3 days tour from marrakech to fes via Sahara Desert
Planning a 3 days tour from marrakech to fes? Morocco Fun Tours offers private desert journeys across Marrakech, the Merzouga Desert, and Fes, Morocco with local drivers, authentic Sahara experiences, and flexible custom stops along the route. Travel through the Atlas Mountains, visit Berber villages, and enjoy an unforgettable desert camp stay. Book your Morocco desert tour today.
3 Days / 2 Nights
Departure from Marrakech
Marrakech → Fes
~950 km one-way route
Sahara Desert Included
Sahara Desert Included
Private or Shared
Air-conditioned vehicle
Table of Contents
Overview Of 3 Day Tour From Marrakech to Fes
This tour Marrakech to Fes takes you across mountains, desert roads, historic kasbahs, and changing landscapes. You leave Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains before reaching Aït Benhaddou and the southern desert regions of Morocco. The route continues through valleys, small Berber towns, and rocky canyons before arriving near the Erg Chebbi dunes.
After spending the night in a Sahara desert camp, the journey heads north toward Ifrane and finally reaches Fes. The driving distances are long, but regular stops and changing scenery make the journey feel more manageable throughout.
Tour Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m)
- Walk through Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar
- Explore the red limestone walls of Todra Gorge in Tinghir
- Camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Overnight in a traditional Sahara desert camp with dinner
- Sunrise over the Merzouga dunes before breakfast
- Drive through Ifrane’s cedar forests near the Middle Atlas
- Arrive in Fes, one of the world’s oldest medinas
Why Travelers Choose This 3 Days Tour From Marrakech to Fes?
Most travelers booking this route want to experience the Sahara Desert without dealing with Morocco’s complicated transport logistics themselves. Instead of coordinating buses, taxis, desert camp bookings, and long-distance routes independently, this tour combines everything into one organized journey from Marrakech to Fes.
With a private or shared tour, transportation, desert camp accommodation, and major route stops are planned in advance, allowing travelers to focus on the experience rather than the logistics.
Detailed 3 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech to Fes
Here is what the route actually looks like, stop by stop, across three days. Times are approximate and can shift based on departure time, group pace, and road conditions.
Day 1: Marrakech → High Atlas Mountains → Aït Benhaddou → Dades Valley
Your driver comes to your riad door between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning. You put your bags in the car and you leave. The city is quiet at that hour. The roads are open. That is the best time to go.
The car moves south out of Marrakech and starts going up into the mountains. This is the High Atlas. The road turns left, then right, then left again. Villages appear on the hillsides. The houses are made of mud and stone. The air gets cooler as you go higher. At 2,260 metres you reach the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Your driver stops the car here for a few minutes. You get out, look around, take some photos. The view goes far in every direction. It feels very different from the city you left this morning.
From there the road comes back down. After about 30 minutes you see Aït Benhaddou. It sits on a small hill above a dry river. This place is very old. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. But it is not a museum. Real families still live inside those walls. You cross the river on foot and walk up through the old paths. You go through narrow doorways, up stone steps, all the way to the top where the old grain store sits. Give yourself 60 to 90 minutes here. The photos you saw online do not show what it actually feels like inside. There are small cafés at the bottom of the hill. A good place to eat lunch before moving on.
After that you stop in Ouarzazate for around 30 minutes. People call this town the Hollywood of Morocco. Some big films were made near here. It is a good place to drink a coffee, use the bathroom, and stretch your legs. Then the car moves east again.
A little later you pass through the Skoura Palm Grove. This is the largest palm oasis in Morocco. Old kasbahs stand between the trees. The driver slows down so you can look. You do not stop here, but you watch it pass outside the window. It is worth watching.
You arrive in the Dades Valley late in the afternoon. The walls of the gorge go red and orange when the sun gets low. Your place to sleep tonight is usually a small guesthouse run by a local family. It has a terrace that looks out at the valley. Dinner is served there. It is a good end to a long day.
Day 2: Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga Sahara Desert
Today is shorter than yesterday. You wake up in the Dades Valley, eat breakfast, and get back in the car. The road takes you east. The land starts to change around you. The green valley slowly turns into flat, dry, open ground. By the end of today you will be sleeping in the Sahara Desert.
The first stop is Todra Gorge, about 45 minutes from where you slept. You park the car and walk in on foot. The walls on both sides go up very high, around 300 metres at the tallest point. The Todra river runs along the bottom. The path between the walls is only about 10 metres wide. You walk through and you feel the cold air coming off the stone. The walk takes around 20 minutes. Try to get here before 10 in the morning. After that, other tour groups start coming in and it gets busy fast.
From Todra the road continues east toward the desert. You pass through Erfoud on the way. This town is famous for fossils. The rocks pulled out of the ground here are millions of years old. Local workshops cut and polish them into plates, bowls, and tiles. You can stop and look around. Then comes Rissani, an old market town that sits just before the desert starts. For hundreds of years, camel caravans stopped here to trade. The covered market is still worth a short walk if you have the time.
You reach Merzouga in the afternoon. The Erg Chebbi dunes appear in front of you. They are bigger than most people expect. You drop your bags at the edge of the desert, drink some tea, and wait for the sun to start going down.
Then the camels come. You climb on and the trek into the dunes begins. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes to reach the camp. The sand is warm under the feet of the camels. The sky turns orange, then pink, then dark. You arrive at the camp just as the stars start coming out.
Dinner at the camp is tagine or couscous, eaten together around the fire. After dinner the camp musicians play. The music is traditional Berber and Gnawa style. It is not a show. These are the people who work at the camp. At some point after 9 PM the music stops and everything goes quiet. That quiet is something you do not forget. There is no road noise, no city sound, nothing at all. The sky above the dunes is full of stars. Most people stay outside for a long time before going to sleep.
Day 3: Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Ifrane → Fes
This is the longest day of the trip. But it starts well.
Most people wake up on their own around 6 in the morning. The desert gets cold before sunrise and the light outside the tent is already changing. You walk out onto the sand. The dunes are a different colour in the morning — softer, with long shadows running across them. The groups from last night have gone quiet. It is just you and the sand and the early light. Take your time here. This is the last hour in the Sahara.
Breakfast is served at the camp. Then you get back on the camels for the 45-minute ride out to the road. The car is waiting. You load your bags and the long drive north begins.
The road follows the Ziz Valley for a good stretch. The Ziz river runs through it and date palms grow on both sides for as far as you can see. Old kasbahs stand here and there between the trees. Near a town called Aoufous the valley opens into a gorge. Your driver slows down so you can look at it from the road. It is a good view.
After the valley the road climbs up into the Middle Atlas Mountains. You reach Midelt and stop for lunch. The air here is cooler than the desert. You sit down, eat, and rest for about 45 minutes. Your legs need it after the morning camel trek and the long drive.
From Midelt the road keeps going north. You pass through Ifrane. This town looks nothing like the Morocco you have seen for the past three days. The buildings are stone and brick with pointed roofs. There is green grass and pine trees. It looks like a small town from Europe sitting in the middle of Morocco. Stop for a few minutes and walk around. Just outside Ifrane there is a cedar forest. Barbary macaques live there. If you are lucky you will see them sitting in the trees or on the road.
Then Fes. You come down from the mountains and the city appears. Your driver drops you at your riad or hotel door between 5 and 7 in the evening. You confirm the address with him before you leave Merzouga in the morning. You get out of the car, pick up your bags, and your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Fes is done.
Gallery
Tour includes
- Pick up service from your Airport/Hotel in Marrakech
- Private Transport by an A/C vehicle
- Overnight in desert camp dinner and breakfast
- Camel ride for sunset and sunrise (one camel each
- You can stop everywhere to take pictures
- Fuel included
- Professional English speaking driver
- Half-board accommodations in selected hotels & Riads or Kasbahs ( breakfasts are included)
- Drop off service at your accommodation/Airport
Tour excludes
- The flights tickets to and from your homeland
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Anything not mentioned in the program
- Travel Insurance
Transportation & Vehicle Information
The Marrakech to Fes route involves genuine driving distances. Day 1 covers roughly 350 km, Day 2 around 250 km to Merzouga, and Day 3 is approximately 430 km north to Fes. The journey is designed with regular scenic, cultural, and rest stops to make the route more comfortable and manageable.
Transportation is provided in modern air-conditioned vehicles, including comfortable minivans or 4×4 vehicles depending on group size and tour type. All luggage is carried securely in the vehicle, and drivers schedule breaks throughout the journey for rest, food, viewpoints, and photos.
Roads between Marrakech and Fes are generally in good condition, although mountain areas near the Tizi n’Tichka Pass include winding roads and desert access sections near Merzouga can be uneven in some areas.
Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour Map
Accommodation & Desert Camp Details
The overnight stay in the Sahara near Merzouga is what most travelers remember longest from this route. The camps are not hotels, they are Berber tents set within or at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dune field, with varying levels of comfort depending on which tier you book.
Private 3 Day Desert Tour Marrakech to Fes Price
Pricing varies by group size, tour type (private or shared), and desert camp category. Private tours are priced per group, not per person, which makes them increasingly cost-effective for couples and families of three or more.
Payment Methods & Booking Information
Deposit & Confirmation
A deposit of 20–30% is typically required to confirm your booking. The balance is payable in cash on arrival or by bank transfer before departure. Confirmation is sent by email within 24 hours.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made 4 or more days before departure receive a full refund of the deposit. Cancellations within 4 days may be applied as tour credit. Contact us directly for late cancellation cases, we work with travelers on most situations.
Accepted Payments
Bank transfer, PayPal, and cash in EUR, USD, GBP, or MAD accepted. Card payments available for some booking arrangements, confirm when enquiring.
Booking Lead Time
Booking 1–2 weeks in advance is recommended, particularly for private tours and luxury camp requests. Last-minute bookings (within 30 minutes) are possible on shared tours when space is available.
Extra Activities to Make Your Trip Even Better
- ATV & Quad Biking
- 4×4 Desert Excursions
- Sandboarding on Erg Chebbi Dunes
- Camel Trekking at Sunset
- Sunrise Desert Walks
- Stargazing in the Sahara
- Visit to Khamlia Gnawa Village
- Traditional Berber Music Around the Campfire
- Fossil Discovery Tours in Erfoud
- Desert Photography Sessions
- Nomad Family Visits
- Henna Art & Local Handicrafts
Know Before You Go
🎒 What to Pack for the Desert
Lightweight long sleeves and trousers (sun and sand), warm layer for desert night, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, head scarf optional but useful, small day pack, cash in MAD, portable charger.
🛣 Road & Driving Conditions
Day 1 and Day 3 involve 6–8 hours of driving with stops. Roads are generally paved and in good condition. Mountain sections on Day 1 are narrow in places. Day 2 is shorter. Car sickness medication is worth having if you are sensitive on mountain roads.
🛣 Road & Driving Conditions
Day 1 and Day 3 involve 6–8 hours of driving with stops. Roads are generally paved and in good condition. Mountain sections on Day 1 are narrow in places. Day 2 is shorter. Car sickness medication is worth having if you are sensitive on mountain roads.
📱 Internet & Mobile Signal
WiFi is available at most hotels and riads along the route. Inside the desert camp, there is little to no WiFi. Mobile data works in Merzouga town but drops inside the dunes. A Moroccan SIM card (Maroc Telecom or Orange) with a data package is the most reliable option.
🌡 Desert Temperatures
Summer days in Merzouga reach 38–42°C. Spring and autumn are 22–30°C during the day and 10–15°C at night. Winter nights in the desert can drop below 5°C. Always bring a warm layer regardless of season.
♿ Accessibility
The camel trek and dune walk involve uneven terrain. Travelers with limited mobility can skip the camel ride and enjoy the desert camp experience directly by vehicle. Let us know at booking and we will plan accordingly.
Common Mistakes Travelers Make When Booking a Morocco Desert Tour
- Choosing tours based only on the lowest price instead of checking vehicle quality, group size, and camp standards.
- Underestimating the driving distances between Marrakech, Merzouga, and Fes.
- Booking without confirming what type of desert camp is included.
- Not checking pickup details before departure day.
- Traveling without enough Moroccan dirhams for lunches, tips, and small purchases along the route.
A well-organized desert tour should balance comfort, realistic pacing, reliable transportation, and clear communication throughout the journey.
Best Time to Book a Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
Spring
Autumn
Winter
Summer
Testimonials
The following reviews are from international travelers who completed the 3 days tour from marrakech to fes with Morocco Fun Tours.
Meeting Point, Pickup & Drop-Off Details
Pickup is from your hotel, riad, or Airbnb in Marrakech. For Marrakech Menara Airport arrivals, airport pickup is available without any additional charge. Your driver will meet you in the lobby or at an agreed point near your accommodation.
Drop-off on Day 3 is directly at your Fes accommodation or at starting point of day 1. There is no central gathering point, this is a door-to-door service for private tours. Shared group tours have a fixed Marrakech meeting point communicated at booking.
If you are staying outside Marrakech or in another region, you can still join the tour. Simply let us know your location, and we will arrange the most suitable pickup or meeting option for you. Our goal is to make your experience as smooth as possible from the very beginning, you don’t need to worry about logistics; we take care of everything for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions travelers ask most commonly before booking, answered directly, without the vague reassurance that most tour pages default to.
How far is Marrakech to Fes on a desert tour?
How long is the camel trek in the Sahara?
Are bathrooms available in the desert camp?
Is this tour suitable for children?
Can the tour be customized?
Why Choose Morocco Fun Tours
Book Your 3 Days Tour From Marrakech to Fes
Everything organized from your Marrakech pickup to your Fes drop-off. No transport coordination, no desert logistics, no language barrier. Just the journey.
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