3-day Private Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga

Atlas passes, Berber villages, a night under stars in Erg Chebbi, then the kasbahs of the south

A 3-day private desert tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga, traveling by air-conditioned vehicle through the Atlas Mountains and into the Sahara, with two nights' accommodation (one in a traditional Berber desert camp), camel trekking at sunrise and sunset, and hotel pickup and drop-off included. The route passes through Immouzzar, Ifrane, Azrou, and Midelt on day one; continues through Boumalne Dades, the Valley of Roses, and Kelaa M'gouna to Ouarzazate on day two; and concludes with a stop at Ait Ben Haddou before arriving in Marrakech on day three.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fes to Merzouga desert camp

• Pick up from accommodation in Fes
• Visit Immouzzar town
• Explore Ifrane town
• Visit Azrou cedar forest and souks
• Lunch and rest in Midelt
• Arrive at Merzouga desert camp
• Camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes
• Dinner and music at desert camp

Day 2: Merzouga to Ouarzazate via valleys

• Early morning camel trek for sunrise
• Visit Boumalne Dades town
• Explore Valley of Roses gardens
• Visit Kelaa M’gouna markets
• Arrive and explore Ouarzazate city

Day 3: Ouarzazate to Marrakech via kasbah

• Depart from Ouarzazate
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou kasbah
• Travel to Marrakech city

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel in Fes early in the morning and driven south through the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains. The first day moves through a series of stops: Immouzzar, a quiet town with traditional Berber architecture; Ifrane, built with alpine-style chalets and known as the "Switzerland of Morocco"; Azrou, where a cedar forest holds a population of Barbary macaques; and Midelt, nestled between two mountain ranges. By late afternoon you reach Merzouga and transfer to camels for a trek into the dunes of Erg Chebbi. You arrive at a traditional Berber desert camp as the sun sets, where you spend the night in a tent, eat dinner, and listen to live music under the stars.

Day two starts before dawn with a camel trek to watch the sunrise over the desert. After returning to camp, you travel west through Boumalne Dades in the Dades Valley, then through the Valley of Roses around Kelaa M'gouna, where rose cultivation dominates the landscape. The route continues to Ouarzazate, the "Gateway to the Sahara," where you stay overnight at a hotel. You'll have time to explore the city's markets and visit the Kasbah Taourirt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On day three, you depart Ouarzazate and head toward Marrakech via the Tizin Tichka Pass. The route includes a stop at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed kasbah with earthen walls and narrow alleys that has stood for centuries. From there, the drive continues to Marrakech, where you're dropped at your hotel.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers.
• accommodation for two nights (one in a Berber desert camp, one in a hotel).
• camel trekking at sunrise and sunset.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Fes.
• live guide in English or French.
• all stops at Immouzzar, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Boumalne Dades, the Valley of Roses, Kelaa M'gouna, Ouarzazate, and Ait Ben Haddou.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 10:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideEnglish and French

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 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Fes Morocco Travel

Is this one for you?The tour starts before dawn on day two for the sunrise camel trek and involves an early pickup on day one, so an early riser gets the most from both desert moments. The pace is steady driving punctuated by town stops and the overnight camp, suited to travelers who want to cover distance and see multiple regions without rushing through any single place.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What's included in the 3-day tour from Fes?

The tour includes the air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers, two nights' accommodation (one in a Berber desert camp in Merzouga and one in a hotel in Ouarzazate), camel trekking at sunrise and sunset, pickup and drop-off from your Fes hotel, and all stops at the towns and landmarks along the route.

Do I ride camels on this tour?

Yes. On day one you trek by camel into Erg Chebbi at sunset to reach the desert camp. On day two you ride again at sunrise to watch the sun come up over the dunes before returning to camp.

What is Ait Ben Haddou and when do we visit it?

Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: a centuries-old kasbah with earthen walls and traditional Berber architecture built into the desert landscape. You visit it on day three during the final drive from Ouarzazate to Marrakech.

Where do I sleep on the first night?

You sleep in a traditional Berber tent at a desert camp in Merzouga, surrounded by the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The camp provides dinner and live music in the evening.

Is a guide included with the tour?

A live guide speaking English or French is included to accompany you throughout the 3 days and explain the sites and culture along the route.

What time does the tour start each day?

Day one begins with an early morning pickup from your Fes hotel. Day two starts before dawn for the sunrise camel trek. Day three departs Ouarzazate in the morning for the drive to Marrakech.