4-Day Fez to Marrakech Sahara Tour: Erg Chebbi & Gorges

Cross the Sahara and sleep under the stars on a thrilling 4-day journey

This 4-day tour departs Fez and crosses the Middle Atlas Mountains through cedar forests and Berber villages to reach Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. You'll spend your first night in a Merzouga hotel, trek by camel across golden sands on Day 2 to watch the desert sunset, then overnight at an authentic Sahara camp. The route continues through the Road of 1000 Kasbahs and historical gorges, with hotel stays in Ouarzazate before the final push over the High Atlas to Marrakech. The tour includes minibus transport with air conditioning, a professional driver, three hotel nights, one desert camp night, camel ride, and live Berber Sahraoui music around the campfire.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fez to Merzouga via Atlas Mountains

• Meet and leave Fez
• Pass through Ifrane town
• Cross Middle Atlas and cedar forest
• Stop near Azrou to see monkeys
• Pass Berber villages
• Lunch in Medilt village
• Continue through Atlas Mountains
• Overnight in Merzouga hotel

Day 2: Merzouga and Erg Chebbi Desert

• Breakfast
• Camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes
• Watch desert sunset
• Overnight at Sahara camp

Day 3: Erg Chebbi to Ouarzazate

• Breakfast
• Travel to Ouarzazate
• Overnight in Ouarzazate hotel

Day 4: Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

• Breakfast
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou
• Cross High Atlas Mountains
• Arrive in Marrakech

The experience

The route starts in Fez and heads south through Ifrane (a French-built town from the 1930s with Swiss village architecture), then climbs into the Middle Atlas. You'll pass cedar forests near Azrou, where stops let you spot monkeys and photograph the landscape, and move through several Berber villages before lunch in Medilt. The drive crosses the Atlas Mountains and descends into the Ziz Valley, arriving in Merzouga by evening for your first night in a hotel at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Day 2 centers on the desert itself. After breakfast, you mount a camel and trek across the golden sands of Erg Chebbi, timing the ride to reach a vantage point for the sunset. You'll spend the night at an authentic Sahara camp under the stars, with live Berber Sahraoui music played around the campfire. Sandboarding is available on request if you want to try the dunes on foot.

The return journey on Days 3 and 4 retraces a different route through the Road of 1000 Kasbahs and the region's famous gorges. You'll overnight in Ouarzazate, then cross the High Atlas Mountains on the final leg to Marrakech. The minibus has air conditioning throughout, and a professional driver handles all navigation and stops.

What’s included

• Minibus transport with air conditioning and a professional driver.
• overnight stays in hotels in Merzouga and Ouarzazate.
• one night at an authentic Sahara camp in Erg Chebbi.
• camel trek across the dunes.
• live Berber Sahraoui music around the campfire.
• sandboarding upon request.
• all applications and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Standard option group tourGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Standard accommodations: Riad Tighmert "room", Standard Tent with Ensuite Bathroom at La Perle Du Sud, or a similar option. Shared group tour lasting 4 days with 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts. Route: Fes to Merzouga, Merzouga to Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi to Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate to Marrakech. Travel by minibus with air conditioning and a professional driver. Pickup is included.

Luxury AccommodationsGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Luxury accommodations: 1) Xaluca Dades in Dades; 2) luxury tent with ensuite bathroom and air conditioning; 3) Riad Tighmart "suite" in Merzouga, or a similar option. Local guides in Rissani and Ait Ben Haddou. Shared group tour lasting 4 days: Marrakech to Dades, Dades to Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi to Merzouga, Merzouga to Fes. Dinners and breakfasts: 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts (a vegetarian option is available). Marrakech to Fes by minibus with air conditioning and a professional driver. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 34

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Fes Desert Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour option if you want to share costs and meet other travelers. The luxury accommodations option upgrades your hotel rooms across all three nights. Either way, the four-day span lets you cross the mountains, spend a full day in the desert, and reach Marrakech without rushing the route or cutting the overnight at the camp.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the drive like from Fez to Merzouga on the first day?

The route passes through Ifrane, the cedar forests near Azrou, and several Berber villages before lunch in Medilt. You'll cross the Middle Atlas Mountains and descend through the Ziz Valley, arriving in Merzouga in the evening after a full day of travel and stops.

Do I really sleep in the desert, or is it a hotel?

Night 2 is at an authentic Sahara camp in Erg Chebbi under the stars. Nights 1 and 3 are in hotels in Merzouga and Ouarzazate. The camp includes live Berber Sahraoui music around the campfire.

Is the camel trek difficult, and how long does it last?

The trek crosses the Erg Chebbi dunes on Day 2 and is timed to end at sunset. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes minibus transport with air conditioning, the professional driver, three hotel nights, one desert camp night, the camel ride, Berber music at the camp, and all taxes and applications. Lunches, drinks, monument entrance fees and tips are not included.