3 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga

The most popular private Marrakech to Merzouga tour

3 Days Desert Excursion: Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga.

Overview

This 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes will be an unforgettable experience. The group will travel from Marrakech to Fes, passing through the enchanting Sahara Desert. Organized for your convenience, the 3-day, 2-night tour allows you to visit many wonderful places in a very short time.

The itinerary covers the magnificent Atlas Mountains, the little-known Ait-Ben-Haddou Kasbah, and the city of Ouarzazate. You will also visit the breathtaking Dades and Todra Gorges.

Perhaps the highlight of this tour will be the Merzouga Sahara Desert experience of riding on a camel into the heart of the desert and soaking up the silence. Marvel at the desert’s magical views as the sun rises and sets. You will also get to visit the traditional market of Rissani and Erfoud, famous for its fossils. The trip will also take you to Ifrane (“The Switzerland of Morocco”) and into the cedar forests of Barbary macaques, and will end in Fes.

Highlights

Stunning views of the landscapes of the Atlas Mountains.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.
Take a look at Ouarzazate Film Studio & Taourirt Kasbah
Explore the beautiful gorges of Dades and Todra.
Scenic aspects of the dunes of Erg Chebbi
Camel ride in the Erg Chebbi Sahara desert.
See Sunset in the dunes.
Overnight stay at a desert camp in Merzouga Desert ( Erg Chebbi ).
Rich dinner and music around the campfire (Berber drums).
Stop in Azrou’s cedar forest and admire the Barbary monkeys.
Visit the second Switzerland of Ifrane city.

Included

3 Days Transport in a private 4×4 or a Minivan with A/C + Fuel.
Private Driver / Guide Speaking English.
Pick-up from your Riad or any Location in Marrakech
1 Night in an Excellent Riad in Boumalne Dades
1 Night in a Luxury Desert Camp, With Private Bathroom
Sandboards Available at the Camp
Camel ride ( a Camel Per person ) or Transfer via a 4WD as an alternative
Dinners and Breakfasts.
Drop Off at your Riad in Fes

Excluded

Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas – Ait ben Haddou Kasbah– Roses Vally – Dades Valley

A 3-day tour from Marrakech to Fes takes an early start with pickup from your Marrakech hotel or the airport. Afterward, travel via the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass and the intriguing High Atlas highlands. There will be several stops for sweeping views over the magnificent countryside.

Proceeding towards the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kasbah has also appeared in other films: The Mummy, Alexander, Gladiator, and others, as well as in TV shows like Game of Thrones. Then we step towards Ouarzazate, popularly called “The Gate of the Desert.” After lunch, we continue our excursion into the Rose Valley, passing by the enormous Skoura palm grove. Finally, a drive takes us to Boumalne Dades for an overnight.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Merzouga Dunes – Camel trekking – overnight in a luxury camp

Our journey continues after breakfast along the Dades Valley. We’ll stop for a viewpoint on the way, affording you the chance to absorb the breathtaking scenery of the Dades Gorges. After this, our exploration takes us onward to Todra Gorges, where the Todra River has carved a fanciful canyon through the mountain, a tremendous, tall-red-walled gorge. Inside the gorges, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful views around. Then, the road passes through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Lunch will be an independent affair, enjoyed as we proceed.
The afternoon will herald our arrival at the Merzouga shores of the Sahara. You will mount a camel here and begin a trek through the sandy desert into the highest dune, where we shall stop for sunset views. After seeing the sunset, we will march further until we reach a luxury desert camp, where Berber drum rhythms will corps with you to dance around the fire under the cosmic starlight roof at the camp. It will end with a tasty dinner followed by an overnight stay at the camp.

Day 3: Merzouga Dunes – Erfoud – Midelt – Cedar Forest – Ifrane – Fes

The last day of your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes starts with a gorgeous sunrise. Get up early to see the desert in all its morning glory. Have a hearty breakfast, then get ready for your camel back to Merzouga, where your drive will be. Proceed from here to Rissani, which is the history-rich center of Tafilalet.
Rissani is an important commercial hub, and its souk is most lively on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. After visiting the souk, the next stop is Erfoud. Here is a workshop where fossilized marble is made. From there, we continue traveling through the Ziz River and make a stop at one point for a wonderful bird’s-eye view of the Ziz Valley. Lunch is in Midelt afterward, with more time to sample the local meat dishes. The tour proceeds to the cedar forests inhabited by the Barbary Macaques. They can be fed and interacted with during a stroll in the forest. We will then proceed to Ifrane, a town mostly known for its cold climate, snowfall, and alpine-like architecture, thus earning it the title of ‘Switzerland of Morocco.’ This will be the end of your 3-day desert trip from Marrakech to Fes at either Fes airport or at the reception of your hotel in the town.

Standard Tour

Great value for travelers prioritizing experience over amenities.

From €170 PER GUEST

Luxury Tour

Ideal for honeymooners or anyone wanting more space/comfort.

From €215 PER GUEST

Mixed Tour

A smart balance of comfort and cost.

From €195 PER GUEST

Tour itinerary map

FAQ Hub

Is the Tour Private or Shared?

The 3-day tour is a private experience, ensuring that only the travelers who inquire will be participating. No additional individuals will join the tour. Our primary focus is on providing high-quality, personalized experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.

Dietary Preferences

Please provide us with any dietary preferences you may have, and we will ensure that your needs are met. Kindly inform us of your preferences in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements for lunch stops and notify the Riad/Camp accordingly, as dinners are included in the package.

Tour Age Suitability

This tour is suitable for individuals of all ages. However, please note that the tour involves approximately 5 to 7 hours of driving each day. While our vehicles are new and comfortable, and we make regular stops along the way, if you are not used to this level of travel, you may wish to consider a longer tour, such as our 5 Days From Marrakech to Fes, to reduce the duration of daily driving.

Pick-up and Drop-off Details

The meeting point for the tour is at 8:30 a.m. at any location within Marrakech. If your Riad is accessible by car, we will pick you up directly from there. In case of accessibility issues, we will pick you up from the nearest accessible road point. This can be arranged upon confirmation of your booking.

At the end of the tour, we will drop you off at your hotel or Riad in Fes, or the closest available parking lot. The tour typically concludes between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in Fes, but the exact duration may vary depending on the time spent at each location.

Expenses

Currency Exchange: Euros or USD can be exchanged for Moroccan Dirham (MAD) at various locations throughout Morocco, including banks and currency exchange bureaus. Additionally, ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawals.

While credit cards and foreign currencies (Euros/USD) are generally accepted, it is advisable to carry local currency (MAD) for convenience and ease of transactions.

Meal Costs: Meals typically range from €5 to €20 per person, but prices may vary depending on the establishment.

Haggling / Price Negotiation: Haggling or price negotiation is an accepted practice in Morocco, and it is expected that customers will engage in this process. Even locals commonly participate in haggling.

What Type of Vehicles are Used?

The Vehicle will be either an SUV (4×4) or a Minivan, both with A/C

Vehicle Details :

4×4 : Land Cruiser Prado ( up to 4 pax )
Minivans: Mercedes Vito Tourer or Ford Torneo Van ( up to 8 pax )

For groups larger than 8, a minibus that takes up to 18 passengers can be provided.

How Long is The Camel Ride?

The Camel ride is 40 minutes to 1.5 hours long, depending on which camp you are staying in.

What is the Alternative to Camels?

If you do not wish to do the camel ride, the camp has a 4×4 that takes people and luggage in and out of the camp, which you can use.

Alternatively, ATVs can be arranged at an additional cost.

What happens to your luggage when you do the Camel Ride?

During the Camel Ride, you will only take what’s necessary for the Ride.

The rest of your luggage will be transported in the camp’s 4×4, and you will find it waiting for you at the camp.

How to book this tour? Any Cancelation policy?

Reserving a tour is simple: reach out to us, select your desired tour, and provide a small deposit to confirm your booking. Please review our booking policies for more details.