Fes to Marrakech: Sahara Desert Tour with Camel Trek & Atlas Mountains

Summary

From Fes to Marrakech across dunes, kasbahs & mountain passes

You’ll cross Morocco from Fes to Marrakech with camel rides at sunset over Erg Chebbi dunes, nights under Saharan stars in a Berber camp, walks through Todra Canyon and Dades Gorge, plus stops at Ait Ben Haddou and mountain passes—with pickup included. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left Fes when the landscape started changing—first those tidy streets in Ifrane (honestly, it looked more Swiss than Moroccan), then winding up into cedar forests. Our driver, Hassan, slowed down so we could watch a family of Barbary macaques darting through the trees near Azrou. I didn’t expect that part. The air smelled like pine and dust, and there was this quiet you don’t get in cities. Lunch in Midelt was simple—bread, olives, some kind of tangy salad—and our table overlooked a patchwork of rocky hills. Not fancy, but it hit the spot after hours on the road.

The real shift happened as we reached Merzouga. The light turned gold and everything felt softer somehow—even the way people spoke. Our guide poured mint tea while introducing us to our camels (mine was called “Bob Marley,” which still makes me laugh). Riding out over Erg Chebbi’s dunes at sunset… I mean, you just lose track of time out there. Sand underfoot is colder than you’d think once the sun drops. We made camp as dusk settled in—a few Berber tents around a fire, stars coming out one by one. Someone played a drum later; it echoed off the dunes in a way that made me feel both tiny and weirdly at home.

Waking up for sunrise was rough (I’m not a morning person), but worth it—the sky went from deep blue to pink so fast I almost missed it brushing my teeth outside the tent. After breakfast we rode back through quiet sand and hit the road again—Todra Canyon first, where walls of rock rise up on both sides and you can hear water trickling somewhere below if you stop talking long enough. Dades Gorge came next; we stayed in a small guesthouse where dinner tasted smoky from the tagine’s clay pot. The owner’s son showed us how to eat with just bread and hands—messier than I expected.

The last day felt like flipping through postcards: Rose Valley in bloom (smelled faintly sweet), Ait Ben Haddou’s mud-brick towers against bright sky, then winding up over Tizi-n'Tichka Pass with snow patches clinging to rocks even though it was warm down below. Somewhere along that road I realized I’d stopped checking my phone for hours at a time—just watching Morocco roll by outside the window. Rolling into Marrakech at dusk felt almost too soon; part of me wanted another night under those stars.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fes to Merzouga Desert Camp

• Breakfast at hotel or riad
• Pick up by English speaking driver
• Drive through Ifrane ski resort
• Spot monkeys in Azrou cedar forest
• Drive through Middle Atlas Mountains
• Stop for lunch in Midelt
• Cross Ziz River and pass Kasbahs
• Admire palm tree oasis view
• Arrive Merzouga, drink mint tea
• 1-hour camel ride at sunset
• Overnight in Berber desert camp

Day 2 — Merzouga to Dades Gorges

• Sunrise camel ride to camp lodge
• Enjoy early breakfast
• Visit Todra Gorges and walk valley
• Drive through Thousand Kasbah and Roses Valley
• Overnight in Dades Valley or Ouarzazate

Day 3 — Dades to Marrakech via Atlas Mountains

• Breakfast and drive through Roses Valley
• Stop at Atlas Studios for photos
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Cross Atlas Mountains via Tizi N'Tichka pass
• Arrive in Marrakech, drop off

Top questions

How long is the drive from Fes to Merzouga?

It takes about 7 to 8 hours by car from Fes to Merzouga, including stops along the way.

Is camel riding included on this desert tour?

Yes, camel rides across Erg Chebbi dunes are included for sunset and sunrise experiences.

Where do you sleep during the tour?

The first night is spent in a nomad tent at a desert camp in Merzouga; the second night is in Dades Valley or Ouarzazate guesthouse.

Are meals provided during the trip?

Breakfasts and dinners are included; lunches are usually taken at local restaurants along the route.

Is hotel pickup available from Fes?

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

Is this desert tour suitable for families or kids?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants can ride in prams or strollers and specialized infant seats are available.

Do you visit Ait Ben Haddou on this tour?

Yes, there’s a stop to explore Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What kind of vehicle is used for transport?

A modern air-conditioned 4x4 or van driven by an English-speaking driver/guide is used throughout the journey.

What’s included

Your three days include hotel pickup from Fes, comfortable travel by air-conditioned 4x4 or van with an English-speaking guide, two nights’ accommodation (one under canvas at a Merzouga desert camp with private tent and one ensuite room in Dades Valley or Ouarzazate), sunset and sunrise camel rides plus sand boarding in Erg Chebbi, breakfasts and dinners each day, drop-off at your Marrakech hotel or nearest accessible point—and plenty of mint tea along the way.