Marrakech To Fes Desert Tour

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Most Popular Marrakech Fes Desert Tour

Embark on a 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour to combine the best of Morocco’s imperial Medinas with a magical Sahara desert experience. Departing from Marrakech at 08h00 AM, you’ll cross the majestic High Atlas Mountains, home to adobe Berber villages and old Kasbahs. Once you reach the Sahara desert, you’ll be amazed by its towering sand dunes, oases, and canyons. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the nomad tribes’ hospitality and sample their delicious food. During your 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes, you’ll spend your first night in a Dades Valley lodge and your second night at an awe-inspiring Sahara desert camp in Merzouga.

Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour Highlights:

Drive across the High Atlas Mountains and Tizi Ntichka pass
Explore the UNESCO world heritage Casbah of Ait Ben Haddou
Drive along the Valley of the roses and the road of 1001 Kasbahs
Walk in Tinghir oasis along the stream to the Gorges of Todra
Enjoy a splendid sunset camel ride in Erg Chebbi dunes
Spend the night at Merzouga desert camp with dinner and entertainment
Stop in cedar forests near Ifran to watch Barbary Apes on the way to Fes

Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Desert Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Marrakech - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Boumalne Dades

Your Marrakech to Fes desert tour will depart from your hotel or riad at 08h00 AM. First, you will cross the High Atlas Mountains and Tizi N'Tichka pass (2260m high). Enjoy the scenery along the way as you will encounter beautiful mud-brick Berber villages and meet shepherds grazing their flocks in green plateaus with snow-topped peaks on the horizon. Numerous stops will be made along the way to take photos, stretch your legs and take a cup of coffee.
By noon, you'll arrive at the UNESCO world heritage village of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - which served as a set for various Hollywood blockbusters like Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and the Games of Thrones. After a guided visit to the mud-brick village, you'll continue on to Ouarzazate (the Hollywood of Africa) - home to the largest film studios in Africa.
After lunch (at your leisure), you'll visit the oasis of Skoura and one of the best-preserved Kasbahs in Morocco: Amridil. From here, you'll head to Kalaa Mgouna via the Valley of the Roses before arriving at your boutique guest house in Dades Valley for dinner and overnight.

(6 Hours Drive)

Accomodation Details:

Day 2: Dades Valley - Tinghir - Merzouga

The second day of your Marrakech to Fes Sahara desert tour will start with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbahs to Tinghir oasis. You'll be able to enjoy the amazing scenery along the way of the remaining fortified villages that used to host caravan roads until the early 20th century.
Upon arrival at Tinghir, a military post during the French occupation, you will deviate into a secondary road to reach the oasis. Feel free to walk next to the stream and watch the locals farming and herding their cattle. Your walk will end at one of the most magnificent scenes of your tour: Todgha Gorges.
After lunch at leisure at one of the local cafés, you'll continue to Rissani, one of Morocco's holiest towns. The founder of the actual dynasty ruling the Kingdom, "The Alaouites," originated here and is buried locally. Rissani is also famous as a starting point of the ancient caravan roads that used to cross the Sahara desert to Tombouctou.
In the afternoon, you'll cross some rocky terrain to Merzouga, where your camel caravan will be waiting for you. Before arriving at your Sahara desert camp, you'll enjoy a camel ride over the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch an amazing sunset.
You'll have dinner under the stars while being entertained by your local nomad hosts playing drums all night long. Then, you'll spend the night at your Sahara desert camp.

(4 Hours Drive)

Accomodation Details:

Day 3: Merzouga - Midelt - Fes

After an early wake-up to enjoy a fantastic sunrise camel trek over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, you will reach the camp operator's lodge in Merzouga for breakfast and shower (If you choose to upgrade to the luxury camp, breakfast will be served at the camp, and showers are available at your tent).
Meet your driver/guide and depart on a scenic drive to Fes crossing the Ziz Valley through Errachidia, which is the capital of the Tafilalt region.
Continue to Midelt, where we will have lunch at leisure before driving across the Middle Atlas Mountains with its Cedar Forests and Berber towns of Imouzzar and Ifran, which are both famous as winter ski resorts for Moroccans.
Your driver might spot some Barbary apes on their way there and seize the opportunity to take pictures. You'll arrive in Fez late that afternoon and your desert tour will end with a drop-off at your hotel or riad.

(8 Hours Drive)

3 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip Price:

Number of Participants:	1	2	3	4	5	6	7-9	10-13	14-17
Price per person:	665€	365€	285€	235€	195€	185€	175€	165€	155€

Number of Participants:	Price per person:
1	665€
2	365€
3	285€
4	235€
5	195€
6	185€
7-9	175€
10-13	165€
14-17	155€

Tour Map

What is included in this 3 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes:

A/C modern 4×4 or van driven by an English-speaking driver /guide.

Pick up from your Marrakech hotel / Riad.

First night at Hotel Panorama or Hotel Babylon (Private A/C ensuite room) with dinner & breakfast.

Sunset camel ride in Erg Chebbi.

Overnight at a Sahara desert camp in Erg Chebbi ( Private tent ) with shared bathrooms – Showers available in the morning at the camp operator’s lodge – Dinner and breakfast are included.

Upgrade to a deluxe camp with an ensuite tent available upon booking your Marrakech to Fes desert tour ( €70 per person )

Drop off at your Fes hotel or the closest accessible location to your Fes riad if not car accessible.

Not included

Beverages

Entrance fees if any

local guides if any

lunches on the way

Know Before You Go:

This tour can be tailored to a 4-Day Marrakech to Fes desert tour if you wish to spend more time exploring the Sahara Desert.
Driving times above do not include sightseeing, photos, lunch, or cafe stops.
The tour price is per person and it depends on how many passengers are at your party. However, we offer a shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour with fixed rates.
Pick up from Fes can be flexible during spring and summer. We encourage you to depart Fes no later than 08h00 AM in the wintertime to arrive at Merzouga by sunset.
Local guides and entrance fees, (if any) are not included. You pay for those directly to the suppliers.
Hat, sunglasses, good walking shoes, and wet napkins are of good use during this tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Merzouga from Marrakech?

Marrakech to Merzouga distance is 560 Km. However, it will be split into two days on the way in, with a night in Dades Valley. Then, you will spend the day driving back to Marrakech on the way back.
How long is the camel ride in Erg Chebbi?

It is roughly 1 hour for sunset and another hour for sunrise the following day. So time depends on the season, Daylight saving time, and sunset/sunrise time.
Are bathrooms in Merzouga desert camp private?

Bathrooms are shared and located outside your tent in the comfortable desert camp ( already included in the tour price ). Luxury camp bathrooms are private inside your tent.
Can we skip the camel ride in Erg Chebbi to the desert camp?

Yes, you can. A separate 4×4 can take you to the desert camp if you choose to skip the camel ride (An extra fee of 30 Euros/return transfer will apply). If you decide to upgrade to the luxury desert camp, no additional fees apply to a 4×4 return transfer.
Can we hire quad bikes in Merzouga?

Yes, you can—many ATV rental companies in Merzouga supply good quality quad bikes and dunes buggies in Erg Chebbi dunes. Your guide will assist you with that, and you will directly pay the supplier in Merzouga. They cost 50 Euros per quad per hour.
Are there showers at your Sahara desert camp?

Not in the comfortable Merzouga desert camp. Showers will be available at the camp operator’s lodge in Merzouga the following day before departure to Fes. Only shared toilets are public at the comfortable camp. If you upgrade to a luxury desert camp, you will have a private shower and toilet inside your deluxe tent.
How far is Fes from Marrakech?

The distance between Marrakech and Fes is 520 Km via the motorway through Casablanca and Rabat. However, if you choose to drive via the Middle Atlas Mountains and Beni Mellal, the distance is 570 Km. The drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains is more scenic, but you must spare a whole day to enjoy the itinerary. An even longer and more popular way to get to Fes from Marrakech is through Merzouga and the Moroccan Sahara desert. It is 1030 Km, and it requires a minimum of 3 days.
How many days do i need in Fes, Morocco?

You mainly need two days in Fes Morocco to explore it fully. A full-day guided tour of the Medina of Fes will introduce you to discovering the hidden gems of the ancient Medina and an extra day to explore the Souks on your own. Now, with the nearby blue city of Chefchaouen becoming more and more popular, you could add an extra day to make a whole day trip to Chefchaouen from Fes ( 200 Km each way )
What is Fes famous for?

Fes is considered the Athens of Morocco: It is the oldest Medina in Morocco. It is also Morocco's intellectual, cultural, craftsmanship, and culinary capital. Its narrow streets and centuries-old Medina is amazing. Fes is heaven for historians, archaeologists, and scholars from all over. The oldest university in the world ( Al Quaraouiyine) is located in the center of Medina. Fes used to be the capital of various Moroccan dynasties who ruled North Africa, actual Spain, and sub-Saharan Africa to Niger River and Sudan for centuries.
Is Fes, Morocco safe?

Fes is as safe as any other city in Morocco. It is even safer than most touristy cities in Europe. Police are now patrolling the Medina, and they are visible everywhere. It would be best if you took the standard precautions like anywhere else in the world: Avoid empty Medina streets, especially unlit narrow alleyways of Fes at night.
Are there any electrical outlets in Merzouga camp?

There will be electrical outlets in your Merzouga Sahara desert camp public areas, restaurants, and camp courtyard. However, the electric generators are turned off around midnight.
How far is the Sahara desert from Fes?

The distance from Fes to the Sahara desert (Merzouga dunes) is 463 Km (287 miles). However, the journey is full of amazing sceneries and various stops.

Reviews

Incredible Marrakech to Fes desert tour

Nicholas B – Nov 2021:

The tour was incredible! Our party consisted of four people. We took a three-day tour from Marrakech to Fez, the Sahara desert, and a stay at a fantastic luxury camp in Merzouga. I chatted with Abdessamad for three months since my group was concerned about COVID, and he answered immediately, providing a wealth of information up to the day before the trip to ensure we were prepared. Throughout the journey, he checked in with our driver and was very sensitive to our requirements.

fantastic 3 Days tour from Marrakech to Fes

Jayna K – Jun 2021:

Our three-day excursion from Marrakech to Fes was fantastic! We saw various locations, cities, landscapes, and traditions and learned about Moroccan history and cuisine. Our tour guide, Mohamed, ensured we were always comfortable, safe, and delighted. We'll carry many memories and a close friend with us from Morocco. Thank you, Mohamed, for being a wonderful part of our journey; we hope to see you again, my buddy!

Unforgettable Marrakesh to Fes desert trip

Clark N – Aug 2021:

We visited Morocco last month and took the Marrakech to Fez desert trip. It was fantastic. The four of us had an excellent driver named Mohammed (2 couples). He was pretty competent. It took a lot of driving, but it was well worth it. I saw a lot of diverse sights and camped in a nice tent in a Saharan camp. I'd want to return sometime. Unforgettable adventure.