3 days 2 nights
Daily Tour
16 people
English, Espanol, Francais, Italian
3-Day Desert Excursion: Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga.
This 3-day tour from Marrakech to Fes, will be an unforgettable excursion for you. The group will travel from Marrakech to Fes into the enchanting Sahara desert. Organized for your convenience, the 3-day, 2-night tour gives you an opportunity 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 camel into the heart of the desert and soaking up the silence. Marvel at the magical views of the sunset and sunrise over the desert vistas. You will also get to visit the traditional market of Rissani and Erfoud, famous for its fossils. The travel will also take you to Ifrane (“The Switzerland of Morocco”) and into the cedar forests of Barbary macaques, and will end in Fes.
The 3-day desert excursion from Marrakech to Fes starts with an immediate collection from the airport or your place of stay in Marrakech. The journey then takes us, in the company of the resplendent High Atlas Mountains and Tizi-N-Tichka pass. Stops will be made along the way so that you may enjoy incredible views of this stunning terrain. Following this, we will explore the highly advertised Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. The UNESCO-listed, fortified village is waiting for you to discover it. This Kasbah has starred in great blockbuster movies like Gladiator, Alexander, and The Mummy, as well as the hit television series Game of Thrones. From there, we proceed to Ouarzazate, humbly referred to as "The Gateway to the Desert." Upon arrival, you can enjoy free time for lunch before we set off exploring the Rose Valley as we pass through the massive palm oasis of Skoura. Our day will conclude in Boumalne Dades, where we will spend the night.
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 to the Merzouga shoes of 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.
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 making 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 three-day desert trip from Marrakech to Fes at either Fes airport or at the reception of your hotel in the town.
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.
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
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.
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.
The Vehicle will be either a SUV (4×4) or a Minivan, both with A/C
Vehicle Details :
For groups larger than 8, a minibus that takes up to 18 pax can be provided.
The Camel ride is 40 minutes to 1.5 hours long, depending on which camp you are staying in.
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.
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.
Member Since 2025
