✓ Private tour with your own driver✓ Free quote, no commitment
→ Overview: 3 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
This 3 days Fes to Marrakech desert tour is the classic one-way route across Morocco. First, you cross the Middle Atlas and ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Then, you walk in the Todra Gorge and sleep in the Dades Valley. Finally, you visit Ait Ben Haddou and cross the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Private tour · Daily departures · Pick-up at your riad. Request your free quote or message us on WhatsApp.
Languages
English, Spanish
Tour type
Private Tour
Availability
All year round, with daily departures
→ 3 Days Fes to Marrakech at a Glance
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
|---|---|
| Start | Fes, with pick-up at your riad or hotel at 8:00 AM |
| End | Your accommodation in Marrakech, around 5:30–6:00 PM |
| Route | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech |
| Nights | 1 desert camp in Erg Chebbi, 1 hotel in the Dades Valley |
| Meals | 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts |
| Camel ride | About 1 hour to the camp at sunset (a 4×4 transfer is possible) |
| Distance | About 1,000 km in total |
→ Why Choose This 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Tour
If you arrive in Fes and fly home from Marrakech, this is the most efficient way to see the Sahara. In other words, every day brings new landscapes.
- One way, no backtracking. Middle Atlas, desert, gorges and High Atlas on one route.
- The big dunes. You sleep in a private tent in Erg Chebbi.
- The best of the south. Todra, Dades, the Rose Valley and Ait Ben Haddou.
- Private from start to finish. Only your group travels with your driver.
Prefer an easier pace? The 4-day version with a full desert day adds a hotel night in Merzouga.
→ 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Highlights
- Cross the Middle Atlas and its cedar forests.
- See Barbary macaques near Azrou.
- Ride a camel at sunset across the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Sleep under the stars in a Sahara desert camp.
- Walk between the high walls of the Todra Gorge.
- Drive the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
- Explore Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar.
- Cross the High Atlas to Marrakech.
→ 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert
Your driver picks you up at your riad or hotel in Fes at 8:00 AM. First, we climb into the Middle Atlas and stop in Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Next, we cross the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often sit by the road; please watch them, but do not feed them.
Then, we stop for lunch in Midelt, between the Middle and High Atlas. Afterwards, the road follows the gorges and palm groves of the Ziz Valley to Erfoud. Finally, we reach Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, in the late afternoon.
After a mint tea, your camel trek in Merzouga begins. The ride takes about one hour, so you reach the camp at sunset. Later, you share a Berber dinner and listen to drums around the fire.
Overnight
Private tent in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi, with dinner and breakfast. Driving time: about 7–8 hours with stops.
Day 2: Merzouga – Rissani – Tinghir – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Wake up early for the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back to Merzouga for a shower and breakfast. Next, we drive west through Rissani, Erfoud and Tinejdad, with a stop for lunch.
In the afternoon, we reach Tinghir and walk into the Todra Gorge, where limestone walls rise about 300 metres. Finally, we continue to the Dades Valley for the night.
Overnight
Hotel in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast. Driving time: about 5 hours.
Day 3: Dades Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Tizi n’Tichka – Marrakech
After breakfast, we follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Rose Valley and Kelaat M’Gouna. Then, we stop in the palm grove of Skoura before reaching Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa”.
Next, we visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar, and have lunch nearby. Afterwards, we cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) and stop at an argan oil cooperative. Finally, we reach Marrakech around 5:30–6:00 PM.
Drop-off
At your riad or hotel in Marrakech. Driving time: about 6–7 hours with stops.
→ What’s Included and Not Included
Everything is clear from the start, so there are no surprise fees.
What's Included
Covered from start to finish
- Private tour and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with seat belts.
- Pick-up at your accommodation in Fes and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech.
- 1 night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi.
- 1 night in a hotel in the Dades Valley.
- 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts (vegetarians welcome).
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- Fuel, tolls and all vehicle costs.
- Camel handler and camel ride of about 1 hour (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp if you prefer).
- Sandboards, free to use at the camp.
What's not Included
Extra costs to plan for
- Flights.
- Lunches (picnic or restaurant stops).
- Drinks with meals.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not listed under “Included”.
→ 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Route Map
→ Photo Gallery
→ Good to Know: 3 Days Fes to Marrakech
- Private & door to doorPrivate tour: only your group, with your own driver and vehicle. Pick-up at your riad or hotel in Fes; drop-off in Marrakech.
- Driving timeEvery day is a road day (5–8 hours): this one-way route covers about 1,000 km from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara.
- AltitudeThe road crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m: it is cold in winter and, after heavy snow, can close for a few hours.
- AltitudeIfrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas sit at about 1,600 m – mornings and evenings are fresh even in spring.
- Desert night1 night in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga; the camel ride to camp usually takes about an hour. From November to March desert nights can drop close to 0 °C – bring a warm layer.
- Best seasonBest months: March to May and September to November. In July and August the desert passes 40 °C, so activities are planned early in the morning and at sunset.
- What to bringBring cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips, plus sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf for sun and sand.
Local Expert Tip
After Azrou, watch for Barbary macaques in the cedar forest – keep food in the car: feeding them makes them ill and is discouraged by local rangers.
→ 3 Days Fes to Marrakech: Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough from Fes to Marrakech via the desert?
Yes. It is the shortest way to include a night in Erg Chebbi. However, every day is a road day, so the 4-day version is more relaxed.
How far is it from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga?
About 1,000 km in total, split into three days of 5–8 hours.
Are the camp and hotel private?
Yes. You have a private tent in the camp and a private room in the Dades Valley hotel.
Do we carry our luggage on the camels?
No. Your main bags stay safe and go to the camp by 4×4.
Can we do the tour in the other direction?
Yes. Our 3 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour follows the same route in reverse.
What should I pack?
Warm layers for the night and sun protection for the day. See what to pack for the Sahara desert.
→ Customize Your 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Tour
Because this is a private tour, you can adapt it. For example, travellers often ask us to:
- Add a hotel night in Merzouga with the 4 days Fes to Marrakech tour.
- Add a night in Ouarzazate with the 5 days tour from Fes.
- Return to Fes instead with the 2 days tour from Fes.
- Keep the same driver with a private driver in Morocco.
Have something else in mind? Then let us plan a tailor-made Morocco tour.
→ Book Your 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Tour
Ask us for the price
This 3 days desert tour from Fes is private, so the price depends on your group size, travel dates and the riad or camp category you choose. Send us your dates and number of travellers and we will reply with a clear quote, with no hidden costs.
- Private driver & vehicle
- Built around your dates
- Free, no-obligation quote
→ Related Tours
→ What Our Travelers Say
“My mom and I had a great trip! Abdul Abderrahim guided our group of 22 for 10 days all around the country. He always a delight and informative. He was very attentive to any needs or wishes of the group and made the trip seamless. Thank you!”
Chip S
Traveled with family
“The entire adventure was marvelous. There was a lot of driving but our driver was very safe and he made frequent stops and showed us many landmarks and cultural treasures. Our visit to the desert was our highlight of the trip. I can highly recommend.”
Evita M
Traveled with friends
“Just returned from a fascinating 12 day Morocco group tour with guide Abdul. We had an amazing, immersive, super fun experience. Abdul was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, funny, patient, and pleasant. He shared personal memories of growing up Berber…”
Maria R
Traveled with friends
“We had a two week tour through Morocco and it was excellent. We visited many different locations, including the big city medina’s of Marrakech and Fez, the lovely coastal city of Essaouira, the fabulous desert area…”
Catherina2015