3-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes

Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

After breakfast at your riad or hotel, your private driver/guide will pick you up to begin your Morocco desert tour. Departing Marrakech, you’ll travel through the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains and traditional Berber villages scattered along the route.

Your first stop is the breathtaking Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, one of the most photogenic places in Morocco. This fortified ksar, made of mud-brick architecture, has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows, including Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. You’ll have time to explore the kasbah on foot with the option of a guided tour.

After lunch, continue to Ouarzazate, often referred to as the “Hollywood of Africa” thanks to its many film studios and movie sets. If time permits, you can visit the famous Atlas Studios or the Taourirt Kasbah before heading east through the Skoura Oasis and the Valley of Roses, where thousands of rose petals are harvested each spring.

Arrive in the scenic Dades Valley by evening, where strange rock formations and lush green terraces make for a beautiful backdrop. Settle into a comfortable local hotel or guesthouse, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and relax for the night.

Overnight: Dades Valley Guesthouse or Hotel
Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga – Camel Trek in Erg Chebbi Dunes

After breakfast, drive through the winding roads of the Dades Gorges, then continue toward the Todra Gorge, an awe-inspiring natural canyon carved into the limestone by the Todra River. You’ll stop for a short walk through the gorge, where the cliffs reach up to 300 meters high—perfect for photography or simply soaking in the views.

The journey continues through the towns of Tinjdad, Jorf, and Erfoud, where you’ll notice the landscape shifting toward the Sahara. Erfoud is famous for its fossils and dates—you can visit a local fossil workshop to see ancient ammonites and trilobites embedded in marble.

By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here, trade your vehicle for a camel and set out on an enchanting camel trek across the dunes, arriving at your desert camp just in time for sunset.

At the Sahara desert camp, you’ll be welcomed with mint tea and enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner. Spend the evening around the campfire listening to traditional Berber music under a sky filled with stars.

Overnight: Berber Desert Camp in Merzouga (standard or luxury options available)
Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Azrou Cedar Forest – Ifrane – Fes

Wake early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, a magical moment you’ll never forget. After a hearty breakfast at camp and a camel ride back to Merzouga, begin your scenic drive north toward Fes.

Pass through the Ziz Valley, known for its dramatic gorges and lush palm oases, then continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop for lunch in Midelt, a peaceful town nestled between the mountains, known for its apple orchards and cool climate.

As you continue your drive, you’ll pass through the cedar forests of Azrou, home to the endangered Barbary macaques—keep your camera ready! Next, stop briefly in Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” thanks to its alpine-style buildings and clean streets.

Your tour ends in the late afternoon or early evening in Fes, where your driver will drop you off at your riad or hotel.