3 days Tour Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga desert

Your journey begins early in the morning as you leave the bustling city of Marrakech and head toward the majestic High Atlas Mountains. The drive takes you through the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which offers breathtaking panoramic views and photo stops. Along the way, you’ll visit the famous Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient mud-brick architecture and as a filming location for several Hollywood blockbusters like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After exploring the kasbah, you’ll continue to Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa,” where you can optionally visit the Atlas Film Studios or the historic Taourirt Kasbah. The route continues through the Valley of Roses, especially vibrant in spring, before arriving in the Dades Valley. Here, you’ll stay overnight in a traditional guesthouse or hotel nestled in the gorge, with dinner included.

After breakfast, you’ll depart the Dades Valley and head toward the dramatic Todra Gorge, where massive canyon walls rise up to 300 meters high. This is a great place to stretch your legs, take a short walk, and snap some incredible photos. From Todra, you’ll travel through small Berber towns like Tinghir and Tinejdad, eventually reaching Erfoud, a town famous for its fossils and date markets. As you approach Merzouga, the golden dunes of the Erg Chebbi Desert begin to rise from the flat plains.

At the edge of the desert, you’ll leave your vehicle and begin a camel trek into the dunes, timed perfectly for sunset. Riding your camel over the soft sand as the sun dips below the horizon is one of the most magical moments of the trip. You’ll arrive at your desert camp, where a traditional Moroccan dinner, Berber music, and an evening under the stars await. You can choose between standard or luxury tents depending on your comfort preference.

Wake up early to catch the sunrise over the dunes—a serene and unforgettable experience. After breakfast at the camp, you’ll ride camels or take a 4×4 back to Merzouga, where your journey to Fes begins. The route takes you through the vast and fertile Ziz Valley, lined with palm trees and traditional Berber villages. You’ll stop in Midelt, a town nestled between the Middle and High Atlas mountains, often used as a lunch stop. As you continue north, the landscape changes dramatically. You’ll drive through cedar forests near Azrou, where you may spot wild Barbary macaques, and then pass through the Alpine-style town of Ifrane, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco” due to its European architecture and clean, organized appearance. By late afternoon or early evening, you’ll arrive in Fes, where the tour concludes with a drop-off at your hotel or riad.