Marrakech to Fes: 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour, Camel Trek & Kasbahs

Cross Atlas peaks, wander kasbahs, ride camels at dusk and sleep beneath desert skies

You’ll cross wild mountain passes from Marrakech to Fes, wander ancient kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou, ride camels at sunset in Merzouga’s Sahara dunes, and sleep under stars in a desert camp with Berber music drifting through the night air. Even after you leave Morocco behind, those moments linger somewhere just out of reach.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Atlas Mountains and Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

• Cross Atlas Mountains via Tizi n'Tichka pass
• Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO site
• Drive through Roses Valley at Kelaat Mgouna
• Take coffee break at Kelaat Mgouna
• Overnight at Tinghir with dinner

Day 2: Todra Gorges and Sahara Desert Camp

• Walk in Dades and Todra Gorges
• Ride camel at Erg Chebbi desert sunset
• Spend night in nomad tent with dinner

Day 3: Merzouga Sunrise and Travel to Fes

• Watch sunrise and camel ride to camp lodge
• Breakfast at desert camp
• Drive through Tafilalet palm grove and Rissani
• Visit cedar forest to see Maggots monkeys
• Arrive in Fes and end tour

The experience

The first thing I noticed leaving Marrakech was how quickly the city noise faded. It’s almost like someone turned down the volume as we climbed toward the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Our driver, Hassan, pointed out Berber villages tucked into the hills: little clusters of red clay that almost disappeared into the landscape if you weren’t looking. We stopped for coffee in Kelaat Mgouna (the Roses Valley), and I swear I could still smell those sweet petals on my jacket hours later. There’s this moment when you realize you’re really out here: no turning back to Marrakech until you’ve crossed half of Morocco.

Ait Ben Haddou looks almost unreal up close, all mudbrick towers stacked against a blue sky. Our guide told us about movie crews that come here but honestly, it was the old man selling dates who stuck with me more. He handed me one without a word and just smiled. The road after that winds through valleys and kasbahs, and by evening we reached Tinghir where dinner was this slow-cooked tagine that tasted like it had been simmering since sunrise. I couldn’t finish it (portion sizes are no joke), but nobody seemed to mind.

The next day is when “Marrakech to Fes Sahara Desert Tour” really means something. The sand in Merzouga is fine as flour: gets everywhere, but somehow you stop caring once you’re on a camel at sunset. The silence out there is thick. Even the guides lower their voices. That night under the tent, there were Berber songs around a fire and I tried drumming along (badly). Lying back on the sand later, watching stars spill across the sky. I still think about that view when city life gets too loud.

Morning comes early in the desert. Riding back as dawn breaks over Erg Chebbi feels unreal: your shadow stretches forever on golden dunes. After breakfast (strong mint tea, bread warm from a fire), we drove past Rissani’s palm groves and through cedar forests near Azrou where monkeys darted across the road like they owned it. By late afternoon Fes appeared ahead (all green tiles and winding streets), and suddenly three days felt both long and much too short.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup from Marrakech, all transportation by air-conditioned vehicle across mountain passes and valleys, a camel trek at sunset and sunrise in Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi dunes with sand-boarding available if you want it, overnight stays including one night in a nomad tent under Saharan stars with dinner and breakfast each day before arriving at your accommodation or drop-off point in Fes.

Options for this experience

3 options

Basic Desert Camp TentGuide in 4 languages · 07:30Private room and standard camp: first night at a hotel in Tinghir; second night in a standard camp tent with a shared bathroom. Includes camel trekking and sandboarding, and ATV quads and buggies can be rented in the desert dunes with the locals. Basic option. Duration: 3 days. Includes 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts. Travel by Merzouga Sahara Desert comfortable minivan with ample room for luggage. Pickup is included.

Upgraded Camp Tent (Suggested Choice)Guide in 4 languages · 07:30Private room and deluxe camp: first night at a hotel in Tinghir; second night in a deluxe camp tent with a private bathroom. Includes camel trekking and sandboarding, and ATV quads and buggies can be rented in the desert dunes with the locals. Upgraded option. Duration: 3 days. Includes 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts. Travel by Merzouga Sahara Desert comfortable minivan with ample room for luggage. Pickup is included.

Top-Tier Desert ExcursionGuide in 4 languages · 07:30Luxury camp and luxury riad: first night at Dades Paradise, Dar Blues, Xaluca Dades or similar; second night at Merzouga Luxury Camp or Madu Luxury Camp. Includes a 1-hour ATV quad ride, a 1-hour camel ride and sandboarding. Premium option. Duration: 3 days. Includes 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts. Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or minivan). Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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 to3h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “All travelers in the medina riad near Hôtel Restaurant Café de France, Rue des Banques, Marrakesh, Morocco, can join us there.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Marrakech City Life

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the Marrakech to Fes Sahara Desert Tour take?

The tour takes 3 days and ends in Fes by early evening on day three.

Is camel riding included in the Merzouga desert part?

Yes, a camel trek at sunset and sunrise in Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is included.

Are meals provided during this tour?

Dinner and breakfast are included each night. Lunch is not mentioned.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel in Marrakech?

Yes, hotel pickup is included at the start of your trip from Marrakech.

Will I sleep in a tent during the Sahara part?

You’ll spend one night in a nomad tent at a desert camp in Merzouga.

What cities or sites will we visit between Marrakech and Fes?

You’ll see Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate area, Tinghir/Todra Gorges, Merzouga/Erg Chebbi dunes, Rissani, Ziz Valley, Azrou cedar forest before reaching Fes.

Are there any special activities besides camel riding?

The tour includes sand-boarding in Erg Chebbi as well as walking through Todra oasis and gorges.