3-Day Private Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
Overview
Morocco's most iconic landscapes across the High Atlas Mountains, UNESCO-listed kasbahs, valleys, gorges, and the Sahara Desert, connecting the imperial cities of Marrakech and Fes.
Highlights
- Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n'Tichka Pass
- The UNESCO Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
- Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses
- The Dades and Todra Gorges
- A camel ride in Erg Chebbi at sunset
- An overnight in a Berber desert camp
- Erfoud and the Ziz Valley
- A stop in Midelt and meeting Barbary macaques
- Ifrane, the "Switzerland of Morocco"
- Ending in the imperial city of Fes
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- 1
Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Boumalne Dades
A morning departure from Marrakech, ascending the Tizi n'Tichka pass through the High Atlas Mountains to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, then Ouarzazate's film studios, the Oasis of Skoura, and the Valley of Roses before Dades Gorge.
- 2
Boumalne Dades – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert Camp
Travel toward Tinghir, then the Todra Gorges, with cliffs towering up to 300 meters, followed by Erfoud, the fossil capital of Morocco, and on to Merzouga, where camels carry you across the dunes of Erg Chebbi for a sunset trek and desert camp with Berber music.
- 3
Merzouga Camp – Midelt – Ifrane – Fes
A sunrise viewing over the dunes, breakfast, and a camel return, then the expansive Ziz Valley, lunch in Midelt, a cedar forest stop to meet Barbary macaques, and the charming town of Ifrane before arriving in Fes.
What’s Included
- Dinner and breakfast on Days 1–2
- Camel trekking experiences
- Desert camp accommodation
- Traditional Berber music and campfire entertainment
- Guided visits to major sites
What’s Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Lunches and drinks not otherwise specified
- Monument and museum entrance fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
Meeting Point
Your riad or hotel in Marrakech
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long is the 3-Day Private Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga?
- This itinerary runs 3 days and 2 nights, departing from Marrakech.
- Is this a private tour or a group tour?
- It's private. You travel in your own vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide rather than joining a fixed group of strangers.
- Can the itinerary be adjusted?
- Yes — dates, pace, and stops can be tailored to your interests. Send an inquiry and we'll adjust this route around you.
- What's included in this tour?
- Dinner and breakfast on Days 1–2, Camel trekking experiences, Desert camp accommodation, plus everything else listed in the full inclusions below.
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Pickup is from Your riad or hotel in Marrakech. Tell us your flight or hotel details and we'll confirm the exact meeting time.
From the blog
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The Ultimate Guide to Aït Ben Haddou: Morocco's Most Filmed Kasbah
Aït Ben Haddou has stood in for ancient Rome, Jerusalem, and Westeros — but the UNESCO-listed kasbah is worth visiting for its own sake, not just as a backdrop.
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A UNESCO-listed medina, constant Atlantic wind, and a pace far slower than Marrakech — here's why Essaouira is worth the detour to the coast.
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Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga: Which Sahara Dunes Should You Visit?
Morocco's two great dune fields reward very different trips — here's how Erg Chebbi near Merzouga actually compares to the remote Erg Chigaga near M'Hamid.
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