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PRIVATE TOUR — Marrakech To Fes Desert Tour 3 Days
OVERVIEW
The Sahara awaits! On the 3 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour, you’ll travel from the red city of Marrakech to Fes, the “Athens of Africa,” discovering the charms of south-eastern Morocco along the way.
During this 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, you’ll cross the dramatic High Atlas Mountains to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou. You’ll visit Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa,” and spend a night in the beautiful valley of Boumalne Dades. Enjoy breathtaking sights including the Todra Canyon and an oasis in Tinghir.
The most exciting part of your Marrakech to Fes 3 days desert tour is riding a camel in the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and spending an unforgettable night among the dunes in a luxury desert camp under billions of stars.
Why a private Marrakech to Fes desert tour?
Choosing our private Marrakech to Fes desert tour is the key to a memorable Sahara experience. You’ll travel in a private, comfortable car with a driver/guide who accompanies you all the way from Marrakech to Fes and shares the rich culture of this part of Morocco.
Our private 3 days tour lets you travel like a local, with a flexible plan tailored to your interests, needs, and budget. You can also choose the accommodations that suit you. See the suggested itinerary below.
DURATION: 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHT
START: MARRAKECH
END: Fes
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE
HIGHLIGHTS
– Driving through the High Atlas Mountains
– Seeing beautiful, traditional Berber villages in the High Atlas
– Exploring the historic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
– Driving along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
– Experiencing the desert on a camel ride
– Watching a spectacular sunset and sunrise over Erg Chebbi
– Spending a memorable night under a colourful night sky
– Watching for Barbary macaques in a Middle Atlas forest
Day 1: Marrakech -> High Atlas Mountains -> Ait Ben Haddou -> Ouarzazate -> Dades Valley
Your tour starts with a prompt 8:00 am hotel/riad pick-up in Marrakech. Leaving the city, you travel south-east across the awe-inspiring High Atlas Mountains, with picturesque views of traditional Berber villages and scenic photo stops along the way.
Lunch is in the charming village of Ait Ben Haddou, where you’ll explore the ancient, iconic Kasbah. This “fortified village” has held UNESCO World Heritage status since 1987 and has appeared in acclaimed films including Lawrence of Arabia, Babel, and Gladiator.
Continuing on, a brief stop in Ouarzazate gives you the chance to see Africa’s largest film studio (optional inside tour). The journey then passes Boumalne with a scenic drive through the Valley of Roses. You may optionally visit the “monkey fingers” rock formations in the Dades Valley before your accommodation, or see them the next day.
Day 2: Dades Valley -> Tinghir Oasis -> Todra Canyon -> Merzouga desert
After a delicious breakfast, we travel to Tinghir, pausing at a viewpoint over a lush oasis of palm trees and historic kasbahs. Here you can explore the dramatic Todra Canyon, carved by the winding Todra River, with depths reaching 300 metres.
On the way to Merzouga, your guide may recommend a visit to a Berber shop, where you can try on traditional Berber dress and take photos at no cost. Any purchase is entirely optional — just tell your guide if you’d prefer to skip the stop.
Arriving in Merzouga, your luggage is taken to camp by 4×4 so you can set off on a captivating camel trek. As the sun sets in vivid reds and oranges over the Erg Chebbi dunes, you’ll witness a mesmerising spectacle. Spend an unforgettable night immersed in Sahara culture, with drumming, storytelling, and a starry sky.
Day 3: Merzouga desert -> Ziz Valley -> Middle Atlas Mountains -> Ifrane -> Fes
Start early for a serene sunrise. After a camp breakfast, you can return to Merzouga town by camel or comfortable 4×4, then depart towards Fes. En route we pause at a panoramic viewpoint over the picturesque Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and villages. Crossing the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas, watch for Barbary macaques, a species adapted to colder climates. A brief stop in Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco,” offers a coffee break.
Your Marrakech to Fes desert tour concludes on arrival in Fes, with drop-off at your accommodation in the late afternoon.
Booking & Payment
How early should I book my Morocco tour?
We recommend booking as early as possible, especially if you’re travelling during spring, autumn, or holiday seasons. Early reservations guarantee better availability, a wider choice of accommodations, and more flexibility to personalise your itinerary.
How do I pay for my tour?
Booking is simple. We require a small deposit to secure your reservation, which can be paid via PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer. The remaining balance is paid directly to your driver-guide in cash on the first day of your tour. We accept Euros (€), US Dollars ($), and Moroccan Dirhams (MAD).
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Our cancellation terms are clearly explained on our Cancellation Policy page. We recommend reviewing the policy before confirming your reservation.
Can I create my own itinerary?
Absolutely! Every private Morocco tour can be fully customised. Whether you want to change destinations, extend your trip, upgrade hotels, or add unique experiences, we’ll design an itinerary that perfectly matches your travel style, schedule, and budget.
Transportation
What type of vehicles do you use?
We use modern, comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles depending on your group size.
Every vehicle is professionally maintained to ensure a safe and comfortable journey across Morocco.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes. We can collect you from any Moroccan airport at the beginning of your trip and drop you off at the end. Your driver will be waiting with your name upon arrival. Flights are not included in the tour price.
Which airport should I fly into?
Most international travelers arrive in:
You can also start your tour from:
We’ll help you choose the best airport based on your itinerary.
Driver-Guides
Who will be our guide?
Our professional driver-guides are experienced locals who know Morocco inside and out. They don’t just drive—they introduce you to Moroccan culture, history, traditions, hidden places, and local life, making your journey much more meaningful.
Do your guides speak English?
Yes. English is our standard language. We can also arrange guides who speak French, Spanish, Italian, German, or other languages upon request, depending on availability.
Accommodation
What type of hotels do you offer?
We carefully select quality accommodations throughout Morocco, including:
Every accommodation is chosen for comfort, cleanliness, excellent service, and authentic Moroccan charm.
Are the desert camps luxury?
Yes. We only work with luxury desert camps.
Every tent includes:
We do not use standard camps with shared facilities.
Can I choose my hotels?
Of course. We’ll provide several carefully selected accommodation options based on your budget. If you already have a hotel or riad you’d like to stay in, we’ll gladly include it whenever possible.
Sahara Desert & Activities
How far is the Sahara Desert from Marrakesh?
The Merzouga Sahara Desert is approximately 560 km (348 miles) from Marrakesh. Because of the distance, our tours include scenic overnight stops, allowing you to enjoy the journey rather than spending an entire day driving.
How far is the Sahara Desert from Fes?
The drive from Fes to Merzouga covers approximately 500 km (310 miles).
How far is Casablanca from Merzouga?
Casablanca is about 660 km (410 miles) from the Sahara Desert. We usually recommend a 5-day (or longer) itinerary to enjoy the journey comfortably.
Do I have to ride a camel?
Not at all.
If camel riding isn’t for you, we’ll transfer you to your luxury desert camp by comfortable 4×4 vehicle at no additional cost.
What activities can I do in the Sahara?
Besides the famous camel trek and overnight desert camp experience, you can also enjoy:
Can I add extra activities to my trip?
Absolutely.
Popular additions include:
Tour Experience
What’s the difference between a private tour and a shared tour?
Private Tour
Shared Tour
Both options provide excellent service—the choice simply depends on your travel style and budget.
Is 7 days enough to visit Morocco?
Yes.
A well-planned 7-day itinerary allows you to experience many of Morocco’s highlights, including:
It’s one of the most popular trip lengths for first-time visitors.
What can I see in one week?
In seven days, you can explore:
Which 7-day itinerary is best?
The best route depends on your arrival airport.
Popular options include:
We’ll recommend the ideal itinerary based on your flight schedule.
Why book with us?
As a local Moroccan tour operator, we offer:
Meals
Are meals included?
Most desert tours include:
Lunches are generally not included, giving you the freedom to choose where you’d like to eat during the day. Each tour page clearly lists what’s included.
Can you accommodate special diets?
Yes.
We happily accommodate:
Simply let us know your dietary requirements when booking, and we’ll make the necessary arrangements throughout your journey.
