3 Days from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara

Overview

In short: Private tour · 3 days / 2 nights, from Marrakech to Fes — about 1,075 km and 18 places, including 1 night in the desert.

Duration

3 days / 2 nights

Starts

Marrakech

Ends

Fes

Tour type

Private tour

Group size

Up to 50 travellers

Language

Flexible, on request

Distance

≈ 1,075 km in total

Stops

18 places

A one-way crossing from Marrakech to Fes through the south-east and the desert in three days: High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Dades and Todra gorges, then a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga.

On the last day the route climbs north through the Ziz Valley, Midelt, Ifrane ('the Switzerland of Morocco') and the cedar forest with its Barbary macaques, ending in Fes.

Highlights

• High Atlas and the Tizi n'Tichka pass
• Kasbah Amridil in Skoura
• The green oasis of Skoura
• Valley of Roses and the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs
• Walks in the Dades and Todra gorges
• Erg Chebbi dunes and a sunset camel ride
• Middle Atlas, Ifrane and the cedar forest

Route

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3

Lines join the stops in order; they are not the exact roads. Distances are road estimates. Open the route in Google Maps

Day by day

1. Day 1Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

   Marrakech › Tizi n'Tichka › Ait Ben Haddou › Ouarzazate › Skoura › Kelaat M'Gouna › Boumalne Dades

   Departure at 8:00 across the High Atlas, with photo stops.

   Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO site used in more than 20 films and once one of the key fortresses on the old caravan route that carried salt, gold, ivory and silk from sub-Saharan Africa.

   Continue through Ouarzazate, 'the Hollywood of Africa', then Skoura and Kelaat M'Gouna to the Dades Valley.

   ≈ 300 kmOvernight: Hotel in the Dades ValleyMeals: Dinner
2. Day 2Tinghir – Todra Gorge – Tinjdad – Erfoud – Merzouga

   Boumalne Dades › Tinghir › Todra Gorge › Tinjdad › Erfoud › Merzouga

   After breakfast, drive towards Merzouga via the Todra Gorge and the villages of Tinjdad, Jorf and Erfoud, where the Tafilalet oasis begins.

   On arrival: a short rest, then a camel ride through the dunes as the sun sets.

   Desert dinner followed by traditional drumming and singing; night in a luxury tent.

   ≈ 305 kmOvernight: Luxury camp in Erg ChebbiMeals: Breakfast + dinner
3. Day 3Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Ifrane – Fes

   Merzouga › Erfoud › Errachidia / Ziz › Ziz Gorges › Midelt › Azrou › Ifrane › Fes

   Camel ride back to Merzouga after sunrise, then shower and breakfast.

   Tea with a nomad family, then the Ziz Valley and gorges; lunch in Midelt.

   Via Ifrane and the cedar forest to Fes, arriving in the afternoon/evening where the tour ends.

   ≈ 470 kmMeals: Breakfast

What’s included

Good to know

• Best season for the desert: October to April. In summer daytime heat often exceeds 40°C; in winter nights at camp can drop close to freezing.
• The Tizi n'Tichka pass (about 2,260 m) can get snow or brief closures in winter; the driver adjusts timings to road conditions.
• Pack a small daypack for the camp night (water, charger, warm layer, toiletries). Large luggage stays in the vehicle or hotel.
• Essentials: sunscreen, sunglasses, a scarf/cheche against sand, comfortable shoes and a warm jacket for the evening.
• Mountain roads are winding; bring motion-sickness medication if you need it.
• Carry small dirham notes for tips, purchases and meals that are not included; ATMs are scarce in villages and in the desert.
• Always ask before photographing people, especially women, children and nomad families.
• Day 3 is long (about 8–9 hours on the road); plan to arrive in Fes in the evening and avoid booking a train or flight that same night.

Guided visits on this route

Our local guides also lead these walks and day trips in towns this tour passes through. Ask us to add one.

Read before you go

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