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PRIVATE TOUR — 3 Day Desert Tour From Errachidia To Fes Via Merzouga
On this 3 days Merzouga desert tour from Errachidia to Fes, you’ll explore the desert area over 3 days and 2 nights. Visit nomads in their tents, enjoy the Gnawa music and dancing of the Khamlia community, and see an old kohl (eyeliner) mine, plus the seasonal wildlife lake a few kilometres from Merzouga. You’ll also stroll through a palm grove, ride camels, and take in the magical sunset and sunrise over the dunes, spending a night in a camp in the middle of the Sahara. You then visit the Rissani traditional market and the fossil town of Erfoud, followed by Ifrane — the “Switzerland of Morocco” — and the cedar forest where Barbary macaques live. Finally, the tour ends in Fes.
Highlights
– Visiting nomads in their woven tents over a cup of Berber tea
– Hearing Gnaoua music and dance in Khamlia
– Seeing an old kohl (eyeliner) mine on an off-road drive
– Visiting the seasonal wild lake of Merzouga (the flamingos’ lake)
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– Watching sunset and sunrise over the Sahara
– Spending two nights in a luxury desert camp with Berber drums around the campfire
– Visiting the traditional souk in Rissani and a fossil workshop in Erfoud
– Enjoying a panoramic view over the Ziz Valley
– Watching Barbary macaques in the cedar forest and stopping in Ifrane
Here’s the plan. Feel free to customise it to match your interests.
Day 1: Arrival in Errachidia -> Merzouga (approx. 2 hours’ drive)
On the first day of your 3 day Merzouga desert tour, we pick you up from Errachidia (ERH) airport or your accommodation and drive south to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. Overnight in Merzouga.
Flight options:
– Domestic flights from Marrakech operate 3 days a week (Ryanair), arriving between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
– Domestic flights from Casablanca operate 7 days a week (Royal Air Maroc), arriving around midnight.
We can adjust the itinerary to suit your arrival time.
Day 2: Explore the Merzouga region -> nomads -> Khamlia (Gnaoua village) -> Merzouga lake -> Erg Chebbi -> palm grove
After breakfast, we dedicate the day to exploring the Merzouga region, which offers many remarkable sites — from sand dunes and a seasonal wild lake to small mines, fossil areas, and beautiful oases — ideal for light outdoor activities.
We start with an off-road drive to an ancient kohl (eyeliner) mine, then visit nomads in their handwoven tents to learn about their lifestyle over a cup of Berber tea. Our next stop is Khamlia, where you’ll enjoy Gnaoua music and dance; many inhabitants have roots in sub-Saharan countries such as Mali, Sudan, and Niger. There’s free time for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, stroll through a palm grove, then drive a few kilometres to the wild lake of Merzouga (often called the flamingos’ lake).
In the afternoon, switch to camels and cross the sandy desert, stopping on a high dune for sunset before continuing to the luxury camp. In the evening, enjoy Berber drumming around the campfire under a vast, star-filled sky. Dinner and overnight in the camp.
Day 3: Merzouga dunes -> Rissani -> Erfoud -> Midelt -> cedar forest -> Ifrane -> Fes
On the last day of your 3 day desert tour to Fes, wake early to take in the beautiful sunrise in the middle of the desert. After breakfast, return by camel to Merzouga, where your driver awaits. We then leave the desert to visit Rissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet and still a major trading centre, with a lively souk on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. After a stroll through the souk, continue to Erfoud to visit a fossilised-marble workshop.
Afterwards, drive along the Ziz River and stop for a panoramic view of the Ziz Valley, with free time for lunch in Midelt. Continue to the cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques — feel free to feed them as you wander. Next, visit Ifrane, famous for its cool temperatures, winter snow, and alpine-style houses, which earn it the nickname “the Switzerland of Morocco.” Finally, we drop you off at any location in Fes. End of the tour.
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.
