3-Day Desert Tour: Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga
3 Days / 2 Nights · Easy
This 3-day and 2-night private desert tour takes you from the imperial city of Fes across Morocco to Marrakech, through some of the country's most spectacular landscapes. Travel through Ifrane, the 'Switzerland of Morocco,' and the cedar forests of Azrou where wild monkeys roam, then cross the Middle Atlas via Midelt and follow the palm-lined Ziz Valley to the Sahara. Ride camels over the golden dunes of Merzouga to a luxury desert camp for a night of Berber music under the stars. On the way to Ouarzazate, discover the Todra Gorges, the Valley of Roses, and the Kasbah Amridil in Skoura. On the final day, visit the film studios of Ouarzazate, the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, and the Telouet Kasbah before crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.
Highlights
- Fes departure, Marrakech arrival: one-way desert crossing
- Ifrane: the 'Switzerland of Morocco'
- Cedar forest of Azrou and its wild monkeys
- Middle Atlas Mountains and Midelt
- Ziz Valley: palm groves and oasis landscapes
- Merzouga: camel trek and sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Luxury desert camp with Berber music under the stars
- Todra Gorges: dramatic limestone cliffs
- Valley of Roses (Kelaat M'Gouna) and Skoura's Kasbah Amridil
- Ouarzazate: film studios, the 'Hollywood of Africa'
- Ait Ben Haddou: UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Telouet Kasbah and the Tizi n'Tichka pass
What's Included
- Professional English- and French-speaking driver
- Private, clean, comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle
- 1 night in a luxury desert camp (private well-equipped tent with bathroom, towels, and blankets)
- 1 night in a hotel or riad in Ouarzazate (with swimming pool)
- 2 dinners (desert camp and Ouarzazate)
- Daily breakfasts
- Camel trekking experience in the Sahara Desert
- Mineral water and mint tea in the desert
- Sandboarding (on request)
- Fuel and all transport costs
- Flexible stops for photos, coffee, and rest breaks
Itinerary
Day 1: Fes to Merzouga Desert
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Fes at 8:00 AM and begin your journey towards the Sahara Desert. Your first stop is Ifrane, known as the 'Switzerland of Morocco' for its European-style architecture and clean mountain air, followed by the cedar forest of Azrou where you may see wild monkeys in their natural habitat. Continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing Midelt, a peaceful town famous for its apple orchards, then drive through Errachidia, the gateway to the desert, and follow the beautiful Ziz Valley with its palm groves and oasis landscapes. In the late afternoon, arrive in Merzouga at the edge of the Sahara and begin a camel trek across the golden dunes, pausing at the top to enjoy a magical sunset. Arrive at your desert camp for a traditional dinner followed by Berber music under a sky full of stars, and spend the night in a comfortable luxury private tent with a private bathroom.
Day 2: Merzouga to Ouarzazate
Wake up early to enjoy a breathtaking sunrise over the dunes, followed by breakfast at the camp, with optional morning activities such as quad biking or buggy driving available. Leave Merzouga towards Ouarzazate, passing through Erfoud, known for its dates and fossils, then continue to Tinghir to visit the spectacular Todra Gorges, with time for a walk and lunch. In the afternoon, drive through Kelaat M'Gouna, the Valley of Roses, and continue to Skoura, where you can visit the famous Kasbah Amridil. Arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel or riad.
Day 3: Ouarzazate to Marrakech
After breakfast, you may visit one of the film studios in Ouarzazate, known as the 'Hollywood of Africa,' then visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where films such as Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia were shot. Continue to the Telouet Kasbah, the historic seat of the Glaoui family, then cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, enjoying spectacular views along the way. Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon or evening, with drop-off at your accommodation.