Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour in 3 Days: Route, Timing & Best Tours

Pickups usually start between 7:00 and 8:00 in Marrakech. The road climbs to the Tizi n’Tichka pass at about 2,260 m, the highest paved pass in Morocco, with frequent bends; take motion-sickness tablets if you need them. Most tours stop at the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Benhaddou, where a local guide may be offered for an extra fee.

After passing Ouarzazate and the Skoura palm grove, the day ends in the Dadès Valley or near Tinghir. This is the longest sightseeing day, and the first night is in a hotel or kasbah guesthouse, not the desert.

Day two is shorter. Many tours walk into the Todra Gorge, where the cliffs rise roughly 300 m, then continue past Tinejdad and Erfoud to Merzouga. You typically arrive in the late afternoon for a camel ride or a 4x4 transfer to the camp, sunset on the dunes, dinner and a night at Erg Chebbi.

Before booking, confirm whether the camp is standard or luxury, whether your tent has a private bathroom, and what happens to your main luggage. Many groups leave large bags in the vehicle and carry only an overnight bag on the camel.

Wake early for sunrise, return to Merzouga for breakfast, and set off north. The road passes Erfoud and Errachidia, then follows the Ziz Valley’s long ribbon of palm groves before climbing toward Midelt and the Middle Atlas.

Many tours stop in the cedar forest near Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques, and pass Ifrane before reaching Fes in the early evening. It is the longest driving day, so avoid booking an evening train or flight from Fes.

Prices change with season, group size and camp level, so compare the live total for your dates rather than an old headline figure. A shared group tour is the cheapest option; private and premium versions cost considerably more per person, especially for two travellers.

Check what is included: hotel pickup, the Fes drop-off address, both dinners and breakfasts, the camel ride or 4x4 transfer, and the tent type. Lunches, drinks, local guides at Aït Benhaddou or Todra and tips are usually extra.

Each listing below is a one-way three-day route from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga. They include shared small-group, private and premium options. Check the camp, second-night hotel and Fes drop-off for the exact option you choose.

Tours use their own partner camps. If you are travelling by private driver or rental car, you can book a camp directly. Merzouga Glamping has private ensuite tents with AC and heating running day and night, plus dinner in an air-conditioned restaurant. Stays start from €70 per person per night; a single tent is €85. Transport is separate.

Routes and durations were checked against the selected GetYourGuide listings on 6 November 2026. Availability, prices and accommodation can change; review the current itinerary for your dates. Photos show regional scenery and are illustrative.