From Fes to Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Desert Discovery Tour
Overview
Discover Morocco’s natural wonders on a 3-day journey from Fes to Marrakech. Cross the Atlas Mountains, ride camels in the Sahara, sleep in a Berber desert camp, and explore kasbahs and valleys.
Begin with an early morning pickup from your accommodation in Fes. Cross the Saiss Plain and head toward the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing Ifran and Azrou. Keep your eyes peeled for barbary apes on the side of the road and stop for some photos if you see them.
Activities
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Duration 3 days
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Live tour guide
Arabic, English, French, Spanish
Audio guide included
Arabic, English, French, Spanish
Pickup included
Check availability for details
Private group available
Tour Itinerary
Journey into the Sahara Desert
Begin with an early morning pickup from your accommodation in Fes. Cross the Saiss Plain and head to the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing Ifran and Azrou. Keep your eyes peeled for barbary apes on the side of the road and stop for some photos if you see them.
Travel to Midelt for lunch
Continue to Midelt, where you will stop for lunch.
Drive past Ziz River and palm groves to Erfoud
Then, carry on past the Ziz River and the thousands of tall palm trees to Erfoud, then on to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, where your camel caravan will be waiting for you.
Experience a camel ride and sunset at Erg Chebbi dunes
Watch the colors of the sunset over the dunes as you ride on the back of a camel.
Return to desert camp for dinner and overnight stay
Make your way back to the desert camp and freshen up before enjoying your dinner under the stars and listening to music performed by local musicians. Settle in for an overnight stay at the camp.
Ride camels at sunrise in Merzouga
Enjoy a sunrise camel ride before meeting your guide in Merzouga.
Travel to Tinghir and walk by the Todgha River
Take in the views as you head from Merzouga to your next destination, Tinghir. Upon arrival, admire the oasis of Tinghir, where you can take a walk along the banks of the Todgha River.
Visit Berber Villages near Todgha Canyons
Discover Berber Villages and learn about the local culture.
Discover the Todgha Canyons
Continue to the Todgha Canyons and stop for some lunch.
Explore a Kasbah in Dades Valley
Drive along the Kasbah Road to Dades Valley, where you can visit one of the fortified Kasbahs before arriving at your accommodation for the night.
Check in at accommodation in Dades or Ouarzazate
Arrive at your accommodation for the night, where you will also have dinner.
Visit Ouarzazate and its monuments
After breakfast, make a short stop in Ouarzazate for photos at the Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas Studios, the largest and most famous film studios in Africa. Please note that these are photo stops only and do not include an inside visit.
Lunch at in Ait Ben Haddou
Have lunch in Ait Ben Haddou before visiting the area's famous Kasbah, declared a UNESCO World Heritage.
Visit Kasbah and film locations in Ait Ben Haddou
As you explore, see where they filmed movies including "Gladiator," "Babel," and "Lawrence of Arabia."
Drive through High Atlas Mountains and Tizi-n-Tichka Pass
Next, continue your journey through the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, the highest mountain path in North Africa. Climb from the plains up to 7,500 feet above sea level, driving through small villages and passing picturesque small waterfalls.
Choose Your Experience
Highlights of the Tour
- Cross the Atlas Mountains and admire Morocco’s changing landscapes
- Ride a camel at sunset and sunrise in the dunes of Erg Chebbi
- Spend the night under the stars in a Berber Sahara desert camp
- Visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and Ouarzazate
- Explore Todra and Dades Gorges along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
✓ Included
- Pickup from your hotel or riad in Fes
- Drop-off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech
- Transportation in a modern air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional driver throughout the tour
- English-speaking local guide during key visits
- 1 night in a Sahara desert camp (private tent)
- 1 night in a selected hotel or riad (private room)
- Breakfast (Day 2 and Day 3)
- Dinner at the desert camp
- Dinner at the hotel on Day 2
- Sunset camel ride in the Sahara dunes
- Sandboarding in the desert
- Traditional Berber music performance at the camp
- Luggage transport to the desert camp
✗ Excluded
- Personal expenses
- Luggage transport to the desert camp
- Local guide in Ait Ben Haddou (optional, small fee)
- Quad biking or buggy activities (optional)
- Tips and gratuities
Important Information
Not suitable for
- • Pregnant women
What to bring
- • Comfortable shoes
- • Warm clothing
- • Sunglasses
- • Sun hat
- • Sunscreen
- • Jacket
- • Comfortable clothes
- • Cash
- • Weather-appropriate clothing
Not allowed
- • Pets
Know before you go
- • 4x4 transfer to desert camp included (free of charge)
- • Camel ride at sunset and sunrise included (can be replaced by 4x4)
- • Quad biking available: €40 single / €50 double (optional)
- • Buggy available on request at the desert camp
- • Luggage is transported to the camp by 4x4 if needed
- • No strict luggage limit (1 suitcase + 1 backpack recommended)
- • Vegetarian/vegan meals available (inform in advance)
- • Long driving distances (up to 7–8 hours per day)
- • Arrival in Marrakech around 18:00–20:00
- • Medina pickups: nearest accessible meeting point may be used
- • Weather: hot in summer, cold nights in winter — pack accordingly
Tour Route
Frequently Asked Questions
This trip is not suitable for pregnant women.
No, pets are not allowed.
We recommend packing the following items to ensure you are comfortable: - Comfortable shoes and clothing - Warm clothing and a jacket (especially for the cold desert nights) - Sun hat and sunglasses - Sunscreen - Weather-appropriate clothing - Cash
There is no strict luggage limit, but we recommend bringing 1 suitcase and 1 backpack per person. Your luggage can be transported to the camp by a 4x4 vehicle if needed.
A 4x4 transfer to the desert camp is included free of charge. Please note that for pickups within the Medina, you may be asked to meet at the nearest accessible meeting point.
Be prepared for long driving distances of up to 7–8 hours per day. You can expect to arrive back in Marrakech between 18:00 and 20:00.
The weather can be very hot in the summer and quite cold at night in the winter, so please pack and dress accordingly.
The trip includes camel rides at sunset and sunrise. If you prefer not to ride a camel, you can replace this with a 4x4 transfer.
Yes, you can choose to participate in the following optional activities: Quad Biking: €40 for a single quad or €50 for a double quad. Buggy: Available upon request directly at the desert camp.
Yes, vegetarian and vegan meals are available upon request. Please ensure you inform the organizers in advance.