3 Days from Marrakech to Fes Morocco Desert Tour

Embark on a 3-day journey from Marrakech to Fes, crossing the landscapes of Morocco from rugged mountains to golden dunes. This desert tour is a way into Morocco’s cultural and natural wonders, with its heritage, scenery and adventures.

• Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley via Ait Benhaddou and OuarzazateLeave Marrakech early and drive through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest road pass in Morocco, with views of valleys, terraced farmland and Berber villages, and stops in small hamlets. The first major stop is Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village that has been the backdrop for films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones: walk its alleys and climb to the top for the view. Continue to Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Morocco, for lunch and a visit to the Taourirt Kasbah. In the evening you reach the Dades Valley, the Land of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing through the Valley of Roses. Dinner and overnight in a riad or hotel.
• Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert via Todra GorgeStart at Todra Gorge, with walls 300 metres high that attract climbers from around the world. Walk along the river in the shade and take photos. Continue through the Tafilalet region, with its oases and kasbahs, and stop in villages like Tinjdad and Erfoud to see local life and try regional specialties like medfouna (Berber pizza). Erfoud, known for its fossil workshops, is the last major town before the desert. At Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, camels take you into the desert at sunset, with colors shifting from orange to pink. The night is spent in a luxury desert camp with Berber tents, comfortable beds and modern amenities, a Moroccan dinner under the stars and live music around the campfire.
• Day 3: Merzouga to Fes via Ziz Valley and Cedar ForestsWake up early for the sunrise over Erg Chebbi. After breakfast, return to Merzouga by camel or 4x4. Drive through the Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and oases, and stop for views. Lunch in Midelt, a mountain town at the foot of the High Atlas known as the Apple Capital of Morocco. Continue through the Middle Atlas to the cedar forests near Azrou, home to Barbary macaques, with a short stop in the forest. In the evening you arrive in Fes, with its medieval medina, and you are dropped off at your accommodation.