OVERVIEW
This 3-day desert tour is the ultimate way to journey from the vibrant “Red City” of Marrakech to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. Along the way, you will discover the dramatic contrasts of the Southeast, traversing the soaring High Atlas Mountains, wandering through UNESCO-listed ancient kasbahs, and exploring towering canyons and lush palm oases. The centerpiece of this adventure is a magical night in the Sahara: you will ride a camel across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and sleep in a luxury desert camp beneath a canopy of billions of stars.
Instead of retracing your steps to Marrakech, this route continues north through the breathtaking Ziz Valley and the refreshing cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains before concluding in Fes. It perfectly balances spectacular sightseeing with a comfortable, immersive desert experience.
HIGHLIGHTS
Tour ITINERARY
DAY 1: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → AIT BEN HADDOU → OUARZAZATE → DADES VALLEY
Your adventure begins with a prompt 8:00 a.m. pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Leaving the city, we head southeast to conquer the majestic High Atlas Mountains via the winding Tizi n’Tichka pass. Along the route, we will make several scenic stops to photograph the sweeping mountain vistas and isolated Berber villages.
By midday, we reach the iconic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Enjoy a relaxed lunch in the village before exploring this ancient fortified mud-brick city, honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 and famously used as a filming location for epics like Gladiator, Babel, and Lawrence of Arabia.
Continuing our journey, we make a brief stop in Ouarzazate for a chance to view the exterior of Africa’s largest film studio. We then drive along the renowned “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” passing through Boumalne and the fragrant Valley of Roses before arriving in the Dades Valley. You will have the chance to optionally admire the unique “monkey fingers” rock formations before checking into your comfortable hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 2: DADES VALLEY → TINGHIR OASIS → TODRA GORGE → MERZOUGA DESERT
After a delicious breakfast, we travel toward Tinghir, stopping at a stunning viewpoint that overlooks a sprawling oasis of date palms and historic, crumbling kasbahs. We soon reach the magnificent Todra Canyon, where a winding river has carved dramatic, sheer red rock cliffs plunging 300 meters deep. You will have time to stroll through the gorge and marvel at its scale.
As we drive closer to the Sahara, your guide will offer a stop at a local shop where you can try on traditional Berber garments for some fun, complimentary photographs. (If you prefer to skip this, simply let your guide know).
Upon arriving in Merzouga, your main luggage will be securely transported to the camp via a 4×4 vehicle. You will then mount your camel for a captivating trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Pausing along the way, you will witness a breathtaking Sahara sunset painting the sands in vibrant shades of orange and red. You will arrive at your luxury desert camp to spend an unforgettable evening featuring a traditional dinner, live Berber drumming, storytelling, and stargazing under a brilliant night sky.
DAY 3: MERZOUGA DESERT → ZIZ VALLEY → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → IFRANE → FES
We strongly recommend waking up early to witness a serene, spectacular sunrise over the desert horizon. After enjoying a hearty camp breakfast, you can choose to ride a camel or take a 4×4 back to Merzouga town, where your driver will be waiting to begin the northbound journey to Fes.
The scenery shifts dramatically as we leave the desert behind. Our first major stop is a panoramic viewpoint over the stunning Ziz Valley, a massive gorge filled with lush palm groves and dotted with small villages. Continuing our ascent, we enter the Middle Atlas Mountains. We will take a refreshing break in the dense cedar forests near Azrou, keeping a close eye out for the native Barbary apes that have adapted to the cooler climate.
Next, we stop in the charming town of Ifrane. Known for its pristine alpine architecture and cool weather, it is often referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco”—the perfect place for a quick coffee break. The journey concludes in the late afternoon with a direct drop-off at your accommodation in the imperial city of Fes. End of the tour.
Paying for your tour is straightforward. A small upfront deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot — this can be sent via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The outstanding balance is then settled directly with your driver or guide on the first day of your trip, accepted in euros, US dollars, or Moroccan dirhams.
Morocco’s official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While major hotels and larger establishments tend to accept credit cards, smaller markets and towns generally operate on a cash-only basis, so it’s advisable to carry local currency.
Absolutely. The tour can be fully tailored to match your preferences — whether that means adding extra destinations, upgrading your accommodation, or switching to alternative transport such as a private 4×4 vehicle.
Yes, camel rides are commonly included in desert tour packages, typically used to cross the dunes on the way to your overnight camp.
Camel rides are a standard part of desert experiences and are used to reach the overnight camp by crossing the dunes.
Guests stay in traditional Berber-style tents within a desert camp setting. Amenities include comfortable bedding, warm blankets, shared or private bathroom facilities (depending on the camp category), and a shared dining area for meals and socializing.
The policy varies based on how far in advance you cancel relative to your departure date. A booking deposit is required to hold your reservation, and partial or full refunds may apply depending on the notice given.
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