3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech: Camel Trek & Erg Chebbi

Camel trekking at sunset, a night in the Sahara, then mountain passes and kasbahs on the way south.

A 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech that combines camel trekking in Erg Chebbi, an overnight stay in a Sahara camp, and sightseeing through the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, including stops at Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, and Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Hotel pickup in Fes and drop-off in Marrakech are included. You choose between a classic or luxury camp for your night in the desert.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fes to Merzouga Desert

• Pick up from accommodation in Fes
• Visit cedar forest near Azrou
• View Ziz Valley landscapes
• Meet desert guide in Erg Chebbi
• Camel ride at sunset on dunes
• Overnight in Sahara desert camp

Day 2: Merzouga to Dades Valley

• Watch sunrise in desert camp
• Breakfast at camp
• Return to Merzouga by camel or 4x4
• Drive through Rissani and Erfoud
• Visit Todra Gorge and stroll river
• Drive through Dades Valley
• Overnight in hotel in Dades Valley

Day 3: Dades Valley to Marrakech

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive to Ait Ben Haddou via Valley of Roses
• Visit Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
• Lunch near Kasbah
• Drive through High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n’Tichka pass
• Arrive in Marrakech late afternoon

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your accommodation in Fes and heads south through the Middle Atlas. You'll stop near Azrou to see Barbary macaques in the cedar forest, then descend into the Ziz Valley before arriving at Erg Chebbi, the sand dunes of Merzouga. A desert guide meets you there, and you ride camels across the dunes to watch the sunset. That night you sleep in a desert camp with a private bathroom, hot shower and toilet (in the luxury option). The classic camp offers the same setup without the extra amenities.

Day two starts early: sunrise over the dunes is worth waking for. After breakfast at camp, you can either camel trek back to Merzouga town or take a 4×4 vehicle, depending on what suits you. The route then follows the Todra Gorge, where you walk beneath towering rock walls and along the river. If your dates land on a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, you'll pass through Rissani's traditional market. By afternoon you reach Boumalne Dades, and before settling in, the driver takes you through Dades Valley to see the rock formations locals call the monkey fingers.

The final day crosses the High Atlas. After breakfast, you drive through the Valley of Roses and past Ouarzazate to reach Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the 15-kilometer-old mud-brick fortress that appeared in Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Following lunch and a walk through the kasbah, the route climbs to Tizi n'Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters, then descends into Marrakech, arriving in the late afternoon. Two breakfasts and two dinners are included throughout. Lunches and drinks are optional add-ons.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Fes and air-conditioned vehicle transport throughout the three days.
• sunset and sunrise camel treks in Erg Chebbi.
• two nights' accommodation (first night in a desert camp with private bathroom, second night in a hotel in Dades Valley).
• two breakfasts and two dinners.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• free time to explore the sites at your own pace.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in 5 languages07:30

Guide in 5 languages07:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (14 to 80 years) · Child (2 to 13 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Morocco Trip

Is this one for you?Choose the luxury camp if you want extra comfort in the desert. The classic camp delivers the same private bathroom and essentials for less. The three-day span gives you a full night under the stars plus time to cross two mountain ranges and visit multiple gorges and kasbahs: more ground than a two-day version covers, less travel fatigue than a longer itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 13 years); Infant (under 2).

What's the difference between the classic and luxury desert camp?

Both camps include a private bathroom with hot shower and toilet. The luxury camp option adds extra amenities and comfort. The classic camp delivers the same essentials at a lower price point.

Can I choose how I return from the desert on day two? Camel or vehicle?

Yes. After sunrise at Merzouga, you pick either a camel trek or a comfortable 4×4 ride back to town before heading toward Todra Gorge.

What is Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah?

Ait Ben Haddou is a centuries-old mud-brick kasbah 15 kilometers from Ouarzazate, famous for its appearances in Game of Thrones (as Yunkai) and films like Gladiator. You visit it on day three and walk through the structure before lunch.

Are meals included in the tour price?

Two breakfasts and two dinners are included. Lunches and drinks are optional and can be added at checkout.

Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?

Hotel pickup in Fes is included. Drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech is available as an option at checkout.

What wildlife might I see on this tour?

Barbary macaques live in the cedar forest near Azrou and are a highlight of day one. These are one of the world's rarest monkey species and a protected part of Morocco's wildlife.