Fes to Marrakech desert tour
Quick answer: A Fes to Marrakech desert tour is the best way to see the highlights of Morocco in one trip, from the Middle Atlas cedar forests and the Merzouga sand dunes to gorges, oases and kasbahs. Plan a minimum of 3 days to get the full experience.
Fes is Morocco’s cultural and spiritual centre. Its spectacular medina, with some 9,600 lanes and no cars or motorbikes, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. Fes is genuine: artisans still produce for local residents the way they have for generations, and tourism is merely a bonus in a historic city that is still very much alive.
Why Take the Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour?
The Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour shows you the finest of what Morocco has to offer:
- The High Atlas mountains and cedar woodlands
- Lush green oases and palm groves
- The sand dunes of Merzouga
- Dramatic gorges and valleys
- Historic kasbahs and fortified villages
The trip covers a large part of Morocco in a short time, but the breathtaking scenery keeps every drive interesting. So what can you expect from Fes Desert tours? Here is the classic 3-day itinerary, day by day.
Day 1: Fes to the Merzouga Desert
Ifrane and the cedar forest monkeys
Set off early in the morning towards the mountains. Stop for coffee in Ifran (Ifrane), nicknamed the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its chalet-style houses.
Soon after, it’s time to feed the monkeys. They live in the cedar woods and love the bananas sold along the roadside.
Midelt, Tizi N’Talghoumt and the Ziz valley
From here the road heads south through traditional villages, with chances to see nomad families living in huts along the way. After lunch in Midelt, continue over the Tizi N’Talghoumt pass, enjoying magnificent views. From Erfoud you can see the Ziz river valley, lined with hundreds of palm trees.
Sunset camel ride and a night in the desert
On arrival in Merzouga, ride for about an hour into the desert to your camp as the sun sets behind the dunes. The evening is spent eating in a Berber tent, stargazing by the campfire and sleeping in a nomad tent.
Day 2: Merzouga to the Dades Valley
Desert sunrise
Rise with the first light to watch dawn break over the desert, then enjoy a traditional breakfast. Ride back out of the desert by camel and freshen up with a shower at the lodge.
Rissani market and fossils
In Rissani, visit the local market with its famous “donkey parking”, and go fossil hunting just outside town.
Todra Gorge
After a short lunch stop, follow the river to the Todra Gorge, where a short but stunning walk takes you between cliffs around 300 metres high.
Boumalne Dades
Continue via Boumalne Dades to your guesthouse in the Dades Valley. The unusual rock formations here, said to resemble monkey palms, make for excellent photos. Dinner and the night are spent in a riad in Dades.
Day 3: Dades Valley to Marrakech
Valley of Roses and the kasbahs
Today’s drive to Marrakech passes through a wide variety of landscapes, including the kasbah-lined route described as the Canyon of a Million Kasbahs and the famous Valley of Roses.
Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco”
In Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Morocco”, explore the old Taourirt quarter, which dates from the Glaoui era.
Ait Ben Haddou
Not far from Ouarzazate lies Ait Ben Haddou, a walled clay village of ksars and kasbahs. Films such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Prince of Persia were shot here, and the picturesque village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech
After your visit and lunch in Ait Ben Haddou, cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with breathtaking views and plenty of photo stops. You arrive at your riad or hotel in Marrakech in the evening.
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour at a Glance
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fes – Merzouga | Ifrane, cedar forest monkeys, Midelt, Ziz valley, sunset camel ride | Nomad tent in the desert |
| 2 | Merzouga – Dades Valley | Desert sunrise, Rissani market, fossils, Todra Gorge | Riad in Dades |
| 3 | Dades Valley – Marrakech | Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi n’Tichka pass | Riad or hotel in Marrakech |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for a Fes to Marrakech desert tour?
Plan a minimum of 3 days. That gives you a night in the Merzouga desert and a night in the Dades Valley before reaching Marrakech.
Where do you sleep on the tour?
The first night is in a nomad tent at a desert camp near Merzouga, the second in a riad in the Dades Valley, and the tour ends at a riad or hotel in Marrakech.
Which films were shot at Ait Ben Haddou?
Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Prince of Persia are among the well-known films filmed in this World Heritage-listed village.
Can you see monkeys on the way from Fes?
Yes. Monkeys live in the cedar forests near Ifrane, and you can feed them bananas sold by the roadside.
Conclusion
From the car-free lanes of Fes to sunset over the Merzouga dunes, the Todra Gorge and the kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou, a 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour packs an extraordinary range of Moroccan landscapes and culture into a short trip. Give yourself at least three days and enjoy the ride.
