3-day desert trip Marrakech to Fes: camel ride, Merzouga camp

High Atlas passes, canyon walks, a night under Sahara stars, and the drive to Fes

A three-day guided tour from Marrakech to Fes that crosses Morocco's desert interior, stopping at the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Benhadou, walking Todra Gorge, and spending a night in a Sahara camp near Merzouga with a camel trek at sunset. The route includes hotel pickup in Marrakech, an air-conditioned vehicle, accommodation with full board, and a live guide in English, Spanish or French. Children are welcome from age 6.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Dades via Ait Benhadou

• Pickup from Marrakech hotel or meeting point
• Drive through Tizi-n-Tichka Pass
• Visit Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
• Drive to Dades Gorge
• Overnight at hotel in Dades Gorge
• Dinner at hotel

Day 2 — Dades to Merzouga via Todra Gorge

• Drive to Todra Gorge
• Walk through Todra Gorge canyon
• Drive to Merzouga passing oases and Berber villages
• Relax or start camel trek in Merzouga
• Enjoy Sahara sunset and dinner at desert camp
• Listen to local music by campfire
• Overnight at desert camp

Day 3 — Merzouga to Fes via Midelt and Ifrane

• Sunrise view and breakfast at camp
• Morning camel trek back to Merzouga
• Meet driver and drive towards Fes
• Stop at Azrou cedar forest for photos
• Stop in Ifrane for drinks and lion sculpture photos
• Arrive and drop off at Fes hotel or riad

The Experience

The driver picks you up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech and heads south through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters—the highest road pass in Morocco—with views of valleys, Berber villages and rocky terrain spreading below. The first stop is Ait Benhadou, a UNESCO-protected kasbah and fortress near Ouarzazate where scenes from Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Game of Thrones were filmed. A guide walks you through the site before the drive continues 2.5 hours to Dades Gorge, where you spend the first night in a hotel or guest house with a bathroom and air-conditioning.

Day two leaves Dades in the morning for Todra Gorge, one of Morocco's most impressive canyons, where you walk through the narrow rock walls and listen to the river. The route then pushes toward Merzouga through oasis landscapes and Berber villages, passing the town of Erfoud where the Sahara begins. Depending on your arrival time, you either rest or start the camel trek right away—roughly an hour riding into the dunes. You watch the sunset from the sand, return to camp for dinner, and spend the night under the stars with music and a fire, the camp equipped with bathrooms and full board included.

The final day starts early to catch the sunrise, followed by a morning camel trek back to Merzouga and breakfast. The longest drive of the trip—about 10 hours—takes you north to Fes via Midelt and Ifrane. You stop at Azrou cedar forest to see Barbary apes, then pause in Ifrane for photos of the sculpted lion before the driver drops you at your hotel or riad in Fes.

What’s included

• Hotel and desert camp accommodation with full board.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the entire route.
• live guide in English, Spanish or French at Ait Benhadou and Todra Gorge.
• camel trek at sunset in Merzouga.
• night in a Sahara camp with dinner, music and campfire.
• hotel or riad pickup in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Morocco Featured Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling from Marrakech to Fes and want the desert crossing built into your route—a three-day itinerary moves you between both cities while you experience sand dunes, canyons, and a night under the stars, rather than treating the drive as separate from the experience.

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Top questions

What's the drive like from Marrakech to the first night in Dades Gorge?

The first day crosses the High Atlas via Tizi-n'Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters, stopping at Ait Benhadou kasbah, then continues 2.5 hours to Dades Gorge. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the driver handles the route; you see mountain valleys and Berber villages along the way.

How long is the camel trek in Merzouga, and what happens after?

The camel trek takes around one hour into the Sahara dunes. You ride at sunset, return to the camp for dinner, and spend the night in the desert camp with bathrooms provided. After dinner, locals play music and there's a campfire, with views of countless stars.

What's included in the accommodation and meals?

The tour includes a hotel or guest house in Dades Gorge on night one and a desert camp in Merzouga on night two, both with bathrooms and air-conditioning where available. Full board is provided, though lunches during the driving days are not included.

Is there a guide, and what languages do they speak?

A live guide is included and speaks English, Spanish or French. Guides lead you through Ait Benhadou and Todra Gorge; the driver handles transport for the full three days.

What's the final day like, and where does it end?

Day three is the longest drive—about 10 hours—heading north to Fes via Midelt and Ifrane. You start with a sunrise view and morning camel trek back to Merzouga, then stop at Azrou cedar forest to see Barbary apes and in Ifrane for photos before the driver drops you at your hotel or riad in Fes.

Can children join this tour?

Children are welcome from age 6. The tour includes camel riding, camp stays and long driving days, so families should consider the child's comfort with these activities.