Private Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour – 3 Days
Three days, one way, from Fes to Marrakech through the heart of the Moroccan Sahara Desert. Cross the Middle Atlas to a sunset camel trek and a luxury desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes — all on your first day. Then the gorges, Aït Ben Haddou, and the High Atlas down into Marrakech. Private vehicle, dedicated driver-guide, every mile yours.
The Fes to Marrakech desert tour is a private, 3-day / 2-night crossing of the Moroccan Sahara. From Fes (Fez), you climb through the Middle Atlas cedar forests and descend the Ziz Valley. By sunset on Day 1 you are riding a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes to sleep at a luxury desert camp. Day 2 covers the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley. Day 3 visits UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou, crosses the High Atlas, and ends in Marrakech.
Tour At a Glance
Tour Highlights
The Sahara on Night 1
A sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes and your first night in a luxury desert camp — not a roadside hotel.
Camel trekking, twice
Ride into the dunes at sunset on Day 1 and back out at sunrise on Day 2, led by a local Berber guide.
Glamping, Sahara-style
A private ensuite tent with real beds and a hot shower. Dinner by the campfire, then some of the best stargazing in Morocco.
Cedar forests & Barbary apes
Morocco's wild macaques by the roadside at Azrou, after a stop in alpine Ifrane.
The Ziz Valley descent
A river of date palms, old kasbahs and red cliffs past Er-Rachidia — where the desert truly begins.
Todra Gorge
A canyon walk beneath limestone walls rising 300 metres, with lunch inside the gorge.
Aït Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate
The UNESCO-listed ksar behind Gladiator and Game of Thrones, near the "Hollywood of Africa" film studios.
The Tizi n'Tichka crossing
Over the High Atlas at 2,260 m, through stone-and-mud Berber villages, and down into Marrakech.
Photo Gallery
Tour Pricing
Prices are per person depending on your private group size
| Participants | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7–9 | 10–13 | 14–17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price / person | 925€ | 495€ | 435€ | 395€ | 345€ | 295€ | 275€ | 245€ | 225€ |
Prices verified 2026
Day by Day
Three days from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara. Cedar forests, golden dunes, dramatic gorges, UNESCO kasbahs, and the High Atlas.
Cedar Forests, the Ziz Valley & Your Sunset Ride into the Sahara
Your Fes to Marrakech desert tour begins with an early pickup from your Fes hotel or riad. Drive across the Saiss plains to Ifrane, often called "the Switzerland of Morocco" for its alpine charm. The road then climbs into the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. Stop at Azrou to spot the playful Barbary macaques by the roadside.
Stop in Midelt for lunch, then drop into the Ziz Valley. Thousands of date palms line the river below red cliffs and old kasbahs. The scenery shifts sharply as the desert draws near. Pass Er-Rachidia and Erfoud, and roll into Merzouga.
After a short rest, mount your camel and ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset. The light turns gold, then amber, then rose. Your luxury desert camp waits over the ridge. Each private ensuite tent has real beds, a hot shower, and power for charging. Dinner is Moroccan, served under the stars, with Berber drumming by the fire.
Where You’ll Stay — Night 1
Sahara Sunrise, Holy Town of Rissani, Gorges & the Valley of Kasbahs
Wake early and ride your camel back over the dunes at sunrise. Watch the light spread across the sand — worth every minute of lost sleep. After breakfast at camp, your driver takes you to Rissani, the holy town where Morocco's ruling Alaouite dynasty began. Browse the dates market and learn the varieties grown across the Tafilalet region.
Next comes Tinghir, an oasis town on the Todra river. Walk the riverbank past palm groves and Berber villages, and hear about the town's Jewish heritage. Then the road enters the Todra Gorge — also written Todgha — where limestone walls rise 300 metres. Lunch is at a small cafe inside the gorge.
Drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley, gateway to the Dades Gorge. Dinner and overnight at your hotel — a private ensuite room with AC.
Where You’ll Stay — Night 2
Rose Valley, UNESCO Ksar, High Atlas Crossing & Arrival in Marrakech
After breakfast, the road runs through the Valley of the Roses to El Kelaa M'Gouna. At a rose water cooperative, see how locals distil perfume from the petals — best in spring, April to May. Then pass the palm groves of the Skoura oasis on the way to Ouarzazate.
Next is Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will know it from Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Lunch comes with a view of the ksar. Then cross the river and explore the village on foot.
Cross the High Atlas Mountains over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass at 2,260 m. Berber villages of stone and mud cling to the slopes. You reach Marrakech in the late afternoon, and your driver drops you at your hotel or riad. Three days, one Sahara crossing, done.
Tour Itinerary Map
Inclusions & Exclusions
✓ Included in Your Tour
- Private AC 4×4 or van with dedicated driver-guide — 3 full days, Fes to Marrakech
- Pickup from your Fes hotel or riad
- Night 1: Erg Chebbi luxury desert camp — private ensuite tent, hot shower, half-board
- Sunset camel trek (Day 1) and sunrise camel ride (Day 2)
- Sandboarding in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Night 2: Hotel Babylon, Dades Valley — private ensuite room, AC, half-board
- Drop-off at your Marrakech hotel or riad
Not Included
- Lunches and beverages
- Entrance fees and local guides (pay directly)
- Optional: quad biking (~€50/hr), 4×4 dune circuit
- Tips (at your discretion)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Know Before You Go
Driving Times
Day 1: ~8 hours Fes to Merzouga (longest day — but ends with the sunset camel ride). Day 2: ~4 hours. Day 3: ~6 hours to Marrakech. All times exclude stops.
Pickup Time
Winter: 07:00 AM (to catch Merzouga sunset). Summer: 08:00 AM (longer daylight). Flexible during spring and summer.
Desert Camp
Luxury ensuite tents with real beds, hot showers, quality linens, electricity. Sandboards included. Optional AC tents.
Luggage
Your luggage travels with you in the vehicle for all three days. For the sunset camel trek, carry just a small bag with essentials — camera, water, a warm layer. Your main luggage is driven to the luxury camp by 4×4 and will be waiting for you at camp.
Best Season
October–November and March–May are ideal: warm days, cool desert nights, and the Rose Valley in bloom by late April. See our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
Extend to 4 Days
Want more time in the desert? Our 4-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour adds a full day in Merzouga.
Traveller Reviews
1,604 verified reviews
"Starting from Fes meant the Sahara was our very first night — what a way to begin! The cedar forests and Barbary apes on the drive down were an unexpected highlight. Mohammed was incredible, and arriving in Marrakech felt like the perfect ending."
"Travelling with two kids, we chose Fes-to-Marrakech so we could end where there's more to do. The kids loved the monkeys at Azrou and the camel ride. The luxury camp was spotless. Todra Gorge on Day 2 was stunning. Highly recommend this route."
"As a photographer, the Fes-to-Marrakech direction gave me a completely different light sequence — Ziz Valley in the afternoon, Sahara sunset on Day 1, gorges in morning light on Day 2, Aït Ben Haddou golden hour on Day 3. Every day was a different ecosystem."
"We needed to get from Fes to Marrakech and decided to make the desert crossing. Best decision ever. Three days of stunning landscapes and we didn't have to worry about transport between the two cities. The camp dinner under the stars was magical."