3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech: Erg Chebbi Camel Trek

Camel trek at sunset across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, then sleep under the stars in a desert camp.

A 3-day guided tour from Fes to Marrakech crossing the Sahara Desert, with two overnight stays (one in Dades Valley and one in a traditional camp at Erg Chebbi) plus a camel trek across the dunes at sunset. The route passes through the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, the UNESCO site of Aït Ben Haddou, and the dramatic Todra Gorge, with an English- or French-speaking driver and local guide included throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fes to Dades Valley via Atlas Mountains

• Depart from Fes to Ifrane
• Explore Ifrane town center and Stone Lion
• Travel through Middle Atlas to cedar forests near Azrou
• Cross Tizi n'Tichka Pass with scenic stops
• Visit UNESCO site Aït Ben Haddou
• Stop in Ouarzazate to see kasbahs and film studios
• Drive through Valley of Roses
• Arrive and explore Boumalne Dades

Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert

• Wake up early for Erg Chebbi sunrise
• Breakfast at camp
• Travel through Tinghir Oasis
• Explore Todra Gorge canyon
• Arrive at Sahara Desert
• Camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes
• Enjoy sunset and desert camp dinner

Day 3: Merzouga to Fes via Ziz Valley

• Early sunrise over Sahara dunes
• Breakfast at desert camp
• Depart desert camp toward Fes
• Stop at Ziz Valley viewpoint
• Lunch and rest in Midelt
• Visit cedar forests near Azrou
• Photo stop in Ifrane
• Arrive in Fes and end tour

The experience

Three days is long enough to move through Morocco's most varied landscapes without rushing. You leave Fes heading south through Ifrane, the alpine-style mountain town, then cross the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass (the highest major pass in the High Atlas) stopping at viewpoints to see the range spread below. The cedar forests near Azrou come next, where Barbary macaques live wild. The road then descends toward Aït Ben Haddou, the UNESCO fortress village where Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed. You'll walk its ancient earthen streets before the day ends in Boumalne Dades, a gateway town to the Dades Valley.

Day two starts before dawn so you can watch sunrise paint the Sahara gold, then you travel through the Tinghir Oasis, one of Morocco's largest palm groves, and into the Todra Gorge, where limestone cliffs rise over 300 meters above a river. The afternoon is the camel trek itself: you ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi as the sun drops, then reach a traditional desert camp where dinner, Berber music and a fire under the stars fill the evening. Day three reverses the route north, passing the Ziz Valley's panoramic overlook, the cedar forests again, and Ifrane's Stone Lion before you arrive back in Fes by evening.

Air-conditioned transport carries you the whole way, and a professional driver speaks English and French. The two nights' lodging (one in a hotel or guesthouse in Dades Valley, one in the desert camp) are included, as is the camel trek and a local guide at Aït Ben Haddou. Pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech is part of the booking. Drop-off in Fes ends the tour.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transportation throughout.
• pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes.
• one night in a hotel or guesthouse in Dades Valley.
• one night in a traditional desert camp at Erg Chebbi.
• camel trek across the dunes.
• professional English- and French-speaking driver.
• local guide at Aït Ben Haddou.
• dinner and Berber music at the desert camp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Under 9: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Morocco Dream Tour

Is this one for you?Three days leaves you time to cross the Sahara and see the High Atlas without spending a week on the road, though it means early starts and long driving days. If you want a slower pace with fewer stops, a longer tour would suit you better. If you're short on time, a 2-day version skips the Dades Valley overnight and some of the mountain scenery.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.

What's the Todra Gorge like, and how much time do I spend there?

Todra Gorge is a dramatic canyon where limestone cliffs rise over 300 meters above a crystal-clear river. You have time to walk through the canyon, admire the rock formations and take photographs. It's one of Morocco's most famous natural attractions and a main stop on day two of the tour.

Do I actually ride a camel, or just watch from a distance?

You ride a camel across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi yourself. The trek happens in the afternoon and evening, timed so you reach the dunes as the sun sets, then continue to the desert camp where you spend the night.

What happens at the desert camp, and is it comfortable?

The desert camp is a traditional setup where you sleep overnight among the dunes. Dinner is Moroccan and cooked on-site. Afterward there's Berber music and a campfire under the stars. It's designed to be an authentic experience rather than a luxury resort, and it's included in the tour price.

Is the Aït Ben Haddou stop just a quick photo, or do I actually explore it?

Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you walk through its ancient streets with a local guide. You'll see the traditional earthen architecture and the filming locations from major movies, so it's a real exploration, not a drive-by.

Can I see the Barbary macaques in the cedar forests?

The cedar forests near Azrou are home to the famous Barbary macaques. You'll stop there on both day one and day three, and if conditions allow, you may observe the monkeys in their natural habitat while learning about the region's unique ecosystem.