Fes to Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour via Merzouga & Camel Ride

Summary

Cross the Atlas Mountains, meet Berbers, ride camels at Merzouga dunes

You’ll cross Morocco from Fes to Marrakech by way of cedar forests, palm valleys, Saharan dunes and ancient kasbahs—with camel rides at sunset and sunrise in Merzouga, nights spent under desert stars, guided walks through Berber villages and gorges, plus pickup and local guides along every step.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, we almost missed the minibus in Fes because I couldn’t find my other shoe (classic me). Our driver just grinned and said, “No rush—Morocco waits for nobody but also for everyone.” That set the tone. The road out of Fes twisted through Ifrane—felt oddly European, all clean lines and pine trees—then into Azrou’s cedar forest. There were monkeys everywhere, swinging and snatching snacks from outstretched hands. I tried to feed one a bit of apple; it stared at me like I’d offered it homework instead of food. The air smelled sharp and earthy, colder than I expected. Our guide, Youssef, taught us how to say “thank you” in Tamazight—I definitely butchered it but he just laughed.

The drive to Merzouga felt endless in that good way where you can watch the landscape change every hour: green valleys fading to rocky plains, then suddenly those wild orange dunes rising up out of nowhere. When we finally got there, someone handed us mint tea before we even checked in—sweet and hot and honestly perfect after so many hours on the road. I changed in a hurry because camels were waiting (they really do look unimpressed by humans). Riding across Erg Chebbi at sunset felt surreal; sand everywhere except where the sky turned pink behind us. My phone died halfway through but I didn’t care—sometimes you just have to let your brain take the picture.

Sleeping in the desert was… weirdly peaceful? There was this hush at night except for distant laughter from another campfire and the wind brushing over canvas tents. In the morning, sunrise hit everything gold and our group shuffled back onto camels with sand still stuck between our toes. We stopped in Toudgha Gorges—a place that makes you feel tiny—and wandered with a local guide who pointed out how water shaped all those cliffs over centuries. Lunch somewhere near Tinghir tasted smoky and rich; I still think about that bread they served straight from a clay oven.

The last day was a blur of kasbahs—Ouarzazate’s movie studios (I recognized nothing but pretended I did), Ait Ben Haddou’s mud-brick towers glowing under harsh sun, then switchbacks over the High Atlas where villages clung to hillsides like they might slide off any minute. By the time we rolled into Marrakech my head was full of dust and stories. It wasn’t always comfortable or easy but honestly? That’s what made it stick with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fez to Merzouga via Atlas Mountains

• Depart from Fez
• Short tour of Fez city
• Visit cedar forest in Azrou
• Feed Barbary monkeys
• Cross Middle Atlas Mountains
• Photograph Ziz valley palm grove
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Drive to Merzouga dunes
• Check in at hotel and drink mint tea
• Camel ride into desert
• Overnight in desert camp

Day 2 — Merzouga to Dades Valley

• Early sunrise camel ride
• Drive towards Toudgha Gorges
• Guided tour of Toudgha Gorges
• Head to Tinghir for overnight

Day 3 — Tinghir to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Drive early to Ouarzazate
• Visit Taourirt Kasbah
• Visit cinema museum and film studios
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Cross High Atlas Mountains
• Optional lunch at Tichka Pass or Ait Ben Haddou
• Drive to Marrakech and drop off

Top questions

How long is the Fes to Marrakech desert tour?

The tour lasts three days with two overnight stays included.

Is camel riding included on this tour?

Yes, both sunset and sunrise camel rides are included in Merzouga.

Where do you sleep during the tour?

You spend one night at a desert camp in Merzouga and one night at a hotel in Tinghir.

Are meals provided on this trip?

Lunch is available at local restaurants along the route; breakfast is typically included with accommodation.

Does this day trip from Fes to Marrakech include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup is included as part of your booking.

Are there stops at famous sites like Ait Ben Haddou?

Yes, you’ll visit Ait Ben Haddou as well as Ouarzazate’s film studios and kasbahs.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants can join; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available.

Is public transportation nearby if needed?

Yes, there are public transportation options available near some stops along the route.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Fes, air-conditioned transport across Morocco’s shifting landscapes, guided visits with locals at gorges and kasbahs, two nights’ accommodation—one under canvas at a desert camp in Merzouga (with sandboarding if you’re up for it), one at a comfortable hotel in Tinghir—and both sunset and sunrise camel rides through Erg Chebbi before arriving in Marrakech.