3-Day Sahara Desert Tour: Fez to Marrakech with Camel Trek

Summary

Sahara Desert Adventure: Camel Ride, Gorges & Kasbahs

You’ll cross mountains, ride camels into real Sahara dunes, sleep under stars in a desert camp, explore gorges and kasbahs—and taste Morocco’s warmth at every stop.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember the first morning—leaving Fez behind as the air cooled and the city faded in the rearview. Our driver took us up into Ifrane, which honestly felt like we’d landed somewhere in Switzerland. The roofs were steep and tidy, and even the café where we grabbed coffee had this faint smell of pine. We didn’t linger long—just enough time to stretch and watch locals heading off to work bundled up against the chill.

The road wound higher into the Middle Atlas. Somewhere near Azrou, our guide Youssef pulled over so we could spot Barbary apes in the cedar forests. They’re cheeky little things—one tried to snatch an apple right out of my hand. Afterward, we rolled on through Midelt (apple capital, apparently), stopping for lunch at a small place where everyone seemed to know each other. The tagine was simple but good.

Driving south, you start seeing palm trees everywhere—the Ziz Valley is just packed with them. There’s this one viewpoint above Aoufous where you can see the whole oasis stretching out below; it’s hard not to just stand there for ages watching the light shift over all that green. Erfoud came next—date shops everywhere and fossil stores with slabs of ancient sea creatures polished smooth. I picked up a tiny trilobite as a souvenir.

By late afternoon, Merzouga appeared out of nowhere—a few dusty houses and then suddenly those golden dunes rising up behind everything. Camels were waiting for us at the edge; they’re taller than you think and surprisingly gentle once you get used to their lurching walk. The sun started dipping as we rode out—sky turning orange and pink—and by the time we reached camp, it was almost dark. Dinner under a sky full of stars felt unreal; I barely slept because I kept peeking outside my tent just to make sure it was all real.

The next day kicked off early with a ride back across sand while it was still cool. Rissani’s market was already buzzing—even saw a “donkey parking lot,” which is exactly what it sounds like (and smells like). Heading west again, we stopped at these old underground water channels called khettarat—climbing down inside was cooler than any museum tour I’ve done; you can actually feel how clever that old irrigation system is.

Todra Gorge is something else—the cliffs rise straight up on both sides and there’s always someone climbing or wading in the river below. We walked along for a bit, then drove through Tinghir toward Dades Valley. That road twists like crazy—locals call one part “the monkey fingers” because of these weird rock formations poking up everywhere. Our hotel that night overlooked red canyons dotted with kasbahs; I fell asleep listening to crickets and distant voices from another rooftop.

On our last day, Kelaa M’Gouna greeted us with fields edged by rose bushes (if you come in May during the festival, it must smell incredible). We followed what they call “the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” passing Skoura’s palm groves until Ouarzazate came into view—the so-called Hollywood of Morocco. Some folks toured film studios; I wandered around Taourirt Kasbah instead, getting lost in its maze-like rooms.

Ait Benhaddou was our final big stop—a hilltop village made of mudbrick that looks straight out of a movie (because it is). Our local guide explained how families still live here among all those ancient walls. The last stretch over Tizi n Tichka Pass took us high into the Atlas Mountains—hairpin turns and sweeping views before finally rolling down into Marrakech as dusk settled in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fes to Merzouga Desert

• Stop at Ifrane
• Visit cedar forests to see Barbary apes
• Lunch in Midelt and drive to Erfoud desert
• Descend Ziz Valley and view Aoufous oasis
• Visit Erfoud fossil shops
• Camel ride to desert camp at Merzouga

Day 2 — Merzouga to Dades Valley

• Explore Rissani market town
• Visit Todra Gorges and khettarat irrigation
• Drive to Dades Valley with scenic stops
• Explore Dades Gorge and monkey fingers

Day 3 — Dades Gorges to Marrakech

• Visit Kelaa M'Gouna rose farms
• Drive through Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate
• Visit Taourirt Kasbah or film studio tour
• Tour Ait Ben Haddou fortified city
• Drive over Tizi n Tichka Pass to Marrakech

Top questions

Is this Sahara tour suitable for families?

Yes! It’s family-friendly and suitable for most fitness levels—just let us know if you need infant seats or have special requests.

Can I skip the camel ride?

No problem—you can take an SUV instead if riding camels isn’t your thing. Just mention it when booking.

What should I pack for July or August?

Packing light clothes is key—it gets very hot in summer months! Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and drink plenty of water.

Are meals included during the trip?

Dinners are included at both overnight stops; lunches are usually at local restaurants along the way (not included).

What’s included

Your trip includes private rooms with air conditioning in Dades Gorges hotel and deluxe tents with ensuite bathrooms at the desert camp; guided camel trekking (or SUV transfer if preferred); knowledgeable local guides (especially at Ait Benhaddou); all breakfasts and dinners; plus comfortable transport between Fez and Marrakech—with plenty of stops for photos or snacks whenever you need them!