- 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 guideEN, FR
- Pickup includedHotel pickup included — Please send us the Name of your Hotel /Riad for…
- Small groupGroup size
- Starts in MarrakechMarrakech → Tizi n'Tichka Pass → Ait Benhaddou → Valley of the…
The 3 day sahara desert tour from marrakech to fes crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, visits UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou, walks the Todra Gorges, and spends a night in an Erg Chebbi desert camp with a camel trek at sunset. It suits travellers who want the classic Marrakech-to-Fes desert route in a compact small-group format and are comfortable with long driving days.
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m with panoramic stops
- Explore UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou ksar and the Valley of the Roses
- Walk the Todra Gorges and drive the Road of 1000 Kasbahs to Rissani market
- Camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, overnight in Berber camp with music
- Sunrise over the dunes, then cross Ziz Valley palm groves and Middle Atlas cedar forests
- Spot Barbary macaques near Azrou before arriving in Fes by evening
About this tour
Over three days you travel from Marrakech to Fes (or back to Marrakech if you choose that option) in an air-conditioned minivan or minibus with a maximum of 17 people. Day one climbs to 2,260 m at the Tizi n’Tichka pass, stops at Ait Benhaddou, continues through the Valley of the Roses, and ends at a hotel in the Dadès Gorge with dinner included. Day two walks the Todra Gorges, follows the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to Rissani market, then switches to camels for the sunset trek into Erg Chebbi dunes and an overnight camp with Berber music. Day three starts before dawn for sunrise over the dunes, then drives the Ziz Valley, stops for lunch in Midelt, passes through Ifrane and the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques are often seen, and arrives in Fes around 19:00–20:00.
The pace is steady rather than relaxed: daily drives of five to eight hours on winding mountain roads are normal, and the early start on day three means a 4:30–5:00 wake-up for sunrise. The standout moments are the kasbah at Ait Benhaddou in morning light, the sheer cliffs of Todra Gorge on foot, and the quiet of the dunes after the day-trippers leave. The main trade-off is that lunches, drinks, entrance fees and tips are not included, so budget roughly 170–250 MAD per person per day for those extras.
Itinerary
Marrakech to the Dadès Valley
Full day drive via Tizi n'Tichka pass and Ait Benhaddou; overnight Dadès Gorge hotel
Depart Marrakech with hotel pickup and climb the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m, with short photo stops. Visit the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village used in numerous films, then descend through the Valley of the Roses to the Dadès Gorge. Sunset colours the red cliffs before dinner and an overnight stay in a traditional hotel in the gorge.
Dadès Gorge to Erg Chebbi desert camp
Morning walk in Todra Gorges, Rissani market, camel trek at sunset; overnight desert camp
Start with a walk along the 300 m-high cliffs of Todra Gorges, then drive the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs via Tinghir to the historic market town of Rissani for a lunch stop. Continue to Merzouga, leave the vehicle and ride camels 45–60 minutes into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset. Spend the night in a Berber camp with dinner, music around the fire, and optional sandboarding.
Erg Chebbi to Fes
Pre-dawn sunrise, long drive via Ziz Valley, Midelt, Ifrane and cedar forests; arrive Fes 19:00–20:00
Wake before dawn for sunrise over the dunes, then retrace the route out of the desert through the Ziz Valley palm groves. Stop for lunch in Midelt, known for its apples, before climbing into the Middle Atlas. Pass through Ifrane, a town with Alpine-style architecture, and the cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques are frequently spotted. The tour ends with drop-off in Fes between 19:00 and 20:00.
For reference — the operator may change the order of stops.
Includes
- One Night Desert Camp (Standard or luxury Camp depends on option Booked)
- Sandboarding (upon request)
- One Night at Dades Hotel
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan / minibus
- Camel Ride
- Pickup and Drop-off
- Professional Driver
- 2 Dinners & 2 Breakfasts (vegetarian option available)
- Berber Sahraoui Music Around the Campfire
- All Applications & Tax
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities
- Entrance Fees
Not suitable for
- Travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers without moderate physical fitness
- Children not accompanied by an adult
Meeting point
Pickup: Hotel pickup included — Please send us the Name of your Hotel /Riad for the pick up.
Ends at: Fes
Important information
What to bring
- Cash (170–250 MAD per person per day for lunches, drinks, personal expenses)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers for desert nights
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Know before you go
- Shared group tour (max 17)
- Vehicles and/or drivers may change during the tour
- Group composition may change during the tour
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Hotel pickup requires providing hotel/riad name in advance
- Vegetarian meal option available for included meals
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Our take
Is the 3 day sahara desert tour from marrakech to fes worth it?
For a compact crossing of the High Atlas, two UNESCO sites, and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes, this tour delivers strong value. You cover roughly 1,000 km in three days with hotel pickup, two dinners, two breakfasts, a night in a Dades Gorge hotel, a camel trek, and a desert camp with Berber music included. The trade-off is pace: long driving days (about 9–10 hours on day one and day three), early starts, and a group of up to 17 sharing one vehicle. If you want the desert experience without self-driving the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) or arranging camps yourself, the logistics alone justify the cost. Reviewers consistently highlight the driver’s knowledge and the camp atmosphere as the experience highlights.
Check current pricing on the booking page — rates shift by season and camp tier. For a wider selection of <a href=
Who this Marrakech to Fes desert tour suits (and who should skip)
This trip suits travellers comfortable with a small group (max 17), early wake-ups, and long drives broken by short walks. The Todra Gorges walk is gentle but uneven; the camel trek into Erg Chebbi takes about 90 minutes each way at a slow pace. Solo travellers often join because the shared format keeps costs down and the campfire makes meeting people easy. Couples and friends who don’t mind limited alone time also fit well.
Families with children under 12 may find the day-one drive (Marrakech to Dades, roughly 350 km) taxing. For a shorter desert taste with less driving, the <a href=
Best time of year for the Marrakech to Fes Sahara route
The best time balances daytime warmth with bearable desert nights. March to May and September to November hit the sweet spot: High Atlas passes are clear, Dades and Todra gorges run with spring melt or autumn light, and Erg Chebbi nights stay above 10 °C. June to August brings 40 °C+ in Merzouga — doable if you tolerate heat, but the midday sun in the gorges is harsh. December to February sees freezing nights (often below 0 °C in the dunes) and occasional snow on the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which can delay the minibus.
| Month | Day temp (Merzouga) | Night temp (camp) | Crowds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar–May | 22–30 °C | 10–18 °C | Moderate | Wildflowers in Valley of Roses; book early for Easter |
| Jun–Aug | 38–45 °C | 22–28 °C | Lower | Intense heat; camp fans help but not AC |
| Sep–Nov | 24–32 °C | 12–20 °C | High | Best light for photography; book 2–3 months ahead |
| Dec–Feb | 16–20 °C | 0–8 °C | Low | Cold nights; possible pass closure; warm layers essential |
For a deeper seasonal breakdown across the whole country, see our <a href=
What you pay extra: lunches, drinks, entrance fees, tips
The tour price covers transport, two breakfasts, two dinners, the Dades hotel, desert camp, camel trek and driver — but it leaves lunches, drinks, entrance fees and gratuities to you. Budget roughly 170–250 MAD per person per day for midday meals, water, tea or soft drinks, and small personal purchases; that works out to about 500–750 MAD total for the three days.
Entrance fees are modest but add up: Ait Benhaddou is around 30 MAD, and Todra Gorges or other kasbah stops may charge 10–20 MAD each. Carry small notes; card payment is rare at these sites.
Travel insurance is not included; check your policy covers desert activities and medical evacuation. If you continue exploring after the tour, our <a href=
Frequently asked questions
01How far is the Sahara desert from Marrakech by road?
The drive to Erg Chebbi is about 560 km and takes 9–10 hours split over two days. The tour breaks it with stops at Ait Benhaddou and Dades Gorge so you’re not in the vehicle all day.
02Is the 3 day desert tour Marrakech to Fes safe?
Yes. The route uses paved highways and well-travelled desert tracks. The operator provides a professional driver and air-conditioned minivan. Standard travel precautions apply.
03Is 3 days enough for Marrakech to Fes via the desert?
It covers the key sights but involves long driving days (6–7 hours on day 3). If you prefer a slower pace, consider the 4-day version or a private tour with more stops.
04How to get from Marrakech to Fes via the desert without a tour?
You can rent a car (9–10 hours driving one-way) or take a bus to Ouarzazate then a grand taxi to Merzouga, but connections are tricky. A tour handles logistics, camps, and camel trek.
05What to wear for desert nights in Morocco?
Nights in Erg Chebbi can drop below 10 °C even in summer. Bring warm layers, a windproof jacket, closed shoes for sand, and a scarf for dust. Days are hot — light, loose clothing works.
06Can you do Marrakech to Fes desert tour in one day?
No. The direct drive is 9+ hours without stops. The desert camp, camel trek, and gorge visits require at least 2 nights. Day trips from Marrakech only reach Agafay, not the Sahara.
07How much spending money for Marrakech to Fes desert tour?
Budget 170–250 MAD per day for lunches, drinks, snacks, and tips. Entrance fees (Ait Benhaddou ~30 MAD) and optional sandboarding are extra. Cards rarely accepted en route — carry cash.
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