3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga

Sunset and sunrise camel rides frame the desert, with the Sahara camp and starry dinner in between.

A 3-day guided tour from Fes to Marrakech through the Sahara, based in Merzouga. You cross the Atlas Mountains, ride camels at sunset and sunrise across Erg Chebbi dunes, sleep in a private tent at a desert camp with dinner and breakfast, walk the Todgha Canyons and Tinghir oasis, and visit the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou before descending to Marrakech. An English-speaking driver-guide leads the route. Hotel pickup in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech are included. Lunches and drinks en route are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fes to Merzouga via Atlas Mountains

• Breakfast at hotel or riad in Fes
• Driver picks you up early morning
• Cross Saiss plains to Middle Atlas Mountains
• Stop for photos of Barbary apes near Ifran and Azrou
• Stop for lunch in Midelt
• Cross Ziz River
• Drive past palm trees and Kasbahs to Erfoud and Merzouga
• Rest at camp
• Camel ride at sunset on Erg Chebbi dunes
• Dinner under stars with local nomad entertainment

Day 2: Merzouga to Boumalne Dades

• Sunrise camel ride in Merzouga
• Meet guide in Merzouga
• Drive to Tinghir oasis
• Walk along Todgha riverbank and visit Berber villages
• Walk to Todgha Canyons
• Lunch at local cafe
• Drive along Casbah road to Dades Valley
• Overnight at Dades Valley lodge

Day 3: Dades Valley to Marrakech via Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

• Breakfast at hotel in Dades Valley
• Driver picks you up
• Drive along Valley of Roses to Kalaa Mgouna
• Visit Rosewater cooperative
• Photo stop at Skoura oasis and Atlas Studios
• Drive to Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
• Lunch at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
• Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO site
• Drive through Atlas Mountains via Tizi Ntichka Pass
• Arrive in Marrakech and transfer to hotel or riad

The experience

Merzouga sits at the edge of Erg Chebbi, the dune field where this tour's two camel rides happen. You start early from your Fes hotel (7am in winter, 8am in summer), and drive south through cedar forests in the Middle Atlas, spotting Barbary apes, then cross the Ziz River valley past thousands of palm trees and fortified kasbahs to reach Merzouga by late afternoon. After a rest, you mount a camel for the sunset ride across the dunes, then continue to the Sahara camp for dinner under the stars with local musicians playing tam-tam drums.

Day two begins with a sunrise camel trek before breakfast. From Merzouga, the route heads west through Rissani and Tinghir, where you walk along the Todgha riverbank, visit Berber villages, and hike into the Todgha Canyons. Lunch happens at a local café. The afternoon drive follows the road of the Kasbahs into Dades Valley, where you stay overnight at a lodge with dinner and breakfast included.

The final day takes you through the Valley of the Roses toward Ouarzazate, with a stop at a rosewater cooperative to see how locals distill perfumes. You pass Skoura oasis, famous for date palms, and pause for photos at the Atlas Studios before reaching Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. This UNESCO site (a cluster of mud-brick kasbahs stacked together and used as a film set for Hollywood productions) gets a guided visit and lunch. Then the route climbs through the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass, descending past Berber villages built of stone and mud, arriving in Marrakech late afternoon.

What’s included

• A/C 4x4 vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide.
• hotel pickup in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech.
• sunset and sunrise camel rides across Erg Chebbi dunes.
• private tent in the Sahara camp with morning showers.
• dinner and breakfast both nights.
• sand boarding.
• guided walks at Todgha Canyons and Tinghir oasis.
• entry and visit to Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.

Options for this experience

3 options

Standard desert tour: the Classic optionGuide in 5 languages · 07:00Stay a night in a standard camp tent with shared bathroom facilities, plus a hotel in Dades Valley. Enjoy camel trekking and sandboarding in the desert, with optional ATV Quad or Buggy rental. Standard duration: 3 days. Breakfast and dinner are included. Minibus from Fez to Marrakech; camel pickup is included.

Luxury desert tour: the Deluxe optionGuide in 5 languages · 07:00Relax in a deluxe camp tent with a private bathroom, plus a private hotel room in Dades Valley. The package covers camel trekking and sandboarding, with optional ATV Quad or Buggy rental, for a full desert experience. Deluxe duration: 3 days. Breakfast and dinner are included. Minibus from Fez to Marrakech; camel pickup is included.

VIP desert tour: the Premium optionGuide in 5 languages · 07:00Enjoy top-tier luxury with a stay at the Merzouga Royal Camp, followed by a night at the exquisite Chez Pierre. Also included are an ATV quad ride, a camel ride, and sandboarding for an exciting time. Premium duration: 3 days. Breakfast and dinner are included. The route starts in Fez, crosses the Sahara and High Atlas mountains, visits the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and ends in Marrakech. Minivan; camel pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Morocco Trip

Is this one for you?The fixed 3-day itinerary packs the Sahara, two mountain ranges, and a UNESCO kasbah into one journey, so you cross Morocco's most dramatic landscapes without backtracking. If you have exactly three days and want camel rides plus cultural stops, this route uses the time efficiently. If you prefer a slower pace or want to linger in one place, a longer tour would suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What time does the tour start from my hotel in Fes?

Pickup happens at 7am in winter or 8am in summer, early enough to reach Merzouga before sunset for the camel ride that evening.

Where do I sleep during the 3 days?

Night one is in a private tent at the Sahara camp in Erg Chebbi with dinner and breakfast. Night two is at Hôtel Bia Besta or Hotel Babylon in Dades Valley, also with dinner and breakfast. A deluxe camp upgrade with an ensuite tent costs €70 per person if you prefer it for night one.

What are the Todgha Canyons and what do I do there?

The Todgha Canyons are dramatic rock formations carved by the Todgha River in the Tinghir region. You walk along the riverbank, explore Berber villages nearby, and hike into the canyon itself before lunch at a local café.

Is the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou really a UNESCO site?

Yes, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco's most preserved kasbahs. It's made up of multiple kasbahs packed together and has served as a filming location for Hollywood movies and commercials.

What's included in the price and what do I pay for separately?

Included are the 4x4 vehicle, English-speaking guide, hotel pickups and drop-offs, both camel rides, the desert camp with tent and meals, sunrise and sunset experiences, and sand boarding. You pay separately for lunches and drinks during the drive days.

Can I upgrade my accommodation at the Sahara camp?

Yes, you can upgrade to a deluxe camp tent with an ensuite bathroom for €70 per person on the first night in Merzouga.