Best 3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour

Sign up for our popular 3 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour and allow yourself to join the imperial city of Fes from Marrakech and the desert. The drive in between is filled with many attractions that we highly recommend you should not miss such as the UNESCO listed Ait Benhaddou Village, the Kasbahs (fotresses), the Canyons, the Valleys, the Atlas Mountains, and, of course, the Sahara desert of Erg Chebbi.

Look it up on the map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech - High-Atlas - Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Valley

At 07h30 am, one of the private and experienced drivers/guides will pick you up from your hotel/Riad in Marrakech. We will head south by crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 m), the drive through the Atlas Mountains is interesting with the Berber Villages that are built-in adobe and stones alongside the ever-flowing river and the snow-capped mountains offering a great opportunity for taking memorable pictures.

We will have a guided walking tour around the UNESCO-listed village of Ait Benhaddou that used to play an important role in being a good commercial center for the caravans that used to cross the Sahara from Marrakech. It consists of many Kasbahs (fortresses), which are a striking example of southern architecture. After lunch, we will continue on the track to the Dades Valley driving through Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa) with the possibility to include a visit to the famous Atlas Film Studios.

Day 2: Dades Valley - Todra Gorge - Erfoud - Merzouga Desert

After having breakfast in your hotel/Riad, we will head to the desert of Merzouga while stretching our legs in the impressive Todra Gorge (Canyon). This high cliff has been an attraction for mountain climbers, trekkers, and for locals seeking cooler air. We will, later, drive through the city of Erfoud, which is known for the fossil factories and the dates market before arriving in the golden sand dune field of Erg Chebbi in the late afternoon.

Now, it is time to have a camel ride experience while enjoying the breathtaking view of the sunset. Have a delicious meal for dinner, then you may want to stretch your legs in the desert where the stars illuminate the horizons.

Day 3: Merzouga Desert - Ziz Valley - Midelt - Ifrane - Fez

Early wake up in the morning, we will invite you to climb the sand dune and enjoy the miraculous view of the sunrise atop the Erg Chebbi sand dune field. Have breakfast and get ready for a long drive north to Fes. We will include many stops for taking pictures such as in the palm valley of Ziz, meet the Barbay Macaques in the Middle Atlas, stretch your legs in the beautiful city of Ifrane before arriving at Fes in the evening.

What is Included

What is not Included

Useful Information

> The 3 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour is meant to allow you join the city of Fes while getting the most out of the desert regardless of the long drive it takes on the third day from Merzouga desert to Fes. However, we feature our private 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes to save you the long hours of driving along with exploring the desert area by visiting the nomads.

The desert trip is not suitable for pregnant & wheelchair users
Please note the road can be blocked during the winter due to the snowfall or heavy rains, as a result, taking another route through Agadir is the main alternative. We highly recommend not to book the desert trip if your flight is scheduled for the next day.
Please note we will drop you off in your hotel but if it happens you are staying in a Riad within the walls of the Medina that is inaccessible to the car, we will liaise with your Riad staff members to escort you so that you can avoid the hassle.