Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour: Camel Trek, Camp & Local Guide

Summary

Travel from Fes to Marrakech with desert camping and camel rides

You’ll cross Morocco from Fes to Marrakech with a local guide, riding camels into Erg Chebbi dunes for a night under desert stars and waking early for sunrise colors you won’t forget. Explore ancient kasbahs in Ouarzazate and wander through dramatic gorges before winding over Atlas passes toward Marrakech — all with hotel pickup included.

What’s the experience like?

"You ever seen snow in Morocco?" That’s what our driver, Hassan, asked as we rolled out of Fes at 8am. I laughed — but then we actually did see patches of it near Ifrane, tucked between cedar trees and those odd little stone houses. The air smelled sharp, almost piney, and there were monkeys darting around the forest in Azrou. We stopped for mint tea somewhere past Midelt — honestly, I lost track of the towns after a while because the landscape kept shifting every hour. By the time we reached Merzouga, the sun was low and everything had that orange glow you only get in the desert. Camel trekking into Erg Chebbi felt both awkward (my knees still remember) and kind of magical. The sand was cool under my fingers when we finally got off for the night at camp.

I didn’t sleep much — partly nerves, partly just wanting to watch the stars. Our guide played some old Berber songs by the fire; I tried drumming along but gave up after a few minutes (zero rhythm). Waking up before sunrise was rough but worth it. The dunes looked pinkish and silent except for one distant rooster — no idea where he came from out there. After breakfast and a quick shower back at a hotel (which felt like pure luxury after sand everywhere), we hit the road again toward Ouarzazate. The Todra Gorges stop surprised me — cool shade, echoey voices bouncing off rock walls, and this faint smell of river water mixed with dust.

Ouarzazate itself is busier than I expected. We wandered through Taourirt Kasbah with our guide explaining how families used to live there — his stories made it feel less like a movie set and more like someone’s home. Lunch at Ait Ben Haddou was simple but good; I still think about that bread dipped in olive oil while watching kids play soccer outside the kasbah gates. The drive over Tizi-n-Tichka pass was twisty enough to make me question my lunch choices (pro tip: sit up front if you get carsick). Somewhere along those mountain roads I realized how far we’d come from Fes — not just in miles but in how everything felt different now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fez to Merzouga via Middle Atlas

• Pick up from accommodation at 8:00
• Drive through Ifrane and Azrou cedar forest
• Enjoy views of Middle Atlas mountains
• Lunch break in Midelt
• See Ziz gorges and Palm oasis
• Stop for mint tea at traditional Kasbah
• Camel trek across sandy dunes
• Overnight in desert camp under stars

Day 2 — Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Todra Gorges

• Early sunrise in desert
• Camel ride back to hotel
• Shower and rest
• Drive through Rissani and Erfoud
• Travel Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
• Lunch and walk in Todra Gorges
• Visit Dadès Valley escarpments
• Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate

Day 3 — Ouarzazate to Marrakech via High Atlas

• Visit Kasbah of Taourirt
• Tour Atlas Studios movie studios
• Lunch and visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Drive through High Atlas and Tizi-n-Tichka pass
• Pass small villages and waterfalls
• Arrive in Marrakech in afternoon

Top questions

How long is the desert tour from Fes to Marrakech?

The tour lasts 3 days and 2 nights, traveling from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga and Ouarzazate.

Is camel trekking included on this tour?

Yes, camel trekking across Erg Chebbi dunes is included as part of your journey to the desert camp.

Where do you sleep during the tour?

The first night is spent in a desert camp near Merzouga; the second night is in a hotel in Ouarzazate.

Are meals or lunch provided?

Lunch stops are scheduled each day but are not specifically listed as included; breakfast is available at accommodations.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in both Fes and Marrakech.

What should I pack for this Morocco desert trip?

Packing light layers is best; bring something warm for cool desert nights and comfortable shoes for walking.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; travelers should have moderate fitness due to walking and camel riding.

Do guides speak English on this tour?

Your professional driver-guide speaks English throughout the trip.

What’s included

Your three-day journey includes hotel pickup and drop-off in both Fes and Marrakech, two nights’ accommodation (one at an Erg Chebbi desert camp under the stars, one at a hotel in Ouarzazate), all travel by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking local driver-guide, plus plenty of stops for photos, tea breaks, and walks through kasbahs or gorges along the way.