Discover one of Morocco’s most popular short adventures with a 3 days Marrakech Fes desert tour, designed for travelers who want to experience the Sahara Desert in a limited time. This unforgettable journey takes you across the stunning High Atlas Mountains, through the famous kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and into the heart of southern Morocco’s valleys and desert landscapes.
Highlights of the 3 days Marrakech Fes desert tour
- Cross the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Ait Ben Haddou
- Explore Ouarzazate and kasbahs
- Discover the dramatic landscapes of Dades Valley and Todra Gorge
- Travel through Berber villages, oases, and desert towns
- Enjoy a camel trek across the dunes of Erg Chebbi
- Watch a magical sunset and sunrise in the Sahara Desert
- Spend a night in a traditional desert camp near Merzouga
- Experience authentic Berber culture and hospitality
- Enjoy a short but complete Morocco desert adventure in just 3 days
Itinerary 3 days Marrakech Fes desert tour
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley via Ait Ben Haddou
Your 3 days Marrakech Fes desert tour begins with an early departure from your hotel in Marrakech toward the High Atlas Mountains. The road climbs through the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2260 meters. Offering panoramic views of winding mountain roads and traditional Berber villages blending into the landscape. Several stops are made for photos and to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. The first major highlight is the UNESCO World Heritage site Ait Ben Haddou, a famous ksar known for its ancient earthen architecture and film history, including movies like Gladiator and The Mummy.
After visiting the site and having lunch, the journey continues to Ouarzazate. Known as the “Gateway to the Desert,” where you can see Kasbah Taourirt and the cinematic surroundings. The route then passes through the Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses. Famous for its annual rose festival and cosmetic products. By late afternoon, you arrive in the beautiful Dades Valley. Where you will enjoy dinner and overnight stay in a hotel surrounded by dramatic rock formations and peaceful landscapes.
Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga and Sahara Desert Camp
After breakfast, you continue your journey through the Dades Valley, enjoying panoramic views of kasbahs, rock formations, and green oases. You then head toward the impressive Todra Gorge, where towering cliffs create a narrow canyon perfect for walking and photography. After some free time, the journey continues through small towns like Tinejdad or Touroug, where you may stop for lunch. The scenery gradually becomes more arid as you approach the Sahara Desert. In the afternoon, you arrive in Merzouga, gateway to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Here, you meet your camel caravan and begin a peaceful trek across the dunes, guided by experienced camel handlers. The ride takes you deep into the desert where your nomad-style camp awaits. As the sun sets over the sand dunes, you enjoy a magical atmosphere followed by dinner served at the camp. The night is spent in a traditional desert tent under a sky full of stars.
Day 3: Merzouga to Fes via Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas Mountains
After an unforgettable night in the Sahara Desert, your final day begins early with a magical sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. After breakfast at your desert camp or hotel, you leave Merzouga and start the long but scenic journey toward Fes. The road first passes through desert landscapes and small oasis towns before reaching the famous Ziz Valley, where thousands of palm trees stretch along a deep river gorge. Several stops are made here to enjoy panoramic views and take photos of one of Morocco’s most beautiful green valleys in the middle of an arid region.
The journey continues through Erfoud and Midelt, where the scenery gradually changes from desert to mountains. After lunch, you enter the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing cedar forests near Azrou where you may see wild Barbary macaques. A stop is also made in Ifrane, known for its clean streets and European-style architecture. In the late afternoon or evening, you arrive in Fes, marking the end of your 3 days Marrakech Fes desert tour filled with mountains, valleys, and Sahara landscapes.
Included
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes
- Transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle (4×4 or minibus)
- Professional driver/guide
- 1 night in a hotel/riad in Dades Valley (or similar)
- 1 night in a desert camp in Merzouga
- Camel trekking experience in Erg Chebbi (sunset & sunrise)
- Dinners (2) and breakfasts (2)
- Scenic stops along the route (Atlas Mountains, kasbahs, valleys, viewpoints)
- Luggage transfer to the desert camp
Not Included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments (e.g., Ait Ben Haddou if guided visit is required)
- Personal expenses and tips
- Optional activities (quad biking, sandboarding, local guides in villages)
