The shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour is the most affordable way to cross the Sahara between Morocco's two great cities. In 3 days you follow the same iconic route as the private version — Atlas Mountains, Aït Ben Haddou, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, sunset camel trek, deluxe desert camp — then continue to Fes via the Ziz Valley and cedar forests. €169 per person (+€25 mandatory deluxe camp upgrade). Fixed price, daily departures, no single supplement, private room and private tent included.
At a Glance
Tour Highlights
Fixed Price, No Surprises
€169 per person (+€25 mandatory deluxe upgrade). The same rate whether you're travelling solo or with a friend. No single supplement, no price fluctuations, no hidden fees.
ValueMeet Fellow Travellers
Join a small group of up to 17 travellers from around the world. Solo travellers love this tour — you'll share campfire stories, sunrise moments, and a three-day road trip through some of the planet's most dramatic landscapes.
SocialPrivate Room & Private Tent
You share only transportation — never accommodation. Night 1 is a private ensuite room at Hotel le Château. Night 2 is a private ensuite tent at the deluxe desert camp with hot shower inside.
ComfortAït Ben Haddou — UNESCO Ksar
The fortified village that starred in Gladiator and Game of Thrones. A local guide walks you through its maze of alleyways and earthen towers for just €3.
Day 1 · UNESCOSunset & Sunrise Camel Treks
Both included — ride into the golden Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, sleep under the stars, and ride back over the dunes at sunrise. The full Sahara cycle, no extras to pay.
Day 2–3 · IncludedZiz Valley & Barbary Apes
Day 3 heads northeast to Fes through landscapes the return tour never sees — the palm-lined Ziz Valley, the ancient cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, and the playful Barbary macaques at Azrou.
Day 3 · Fes LegDaily Departures
No need to wait for a specific date — this tour runs every single day of the year from Marrakech. Just pick your date and go.
FlexibleStart in Marrakech, End in Fes
A one-way crossing that connects both cities through the Sahara. No backtracking — the desert is your transfer.
One-WayDay by Day
Three days from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara. The route is fixed but the memories are your own.
Your shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour begins with an early pickup from your Marrakech accommodation. Journey through the scenic High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m), witnessing panoramic views and traditional Berber villages along the way.
Arrival at the iconic Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Meet a local guide (optional, €3) for an in-depth exploration of the ksar. Lunch in Ouarzazate.
Drive across the captivating Valley of the Roses, known for its annual rose festival and fragrant landscapes. Continue to the lush Dades Valley, passing the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs." Dinner and overnight at Hotel le Château in the Dades Valley — a private room with ensuite bathroom and AC.
After breakfast, explore the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Gorge before heading to Tinghir. Meet a local guide for an hour-long walk through the verdant oasis — palm groves, mud-brick villages, and trickling irrigation channels. Continue to the towering Todra Gorge — limestone cliffs rising sheer from a narrow, walkable canyon. Lunch at leisure in Tinghir.
Proceed to Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert. Time to prepare, take photos of the desert landscape, and get ready for the highlight.
Embark on a camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes during sunset — the light shifts from gold to amber to rose. Arrive at your deluxe desert camp for a traditional Moroccan dinner, Berber drumming around the campfire, and a night under the stars. Your tent is private with an ensuite bathroom — toilet and hot shower inside. Sandboards available on request at the lodge.
Wake early for a sunrise camel ride back over the dunes — a breathtaking moment as the light spreads across the golden sand. Return to the camp operator's Merzouga lodge for a shower and breakfast. Collect your luggage (stored securely at the lodge during the camp night).
Meet your new driver for the Fes leg — the rest of the group returns to Marrakech while you head northeast. Travel through the stunning Ziz Valley — a fertile corridor of date palm groves and dramatic cliffs. Stop for lunch in Midelt, a mountain town between the Middle and High Atlas.
Continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains and the cedar forests of Azrou, stopping to spot the playful Barbary macaques — one of the last wild populations in North Africa. Arrive in Fes in the early evening. Drop-off at your chosen Fes accommodation, concluding your shared desert crossing with lasting memories of the Sahara.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✓ Included in Your Tour
- Air-conditioned modern minibus with bilingual driver (English & French)
- Pickup from your Marrakech hotel or riad
- Night 1: Hotel le Château, Dades Valley — private ensuite room, AC, dinner & breakfast
- Night 2: Deluxe desert camp at Erg Chebbi — private ensuite tent, hot shower, dinner
- Sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi (Day 2) and sunrise camel ride (Day 3)
- Shower and breakfast at Merzouga lodge (Day 3 morning)
- Flexible drop-off at your chosen location in Fes
Not Included
- Lunches and beverages during the tour
- Optional local guide at Aït Ben Haddou (€3)
- Any personal spending
- Optional quad biking at Erg Chebbi (pay supplier directly)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Know Before You Go
Driving Times
Day 1: ~7 hours. Day 2: ~5 hours. Day 3: ~8 hours (Merzouga to Fes). All times exclude sightseeing, meal, and photo stops. Day 3 has a new driver for the Fes leg.
Luggage
Stored securely in the minibus on Days 1–2, and at the Merzouga lodge during the camp night. Bring a small bag or rucksack with essentials for the camel ride and overnight.
What to Pack
Hat, sunglasses, sturdy walking shoes, wet wipes. Warm layers for desert nights. Jeans or long trousers for the camel ride. Bring your own toiletries and towel for the camp. Blankets provided in winter.
Desert Camp
The mandatory deluxe camp has private ensuite tents with hot shower. Sandboards available on request at the lodge for use in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Tour Type
Ideal for laid-back travellers who enjoy meeting new people. Those seeking a fully personalised experience may prefer our private Marrakech to Fes tour.
Quad Biking
Can be arranged in Merzouga instead of (or in addition to) the camel ride. Inform the camp operator on arrival — you pay the supplier directly.
Traveller Reviews
1,140 verified reviews verified reviews
"Our 3-day group tour from Marrakech to Fes was exceptionally well-organized, striking the perfect balance between sightseeing and travel time. We never felt rushed. I highly recommend the camel rides and taking a quad bike ride at dawn."
"I was solo and a bit nervous about a group tour, but it was the best decision. Met amazing people from all over the world. The private room in Dades was comfortable and the deluxe camp tents were spotless with ensuite showers. The Ziz Valley and the monkeys were highlights."
"The Sahara Desert was absolutely stunning! Our guide took our phones to capture photos and videos of us riding camels. The camp dinner under the stars with Berber drumming was magical. Great value for a 3-day crossing to Fes."
"Incredible value. I compared several operators and MDT stood out for including the deluxe camp with private shower. The drive from Merzouga to Fes with a new driver was seamless — beautiful scenery and the monkeys in Azrou were a bonus."