3 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech

The tour begins with an early morning departure from Fes. Your driver will take you south across the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through picturesque landscapes. The first stop will be in Ifrane, a town known for its European-style architecture and clean environment. Continuing the drive, you will pass through the cedar forest of Azrou, where you can see Barbary apes in their natural habitat.

The journey continues through Midelt, a town famous for its apple orchards, where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, you will drive along the Ziz Valley, with its stunning views of palm groves and fortified kasbahs. Passing by Erfoud, known as the gateway to the desert, you will arrive at Merzouga in the late afternoon. Here, camels will be waiting to take you on a trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes, where you will enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Sahara. Dinner, live Berber music, and overnight in a desert camp beneath the stars.

Wake up early to watch the magical sunrise over the dunes, then return to the village by camel or 4x4 after breakfast. The journey continues towards the Todra Gorges, a dramatic canyon with towering rock walls that reach up to 300 meters high. You will have free time to walk along the gorge, take photos, or enjoy lunch in a nearby café.

In the afternoon, the road leads to the Dades Valley, known as the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.” The landscapes here are breathtaking, with unique rock formations nicknamed the “Monkey Fingers.” Along the way, you will pass traditional Berber villages and fertile valleys. Dinner and overnight will be in a charming hotel or riad overlooking the Dades Gorge.

After breakfast, you continue through the Dades Valley towards Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa” because of its famous film studios where many international movies were filmed. A short visit can be made to the studios if you wish. Not far from here lies the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, the most famous ksar (fortified village) in Morocco. You will explore its narrow alleys and admire its mud-brick architecture, which has appeared in many films and series such as Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

In the afternoon, the journey takes you across the majestic High Atlas Mountains through the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters of altitude. Along the way, you will see traditional Berber villages perched on the hillsides and enjoy breathtaking mountain views. By early evening, you will arrive in Marrakech, where your driver will drop you off at your accommodation, marking the end of your unforgettable 3-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech.