3-Day Desert Tour Marrakech to Fes: Camel Rides & Sahara Camp

Wake to sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes, then ride deeper into the desert.

A 3-day guided tour from Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains to Fes, with two nights of accommodation (one in a hotel in the rose valley, one in a nomad tent at a Merzouga desert camp), camel treks across the Sahara, sand boarding, and hotel pickup and drop-off included. The route crosses Tizi-n'Tichka Pass, stops at the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and ends with sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before continuing to Fes. A live guide speaks English, Spanish or French, and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Atlas Mountains and Kasbah Visit

• Drive through Atlas Mountains
• Visit Tizi N'Tichka pass
• Explore Ait Ben Haddou kasbah
• Travel to Kelaat Mgouna (Rose Village)
• Overnight in Rose Valley hotel

Day 2 — Dades, Todra Gorges and Desert Camp

• Depart Rose Village to Dades Town
• Explore Gorges of Todra
• Travel to Merzouga desert town
• Overnight in nomad tent at desert camp

Day 3 — Sunrise and Journey to Fes

• Watch sunrise over Erg Chebbi dunes
• Drive to Azrou town
• Pass through cedar forests and see Barbary macaques
• Arrive and drop off in Fes

The Experience

The tour leaves Marrakech and climbs into the Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass before descending to the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. From there, the route moves through the Rose Village (Kalaat M'Gouna) and into the Dades Valley, where you explore the Gorges of Todra and its towering cliffs. By evening you reach Merzouga, a desert town on the edge of the Sahara, where you spend the night in a nomad tent at a desert camp.

The second day centers on the Sahara itself. You wake early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes—the operator notes this as possibly the best moment of the Merzouga desert—then ride a camel across the sand and try sand boarding. Dinner and breakfast bookend the night under the stars. The third day takes you north through Azrou, a town in the Middle Atlas known for its cedar forests and Barbary macaque monkeys, before arriving in Fes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is all transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and a guided tour of the major sights along the way.

Three purchase options are available: Standard Desert Camp, Premium Desert Tour, or Deluxe Camp Tent (marked as recommended). Overnight stays, camel treks, sand boarding, and transportation are included across all three; the choice affects the level of camp accommodation and amenities. Lunch is not included, and a local guide is not provided at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah itself, though the main tour guide remains with the group.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech.
• overnight stay in a hotel or riad in the rose valley on night one.
• overnight stay in a nomad tent at the Merzouga desert camp on night two.
• all transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou kasbah, the Gorges of Todra, and other major sights.
• camel trek across the Sahara Desert.
• sand boarding in the dunes.
• dinner and breakfast on both nights.
• live guide in English, Spanish or French.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Morocco Destinations

Is this one for you?Choose the Deluxe Camp Tent option if you want the most comfortable desert night; the Standard and Premium options offer different levels of camp amenities, so pick based on how much comfort matters to you in a nomad tent. The fixed three-day schedule and included transport mean you don't arrange the route or logistics yourself—the guide and driver handle the timing and stops, so the journey holds together without you building it.

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Top questions

What is the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass and why does the tour cross it?

Tizi-n'Tichka Pass is a mountain gateway in the Atlas range that the tour crosses on the first day. It sits at the summit of one of North Africa's highest peaks and marks the transition from Marrakech down toward the desert valleys to the south.

What happens on the night in the Merzouga desert camp?

You spend the night in a nomad tent at the Merzouga desert camp, immersed in the Sahara. Dinner and breakfast are included, and you wake early the next morning to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before camel riding and sand boarding.

Does the tour include a guide, and what languages does the guide speak?

Yes, a live guide is included and speaks English, Spanish, or French. The guide leads you through the major sights and stays with the group throughout the three days, though a separate local guide is not provided at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah.

What is Ait Ben Haddou and how much time do you spend there?

Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage kasbah—an ancient fortress with winding streets and historic architecture. The tour includes a visit to explore it on the first day, though the specific duration at the site is not set in advance.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included in any of the three purchase options. Dinner and breakfast are provided on both nights of accommodation, but you will need to arrange or purchase lunch on your own during the travel days.

Can children and infants join this tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants must sit on an adult's lap during vehicle transport. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the mountain passes and desert conditions.