Fes to Marrakech: Desert Tour with Local Encounters & Camel Ride

Summary

Crossing Morocco’s Sahara: camel rides, kasbahs & rare moments

You’ll cross Morocco from Fes to Marrakech with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story along the way. Expect camel rides at sunset in Erg Chebbi, slow lunches with fresh bread, visits to Berber villages and ancient kasbahs, plus time with real people who call these places home — moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — we almost missed the pickup in Fes because I couldn’t find my other shoe (classic). Our guide, Hassan, just grinned when we finally tumbled out with our bags. He handed me a tiny glass of mint tea before we even left the city. That first sip — hot, sweet, a little grassy — kind of set the tone for the whole three-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech. Nothing rushed. Even when we stopped in a Berber village in the Middle Atlas for coffee, it felt like time slowed down. The air smelled faintly of woodsmoke and sheep; an old man waved as we passed by his blue door.

The drive through the cedar forest was quieter than I expected. We pulled over when someone spotted monkeys up in the branches — they watched us as if we were the odd ones. Lunch was somewhere along a dusty road (I never caught the name), but I still remember the bread: warm, floury, torn by hand and dipped into something spicy that made my nose run. By late afternoon, we reached Erg Chebbi and switched to camels. The sand was cooler than I thought it’d be under my bare feet. Watching sunset from those dunes — well, I’m not sure I can describe it without sounding cheesy. Let’s just say I didn’t talk much for a while after that.

The next morning started early (I barely slept — too quiet?), and then it was on towards Dades Valley via Tinghir. Hassan knew everyone along that “road of 1001 Kasbahs” — he’d honk or wave at every other car or donkey cart. At Todra Gorge, he pointed out where climbers sometimes get stuck (“not us today,” he joked). Lunch was slow again; nobody seemed in a hurry except maybe me at first, but then you just… adjust.

By day three, after breakfast in Dades (the apricot jam was homemade), we visited a rose cooperative near Kelaa Mgouna. The women there let me try mixing rose water — mine smelled mostly like soap but they were polite about it. Later at Ait Ben Haddou, our guide explained how families used to live inside those thick clay walls; you could feel how cool it stayed inside even though outside was blindingly bright. The last stretch over Tizi-n-Tichka Pass back to Marrakech felt long but somehow comforting — mountains rolling past, Hassan humming quietly up front.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fez to Erg Chebbi Desert

• Walk and coffee at Berber village
• Drive and walk in Cedar forest to see monkeys
• Drive through Middle Atlas and lunch stop
• Drive through Ziz Valley and panoramic photos
• Camel ride and sunset at Erg Chebbi dunes

Day 2 — Erg Chebbi to Dades Valley

• Drive along 1001 Kasbah road to Todra Canyons
• Visit kasbah and transfer to hotel in Dades

Day 3 — Dades to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

• Visit rose plantation and cooperative in Kelaa Mgouna
• Explore Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO site
• Drive through Tizi-n-Tichka pass to Marrakech

Top questions

How long is the desert tour from Fes to Marrakech?

The tour lasts 3 days and travels from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara Desert.

Is hotel pickup included for this Fes to Marrakech desert tour?

Yes, pickup is included at your accommodation in Fes.

Do you ride camels during this Sahara desert trip?

Yes, there is a camel ride into Erg Chebbi dunes included on the first day.

Are meals provided on this 3-day Morocco tour?

Lunch stops are arranged along the route; breakfast is included at your hotel or guesthouse each morning.

What are some highlights between Fes and Marrakech?

You’ll visit Berber villages, cedar forests with monkeys, Ziz Valley viewpoints, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, Rose Valley near Kelaa Mgouna, Ait Ben Haddou kasbah and cross Tizi-n-Tichka Pass.

Is this desert tour suitable for children or families?

Yes—children can join if accompanied by an adult; infant seats are available on request.

Can vegetarians be accommodated on this trip?

A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking time.

What type of vehicle is used for transport?

You travel by private vehicle throughout the journey between cities and sites.

What’s included

Your journey includes private vehicle transport with pickup in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech; overnight stays in local hotels or guesthouses; guided visits through kasbahs and villages; a camel ride into Erg Chebbi dunes; breakfast each morning; stops for lunch at local cafés; plus time with your multilingual guide who helps arrange everything along the way.