Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga: the 3 day route
Fes and Marrakech are only a few hours apart by train or highway, but the desert route swings far to the south-east to reach the Sahara. That is what makes this crossing special: you turn a necessary transfer between the two cities into a journey across the Middle Atlas, the dunes and the kasbah valleys.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga | Cedar forest and macaques, Ziz palm grove, sunset camel trek of about 1.5 hours | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 2 | Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Tinghir – Dadès Valley | Sahara sunrise, Todra canyon walk, 'monkey fingers' rocks | Kasbah-style hotel in the Dadès Valley |
| 3 | Dadès – Kelaat M'Gouna – Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech | Valley of the Roses, UNESCO ksar, High Atlas pass | Drop-off in Marrakech (not included) |
Days 1 and 3 are long, roughly 8 to 9 hours including stops; day 2 is shorter, around 5 to 6 hours with time to walk in the Todra Gorge.
Is the Fes to Marrakech desert tour right for you?
This is the natural choice if you are flying into Fes and out of Marrakech, or travelling north to south through Morocco, and want to see the Sahara without backtracking. Your luggage travels with you in the private vehicle, so you are collected at your Fes riad and dropped at your Marrakech accommodation three days later.
It suits couples, friends and families who are comfortable with two full days on the road in exchange for a lot of scenery. If you prefer a gentler pace, the 4 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech adds an extra night so the long days are split. If you need to come back to Fes, the 2 day desert tour from Fes is a round trip to the dunes.
Same route, opposite direction
Starting in Marrakech? The shared 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes covers similar ground the other way round with a group departure, while the private version can simply be reversed on request.
Your night in the Erg Chebbi desert camp
You reach Merzouga in the late afternoon of day 1. Your main luggage stays in the vehicle, and you ride camels for about an hour and a half into the dunes, stopping on a crest for sunset. The camel ride depends on camel availability that day. If no camels are free, you go to the camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes and ride the camels the next morning on the way back.
In the comfort camp each tent is private, normally for two people, with its own bathroom and toilet; a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used. You can book the tour in a comfort or a luxury category, and the upgrade applies at the desert camp and in the Dadès Valley. Dinner, Berber drumming around the fire and a dark sky full of stars follow, then an early start for sunrise. Optional extras such as a short quad bike ride in the dunes or sandboarding can be arranged.
Best time for a Sahara tour from Fes
- Spring (March to May): mild temperatures, green valleys and roses around Kelaat M'Gouna in late spring.
- Summer (June to August): the Middle Atlas stays fresh, but the desert often passes 40 °C in the afternoon. Air-conditioned tents are worth requesting.
- Autumn (September to November): warm days, comfortable nights and clear skies.
- Winter (December to February): sunny but cold, with possible snow around Ifrane and on the Tizi n'Tichka pass and near-freezing desert nights.
During Ramadan the tour runs normally, though some roadside cafés keep shorter hours and your driver-guide will plan lunch stops accordingly.
Packing, money and what's included
- Packing: layers for the mountains and the desert night, long loose trousers for the camel, a scarf against sun and sand, sunglasses, sun cream and a small overnight bag for the camp.
- Money: the dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so obtain it in Morocco. Carry cash for lunches, drinks, entrance or local guide fees and tips, which are not included.
- Connectivity: mobile signal is good in towns, patchy in the gorges and on the Atlas pass.
Included: door-to-door transfer from Fes to Marrakech, private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, two nights' accommodation with breakfast and dinner, and the sunset camel trek. Accommodation in Marrakech and international flights are not part of the package. Spending a few days in the city afterwards? Our Marrakech travel guide covers the medina and where to stay.