Riads, kasbahs and hotels
Traditional houses with private room and bathroom, in the medinas or overlooking the valley.
- Private room
- Dinner and breakfast
3 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
3 days from Marrakech to Fez via the desert
Start in Marrakech, finish in Fez and, in between, cross the whole of southern Morocco without repeating a single mile.
From €150 per person Book now
Highlights
- Ait Benhaddou
- Dades Gorges
- Todra Gorges
- Camel trekking
- Night in Erg Chebbi
- Ziz Valley
- Cedar forest
- Finish in Fez
Trip overview
This is the most logical route for anyone who wants to see Morocco’s two great cities: instead of going there and back, the desert becomes the road between them. In three days you cross the High Atlas, the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorges, Erg Chebbi, the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas.
The pace is more comfortable than on the two-day version, with a first night in the Dades and the second in a camp among the dunes. On the last day we head north through palm groves and cedar forests and drop you in Fez in mid-afternoon.
Ideal for: those arriving in Marrakech and leaving from Fez (or the other way round) who want to use the transfer to see the desert.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Home
- Marrakech
- End
- Fez
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- Every day
- Language
- English / Spanish
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day1
Marrakech → Ait Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades
Pick-up from your accommodation and the climb to the Tizi n’Tichka on one of the most scenic roads in the country. Mid-morning we visit Ait Benhaddou, crossing the river on stepping stones as the caravans once did. We continue to Ouarzazate and, in the afternoon, drive through the Valley of Roses to our accommodation in the Dades.
- High Atlas and Tizi n’Tichka
- Ksar of Ait Benhaddou
- Ouarzazate
- Valley of Roses
-
Day2
Todra Gorges → Merzouga → Camel trek and night in the desert
After breakfast we head for Tinghir and the Todra Gorges, where there is time to walk beside the river and watch the climbers on the rock face. We have lunch on the way and reach Merzouga in mid-afternoon. The camel trek takes us into the heart of Erg Chebbi to watch the sunset and dine at the camp.
- Tinghir palm grove
- Todra canyon
- Erfoud, land of fossils
- Sunset by camel
- Campfire and drums
-
Day3
Merzouga → Midelt → Fez
We watch the sunrise, return to Merzouga and, after a shower and breakfast, take the road north. The Ziz Valley offers one of the finest viewpoints of the trip. After Midelt the landscape turns green: cedars, meadows and the sloping roofs of Ifrane tell you Fez is near.
- Sunrise and camel ride back
- Ziz Valley viewpoint
- Midelt, between two Atlas ranges
- Azrou cedars and Ifrane
Timings and the order of visits may be adjusted according to the season, road conditions and your preferences.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
- Accommodation every night
- Dinners and breakfasts
- One camel per person in the desert
- Night in a camp with private tent
- Turban and sandboarding in the dunes
- Photo stops whenever you like
What’s not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Tips
Accommodation
We choose small places with character, where a home-cooked dinner is part of the experience. In the desert you can choose between two types of camp.
Standard camp
Private tent with beds, blankets and shared bathrooms. The simplest and most authentic option.
- Private tent
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
Luxury camp
Spacious tents with a large bed, private bathroom and shower, electricity and dinner served at the table.
- Private bathroom
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
A tip from our team
Book at least one night in Fez after the tour: you arrive in the afternoon, and the medina is far more enjoyable with a full day and a local guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
It is completely private: the vehicle, the driver and the itinerary are just for you and your companions. You will not share the trip with strangers, so we can stop wherever you like and adapt the timings.
Can I change the itinerary of “3 days from Marrakech to Fez via the desert”?
Yes. What you see is our standard proposal. We can add a night, change the start or end point, include a guided visit or adjust the stages to your flights. Tell us what you need and we will send you a tailor-made version.
What is the difference between the standard and the luxury camp?
In both you have a private tent, dinner, breakfast and an evening of drums by the campfire. The luxury camp adds a private bathroom with shower inside the tent and more refined décor; in the standard camp bathrooms are shared and you shower in the morning at the hotel in the village.
How long is the camel trek?
About an hour and a half each way, at a gentle pace and accompanied by a camel handler. We set off a couple of hours before sunset to arrive in good light. If anyone cannot or would rather not ride, let us know and we will find an alternative.
How do I book and how do I pay?
Send us the form or write to us and we will confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours. We accept online payment (Visa, MasterCard and PayPal), as well as cash or card in person.
When is the best time of year for this tour?
You can travel all year round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) have the mildest temperatures. In winter the days are sunny but desert nights are cold, and in summer it is best to start early and make the most of the vehicle’s air conditioning.
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