Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour: Camel Trek & Berber Camp

Summary

Crossing Morocco’s desert by camel from Marrakech to Fes

You’ll cross Morocco from Marrakech to Fes in three days: climb Atlas passes with a local driver, explore ancient kasbahs, ride camels into Merzouga’s dunes at sunset, then sleep under stars in a Berber camp with music drifting through the sand. Wake early for sunrise before meeting monkeys near Azrou—this journey lingers long after it ends.

What’s the experience like?

"You’ll want to hold on tighter," our driver Youssef grinned as we started winding up the Tizi-n-Tichka pass out of Marrakech. I could smell mint tea from his thermos and honestly, my stomach was already a little nervous — those mountain roads twist more than you’d think. We stopped at a roadside stall where an old woman sold bread so warm it steamed in the cool morning air. The Atlas villages flashed by in ochre and pink, laundry flapping like flags. At Ait Benhaddou, I tried to picture all those old films shot there but mostly just ended up staring at the mud walls, wondering how they survive the wind.

Lunch was tagine in Ouarzazate — heavy with cumin, not too spicy — and then we rolled through Rose Valley where the scent was faint but real if you leaned out the window. Tinghir felt quieter than I expected; our hotel had this rooftop view over palm groves and I remember just sitting there, not saying much, watching kids chase each other below. Maybe it was tiredness or just that kind of travel daze you get after hours on Moroccan roads.

The next day, after breakfast (flatbread, honey, strong coffee), we drove toward Merzouga. The land got emptier and redder until suddenly dunes appeared — way bigger than photos make them look. Our guide Hassan handed us scarves for the camel trek ("for sand and sun," he said). I probably tied mine wrong because he laughed gently before fixing it for me. Riding into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset felt surreal; all orange light and soft wind, camels snorting now and then. At camp that night under Berber tents, someone played drums while we ate lamb cooked over coals. Sand everywhere — in shoes, hair — but I didn’t care.

Dawn came early with cold air and silence except for one distant rooster (where do they even live out here?). Watching sunrise over those dunes is something I still think about when city life gets noisy again. On the way to Fes we stopped near Azrou where monkeys darted through cedar trees; I tried tossing them a bit of bread but they were quicker than me. By late afternoon we reached Fes — dusty, tired, happy. Can’t really describe it better than that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Tinghir via Ait Benhaddou

• Pick up from accommodation at 7:00 am
• Drive across Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass
• Visit traditional High Atlas Berber villages
• Visit UNESCO site Ait Benhaddou
• Have lunch at Ait Benhaddou
• Stop at supermarket in Ouarzazate
• Continue to Tinghir via Rose Valley
• Overnight in hotel in Tinghir

Day 2 — Tinghir to Merzouga Desert Camp

• Breakfast at hotel
• Depart to Erg Chebbi Sahara desert
• Pass through Todra Gorges, oasis, Tinjdad, Jorf, Erfoud
• Arrive at hotel in Merzouga
• Pack small bag for desert night
• Ride camels across Erg Chebbi dunes
• Walk to highest dunes for sandboarding and sunset
• Overnight in Berber nomad desert camp

Day 3 — Merzouga to Fes via Azrou and Ifrane

• Wake early to watch sunrise in dunes
• Ride camels back to Merzouga
• Breakfast and shower at camp
• Drive to Fes via Rachidia, Midelt, and Azrou
• See monkeys in Azrou cedar forest
• Visit Ifrane and take pictures
• Arrive in Fes late afternoon
• Drop off at hotel or nearest riad

Top questions

How long does the Marrakech to Fes desert tour take?

The tour lasts three days and two nights from Marrakech to Fes.

Is hotel pickup included for this desert trip?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation or nearest accessible point in Marrakech is included.

Do you ride camels during this tour?

Yes, there is a camel trek across the Merzouga dunes included on day two.

Where do you sleep during the desert tour?

You spend one night in a hotel in Tinghir and one night in a standard Berber camp in Merzouga desert.

Are meals provided on this Marrakech to Fes trip?

Breakfast is included; lunch is available at stops along the route but not always included.

Is there time to visit Ait Benhaddou?

Yes, there’s a stop at Kasbah Ait Benhaddou for exploration and lunch on day one.

Do you see monkeys during this tour?

Yes, there’s a stop near Azrou’s cedar forest where Barbary macaques are often seen.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup from your Marrakech riad or hotel (or nearby spot), private transport with a professional driver-guide throughout all three days, overnight stays in both a Tinghir hotel and Berber tented camp in Merzouga (with breakfast), plus your own camel for trekking into the Sahara dunes before returning by road to Fes late afternoon on day three.