- 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 guideDE, EN, FR, MN, ES
- Pickup includedPickup available, or meet at the start point — Once you provide the details…
- Private tourGroup size
- Starts in FezIfrane → Cedar forests (Azrou) → Midelt → Erfoud → Merzouga (Erg…
The 3 day desert tour from fez to marrakech is a private guided journey crossing the Middle Atlas, Erg Chebbi dunes, Todra and Dadès gorges, and the High Atlas in three long driving days. It suits travellers who want the Sahara experience but have limited time and are comfortable with 7–9 hours in a vehicle each day. Overnight stays are in a deluxe desert camp with ensuite tents and a hotel in Dadès Gorges.
Highlights
- Private 3-day transfer from Fez to Marrakech via the Sahara
- Camel trek at sunset and sunrise in Erg Chebbi dunes
- Overnight in deluxe desert camp with private ensuite tents
- Second night in a hotel in Dades Gorges with air conditioning
- Visits to Todra Gorges, Rose Valley, Skoura, Ouarzazate and UNESCO Ait Benhaddou
- Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m)
About this tour
You leave Fez early and drive south through Ifrane and the cedar forests near Azrou, where Barbary macaques are often visible. The route crosses the Middle Atlas, drops into the Ziz Valley with its extensive palm groves, and reaches Merzouga by late afternoon. A 4×4 transfer takes you to the edge of Erg Chebbi for a camel ride into a deluxe camp with private ensuite tents. Day two covers Rissani’s market, the Todra Gorges walk, and the winding Dadès Gorges road to your hotel. The final day threads the Rose Valley, Skoura palm grove, Ouarzazate, and UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou before climbing the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) to Marrakech.
Standout moments include sunset and sunrise camel treks in Erg Chebbi, walking the narrow walls of Todra Gorges, and the ‘monkey fingers’ formations in Dadès Gorges. The camp provides proper beds, private showers and toilets — a step up from basic bivouacs. A local guide meets you at Aït Benhaddou to explain the ksar’s history. Included meals are dinner and breakfast on days one and two, and breakfast on day three; lunches are extra.
The trade-off is pace: this is a point-to-point transfer with long driving days (typically 7–9 hours) and limited time for spontaneous stops. July and August heat can be extreme, particularly in the Ziz Valley and Merzouga. The tour requires a minimum of four paying adults to operate, so solo travellers or couples should confirm departure status before finalising plans.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fez to Merzouga
~500 km, 8–9 hours driving; overnight in deluxe desert camp with ensuite tents
Depart Fez for Ifrane, then cross the Middle Atlas cedar forests near Azrou where Barbary macaques forage beside the road. Lunch in Midelt before descending through the Ziz Valley’s vast palm groves to Erfoud and Merzouga. A 4×4 transfer reaches the Erg Chebbi dune edge for a camel ride into a deluxe camp with private ensuite tents, dinner, and stargazing.
Day 2: Merzouga to Dadès Valley
~250 km, 4–5 hours driving; overnight in Dadès Gorges hotel with A/C
Morning camel ride (or 4×4) back to Merzouga, then drive to Rissani for its livestock market and khettarat irrigation channels. Continue to Todra Gorges for a walk between 300 m cliffs, then follow the Dadès Valley through Tinghir to the ‘monkey fingers’ rock formations. Overnight in a hotel with private air-conditioned rooms; breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3: Dadès Gorges to Marrakech
~350 km, 6–7 hours driving; drop-off at Marrakech accommodation
Follow the Dadès Valley to Kelaa M’Gouna’s Rose Valley, then the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate. Optional Taourirt Kasbah or film studio visit before UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou with a local guide. Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) with photo stops, arriving in Marrakech by evening.
For reference — the operator may change the order of stops.
Includes
- Local guide in Ait Benhaddou village
- Overnight in Deluxe camp, private tents with ensuite bathroom and shower
- Camel trekking in the desert (evening and morning)
- Possibility to skip the camel ride and go by SUV to the camp
- Overnight in Dades Gorges hotel, private rooms with A/C
- Drinks
- Lunch meals
Not suitable for
- Travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Meeting point
Pickup: Pickup available, or meet at the start point — Once you provide the details of your hotel or riad, we will check its location and arrange meeting at the nearest possible parking lot.
Meeting point: At your hotel or at the nearest parking lot to it.
Ends at: Marrakech
Important information
Know before you go
- Pickup reconfirmation required upon booking (refer to voucher)
- Minimum of 4 paying adults required; tour cancelled if not met
- July and August are very hot; temperatures can be unbearable even for adults
- Public transportation options available nearby
- Specialized infant seats available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
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Our take
Is the 3 day desert tour from Fez to Marrakech worth it?
For travellers who want to reach the Sahara from Fez and finish in <a href=
How it compares: private vs shared, 3-day vs 4-day
This fez to marrakech desert tour 3 days is a private trip, so you set the pace — stop for photos, stretch breaks or a mint tea whenever you like. Shared group tours are cheaper but run on a fixed timetable with 15–20 people, meaning less flexibility at the gorges and a tighter schedule at the camp.
A 4‑day version typically splits the long Day 1 drive (Fez to Merzouga is about 7–8 hours on the road) and adds a night in the Dades or Rose Valley, reducing daily drive times to 4–5 hours. If you have the extra day and budget, the 4‑day option feels noticeably less rushed, especially in summer heat.
- Private 3‑day (this tour): full control, two long driving days, deluxe camp and hotel included, higher per‑person cost.
- Shared 3‑day: lower price, fixed stops, larger group, often basic camp, same long drives.
- Private 4‑day: more relaxed pacing, extra overnight, similar inclusions, higher total cost.
The private format also means the minimum of 4 paying adults applies — if your party is smaller you may need to cover the difference or join a shared departure. Check the <a href=
Frequently asked questions
01Is the 3 day desert tour from Fez safe?
Yes. The tour uses experienced drivers on well-travelled roads (Middle Atlas, Ziz Valley, Tizi n’Tichka Pass). The operator requires a minimum of 4 adults; if not met the tour is cancelled with a refund. Standard travel caution applies in remote areas.
02How far is the Sahara desert from Fez and Marrakech?
Fez to Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) is about 460 km (7–8 hours driving with stops). Merzouga to Marrakech via Dades, Ouarzazate and the High Atlas is about 560 km (9–10 hours). The tour splits this over three days.
03Can I skip the camel ride and still reach the desert camp?
Yes. The itinerary includes a 4×4 transfer option to the camp edge for anyone who prefers not to ride a camel. The camel trek is offered both evening and morning.
04What meals are included on the 3-day Fez to Marrakech desert tour?
Day 1: dinner only. Day 2: breakfast and dinner. Day 3: breakfast only. Lunches and all drinks are not included; budget for meals at roadside restaurants en route.
05What accommodation is provided on the tour?
Night 1: deluxe desert camp at Erg Chebbi with private tents, ensuite bathroom and shower. Night 2: hotel in Dades Gorges with private rooms and air conditioning. Specific property names are confirmed on booking.
06What is the cancellation policy for this tour?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure for a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum of 4 paying adults; if that minimum isn’t met the operator cancels and refunds.
07Does the tour operate in July and August?
It operates year-round but the operator warns that July and August are very hot — temperatures in the desert and valleys can be unbearable even for adults. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are more comfortable.
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