3-day private tour · Marrakech → Fes
Amazing 3-Day Desert Tour Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
A private 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes across the Sahara — the High Atlas and Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra gorges, a sunset camel trek and night in a Sahara camp at the Erg Chebbi dunes, then on to Fes via the Ziz Valley.
About This Tour
3 days - 2 nights · Marrakech → Fes
This private 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes is the perfect way to cross Morocco from south to north and sleep in the Sahara along the way. In three well-paced days you’ll trek by camel, camp overnight in the deep desert, and explore the Rose Valley, the Todra and Dades gorges and the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.
On day one you’ll cross Morocco’s highest pass, the Tizi n’Tichka, to reach the High Atlas. Day two winds through the great gorges to the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, where a camel guide leads you across the sand to a Berber camp. On day three you continue to Fes through Midelt and the Azrou cedar forests — ideal if that’s where your journey ends.
Tour Highlights
The best of this journey
Photo Gallery
Amazing 3-Day Desert Tour Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
Tour Itinerary
Day by day, 3 days
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Iti1
Day 1: Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
Travelling in a modern, air-conditioned 4x4 or minibus, you’ll cross the eastern half of Morocco in comfort. After an 8:00 am pickup from your Marrakech accommodation and a drive over the Atlas range, you’ll reach the fortified kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, where six earthen kasbahs make you feel you’ve stepped into the age of gladiators and caravans. Lunch is served here.
Next comes Ouarzazate, “the Gateway to the Desert,” where films from The Mummy to Gladiator and Game of Thrones were shot. Before reaching the Dades Valley, you’ll stop for a break, then settle into a private room at a traditional riad for a delicious Moroccan dinner and the night.
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Iti2
Day 2: Dades → Todra Gorge → Erfoud → Merzouga (night in desert camp)
After breakfast you’ll travel from the Dades gorges toward the Erg Chebbi Sahara, passing through Tinjdad, Jorf and Erfoud, where the Tafilalet oasis marks the edge of the desert. In Merzouga your guide and camels will be waiting to carry you across majestic dunes, with Berber villages scattered along the route.
As the sun sets you’ll ride by camel to your nomad tent in the dunes. Dinner and an overnight stay in a camp in the middle of the Sahara, to the sound of drums.
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Iti3
Day 3: Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Ifrane → Fes
Wake to a stunning sunrise from the top of the Erg Chebbi dunes, with breakfast served at camp. You can ride your camel back to the trailhead or opt for a 4x4 transfer.
From Merzouga you’ll travel to Fes via the Ziz Valley, Midelt, the city of Ifrane — the “Little Switzerland of Morocco” — and the famous Middle Atlas cedar forest at Azrou, home to Barbary apes, with time for a short walk and photos. Arriving in Fes in the late afternoon, you’ll be dropped at your riad or hotel with unforgettable stories and memories.
What the Price Includes
Everything covered in the price
Price Includes
- ✓ Door-to-door pickup and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- ✓ Private, air-conditioned modern vehicle — exclusively yours for the whole trip
- ✓ Experienced, English-speaking driver-guide who knows the routes, roads and local culture
- ✓ All fuel, tolls and vehicle running costs
- ✓ Camel trek into the dunes — one camel per person, led by a local guide
- ✓ Sunset camel trek across the golden Erg Chebbi dunes
- ✓ Overnight in a Sahara desert camp — private tent in your preferred category (standard or luxury with ensuite)
- ✓ 1-night in a private room at a hotel/riad (At your preferred room type)
- ✓ (Breakfast & Dinner) x 2
- ✓ 4x4 transfer to and from the desert camp, available as an alternative to the camels
Price Excludes
- ✗ Drinks and bottled water (budget a few euros per day)
- ✗ Lunches — roughly €8–12 each at local restaurants along the route
- ✗ Monument and museum entry fees (e.g. Ait Ben Haddou, Atlas Studios) — optional and paid on the day
- ✗ Tips for your driver-guide and camp staff — at your discretion
If this itinerary does not quite match what you had in mind, tell us your ideas and we will rebuild it around them.
Tour Map
Marrakech → Fes
Why Book This Tour
What makes it worth the time
This 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour gives you the chance to camel trek, camp overnight in the deep desert (standard or luxury), and see the Rose Valley, the Todra and Dades gorges and the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou — all while crossing Morocco between its two greatest imperial cities.
It’s private, flexible and paced around you, and fits perfectly if you fly into Marrakech and out of Fes (or the reverse). Just tell us your dates and we’ll tailor the rest.
Know Before You Go
Practical travel notes
- infoPricing is per person and drops as your group grows — the more of you travel together, the lower the price each. Tell us your group size for an exact quote.
- infoWant more time in the desert? Any itinerary can be extended or customised — add a night in the dunes, a second camp, or extra sightseeing stops. Just ask.
- infoDriving times are estimates for the road only — they don’t count photo stops, sightseeing or meals. Because the tour is private, you set the pace and we stop whenever you like.
- infoOne day involves a longer drive to link the desert with the cities — we break it up with scenic stops, viewpoints and a relaxed lunch so it never feels rushed.
- infoComfortable 4x4 vehicles seat up to four adults; for five or more we provide a spacious air-conditioned minivan — always private to your group.
- infoWe suggest an 8:00 am start on Day 1 to make the most of the light and the drive, but pickup time is flexible — tell us what suits you.
- infoSandboards are free to use at your desert camp — try the dunes at sunrise or sunset. Quad bikes and buggy rides can be arranged on request.
- infoSolo travellers and couples are welcome — join a shared small-group departure to keep costs down, or keep it fully private. Both options are available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about this tour
Are these tours private?
Yes — every tour is 100% private by default. It’s just your group, your driver-guide and your own vehicle, so you experience Morocco entirely at your own pace. Stop whenever you like for photos, a mint tea or a closer look at a village or viewpoint.
Prefer to share costs? We also run small-group departures on popular routes — just contact us and we’ll match you to the right option.
Can the itinerary be customised or changed?
Absolutely. This is your trip — we can adjust the pace, swap or upgrade accommodation, add nights, and build in extra stops or activities. For the smoothest planning, let us know any changes at least two weeks before departure, though we’ll always do our best with last-minute requests too.
Does the price change with group size?
The per-person price goes down as your group grows, because the private vehicle and driver-guide are shared across more travellers. Send us your exact numbers and dates and we’ll send back a clear, all-in quote per person.
Are last-minute bookings cheaper?
Usually not — if anything the opposite. We hand-pick the best riads and desert camps, and the good ones fill up fast, especially in high season (spring and autumn). Booking early secures the best accommodation and a smoother trip.
That said, we do take last-minute bookings when availability allows — message us with your dates and we’ll tell you honestly what’s possible.
Is Morocco safe for tourists?
Yes. Morocco is one of the most welcoming and stable countries in the region, and tourism is central to its economy, so visitor safety is taken seriously — including dedicated tourist police and government-accredited guides.
On a private tour you’re looked after door to door by a driver-guide who knows the routes and the local etiquette. Serious crime is rare and comparable to many European destinations; normal travel common sense is all that’s needed. Morocco is a great choice for couples, families and solo travellers alike.
Booking, deposit and payment
Once we’ve agreed an itinerary that works for you, a small deposit secures your dates with Let’s Visit Morocco (every tour on the site can be tailored to your needs). You simply pay the remaining balance at the start of your tour in Morocco — no large upfront payment required.
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