Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour: Camel Trek & Sahara Camp

Summary

Atlas peaks, kasbahs, palm valleys & a night beneath Saharan stars

You’ll cross Morocco’s wildest landscapes from Marrakech to Fes on this 3-day desert tour: winding mountain passes, ancient kasbahs, palm-filled valleys and finally a night under Saharan stars after your camel trek. Expect Berber hospitality, local flavors and moments you’ll remember longer than any photo.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that went sideways was my phone dying just as we started climbing the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass. Not ideal for photos — but honestly, I ended up just watching the road twist through the Atlas Mountains instead. Our driver, Youssef, laughed when I asked if he ever gets tired of these views. “Never,” he said, glancing at the red earth and scattered sheep. The air up there felt thin and cold, like you could smell snow somewhere nearby. We stopped for coffee in a roadside shack where a kid tried to sell me a fossil (I caved). By the time we reached Aït Ben Haddou, my hands were sticky from dates someone passed around in the van.

I’d seen pictures of Aït Ben Haddou before — Game of Thrones and all that — but walking those dusty alleys with our guide pointing out which doors belonged to families still living there felt different. The kasbah walls were rough under my fingers and warmer than I expected from the sun. Lunch was in Ouarzazate (tagine again; not complaining), then we wound through Dades Valley with its rose fields and endless little villages. There was this moment near Tinghir when an old man waved at us from his donkey — not sure why it stuck with me.

The next morning in Tinghir started slow: mint tea, bread with honey, sunlight creeping across the courtyard tiles. Walking through Todra Gorge was quieter than I thought it’d be — just water trickling over stones and some Berber kids herding goats along the riverbank. After lunch (omelette this time), we headed for Merzouga. The desert hit me all at once: hot wind, orange dunes stretching forever. I nearly fell off my camel trying to take a photo (the guide caught me laughing). That sunset over Erg Chebbi… can’t really describe it without sounding cheesy.

Night in the Sahara is something else. Drums by the fire, stars so sharp they almost hurt your eyes, sand cool under bare feet outside my tent. Our nomad hosts told stories in French and bits of Arabic; I only caught half but didn’t mind. Slept better than I expected — maybe it was all that quiet or maybe just being far from everything familiar.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Tinghir via Atlas Mountains

• Drive from Marrakech to High Atlas Mountains
• Stop for coffee and photos at Tizi Ntichka pass
• Visit Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou
• Pass by Ouarzazate to Dades Valley
• Drive through Skoura oasis and Klaa Mgrouna
• Continue to Tinghir via Dades Gorges
• Arrive at hotel and enjoy dinner

Day 2 — Tinghir to Merzouga Desert Camp

• Breakfast at hotel in Tinghir
• Visit Tinghir oasis
• Cross Tinghir to Todra Gorges
• Walk along Todra Gorges stream
• Lunch at local cafe
• Drive to Rissani via small towns and oases
• Arrive Merzouga and meet camel caravan
• One-hour camel ride and sandboarding
• Reach desert camp and have dinner
• Enjoy campfire entertainment and overnight

Day 3 — Merzouga to Fes via Middle Atlas

• Early sunrise camel ride on Erg Chebbi dunes
• Breakfast at camp lodge in Merzouga
• Drive across Ziz Valley with date palms
• Stop for lunch in Midelt
• Drive past Azrou cedar forest and spot monkeys
• Arrive in Fes and end tour

Top questions

How long is the Marrakech to Fes desert tour?

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

Is a camel ride included on this Sahara desert trip?

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

What kind of accommodation is provided?

The first night is in a comfortable hotel in Tinghir; second night is in a private tent at a Merzouga desert camp.

Are meals included during the tour?

Dinners are included both nights; breakfasts are also provided each morning.

Is hotel pickup available for this day trip Marrakech to Fes?

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

Can infants or people with limited mobility join?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infants can ride in prams or strollers; service animals are allowed too.

Will we visit famous places like Aït Ben Haddou?

Yes, you’ll stop at Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou as well as Todra Gorge and Dades Valley along the way.

What should I pack for this Marrakech desert trip?

Bring layers for changing temperatures, sun protection and comfortable shoes for walking on sand and rocky paths.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Marrakech, private room accommodation in Tinghir on night one and a private tent at a luxury Merzouga desert camp on night two. Enjoy an hour-long camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes plus sandboarding if you’re feeling adventurous; dinners and breakfasts are provided each day before drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes.