Sahara Desert 3-Day Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga

Overview

This shared 3-day Sahara tour travels one way from Marrakech to Fes through the best of southern Morocco. You cross the High Atlas, stop at Ait Benhaddou, follow the Dades Valley, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga and sleep in a desert camp, then drive north through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas to Fes. Choose between a standard camp and a luxury tent depending on the option you book.

Highlights

• One-way route from Marrakech to Fes, so no backtracking
• Tizi n'Tichka Pass and Ait Benhaddou on the first day
• Camel rides at sunset and sunrise in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga
• Two nights: a hotel on the way and a desert camp at Merzouga
• Two breakfasts, two dinners, sandboarding and Berber drumming included
• Air-conditioned van with Wi-Fi and a driver-guide, plus a luggage service

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Marrakech and the Tizi n'Tichka PassHotel or riad pickup at around 07:00 and a scenic climb over the High Atlas.
2. Day 1: Ait Benhaddou and OuarzazateTime to explore the UNESCO fortified village, have lunch (not included) and drive through Ouarzazate.
3. Day 1: Kelaat M'Gouna and the Dades ValleyDrive through the Valley of Roses and check in to your hotel for dinner and the night.
4. Day 2: Dades to MerzougaBreakfast, then a long drive east through the Todra region and the palm groves to the Erg Chebbi dunes.
5. Day 2: Sunset camel ride and desert campRide a camel into the dunes, enjoy Berber drumming, dinner and sandboarding, then spend the night in your tent.
6. Day 3: Sunrise camel rideWatch the sunrise over the dunes by camel, then have breakfast at the camp.
7. Day 3: Ziz Valley, Midelt and AzrouDrive north through palm groves and mountain scenery with stops for lunch (not included) and photos.
8. Day 3: Arrival in FesDrop-off at a hotel in Fes in the evening.

What's included

• Hotel or riad pickup in Marrakech and hotel drop-off in Fes
• One night in a hotel in Kelaat M'Gouna or Dades (depending on availability)
• One night in a standard desert camp at Merzouga with shared bathroom and toilet
• Air-conditioned van with Wi-Fi and a driver-guide
• Two breakfasts and two dinners
• Camel rides at sunrise and sunset in the Merzouga dunes
• Sandboarding
• Berber drumming and music evening
• Luggage service

Not suitable for

• Travellers with back problems or motion sickness, because of the long hours of driving
• Wheelchair users, as the dunes and camp are on soft sand
• Anyone who needs to return to Marrakech, since this route ends in Fes
• Guests who cannot walk or ride in sandy terrain

Meeting point

Pickup is from your hotel or riad in Marrakech at around 07:00; the exact time and place are confirmed after booking. On day 3 you are dropped off at a hotel in Fes. Please send us the name of your accommodation in Marrakech and the hotel where you want to be dropped in Fes.

Important information

• Bring a small overnight bag: a luggage service helps with larger bags, but keep valuables and a warm layer with you.
• Pack comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a camera, cash and a power bank.
• Bring warm clothing: desert evenings are cool, and winter nights are cold.
• Lunch, the local guide inside the Ait Benhaddou kasbah, quad bikes, buggies and tips are not included.
• The drives are long on days 1 and 3; the van has air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
• The exact hotel and camp can change with availability, but the standard of the option you choose is kept.
• Check the option you select: the luxury option gives you a private tent with its own bathroom, while the standard option has a shared bathroom.