Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour: Camel Trek & Luxury Camp

Summary

From Fes medina to Marrakech’s bustle through dunes kasbahs and canyon silence

You’ll cross Morocco from Fes to Marrakech with a local guide—riding camels into Erg Chebbi at sunset, sleeping under Sahara stars in a luxury tent, winding through Todra Gorge’s cliffs, and exploring ancient kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou before rolling into city lights again.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I remember is the smell of mint tea in Fes — sharp and sweet, waking me up before our driver, Youssef, even said a word. He grinned as he loaded our bags into the minivan outside the medina walls. It was early but already busy, cats darting between mopeds and fruit carts. We left Fes behind fast; I kept looking back until the tiled gates disappeared in the dust. The road twisted through Ifrane (which honestly looks like a Swiss postcard — never thought I'd see that in Morocco), then into cedar forests where we stopped for coffee and watched monkeys squabble over crumbs. The air there felt cold and piney on my skin.

We crossed the Middle Atlas for hours — Berber villages flickering past, stone houses with blue doors, women waving from fields. Lunch in Midelt was all olives and bread and something with lamb I couldn’t pronounce (Li laughed when I tried). Somewhere after that, Youssef pulled over so we could see this endless palm oasis — just green stretching out under a hard white sky. By late afternoon we reached Merzouga. The sand was finer than I imagined; it got everywhere, even inside my shoes before I’d stepped off the camel. That first hour riding out toward the Erg Chebbi dunes felt unreal — just wind and hooves and orange light swallowing everything. Our camp had these thick rugs underfoot and lanterns swinging in the breeze. Dinner tasted smoky; later, lying outside with mint tea again, stars everywhere above us, someone played drums softly by the tents.

I woke up before sunrise because someone else’s laughter drifted through the tent walls — turns out watching dawn creep over sand is worth losing sleep for. After breakfast (flatbread still warm), we packed up for Ouarzazate via Todra Gorge. Those cliffs are so tall you have to tip your head back till your neck hurts just to see sky between them. There were goats balancing on ledges somehow; kids waved from the riverbank below. Lunch somewhere along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs (I lost track of names) — pink rosewater on my hands from washing up, which stuck with me all day.

The last morning started slow at Rose Valley Hotel (pool looked tempting but no time). Ouarzazate itself is quieter than I expected — Taourirt Kasbah’s mud walls glowing peach in morning sun, film studio gates half open with painted sets peeking out behind them. At Ait Ben Haddou we wandered old alleys where Gladiator was filmed; our guide told stories about caravans crossing here centuries ago. The drive through Tizi n Tichka pass back toward Marrakech was wild — hairpin turns, waterfalls flashing past bus windows, villages clinging to hillsides like they might slide off any minute if you blinked too long. When we finally rolled into Marrakech that evening it felt like waking up from a dream I didn’t want to end yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel from Fes to Merzouga

• Pick up from Fes Medina hotel
• Drive through Ifrane ski resort
• Visit cedar forest in Azrou
• Cross Middle Atlas Mountains
• Lunch break in Midelt town
• View palm oasis panorama
• Arrive in Merzouga and have mint tea
• Camel ride to desert camp
• Dinner and stargazing in Berber tent

Day 2 — Journey from Merzouga to Ouarzazate

• Watch sunrise in desert
• Breakfast at desert camp
• Drive Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
• Stop for lunch
• Visit Todra Gorge
• Drive through Dades Gorge
• Pass capital of roses
• Arrive and relax at Ouarzazate hotel
• Dinner at hotel

Day 3 — Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Tizi n Tichka

• Breakfast at hotel
• Explore Kasbah of Taourirt
• Visit Atlas Studios
• Lunch at Ait Ben Haddou
• Tour UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
• Drive High Atlas via Tizi-n-Tichka pass
• Pass villages and waterfalls
• Arrive at Marrakech hotel or riad

Top questions

How long does the desert tour from Fes to Marrakech take?

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

Is hotel pickup included in Fes?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or riad in Fes is included at the start of the tour.

Do you sleep in a tent during this Sahara desert tour?

Yes, one night is spent in a luxury tent with air conditioning at Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga.

Are meals included during the trip?

Dinners are included at both overnight stops; breakfasts are also provided each morning.

Is there a camel ride included?

Yes, a guided camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes is part of the experience on day one.

What places do you visit between Fes and Marrakech?

You visit Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Dades Gorge region, Ouarzazate including Ait Ben Haddou and Taourirt Kasbah.

Is this desert tour suitable for families or seniors?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels; infants’ seats are available and transportation is wheelchair accessible.

Where do you stay overnight during this 3-day trip?

You spend one night in a luxury desert camp at Merzouga and one night at Rose Valley Hotel or similar in Ouarzazate.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Fes by air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking driver guide; an overnight stay in a luxury tent among Erg Chebbi dunes with dinner and breakfast; sunset camel ride across Sahara sands; another night at Rose Valley Hotel in Ouarzazate with dinner; plus visits en route to Todra Gorge, Ait Ben Haddou kasbahs, Atlas Studios (from outside), scenic mountain passes—and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech.