ accommodation, camel treks (sunset and sunrise), sandboarding, and two dinners plus two breakfasts. Expect to pay out of pocket for lunches (typically €8–15 at roadside restaurants), all drinks including water, tips for driver and camp staff (€5–10 per day total is customary), and a local guide at Ait Ben Haddou (around €10–15, hired on site).
The optional deluxe luxury desert camp upgrade cost varies by operator and season — usually €50–100 extra per person — and includes larger tents with private bathroom, better bedding, and sometimes a separate dining area. Confirm the exact supplement when booking, as it’s not listed in the base price.
- Lunches (3 days) — budget €25–45 total
- Drinks — water, tea, soft drinks, alcohol
- Tips — driver €5–10/day, camp staff €5–10 total
- Ait Ben Haddou local guide — ~€10–15
- Deluxe Luxury Desert Camp upgrade — €50–100+ per person
Frequently asked questions
01How far is the desert from Marrakech on this route?
The Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga are about 560 km from Marrakech by road. The drive takes roughly 9–10 hours split over two days, crossing the High Atlas at Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m). You do not reach the desert on day one; you sleep in the Dades Valley first.
02Is the 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour safe?
Yes. The route is a well-travelled tourist corridor with paved roads throughout. The operator uses air-conditioned vehicles and professional drivers. Standard precautions apply: secure valuables, stay hydrated, and follow the driver’s advice on stops.
03Can you do the Marrakech to Fes desert tour in October or September?
Both months are excellent. Daytime temperatures in the desert are warm (25–30 °C) and nights are cool but not cold. September can still be busy; October is quieter. The Valley of Roses blooms in April–May, not autumn.
04What is the group size for this tour?
The tour is marketed as a small group but the maximum overall group size is up to 100 travellers. In practice, you travel in a minibus or coach with 15–20 people per vehicle. Ask the operator at booking if you need a smaller vehicle.
05Are lunches included on the 3-day Marrakech to Fes tour?
No. Lunches are not included. The driver stops at local restaurants along the route where you can buy a tajine, couscous, or sandwich. Budget roughly 80–120 MAD per lunch. Breakfasts and dinners are included at the hotel and camp.
06Do I need a local guide at Ait Ben Haddou?
A local guide at Ait Ben Haddou is not included but can be hired on site for about 100–150 MAD (split among your group). The driver will arrange this if you want one. The kasbah is well signposted and can be explored independently.
07Where does the tour drop me off in Fes?
Drop-off is at your hotel, riad, or Fes Saïs Airport. If your riad is in the medina with no vehicle access, the driver will leave you at the nearest accessible gate (often Bab Boujloud or Place R’cif) and help with luggage.
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