Private tour · Fes to Marrakech, one way
3-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour via Merzouga and the Dadès Gorges
The 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour is a private one-way journey: you leave Fes on day one and sleep in a nomad tent in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, spend night two in a hotel in the Dadès Gorges, and reach Marrakech on day three via Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou.
Private Fes to Marrakech Tour in 3 Days
This private Fes to Marrakech tour crosses Morocco from the Middle Atlas to the High Atlas in three days, with one night in the Erg Chebbi dunes and one in the Dadès Gorges.
It turns the journey between two historic cities into a desert trip: the cedar forests around Ifrane and Azrou, a sunset camel trek at Merzouga, the Todra and Dadès gorges, then Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou before Marrakech. Your desert time is the evening and early morning around the camp night, and all three days involve long drives, the first one especially.
Three-Day Fes to Marrakech Itinerary: Jump to a Day
Day one runs Fes to the Erg Chebbi dunes, day two the dunes to the Dadès Gorges, and day three the Dadès to Marrakech.
Book a 3-Day Fes to Marrakech Tour
To book, send us your travel dates and group size through the form, and we'll reply with a private tour proposal and quote.
To check availability for your dates, please include:
- Your travel dates
- Number of travellers, and the ages of any children
- Your riad or hotel in Fes, and where to drop you in Marrakech
- Your accommodation preferences for the overnight stays
- Any changes you'd like to the itinerary
You can also email culture.moroccotours@gmail.com, call/WhatsApp +212 662 178 227, or use our contact page.
Send your trip details
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Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The itinerary crosses the Middle Atlas to the Erg Chebbi dunes on day one, heads west through the Todra Gorge to the Dadès on day two, and crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech on day three.
Fes to the Erg Chebbi dunes via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt and Erfoud
Day 1 is the drive from Fes across the Middle Atlas to Merzouga, followed by a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a nomad tent at a desert camp.
After pickup at your riad or hotel, you pass Ifrane, which the Moroccan National Tourist Office says is
"aptly nicknamed ‘Little Moroccan Swiss’"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), See & Do: nature
and Azrou, known for its cedarwood crafts, before lunch in Midelt. In the afternoon you drive via Erfoud to Merzouga, which the same office calls
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
Camels take you into the dunes to the bivouac, where you have a traditional Berber dinner.
Erg Chebbi to the Dadès Gorges via Rissani, the Ziz palm groves and the Todra Gorge
Day 2 starts with sunrise over the dunes and a camel ride back to the village, then the drive west via Rissani, Erfoud and the Todra Gorge to the Dadès Gorges.
After breakfast at the hotel in the village, you pass Rissani and Erfoud, known for fossils, and the palm groves of the Ziz Valley. Past Tinghir you explore the Todra Gorge, popular with rock climbers, then continue to Boumalne Dadès.
Dadès Gorges to Marrakech via Skoura, Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou
Day 3 is the drive from the Dadès through the Valley of Roses and Skoura to Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou, then over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech, where the tour ends.
In Ouarzazate, which the tourist office presents as the Hollywood of Africa, you visit a film studio and a kasbah. At Aït Ben Haddou, UNESCO describes the ksar as
"a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
The road then crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Erg Chebbi Desert Camp and Dadès Gorges Hotel
You spend night one in a traditional nomad tent at a desert bivouac in the Erg Chebbi dunes and night two in a hotel in the Dadès Gorges, with dinner and breakfast both nights.
At the camp, dinner is a traditional Berber meal. Exact properties are confirmed with your quote; ask about overnight accommodation when you enquire. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Fes to Marrakech Tour Package: What's Included
The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, pickup in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech, a desert-camp night and a hotel night, the camel trek, and dinners and breakfasts; flights, lunches, drinks and entrance fees are not included.
Included
- Private tour in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Private driver-guide throughout
- Pickup at your riad or hotel in Fes; drop-off in Marrakech
- 1 night in a nomad tent at a desert camp
- 1 night in a hotel in the Dadès Gorges
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dinners and breakfasts
Not included
- Flights to and from Morocco
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to museums, studios and kasbahs
Why Choose This Fes to Marrakech Sahara Tour
This Fes to Marrakech Sahara tour is a practical connection between the two cities that adds a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes, two gorges and Aït Ben Haddou along the way.
A practical connection between Fes and Marrakech
Door to door from your Fes riad to Marrakech.
An overnight experience near the dunes
A sunset camel trek, Berber dinner and sunrise at Erg Chebbi.
From the Middle Atlas to southern Morocco
Cedar forests, the Ziz Valley palm groves, then the gorges.
Scenic stops between two historic cities
Ifrane, the Todra Gorge, the Valley of Roses and Aït Ben Haddou.
Cultural encounters along the route
Azrou's cedarwood crafts and Ouarzazate's film studios.
A private journey from Fes to Marrakech
Only your group; customize your Fes to Marrakech tour.
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour: Driving and Pace
All three days are long road days; day one, from Fes to the dunes followed by the camel trek, is the most demanding.
Is there a full day in the desert?
No, there is no full desert day: you reach Erg Chebbi in the late afternoon of day one and leave after sunrise on day two.
Where are you picked up and dropped off?
You are picked up at your riad or hotel in Fes and dropped off in Marrakech at the end of day three.
What should you pack?
Pack a small overnight bag for the camp, a warm layer for the desert night, and sun protection.
What if I want more time in the desert?
If you want more time in the desert, the 5-day Fes to Marrakech tour includes two nights in the dunes.
Sources and further reading
Heritage and destination facts on this page are supported by UNESCO and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, neither of which endorses any tour operator.
- See & Do: picture-perfect nature (Ifrane) — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir, the Hollywood of Africa — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
3-Day Fes to Marrakech Tour FAQs
This tour is private, runs one way from Fes to Marrakech, and includes one night in the Erg Chebbi dunes and one in the Dadès Gorges.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this is a private tour. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver-guide.
Does the tour visit Merzouga and Erg Chebbi?
Yes, the tour visits Merzouga and spends a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes beside it.
Where do you spend the two nights?
Night one is in a nomad tent at a desert camp in Erg Chebbi, and night two is in a hotel in the Dadès Gorges.
Is the camel trek included?
Yes, the camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes and back is included. Tell us when you enquire if you'd prefer not to ride.
Which meals are included?
Dinners and breakfasts are included. Lunches and drinks are not.
Are the film studio and kasbah visits included?
The visits are on the route, but entrance fees to studios, kasbahs and museums are not included.
What language does the driver-guide speak?
This tour does not list a driver language, so tell us your preferred language when you enquire.
How do I book this tour?
You book by sending the form with your dates and group size. You can also email or WhatsApp us; we'll reply with a quote.
More Private Desert Tours from Fes
If you'd like more time in the desert or a round trip from Fes, choose one of these tours.
Plan Your Private Fes to Marrakech Journey
Send your travel dates, number of travellers, accommodation preferences and any changes you'd like, and we'll send a quote for your private three-day tour.