3-Day Private Desert Tour Fez to Marrakech: Merzouga Camel Trek

Three days crossing mountains, dunes and ancient Kasbahs from Fez to the Sahara and back

A private 3-day desert tour from Fez to Marrakech traverses the Middle Atlas Mountains, the Ziz Valley, and the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, with a camel trek at sunset and two nights in traditional accommodations: a luxury Berber camp in the desert and a Kasbah in Ouarzazate. Your driver speaks English, Spanish, Italian and French, and the route includes stops at Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Errachidia, and the film studios of Ouarzazate before the final drive to Marrakech through the High Atlas.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fez to Merzouga Desert

• Pick up from Fez accommodation
• Drive through Middle Atlas Mountains
• Stop at Ifrane Moroccan Switzerland
• Visit Berber village of Azrou
• Lunch stop at Midelt restaurant
• Visit Ziz valley in Errachidia
• Arrive at Merzouga desert camp
• Camel trek at sunset
• Dinner under the stars

Day 2: Merzouga to Ouarzazate

• Camel ride back to hotel
• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Ouarzazate via High Atlas Mountains
• Visit Sijilmassa historical site and Kasbahs
• Explore daily market of Colored Berbers
• Arrive at Dades Gorge
• Dinner and overnight in traditional Kasbah

Day 3: Ouarzazate to Marrakech

• Visit movie scenery sites
• Stop at Ouarzazate film production studio
• Drive to Marrakech through Atlas Mountains

The experience

You're picked up from your Fez accommodation at 8 a.m. in a private air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle. The first day heads south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping at Ifrane (known locally as Moroccan Switzerland for its clean streets and forested setting), and then the Berber village of Azrou, where Barbary Apes live in the cedar forests. After lunch in Midelt, the road continues to Errachidia, where you see the Ziz Valley's contrast of green palms against red earth and ochre-colored houses stacked along the valley floor. By late afternoon you reach Merzouga, rest briefly, then mount a camel for the trek into the sunset across the Erg Chebbi dunes before arriving at a luxury Berber camp for the night.

Day two starts with a camel ride back to the camp for breakfast, then the drive heads west toward Ouarzazate via the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way you visit the historical Sijilmassa Kasbah, the saint Kasbahs of Moulay Ali Cherif, and the local market where you encounter the daily life of the Colored Berbers. By evening you reach Dades Gorge and stay overnight in a traditional Kasbah. The final day continues to Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains, with a stop in Ouarzazate, the "Hollywood of Africa", where you see the film production studios where Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Way Back and Game of Thrones were shot.

Your driver provides commentary in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian or French throughout the journey, offering context on the culture, history and religion of each region. The tour is built around flexibility: while the itinerary is structured, the operator adjusts to your individual needs beyond the set route. Lunch is not included, but the driver will direct you to restaurants along the way.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle for all three days.
• pickup from your Fez accommodation.
• camel trek at sunset in Merzouga.
• one night in a luxury Berber camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
• one night in a traditional Kasbah in Dades Gorge.
• breakfast and dinner at both overnight accommodations.
• multilingual driver in English, Spanish, Italian or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French 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 5 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Happy Moroccan Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a driver who speaks your language (English, Spanish, Italian, or French) to explain the culture and history as you move through mountains, desert, and Kasbahs over three days in one continuous route.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

What's the camel trek like in Merzouga?

The camel trek departs in late afternoon and crosses the Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun sets, ending at a luxury Berber camp where you spend the night in a charming tent between the huge dunes and have dinner under the stars.

Which Kasbahs and historical sites do we visit?

You see the Sijilmassa Kasbah, the saint Kasbahs of Moulay Ali Cherif near Errachidia, and the film studios of Ouarzazate where major Hollywood productions were filmed, including Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Game of Thrones.

How many nights do we spend in the desert?

You spend one night in the luxury Berber camp at Merzouga after the camel trek, and one night in a traditional Kasbah in Dades Gorge before the final drive to Marrakech.

Are meals included in the tour?

Breakfast and dinner are included at both overnight accommodations, and the driver will take you to restaurants for lunch along the route, though lunch costs are separate.

What's included in the transportation?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle is included for all three days, with pickup from your Fez accommodation at 8 a.m. on day one.