Experience the Sahara and southern Morocco on a private 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga. Travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stop in Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, cross the scenic Ziz Valley and continue to the Erg Chebbi dunes.
In Merzouga, you will take a sunset camel trek and spend the night in a traditional desert camp. The journey then continues through Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
You will travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced local driver and have time for photographs, panoramic viewpoints and regular breaks. This tour is ideal for travelers who want to visit the Sahara while travelling from Fes to Marrakech in three days.
Discover Merzouga, the Erg Chebbi dunes, Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou on a private 3-day journey. Send us your travel date and group size, and we will confirm availability and the final price.
This 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga combines the Sahara Desert with some of the most interesting landscapes in southern Morocco. The route begins in Fes and travels through Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley before reaching Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes.
In Merzouga, you will enjoy a sunset camel trek and spend the night in a desert camp. After breakfast, the journey continues through Rissani, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, where you will spend the second night.
On the final day, you will travel through Ouarzazate and visit Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. This private tour is a good choice for travelers who want to experience the Sahara while travelling between Fes and Marrakech, although the itinerary includes long driving hours and an early start each day.
Prices vary depending on group size, travel season and accommodation category. This private one-way desert tour from Fes to Marrakech becomes more affordable per person when more travelers share the vehicle.
Please note: The starting price of €160 per person applies to private groups of 8–17 travelers. Prices for smaller groups are shown in the table above.
The price includes private transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced driver, pickup in Fes, drop-off in Marrakech, two nights of accommodation, dinners, breakfasts, a sunset camel trek and one night in a Merzouga Sahara desert camp.
A luxury desert camp or upgraded accommodation is available on request. Lunches, drinks, entrance fees, tips, quad biking, buggy tours and other optional activities are not included unless confirmed in your quotation.
This private tour is a practical way to travel from Fes to Marrakech while experiencing the Sahara and southern Morocco along the way. Instead of taking a direct transfer, you will visit the Erg Chebbi dunes, Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou over three days.
Your 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga begins with morning pickup from your hotel or riad in Fes. You will travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping along the way for photographs, refreshments and panoramic views.
The first stop is in Ifrane, a quiet mountain town known for its European-style buildings and clean streets. You will then continue to the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may see Barbary macaques living among the trees.
The journey continues through mountain scenery toward Midelt, where you can stop for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will travel through the Ziz Valley and stop at a viewpoint overlooking its palm groves, villages and cultivated fields.
You will arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon. At the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, you will meet your camel guide and begin a sunset camel trek across the Sahara to the desert camp.
After reaching the camp, you will settle into your private tent and enjoy dinner. The evening often includes traditional music around the fire, followed by free time to relax and enjoy the quiet desert surroundings.
Accommodation: Sahara desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes
Meals included: Dinner and breakfast
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before returning to the desert camp for breakfast. Afterward, you will travel back to Merzouga by camel or 4×4 and meet your driver to continue the journey toward the Dades Valley.
The first stop may be in Rissani, a traditional town known for its local market and its importance in the Tafilalt region. When the market is open, you can take a short walk through the souk before continuing through Erfoud, a town known for fossils and date production.
The route then passes through desert villages and palm-filled landscapes toward Tinghir. From here, you will continue to Todra Gorge, where high limestone cliffs rise on both sides of the narrow valley. You will have time to walk beside the river, take photographs and have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, travel through the Dades Valley, passing traditional villages, cultivated fields and unusual rock formations. Depending on the available time, you may stop at panoramic viewpoints overlooking the valley before reaching your accommodation.
After checking in, you can relax and enjoy dinner at your hotel or riad.
Accommodation: Hotel or riad in the Dades Valley
Suggested accommodation: Ksar Sultan Dades, Riad Gabsi du Dades or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast at your hotel, you will leave the Dades Valley and begin the final journey toward Marrakech. The route passes through the Rose Valley and several traditional villages before continuing toward Ouarzazate.
You can make a short stop in Ouarzazate, often called the gateway to the Sahara, before travelling to Ait Ben Haddou. This historic fortified village is one of Morocco’s best-known kasbahs and has been used as a filming location for many international movies and television productions.
You will have time to walk through Ait Ben Haddou with a local guide if requested, explore its narrow paths and enjoy views over the surrounding valley. Lunch can be taken at a nearby restaurant before continuing toward Marrakech.
In the afternoon, the journey crosses the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Your driver will make stops for photographs and panoramic views when road and weather conditions allow.
You will arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon or early evening. Drop-off is available at your hotel, riad or another agreed location in the city, marking the end of your 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga.
Meals included: Breakfast
Drop-off: Your accommodation in Marrakech
This 3-day route covers a long distance between Fes, Merzouga and Marrakech. Driving times are approximate and may change depending on traffic, weather, road conditions and the number of stops made along the way.
The first and final days include the longest hours in the vehicle. Regular breaks are planned for lunch, refreshments, photographs and panoramic viewpoints, but travelers should still be comfortable with several hours of driving each day.
Because this is a private tour, your driver can adjust rest stops and departure times when possible. However, the main itinerary must remain well timed so you can reach Merzouga before sunset and arrive in Marrakech at a reasonable hour on the final day.
This 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga includes two nights of accommodation: one night near the Erg Chebbi dunes and one night in the Dades Valley.
On the first night, you will stay in a private tent at Merzouga Glamping with AC, Merzouga Dunes Luxury Camp or a similar desert camp. Dinner, breakfast and the sunset camel trek are included. Selected luxury tents offer a private bathroom and air conditioning.
The second night is spent at Ksar Sultan Dades, Riad Gabsi du Dades or a similar hotel in the Dades Valley. After the journey from Merzouga through Todra Gorge, you can relax at the hotel and enjoy dinner before continuing to Marrakech the following morning.
The exact camp and hotel will be confirmed before booking according to availability and the accommodation category included in your quotation.
Night 1: Merzouga Glamping with AC, Merzouga Dunes Luxury Camp or similar
Night 2: Ksar Sultan Dades, Riad Gabsi du Dades or similar
Meals included: Dinner and breakfast on both nights
8:00 AM
This 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga is organised as a private journey, so you will travel only with your own group and driver. This gives you more comfort and flexibility than a shared tour.
Along the route, you can stop for photographs, coffee, lunch, short walks and panoramic views. When time allows, you may spend longer in places such as Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, the Ziz Valley, Todra Gorge or Ait Ben Haddou.
Your driver can also adjust rest breaks and departure times when possible. However, the main schedule must remain well planned so you can reach Merzouga before sunset and arrive in Marrakech at a reasonable time on the final day.
This private format is suitable for couples, families, friends and small groups who prefer a more personal journey through the Sahara and southern Morocco.
The best times to take this tour are spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November. During these months, temperatures are usually comfortable for sightseeing, camel trekking and walking around Todra Gorge and Ait Ben Haddou.
Winter, from December to February, is also a good time to travel. Daytime weather is often pleasant, but mornings and nights in Merzouga and the Dades Valley can be very cold, so warm clothing is essential.
The tour operates during summer, but June, July and August can be extremely hot in the Sahara. Desert activities may be scheduled later in the afternoon, and early departures are recommended to avoid the hottest part of the day.
The route is available throughout the year, but spring and autumn generally provide the most comfortable conditions for this journey between Fes and Marrakech.
This three-day route covers a long distance, so the first and final days include several hours of driving. Regular stops are made for coffee, lunch, photographs and panoramic views, but you should still be comfortable spending time in the vehicle.
Bring comfortable clothes, walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and a warm layer for the evening. Temperatures near Merzouga can drop quickly after sunset, especially during winter.
For the desert camp, a small overnight bag is more practical than a large suitcase. Your main luggage can remain safely in the vehicle. Guests who prefer not to ride a camel can request a 4×4 transfer to the camp.
Please inform us before the tour about dietary requirements, young children, mobility needs or special room arrangements. Vegetarian meals and child seats can usually be arranged with advance notice.
Lunches, drinks, entrance fees and optional activities are paid separately, so carrying some Moroccan dirhams is recommended. The final arrival time in Marrakech may vary depending on traffic, road conditions and the time spent at each stop.
Pack light and bring comfortable clothes for changing temperatures. Days can be warm, while evenings in Merzouga and the Dades Valley may feel cool, especially in winter.
Bring:
Your larger suitcase can remain safely in the vehicle while you travel to the desert camp. In winter, add a heavier coat, warm socks and a hat for the night in Merzouga.
To request this private 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga, send us your travel date, number of travelers, pickup location in Fes and preferred accommodation category through the contact form.
We will confirm availability and send you the final itinerary, accommodation details and total price before requesting the deposit. Submitting an enquiry does not require immediate payment.
A deposit of €100–€200 is required to confirm your booking. The exact amount depends on the number of travelers and the total tour price.
The deposit can be paid through PayPal. The remaining balance is normally paid in cash to your driver at the beginning of the tour in Fes.
Card payment may also be available, with an additional 5% processing fee. Complete payment instructions will be included in your booking confirmation.
Free cancellation is available when you cancel more than 20 days before the tour date.
For cancellations made 10–20 days before departure, 50% of the deposit can be refunded.
Cancellations made fewer than 10 days before the tour are non-refundable.
Date changes may be possible depending on availability, and we will always try to remain flexible when travel plans change.
Looking for a longer desert journey or a tour that finishes in Marrakech? Explore these private Morocco tours from Fes:
Travel from Fes to Marrakech through the Middle Atlas Mountains and Merzouga, including a camel trek and overnight stay in a Sahara desert camp.
Spend more time exploring the Sahara, with a camel trek, desert camp and additional experiences around the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Discover Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
Choose a slower private itinerary with more time in the Sahara Desert, traditional villages, valleys and kasbahs between Fes and Marrakech.
