The Fes to Marrakech desert tour crosses the Sahara from Fes to Marrakech in 3 days you travel from Fes through the Middle Atlas cedar forests and Barbary apes, descend through the Ziz Valley to a sunset camel ride and luxury camp on your very first night, then continue through the Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, and Aït Ben Haddou to end in Marrakech. From €225 per person with your own private 4×4 and driver-guide.
At a Glance
Tour Highlights
Sahara on Your First Night
This tour reaches the Sahara on Day 1. Your very first evening is a sunset camel ride into the golden Erg Chebbi dunes, followed by a luxury camp under the stars.
Day 1 · SaharaCedar Forests & Barbary Apes
Day 1 starts with the Middle Atlas — ancient cedar forests near Azrou and the playful Barbary macaques. A completely different ecosystem from the Sahara you'll reach hours later.
Day 1 · AzrouZiz Valley Descent
The road drops from the Middle Atlas through the stunning Ziz Valley — expansive date palm groves and dramatic cliffs — a visual transition as the desert approaches.
Day 1 · ZizSunset & Sunrise Camel Treks
Ride into the dunes at sunset on Day 1 evening, sleep under the stars, and ride back at sunrise on Day 2 morning. Both treks included — the full Sahara cycle.
Day 1–2 · IncludedTodra Gorge — 300m Canyon
Day 2 takes you through the Tinghir oasis and the dramatic Todra Gorge — sheer limestone cliffs rising 300 metres from a walkable riverbed.
Day 2 · TodraAït Ben Haddou — UNESCO Ksar
Day 3 visits the iconic fortified village — backdrop for Gladiator and Game of Thrones — before crossing the Atlas to Marrakech.
Day 3 · UNESCOEnd in Marrakech
The tour finishes in Morocco's most vibrant city. Step out of the 4×4 and straight into the souks, riads, and rooftop restaurants of the Red City.
Day 3 · MarrakechFour Ecosystems in 3 Days
Middle Atlas cedar forests, Sahara dunes, river gorges, and the High Atlas mountains — a private tour lets you photograph every transition.
PhotographyDay by Day
Three days from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara. Cedar forests, golden dunes, dramatic gorges, UNESCO kasbahs, and the High Atlas.
Your Fes to Marrakech desert tour begins with an early pickup from your Fes hotel or riad. Drive across the Saiss plains toward Ifrane — often called "the Switzerland of Morocco" for its alpine charm — then into the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. Stop at Azrou to spot the playful Barbary macaques on the roadside.
Continue to Midelt for lunch, then descend through the stunning Ziz Valley — thousands of date palms, fortified kasbahs, and dramatic cliffs. The scenery shifts sharply as the desert approaches. Continue through Erfoud to Merzouga.
After a quick rest, mount your camel for a spectacular sunset ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes. The light turns golden, then amber, then rose. Arrive at your luxury desert camp — a private ensuite tent with real beds, hot shower, and electricity. Moroccan dinner under the stars, Berber drumming, and crystal-clear night skies. Sandboarding available.
Wake early for a sunrise camel ride back over the dunes — a breathtaking moment as light spreads across the golden sand. After breakfast at camp, meet your driver and head to the holy town of Rissani — birthplace of Morocco's ruling Alaouite dynasty. Visit the local dates market and learn about the varieties from the Tafilalet region.
Continue to the oasis town of Tinghir for a walk along the Todra riverbank — palm groves, Berber villages, and the town's fascinating Jewish heritage. Continue to the dramatic Todra Gorge — towering limestone cliffs rising 300 metres. Lunch at a local cafe in the gorge.
Drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Babylon — a private ensuite room with AC.
After breakfast, drive through the Valley of the Roses to El Kelaa M'Gouna. Visit a rose water cooperative and learn how locals distil fragrant rose-based perfumes (spring season highlight, April–May). Continue past the Skoura oasis, famous for its date palms, to Ouarzazate.
Visit the iconic Aït Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Lunch at a local cafe with views of the ksar before exploring the village.
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m), passing Berber villages built of stone and mud. Arrive in Marrakech late afternoon. Your driver drops you at your hotel or riad — the end of an extraordinary three-day Sahara crossing.
Tour Pricing
Price per person decreases as your group size increases.
| Participants | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7–9 | 10–13 | 14–17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price / person | 925€ | 495€ | 435€ | 395€ | 345€ | 295€ | 275€ | 245€ | 225€ |
Prices verified March 2026 · +212 615 346 108
Inclusions & Exclusions
✓ Included in Your Tour
- Private AC 4×4 or van with dedicated driver-guide — 3 full days, Fes to Marrakech
- Pickup from your Fes hotel or riad
- Night 1: Erg Chebbi luxury desert camp — private ensuite tent, hot shower, half-board
- Sunset camel trek (Day 1) and sunrise camel ride (Day 2)
- Sandboarding in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Night 2: Hotel Babylon, Dades Valley — private ensuite room, AC, half-board
- Drop-off at your Marrakech hotel or riad
Not Included
- Lunches and beverages
- Entrance fees and local guides (pay directly)
- Optional: quad biking (~€50/hr), 4×4 dune circuit
- Tips (at your discretion)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Know Before You Go
Driving Times
Day 1: ~8 hours Fes to Merzouga (longest day — but ends with the sunset camel ride). Day 2: ~4 hours. Day 3: ~6 hours to Marrakech. All times exclude stops.
Pickup Time
Winter: 07:00 AM (to catch Merzouga sunset). Summer: 08:00 AM (longer daylight). Flexible during spring and summer.
Desert Camp
Luxury ensuite tents with real beds, hot showers, quality linens, electricity. Sandboards included. Heaters and blankets in winter.
Luggage
Travels with you in the 4×4 for all 3 days. Pack a small bag with essentials for the camel ride and camp overnight — main luggage stays in the vehicle.
Best Season
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) most comfortable. Summer hot but manageable with AC. Winter clear — camp provides heaters.
Extend to 4 Days
Want more time in the desert? Our 4-Day Fes to Marrakech Tour adds a full day in Merzouga — Khamlia village, Gnaoua music, lodge with pool.
Traveller Reviews
1,223 verified reviews verified reviews
"Starting from Fes meant the Sahara was our very first night — what a way to begin! The cedar forests and Barbary apes on the drive down were an unexpected highlight. Mohammed was incredible, and arriving in Marrakech felt like the perfect ending."
"Travelling with two kids, we chose Fes-to-Marrakech so we could end where there's more to do. The kids loved the monkeys at Azrou and the camel ride. The luxury camp was spotless. Todra Gorge on Day 2 was stunning. Highly recommend this route."
"As a photographer, the Fes-to-Marrakech direction gave me a completely different light sequence — Ziz Valley in the afternoon, Sahara sunset on Day 1, gorges in morning light on Day 2, Aït Ben Haddou golden hour on Day 3. Every day was a different ecosystem."
"We needed to get from Fes to Marrakech and decided to make the desert crossing. Best decision ever. Three days of stunning landscapes and we didn't have to worry about transport between the two cities. The camp dinner under the stars was magical."