Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga and Sahara Camp
Tours From Marrakech
Duration: 3 Days
2 Person Minimum
Overview
This 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes is the perfect way to explore the beauty of southern Morocco in a short time. The journey takes you via the High Atlas Mountains, traditional Berber villages, and iconic sites such as Ait Benhaddou and the Dades Valley.
You will experience the dramatic landscapes of the Todra Gorge, ride camels across the golden dunes of Merzouga, and spend a magical night in a Sahara desert camp under the stars. The adventure continues through the Ziz Valley and cedar forests before reaching the cultural city of Fes.
This tour combines culture, adventure, and breathtaking scenery in one unforgettable experience.
Tour Plan
Today we will meet you at around 8:30 am at your hotel in Marrakech and drive through the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the Atlas mountain , we enjoy beauty of the landscapes around. We pass through Berber villages and we will watch and learn about the producing of Argan oil by Berber women in their cooperative. We will visit Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou ,which is the largest Kasbah in Morocco , and it is a UNESCO historical site. After lunch at the Kasbah we continue to Dades Gorge via Ouarzazate. The city is called as the Hollywood of Africa and we will pass along the “Road of the 1000s Kasbahs”. We stop at “Kalaat M'Gouna”. It is well-known for its annual roses festival during May. Our day finishes in Dades Valley where we spend the night at a nice riad in the Dades Valley with dinner and breakfast.
After breakfast , we will drive towards Tinrghir and the Todra valley enjoying the panoramic views of the old mud Berber villages overlooking the valley. Today you will have time to Hike for about 2 Hours in Todra Valley then walkunder the 300 m high red cliff, where many rock-climbers spend their time. After that you will continue towards Merzouga. On the way you will do stops in good spots for pictures and also stop at the place where peaple work to find fossils . You will get to Merzouga desert in the afternoon and you will ride your camels, guided by an experienced camel-man to explore what is hidden in the middle of the highest sand dunes in morocco and enjoy the sunset and spend the night at the camp with dinner with drum party and camp fire.
Your camel guide will wake you up to see the sunrise,then after breakfast you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga appreciating the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. , You’ll leave to Fes via Errachidia along the magnificent Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock, and through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt, stopping in Zaida to enjoy a barbecue and refresh with a glass of mint tea before continuing to Azrou, a Berber village in the Middle Atlas Mountains, where we’ll stop to see the Barbarian apes in the cedar forest. Then we continue to Ifrane called the French village or the Switzerland of morocco , stopping for a picture or a drink before arriving to Fes where you will spend the night at a nice riad with breakfast.
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: Marrakech
Ending City: Fes
Tour Type: Private Desert Tour
Transportation: Air-conditioned 4x4 or Minivan
Accommodation: Riad + Desert Camp
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Best Time to Travel: March to May, September to November
Languages Available: English (others on request)
Good to Know
Pick-up is usually around 08:00–08:30 from your accommodation in Marrakech
Camel trekking duration is around 1–1.5 hours each way
You can request a 4x4 transfer instead of camels if preferred
Desert nights can be cold in winter—bring warm clothing
Vegetarian and special dietary options are available (inform in advance)
Luggage can be transported separately to the camp
Highlights
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass
Visit the UNESCO site of Ait Benhaddou
Explore Dades Valley and Todra Gorge
Camel trekking in Merzouga Sahara Desert
Overnight in a traditional desert camp with music and campfire
Watch sunrise & sunset over Erg Chebbi dunes
Visit cedar forest and see Barbary macaques
Scenic drive through Ziz Valley
Optional Add-ons
Upgrade to luxury desert camp
Quad biking or sandboarding in Merzouga
Local guide in Ait Benhaddou
Private room/tent upgrade
Spanish / French speaking driver
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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