Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour: Camel Trek, Dades & Sahara Camp

Summary

High Atlas passes, kasbahs, camel rides and desert nights from Marrakech to Fez

You’ll cross Morocco from Marrakech to Fes on this 4-day desert tour—climbing mountain passes, wandering kasbahs, riding camels at sunset through Erg Chebbi dunes, and sharing Berber music around a campfire under Sahara stars. Expect moments of quiet awe mixed with laughter and small surprises along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Dades Gorge via Atlas

• Depart from Marrakech hotel
• Drive through Tizi n'Tichka Pass
• Stop for photos at mountain pass
• Visit Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
• Explore Ouarzazate town
• Arrive at Dades Gorge

Day 2 — Dades Gorge to Merzouga Desert

• Breakfast with gorge views
• Visit Todra Gorge
• Walk in Todra Gorge
• Stop in Tinghir village
• Explore Rissani market
• Arrive at Merzouga Desert
• Camel trek to desert camp
• Dinner and overnight in camp

Day 3 — Merzouga Desert and Surroundings

• Watch sunrise over Sahara dunes
• Return to Merzouga town
• Visit Khamlia village and Gnawa music
• Explore local oasis near Merzouga
• Tour Rissani kasbahs and market
• Dinner and overnight at Merzouga hotel

Day 4 — Merzouga to Fez via Ziz Valley

• Pickup from Merzouga hotel
• Drive through Ziz Valley with photo stops
• Lunch stop in Midelt town
• Drive through Middle Atlas Mountains
• Walk in cedar forests and spot monkeys
• Pass through Ifrane town
• Arrive in Fez city

Top questions

How long is the Marrakech to Fes desert tour?

The tour lasts 4 days and 3 nights.

Is camel trekking included on this Marrakech Sahara tour?

Yes, an hour-long camel trek in Erg Chebbi is included.

Are hotel pickups available in Marrakech?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or a meeting point in Marrakech is included.

Do you spend a night in the Sahara Desert?

Yes, you sleep one night at a desert camp in Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi dunes.

What meals are provided during the trip?

Daily breakfast and dinner are included throughout the journey.

Can you finish this tour in either Fes or return to Marrakech?

You can choose to end in Fes or return to Marrakech depending on your route option.

Is sandboarding available during this Sahara trip?

Sandboarding can be arranged upon request at the desert camp.

Are there stops at Ait Benhaddou or Ouarzazate?

Yes, both Ait Benhaddou Kasbah and Ouarzazate are visited on this itinerary.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup and drop-off (Marrakech or Fez), three nights’ accommodation (Dades Valley hotel, Merzouga desert camp, Merzouga hotel), daily breakfasts and dinners, all transport by air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking driver, camel ride into Erg Chebbi dunes with Berber music around the campfire (and sandboarding if you ask), plus local taxes covered along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Marrakech just after sunrise, the city still rubbing its eyes. Our driver, Youssef, laughed at my attempts to pronounce Tizi-n'Tichka — I never quite got it right. The road climbed fast into the High Atlas, twisting past villages where kids waved and women in bright scarves carried baskets. At one point we stopped for mint tea; the air up there was so sharp and cold it made my nose tingle. I remember standing by the roadside with my cup, looking out over switchbacks and thinking: this is already nothing like what I expected.

The first night in Dades Gorge felt like sleeping inside a painting — cliffs glowing pink at sunset, goats clambering somewhere above us. Breakfast was bread still warm from the oven and honey that tasted faintly of wildflowers. We hit Todra Gorge next (the keyword’s “day trip Marrakech to Fes” if you’re searching), walking between sheer walls while our guide pointed out tiny green lizards sunning themselves on rocks. Tinghir’s market was chaos in the best way: spices everywhere, people haggling over dates and carpets. I bought a handful of dried apricots that ended up squished in my bag for days.

By Merzouga, sand crept into everything — shoes, camera bag, even my socks. Camels waited for us at sunset; mine was called Bob Marley (not sure why). Riding into Erg Chebbi as the light turned gold felt both peaceful and slightly ridiculous — camels are not graceful animals. Dinner at camp was tagine under a sky so full of stars it almost looked fake. Some local guys played drums around the fire; someone handed me a drum but I could barely keep time. I still think about that silence when everyone wandered off to look at the dunes alone.

The last day took us through Ziz Valley’s palms and apple orchards near Midelt (never thought apples grew here), then into cedar forests where Barbary macaques darted across the road. We reached Fez by evening — dusty, tired, but weirdly content. Youssef dropped us off near Bab Boujloud with a quick handshake and “good luck in the medina.” I meant to ask him more about his hometown but forgot; maybe next time.