3 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes

Overview

The 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes is the most beautiful way to cross Morocco from the red city to the imperial city. You do not take the fast highway. You drive south over the High Atlas Mountains, walk inside the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, sleep in the Dades Valley, ride a camel in the Sahara and then drive north through cedar forests to Fes.

This 3 day tour from Marrakech to Fes is private, so only your group travels in the vehicle, with a local driver from our Berber team. It is also a real 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes: you spend a full night in a luxury camp among the Merzouga dunes. Many travelers choose this 3 days trip from Marrakech to Fes because it saves a hotel night, a transfer and a lot of planning, and you arrive in Fes with the desert already in your photos.

Highlights of the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes:

Cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
Walk inside Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Explore the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge
Ride a camel at sunset and sleep in a luxury Sahara camp
Drive through the green Ziz Valley and the town of Midelt
Walk in the Azrou Cedar Forest and meet the Barbary macaques
Stop in the alpine town of Ifrane, the “Little Switzerland” of Morocco
Arrive in Fes with a private driver, with no bus and no transfer

Why private 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes?

One journey, two cities: You start in Marrakech and finish in Fes with the same driver and the same vehicle. No bus, no train and no luggage problems.
Your own pace: Stop for photos in the Atlas, take a longer walk in the Todra Gorge or sleep a little more after the sunrise. The group decides, not a fixed program.
Local knowledge: Our drivers come from the south of Morocco. They know the best viewpoints, the quiet tea stops and the honest family restaurants on the road.
Comfortable nights: You sleep in a boutique hotel in the Dades Valley and in a luxury camp in the Sahara, with dinner and breakfast included.
Easy to adapt: Travel with kids, add a quad ride, change the camp or ask for an extra stop in Chefchaouen after Fes. Tell us your wishes and we plan around them.

3 Days tour from Marrakech to Fes itinerary:

Day 1: Marrakech ⇢ High Atlas Mountains ⇢ Aït Ben Haddou ⇢ Ouarzazate ⇢ Dades Valley

Your driver meets you at your hotel or riad in Marrakech in the morning. We leave the city and begin the slow climb into the High Atlas Mountains. The road to the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, at more than 2,200 meters, has many curves and wide views, so we stop for photos and a mint tea.

After the pass we arrive at Aït Ben Haddou, the famous earthen kasbah on the old caravan road. Cross the river, walk through the narrow lanes and climb to the top for a view over the palm valley. Many films were shot here, so some corners may look familiar.

We continue to Ouarzazate, the door of the desert, and stop for lunch. In the afternoon the road follows the Valley of the Roses and then the Dades Gorges, where red cliffs and the strange “Monkey Fingers” rocks glow in the evening light. Tonight you sleep in the Dades Valley, with a warm Moroccan dinner.

Driving distance: Approximately 380 km
Driving time: Approximately 7 hr, without stops

Day 2: Dades Valley ⇢ Todra Gorge ⇢ Tafilalet Oasis ⇢ Merzouga Desert

After a calm breakfast, we drive to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge. The two walls of rock are almost 300 meters high, and a cold stream runs at the bottom. Walk slowly inside the gorge, then see the green palm grove of Tinghir where local families still grow their own vegetables.

From here the landscape opens. We cross the Tafilalet region and the road to the south becomes straight, quiet and golden. We stop for lunch in a local restaurant, and you can see how the villages change as the Sahara comes closer.

In the late afternoon we arrive at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. Meet your camel guide and ride into the dunes to watch the sunset, when the sand turns orange and then red. At the camp, enjoy a traditional dinner, Berber music around the fire and a night under a sky full of stars.

Driving distance: Approximately 270 km
Driving time: Approximately 5 hr, without stops

Day 3: Merzouga ⇢ Ziz Valley ⇢ Midelt ⇢ Azrou ⇢ Ifrane ⇢ Fes

Wake up early if you wish and climb a dune to see the sunrise over the Sahara. After breakfast, say goodbye to the desert and go back to Merzouga by camel or by 4×4. Your driver then takes the long road north to Fes.

The road follows the Ziz Valley, a long green line of palm trees and old ksour between dry mountains. We pass the Ziz Gorges, then stop for lunch in Midelt, a quiet mountain town known for its apple orchards and minerals.

After Midelt, the scenery changes completely. We enter the Middle Atlas, drive through the Azrou Cedar Forest and, with some luck, meet the Barbary macaques along the road. We then cross Ifrane, a tidy alpine town with red roofs that locals call the “Little Switzerland” of Morocco. In the evening we arrive in Fes, and your driver takes you to your hotel or riad in the old medina area, subject to access.

Driving distance: Approximately 560 km
Driving time: Approximately 9 hr, without stops

Gallery

Inclusive and Exclusive of the tour

Inclusive:

Pickup in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes, subject to access
Private transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
English-speaking driver or a driver and an English-speaking tour guide (If you prefer another language, kindly inform us in advance)
One night in a hotel in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast
One night in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast
Camel trekking experience at sunset
Sandboarding
Stops for photos and refreshments along the route

Exclusive:

Map of the tour

Accommodations

On our 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes you sleep in two very different places. The first night is in the green Dades Valley, with mountain views and a warm dinner. The second night is in a luxury camp among the golden dunes of Merzouga, with private tents and private bathrooms. Choose the option that suits you best when you book.

Options	First night (Dades Valley)	Second night (Merzouga desert)
First option	Dar Ahlam Dades	Lunara Desert Camp
Second option	Sahara Stars Dades	Najma Luxury Camp
Third option	Eden Boutique Hotel	Siroco Luxury Camp

3 Days tour from Marrakech to Fes price:

The price of our private 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes is not fixed. It depends on the group size and your travel date, and also on the hotel, the desert camp and the extra activities you choose. We prepare a personal offer so you can find the best option for your trip and budget.

Group size: The price per person is lower when more travelers share the vehicle.
Travel dates: Prices change with the season and with the availability of rooms and camps.

For a quote that fits your group, please use the form below, contact us or write to us on WhatsApp. You can also compare with our 3 days desert tour from Marrakech that returns to Marrakech.

Booking

Know Before You Go

Plan the driving days. Day 1 is about 7 hours, day 2 about 5 hours and day 3 about 9 hours. Stops for photos, lunch and visits are extra.
Pack a small overnight bag. Keep your big suitcase in the vehicle and take only what you need for the desert camp.
Dress in layers. The Atlas pass and the desert nights are cold, especially in winter, while the Dades and Merzouga days can be hot.
Bring cash for small costs. Lunches, drinks, tips and entrance fees are not included.
Protect yourself from the sun. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a scarf for the sand and a reusable water bottle.
Expect a weak phone signal in the gorges and in the desert.
Best seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In winter, snow can close the Tizi n’Tichka and Middle Atlas roads for a few hours, and we then change the plan for your safety.

Extra activities

Before the tour

Hot air balloon ride
Guided medina tour
Hammam and spa

During the tour

A professional photographer
Romantic dinner in the desert
Romantic desert proposal setup
Quad bike ATV
Buggy rental ATV

After the tour

Guided Fes medina tour
Fes cooking class
Day trip to Chefchaouen
Visit to Volubilis and Meknes

Reviews

What our guests say

★★★★★

Read what our guests say about the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes with Morocco Discover Excursions.

Best Trip in Morocco

★★★★★

Luna Leblanc

We had the best time in Morocco on this private 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes with Morocco Discover Excursions. The team was professional from the moment we booked, and the service was excellent. The best part was the Sahara, where we spent an amazing night under the stars. The hotels and camp were comfortable, and our driver Mohamed was friendly and took care of us from start to finish. Highly recommended!

An Amazing Experience with Morocco Discover Excursions

★★★★★

Danial Joha

I traveled to Morocco with my partner and we chose the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes. It was the best choice, and everything was organized from start to finish. We visited the Aït Ben Haddou kasbah, rode a camel at sunset and did a quad bike ride in the desert. The luxury camp staff was helpful and the food was delicious. Our driver Hassan was professional and the minivan was comfortable. Thank you again!

Unforgettable Family Adventure from Marrakech to Fes

★★★★★

Kamila L.

We were a family of five traveling from Marrakech to Fes. We chose the luxury option, and our first night was at Eden Boutique Hotel, where the staff was friendly and dinner was delicious. The highlight was the Sahara: the landscapes were breathtaking and the sunset was magical. We stayed at a luxury desert camp, elegant in every detail. The next morning we rode quad bikes back to the car, and our kids loved it. Thank you, Mohamed!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes private?

Yes. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver. You choose when to stop for photos, tea or lunch, so the trip follows your rhythm.

Where do we sleep on the 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes?

The first night is in a hotel in the Dades Valley (Dar Ahlam Dades, Sahara Stars Dades or Eden Boutique Hotel). The second night is in a luxury camp in Merzouga (Lunara Desert Camp, Najma Luxury Camp or Siroco Luxury Camp). Dinner and breakfast are included.

How long is the drive each day?

Day 1 is about 380 km (approximately 7 hours), day 2 is about 270 km (approximately 5 hours) and day 3 is about 560 km (approximately 9 hours). These times do not include stops.

Can we do the 3 days trip from Marrakech to Fes in the other direction?

Yes. The same route can start in Fes and finish in Marrakech. Tell us your dates in the form and we prepare the program for you.

How much does the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes cost?

The price depends on your group size, your travel date, the hotel and camp you choose and any extra activities. Please contact us with your dates and number of travelers, and we send you a personal offer.

What should I bring for the desert night?

Bring a small overnight bag, warm clothes for the evening, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a scarf for the sand. Your big luggage stays safe in the vehicle.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Have a different desert adventure in mind? At Morocco Discover Excursions, we are happy to create a trip that fits your travel style, interests, and schedule. You can add a night in the desert, stop in Chefchaouen, choose a different desert camp, or add special activities. Please contact us and let’s make your desert experience truly special!