Private 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour via Merzouga

Your Marrakech to Fes desert tour begins in the morning with pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech.

Meet your private driver and leave the city toward the High Atlas Mountains.

As the road climbs into the mountains, the scenery changes dramatically, passing traditional villages, valleys and panoramic viewpoints.

Cross the High Atlas Mountains

Travel across the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, the main mountain route connecting Marrakech with southern Morocco.

Because this is a private tour, stops can be made at selected viewpoints for photographs, refreshments and short breaks.

Continue toward the southern side of the Atlas Mountains and the historic village of Aït Ben Haddou.

Visit Aït Ben Haddou

Arrive at Aït Ben Haddou, one of Morocco's best-known examples of traditional earthen architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The fortified ksar is composed of interconnected houses, towers and narrow passages built along a hillside overlooking the surrounding valley.

Take time to explore the village before continuing toward Ouarzazate.

Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses

Continue through Ouarzazate, an important crossroads between the High Atlas Mountains, the Draa Valley and Morocco's desert regions.

After lunch, travel toward Skoura and El Kelaa M'Gouna, the gateway to the Valley of Roses.

The route passes traditional villages, palm groves, cultivated valleys and old kasbahs before entering the Dades region.

Overnight in the Dades Valley

Arrive in the Dades Valley during the late afternoon or early evening.

Check into your hotel and enjoy time to relax after the day's journey.

Dinner is served at your accommodation.

Overnight: Dades Valley hotel
Meals included: Dinner

After breakfast, leave the Dades Valley and continue east toward Tinghir and the Sahara.

The landscapes gradually change as you travel from mountain valleys toward the more arid regions of southeastern Morocco.

Tinghir Oasis

Pass through Tinghir, a historic oasis town surrounded by extensive palm groves.

Depending on your interests and schedule, you can stop to admire the oasis before continuing toward Todra Gorge.

Explore Todra Gorge

Arrive at Todra Gorge, where steep limestone cliffs rise dramatically on either side of the narrow valley.

Take a walk through the gorge and enjoy time for photographs before continuing toward Erfoud.

Erfoud and Rissani

Travel through the desert landscapes surrounding Erfoud, an area known for dates and fossil-rich geology.

Continue toward Rissani, an important historic trading town and traditional market center of the Tafilalt region.

Depending on your travel day and schedule, your driver can arrange appropriate stops before continuing to Merzouga.

Arrival at Erg Chebbi

By late afternoon, the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi begin to appear on the horizon.

These large sand dunes beside Merzouga form one of Morocco's most recognizable Sahara landscapes.

Arrive at the edge of the dunes and prepare for your desert experience.

Sunset Camel Ride in Merzouga

Meet the camel team and begin your ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes.

As the afternoon light changes, the dunes take on shades of gold, orange and red.

When conditions allow, pause among the dunes to enjoy sunset before continuing toward your desert camp.

Overnight at the Desert Camp

Arrive at your camp and settle into your tent.

Dinner is served in the evening, followed by time to enjoy the peaceful desert surroundings.

Depending on the camp and conditions, the evening may include traditional music around the campfire.

Afterward, step outside to experience the Sahara night sky away from the lights of the cities.

Overnight: Erg Chebbi desert camp
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Wake early if you would like to watch sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes.

The atmosphere and colors of the desert are particularly beautiful during the first light of the morning.

After breakfast at camp, return from the desert by camel or 4×4 according to your arrangements.

You will then begin the journey north toward Fes.

Travel Through the Ziz Valley

Leave Merzouga and travel toward Erfoud before entering the impressive Ziz Valley.

The road follows a landscape of rocky plateaus, mountains and extensive palm groves.

Stops can be made at panoramic viewpoints overlooking the valley before continuing toward Midelt.

Midelt and the Middle Atlas

Continue toward Midelt, located between the High Atlas and Middle Atlas mountain ranges.

A lunch break can be arranged here or elsewhere along the route before continuing north.

The scenery changes again as you enter the greener landscapes of the Middle Atlas.

Azrou Cedar Forest

Travel through the Azrou region, known for its cedar forests.

Wild Barbary macaques inhabit parts of the Middle Atlas forests and may sometimes be seen along the route, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Enjoy a short stop when conditions and timing allow.

Ifrane

Continue toward Ifrane, a mountain town known for its parks, cooler climate and distinctive architecture.

A short break can be arranged before the final drive toward Fes.

Arrival in Fes

Continue through the Middle Atlas and arrive in Fes during the late afternoon or early evening.

Your private driver will take you to your hotel, riad or the closest vehicle-accessible point to your accommodation.

Your arrival in Fes marks the end of your 3-day private Marrakech to Fes desert tour via Merzouga.

Meals included: Breakfast