3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour: What to Expect

The Most Popular Morocco Tour Explained

The 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour via Merzouga is Morocco’s most popular route. Here’s exactly what to expect, hour by hour.

Why This Tour?

This route efficiently combines Morocco’s top highlights: the Atlas Mountains, ancient kasbahs, dramatic gorges, and the Sahara Desert, ending in the historic city of Fes. It’s perfect for travelers who want to see it all without doubling back.

Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley

7:00-7:30 AM: Pickup from your Marrakech riad/hotel

7:30-10:30 AM: Drive through the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m). Stop for photos and coffee.

10:30-12:30 PM: Visit Ait Benhaddou kasbah (UNESCO site). Explore this incredible mud-brick fortress featured in Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

12:30-1:30 PM: Lunch break in Ouarzazate (not included in most tours)

1:30-4:00 PM: Continue through the Valley of Roses and the “Road of 1000 Kasbahs”

4:00-5:00 PM: Arrive at your kasbah hotel in Dades Valley

Evening: Optional walk to see Dades Gorge, dinner at hotel (included), overnight

Day 2: Dades Valley to Sahara Desert Camp

8:00 AM: Breakfast and checkout

8:30-10:30 AM: Drive through spectacular Todra Gorge with its 300m canyon walls. Time to walk and explore.

10:30-1:00 PM: Continue to Merzouga via Tinghir and Erfoud

1:00-2:00 PM: Lunch break

2:00-4:00 PM: Arrive in Merzouga, rest time before desert

4:00-6:00 PM: Mount your camel for the trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Watch the sunset from the dunes.

6:00 PM-Morning: Arrive at desert camp. Traditional Berber dinner, music around the campfire, sleep in tent or under stars.

Day 3: Desert to Fes

5:30-6:30 AM: Optional wake for sunrise over the dunes (highly recommended!)

6:30-8:00 AM: Camel ride back to Merzouga, breakfast

8:00 AM-1:00 PM: Long drive through Ziz Valley with its palm groves, stop in Midelt for lunch

1:00-4:00 PM: Continue through Middle Atlas, stop at Azrou cedar forest to see Barbary apes

4:00-4:30 PM: Pass through Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”

5:00-6:00 PM: Arrive in Fes. Tour ends at your riad/hotel.

What’s Included (Typically)

• Private or shared transport
• English-speaking driver
• 2 nights accommodation (kasbah + desert camp)
• 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts
• Camel trek (sunset and sunrise)
• Sandboarding (at camp)

What’s Not Included

• Lunches
• Drinks
• Entrance fees (Ait Benhaddou)
• Tips

Our Advice

This tour involves long drives. If possible, consider a 4-day version with an extra night in the desert – it’s much more relaxed and gives you more time to enjoy each stop.

Book your desert tour with City Tours Morocco for the best experience!