Fes to Marrakech in 3 Days via the Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains
Tours From Fes
Duration: 3 Days
2 Person Minimum
Overview
This 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech is the perfect short adventure for travelers who want to experience the magic of the Sahara Desert in a limited time.
Your journey begins with a scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” and the cedar forests of Azrou Cedar Forest, home to Barbary macaques. Continue through the stunning Ziz Valley before reaching Merzouga.
Enjoy a memorable camel trekking experience across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and spend a magical night in a Sahara desert camp under the stars.
The journey continues through the dramatic landscapes of Todra Gorge and the scenic Dades Valley, before crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the famous Tizi n'Tichka Pass. Visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou before arriving in Marrakech.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a fast-paced yet unforgettable Morocco desert experience.
Tour Plan
Today we will meet you at your hotel in Fes at 8 am and start travelling southeast to Merzouga desert via Midelt and Errachidia. Your first stop will be at Ifran, referred to as "the Switzerland of Morocco", and then to Merzouga via Midlet and the Ziz Valley. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. Stopping at the famous cedar forest - the largest in Morocco – where you may well sight Barbarian apes. You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city Er Rachidia. After lunch in Midelt, your journey continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way. We will drive through welcoming Berber villages to Erfoud, then get to Merzouga desert where you will start your guided camel ride, led by an experienced camel man to explore within the sand sea of Merzouga and see the sunset. Overnight at our desert camp where you will have your dinner camp fire and drums party. The camp is equipped with flush toilets and hot showers inside your private tent. (HB) ( Sand boards are available at the camp , you,can use them for free if you like to do sand boarding )
Your camel guide will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the best sunrise in your life. After breakfast at the camp, you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to your riad appreciating the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. you’ll leave for Tinghir and Todgha gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. Here you’ll have the opportunity to hike along it’s valley We’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodation will be a nice riad in the heart of the Valley (HB).
After breakfast, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat M'Gouna and Ouarzazate. The route through Dades Valley is named the way of thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kalaat M'Gouna, “the rose city”, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa”. Lunch will be at the famous Ait Benhaddou kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. It is recognized by UNESCO as a world patrimony. It is famous as a backdrop for many films, including 'Lawrence of ArabLawrence of Arabia', 'Gladiator'. Our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n'Tichka pass (2260 m) over the High Atlas Mountains where you can stop also to explore the process of making the Argan oil at the women's cooperatives before arriving to Marrakech where the tour ends at your accommodation or wherever you want.
Included
- Travel in private tour with a comfortable AC 4x4 or Van
- Experienced English speaking driver
- Fuel
- One night at a nice riad with dinner and breakfast in Dades Valley
- One night at the desert camp with dinner and breakfast
- The camel ride to spend the night in the desert ( 1 camel per person )
Exclude
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Tips
Extra Info
🔹 Extra Information
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Departure City: Fes
Ending City: Marrakech
Tour Type: Private One-Way Desert Tour
Transportation: Air-conditioned 4x4 or Minivan
Accommodation: Riad + Desert Camp
Difficulty Level: Moderate (long driving distances)
Best Time to Travel: March to May, September to November
Languages Available: English
🔹 Good to Know
Early departure from Fes (around 8:00 AM)
Long driving day on Day 1 (approx. 7–8 hours)
Camel trekking duration: 1–1.5 hours each way
Option to upgrade to a luxury desert camp
Sandboarding available at the camp
Temperatures vary greatly between day and night in the desert
Comfortable clothing and walking shoes recommended
Luggage is transported separately during camel trek
🔹 Highlights
Scenic drive through Middle Atlas Mountains
Visit Ifrane and cedar forest of Azrou
Explore the beautiful Ziz Valley
Camel trekking in Erg Chebbi
Overnight in Sahara desert camp with dinner & music
Watch sunset and sunrise in the desert
Walk through Todra Gorge
Discover Dades Valley landscapes
Visit Ait Benhaddou
Cross the High Atlas via Tizi n'Tichka Pass
🔹 Optional Add-ons
Luxury desert camp upgrade
Quad biking in Merzouga
Sandboarding experience
Private guide for deeper cultural insights
Photography stops and customized itinerary pacing
Currency:
The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). On average, 1 Euro (EUR) equals approximately 10 to 11 dirhams, 1 US Dollar (USD) equals around 9 to 10 dirhams, and 1 British Pound (GBP) equals approximately 12 to 13 dirhams, depending on current exchange rates. In all major cities, you can withdraw cash using international Visa, MasterCard, and other widely accepted bank cards. There are also numerous exchange offices available at airports, city centers, and tourist areas. Please note that exporting Moroccan dirhams outside the country is prohibited, so it is recommended to exchange or withdraw only the amount you need.
Local Time:
Morocco generally operates on GMT+1, with slight adjustments during certain times of the year, particularly during Ramadan. Compared to countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, or Spain, there may be a one to two-hour time difference depending on the season. For travelers from the United Kingdom, Morocco often shares the same time zone or differs by one hour. Visitors from the United States or Canada should expect a larger time difference depending on their departure city.
Passport and Visa:
Citizens of many countries including France, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and several other European nations are required to hold a valid passport with at least six months validity beyond the date of entry into Morocco. For short-term tourist stays, a visa is generally not required for these nationalities. However, entry requirements may vary depending on your country of origin, so it is strongly recommended to check with your local Moroccan embassy or consulate before traveling.
Health:
No specific vaccinations are required for most international travelers visiting Morocco. However, it is recommended to be up to date on routine vaccinations. The best precaution remains prevention: drink bottled water, avoid poorly preserved food, and consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical expenses. Morocco’s major cities offer good healthcare facilities, and pharmacies are widely available throughout the country.
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