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€170€200/
Per PersonThis 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Expedition is the most rewarding way to travel between Morocco’s two most iconic cities. Rather than a train or a bus, you take the long, beautiful way south through the High Atlas, deep into the Sahara, and back north through the Middle Atlas cedar forests. On this shared tour, night one is in the Dadès Valley. Night two is in the desert at Merzouga.
On day three, you continue north and arrive in Fes by evening. As a result, you cover Morocco‘s most spectacular landscapes in one seamless journey. This 3 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Expedition is ideal for travelers connecting the two cities, and not willing to miss anything in between.
DESCRIPTION – 3 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Expedition
The 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Expedition starts early. Your driver picks you up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech around 7:00–8:00 AM. Right away, the city falls behind you. Within an hour, you’re climbing the High Atlas Mountains on the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The road is dramatic. It twists through Berber villages, over rocky ridges, and up to 2,260 metres. Your driver stops at the top. Get out and look around, it’s one of the great drives in North Africa.
Coming down the other side, the landscape turns red and wide. By mid-morning, you reach Aït Ben Haddou. It rises straight from the valley floor a UNESCO-listed fortress of mud brick and ancient towers. You walk through it with a local guide. Afterwards, if you have the energy, hike to the hilltop viewpoint above the village. The view from up there explains everything.
After lunch at a local restaurant, this shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour continues east through Ouarzazate and into the Dadès Valley as the light turns golden. First night is in a kasbah-style hotel. Dinner is included. The quiet here is real.
Day two starts with the Todra Gorge. The walls rise 300 metres on both sides. Even people who’ve seen photos are caught off guard. There’s time to walk through it properly. After that, the road pushes east through Berber villages, palm groves, and flat desert plains. Gradually, the landscape empties out completely.
By late afternoon, the dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon. Everyone in the van tends to go quiet at this point. You leave your large luggage at the auberge. Then you pack an overnight bag and climb onto a camel as the sun starts dropping. The hour-long trek into the dunes is the heart of this 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Expedition. The silence is almost total. The colours shift from gold to deep red. You arrive at the Berber camp just before dark.
That evening, dinner is traditional Moroccan, tagine, bread, mint tea. Afterwards, there’s live Berber drumming around the fire. Above you, the sky has no light pollution whatsoever. In other words, more stars than most people have seen in their lives. Someone wakes you before dawn on day three. Don’t ignore them. Climb a dune in the dark. Then watch the Sahara go from black to purple to burning orange in about twenty minutes. After that, the camel brings you back to camp for breakfast.
From Merzouga, this 3-day group desert tour from Marrakech to Fes heads north. The route passes through Rissani worth a wander if the market is running. Next comes Erfoud, then the long, hypnotic stretch of the Ziz Valley. Ten million palm trees line both sides of the road. It’s one of those views that makes you stop talking mid-sentence.
You continue through Errachidia and up into the Middle Atlas. The landscape shifts again from desert plains to cedar forests and cool mountain air. You stop at Azrou to see the wild Barbary macaques in the cedar trees. They come right up to the road. Finally, the plains of Fes appear below. Drop-off at your hotel or riad is by early evening.
CITIES & AREAS VISITED
- Marrakech : departure point, the Red City
- Tizi n’Tichka Pass : highest paved road in North Africa at 2,260m
- Aït Ben Haddou : UNESCO World Heritage fortified kasbah
- Ouarzazate : Morocco’s film capital, home to the Atlas Studios
- Rose Valley : fragrant valley, spectacular in bloom April–May
- Dadès Valley & Gorge : first overnight stop, dramatic rock formations
- Tinghir & Todra Gorge : towering 300m natural limestone canyon
- Erfoud : fossil capital and gateway to the Sahara
- Merzouga / Erg Chebbi : the Sahara sand sea, camel trek and desert camp
- Rissani : ancient caravan hub with a traditional weekly souk
- Ziz Valley : one of the longest palm oases in the world
- Errachidia : gateway to the Middle Atlas on the return north
- Azrou & Cedar Forest : wild Barbary macaques in their natural habitat
- Ifrane : the “Switzerland of Morocco,” alpine-style mountain town
- Fes : final destination, Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital
Marrakech to Fes Desert Expedition
At Marrakech First, we specialize in turning the 3 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Expedition into a seamless cultural immersion. From the cinematic peaks of Tizi n’Tichka to the golden silence of Merzouga, our expert local guides ensure every mile tells a story.
We Offer Also :
Included and Excluded
- Hotel or riad pickup in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes
- Air-conditioned shared minibus for all 3 days
- English-speaking driver-guide throughout the entire journey
- Night 1: kasbah-style hotel in the Dadès Valley — dinner and breakfast included
- Night 2: Berber desert camp at Erg Chebbi — dinner and breakfast included
- Sunset camel trek into the dunes and sunrise ride back
- Sandboarding on the dunes (boards at camp, subject to availability)
- Local guided visit of Aït Ben Haddou kasbah
- Live Berber music and drumming around the campfire
- Lunches on all 3 days — budget around €12–14 per person at local stops
- Drinks and personal beverages throughout the trip
- Tips for your guide and driver (not obligatory, always appreciated)
- Travel insurance
- ATV or quad bike ride in the dunes (optional, around €45/quad on the spot)
- Upgrade to luxury ensuite desert camp tent (available at extra cost)
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Local guide entrance fees at Aït Ben Haddou (paid directly on site)
Highlights of the Tour
- Crossing the High Atlas on the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Walking through the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour
- Sleeping in a traditional Berber desert camp under a sky full of stars
- Live Berber drumming and music around the campfire
- Watching the Sahara sunrise from the top of a dune
- Walking the Todra Gorge between towering limestone canyon walls
- Driving through the vast Ziz Valley palm oasis
- Spotting wild Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou
- Arriving in Fes, one of the world's great medieval cities at the end of it all
Itinerary for 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Expedition
Departure 7:00–8:00 AM | Overnight: Dadès Valley Pickup from your Marrakech hotel or riad in the early morning. First, you head south and begin the climb through the High Atlas on the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Your driver stops at the summit. Get out, take your time, and look at where you are. Coming down the other side, the landscape opens up red and wide. By mid-morning, you reach Aït Ben Haddou. Walk through the ancient ramparts with a local guide. Then, if you're up for it, hike to the viewpoint above the village for the best panoramic shot in southern Morocco. Lunch follows at a local restaurant nearby, at your own cost. In the afternoon, you pass through Ouarzazate a brief photo stop at the Atlas Film Studios. Afterwards, the road heads east through the Rose Valley. You arrive in the Dadès Valley as the sun drops low. Dinner and overnight at a kasbah-style hotel.
Overnight: Berber desert camp, Erg Chebbi After breakfast, the first stop is the Todra Gorge. The canyon walls rise 300 metres on both sides. The morning light inside the gorge is extraordinary. Walk through it properly — there's time. Afterwards, continue east through Tinghir, Tinjdad, and Erfoud as the landscape flattens into open desert. By late afternoon, the dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon. Leave your main luggage at the auberge, pack an overnight bag, and mount your camel. The hour-long sunset trek into the dunes is the moment most people book this tour for. You arrive at the Berber camp before dark. That evening, dinner is a full traditional Moroccan spread. Afterwards, live Berber drumming around the fire. Above, a sky full of stars with zero light pollution. Wake up before dawn the next morning. Climb a dune in the dark, then watch the desert sunrise in complete silence.
Arrival Fes: early evening Camel ride back to camp after sunrise. Then breakfast, a shower, and departure north. First, you stop in Rissani, the ancient capital of the Tafilalet region. If it's a market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday), the souk is well worth a short walk through. From there, the route follows the Ziz Valley north, a long corridor of palm trees that stretches further than you can see. Continue through Errachidia and up into the Middle Atlas. The air cools noticeably as the cedar forests close in. Next, you stop at Azrou to watch the Barbary macaques in the trees along the roadside. After that, you pass through Ifrane, the alpine-style mountain town that looks nothing like the rest of Morocco. Finally, the plains of Fes come into view. Your driver drops you at your hotel or riad by early evening.
Frequently Asked & Question
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before your tour start date are eligible for a full refund. For cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour, a 60% cancellation fee applies. No refunds are provided for no-shows. For more details, please visit our Terms and Conditions: https://marrakechfirst.com/terms-conditions/
The standard camp has shared bathroom facilities. The luxury camp provides a private tent with an ensuite bathroom. If a comfortable sleep in the desert matters to you, the upgrade is worth it.
Usually between 6 and 17 people. You share the minibus with travelers from different countries. Most people say the mix of nationalities in the group turns out to be one of the unexpected highlights of the trip.
Yes. If riding a camel isn't for you, a 4×4 transfer to the desert camp is usually available instead. Simply let your guide know on arrival in Merzouga.
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