Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour 3 Days
From 95 /per person- 3 Days
- Superb1679 Reviews4.8
Take the scenic drive through Morocco Sahara desert to connect between the two imperial cities on a shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour. This desert safari requires at least three days to enjoy it the most. The distance between Marrakech and Fes is 530 Km; you will drive past ancient Kasbahs and Berber villages, meet the nomads, and spend the night in a Merzouga desert camp. Although this is a group tour, you will have your private room and tent on both nights. You only share the transportation from Marrakech to Fes.
Price per person: | Days of operation: | Number of participants: |
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169 € | Daily | 17 Max |
Your shared Marrakech to Fez desert tour will start in the morning with pick up from your hotel or the nearest accessible point to your riad. After driving past Marrakech suburbs, full of small towns and different farms, we start driving uphill to cross the High Atlas Mountains. You will make a quick stop for coffee and a toilet before you reach the famous Tizi Ntichka pass (2260 m high).
Numerous stops will be made to take photos and stretch your legs before the landscape dramatically changes upon approaching Kasbah Air Ben Hadou. This UNESCO classified village is one of the most visited landmarks in Morocco. It is famous for having been -and still is- used for different Hollywood epics (Game of Thrones, Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator)
If you wish, you can hire a local guide with the rest of the group ( optional ) to visit the village before choosing a local cafe for lunch.
In the afternoon, we continue to Dades Valley past Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, and Klaa Mgouna; the latter is famous for its Damascus rose plantation and distillation. The journey between Ouarzazate and Dades is "The road of 1001 Kasbahs."
Upon arrival at Boumalne Dades, deviate to a minor road driving past amazing scenery of Dades River, with different fortified Berber villages in the backdrop.
Arrive at your Dads Hotel just before it gets dark, and enjoy your dinner.
After breakfast at your hotel, get ready for an amazing journey. First, you will arrive at Tinghir oasis, where you will have the chance to walk along the stream under the shade of palm and olive trees, witnessing local Berbers taking care of their crops or herding their cattle.
The walk will lead you to the majestic cliffs of Todgha Gorges, where you will have the opportunity to take some photos and enjoy the silence.
After lunch at leisure at one of the local cafes, you will continue to Rissani past various small towns, oases, and Ksours (fortified villages). You can spot the pink dunes approaching over the horizon.
Upon arrival in Merzouga, meet your camel caravan, and start an hour-long camel ride over Erg Chebbi sand dunes, marveling at one of the best sunset views.
Continue your camel trek to your Sahara desert camp. A delicious Moroccan dinner will be served tonight at your Bedouin camp, and your nomad hosts will be entertaining you around the campfire with their drums under the crystal clear sky.
Overnight at your Merzouga desert camp.
After an early sunrise camel ride crossing Erg Chebbi dunes, arrive at the camp operator's lodge in Merzouga for breakfast, shower, and maybe a quick swim. Meet your new driver, who will be taking you to Fes today. The journey will take you across the Ziz Valley, dotted with thousands of date palm trees, enjoying superb views of some of the greatest oases of Morocco.
Next, you will cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to Midelt, a small town halfway to Fez, where you will stop for lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, you will drive past the cedar forests where you might have the opportunity to spot wild monkeys ( also known as Barbary apes ) before you reach the small town of Ifran, which is famous for being a popular winter resort for Moroccans.
Your estimated time of arrival to Fes is 17h00, and your shared 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes will come to an end with a drop-off at your hotel or the nearest accessible point to your Riad.
Yes, the first night in Dades Valley is a private ensuite air-conditioned room.
Yes, it is. You will have a private tent in the Erg Chebbi desert camp.
No, they are not; they are public bathrooms. Western flushable toilets and handwashing sinks are located outside your tent. Showers are available at the camp operator’s lodge in Merzouga the following morning.
After an early sunrise camel ride from your Erg Chebbi camel ride to the camp operator’s lodge, breakfast, and a quick shower, you will meet your new driver in the lodge, who will take you to Fez.
Yes, there will be stops from Merzouga to Fes. Especially to watch the Barbary Apes in the Middle Atlas Mountains if you meet them on the road. There will also be a stop in Midelt for lunch at leisure.
Your luggage will be kept safe at the camp operator’s lodge in Merzouga until you meet your new driver to Fes the following day.
Yes, Shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour price is fixed, provided there is a minimum of 2 participants.
On a shared tour, you won’t have time to experience a quad biking activity in Erg Chebbi. Instead, you will arrive just in time for sunset and depart in the morning just after breakfast.
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.
The entire 3-day tour from Marrakech to Fez was carried out according to the schedule. Camel riding, as well as watching sunset and sunrise, was an unforgettable experience. Even though sleeping in the desert tent was incredibly chilly, seeing the galaxy at night was a memorable experience. The visit to Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and the Todgha Canyons were also highlights of the 3-day Marrakech to Fes tour itinerary.
We had a great time throughout the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes, truly liked the tour, and especially appreciated the desert; I would strongly advise anybody visiting Morocco to spend at least one night there. We were especially pleased since the trip was well suited to our needs as vegetarians, and we had no issue keeping track of our meals.
What a fantastic adventure! The travel from Marrakech to Fes was long and sometimes difficult, but there were several intriguing stops along the way, and once you arrive in the desert, it was all worth it. The experience of riding a camel in the desert is quite unique, and the scenery is breath taking. The tented camp was fantastic; we were provided with our own tent and clothing, dinner was delicious, and the mood around the campfire after dinner was fantastic! The starry sky added to the beauty of the scene. When we arrived back at the lodge in Merzouga, we were treated to a delicious breakfast and the opportunity to shower. We were the only ones in the group that travelled to Fez, so we got a separate car to drive us to Fes.