Shared Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour 3 days

Overview

The shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days is the easiest way to cross Morocco from the Red City to the imperial city of Fes while spending a night in the Sahara. This 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes follows the old caravan road over the High Atlas Mountains, through the kasbahs of the south, and into the golden dunes of Merzouga.

On this 3 day desert tour Marrakech to Fes you travel with a small, friendly group in a comfortable minibus. You visit Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge, ride a camel at sunset, and sleep in a desert camp under the stars. On the last day you drive north through the Ziz Valley, the Cedar Forest and Ifrane to Fes.

This Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days is perfect for travellers who want one trip instead of a separate transfer and tour. Our Marrakech to Fes desert tour shares the cost between the group, so it is a great choice for solo travellers, couples and friends. You can also compare it with our 2 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.

Highlights of the shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days:

Cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with panoramic stops
Visit Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous film location
See Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara
Drive through the lush Dades Valley and see the dramatic Todra Gorge
Ride a camel at sunset into the Merzouga desert camp
Enjoy dinner, Berber drums and a campfire under the stars
Drive through the Ziz Valley, the Cedar Forest and Ifrane on the way to Fes
Travel in a comfortable minibus with a friendly shared group, ending in Fes

Why choose a shared desert tour from Marrakech to Fes?

A shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days gives you the full Sahara experience at a fair cost. You do not need to organise hotels, drivers or camps, because everything on the road is planned for you. It is also a safe and social way to travel, and many guests make new friends in the minibus.

The Marrakech to Fes desert tour has a clear advantage over a direct transfer: you do not miss the best sights. Instead of a long day on the road, this 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes has a hotel night in the Dades Valley and a night in a desert camp, with time for photos, tea and walks.

Do you want more time or more privacy? Look at our 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes. If you travel in the other direction, see the shared Fes to Marrakech desert tour 3 days, or the shared 3 days desert tour from Marrakech that returns to Marrakech.

Shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour itinerary:

Day 1: Marrakech → Tizi n’Tichka Pass → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley

Your shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days starts in the morning, when your driver picks you up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech (usually between 7:00 and 8:00 am). After meeting the group, you leave the city and head south-east toward the High Atlas Mountains.

The road climbs to the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, one of the highest mountain roads in Morocco. Here you stop for panoramic views and photos of Berber villages. Then you continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar where many famous films were shot. You walk through the old mud-brick houses with a local guide.

After a free lunch, you drive to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco”. Then you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs past Skoura and the Roses Valley to the Dades Valley, with its strange rock formations. This first day of the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes is full of changing landscapes.

In the evening you check in to your hotel in the Dades Valley, enjoy dinner and rest for the next day.

Driving distance: about 350 km
Driving time: about 8 hours with stops
Overnight: hotel in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast

Day 2: Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga Desert (Camel Trek & Desert Camp)

After breakfast, day two of your 3 day desert tour Marrakech to Fes begins with a drive along the Dades Valley to the Todra Gorge. Here the walls of the canyon rise up to 300 metres, and you have time to walk by the river and take photos.

From the gorge you continue east through the open stony plains toward the Sahara. The landscape slowly changes, and by the afternoon you can see the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. This is the highlight of every Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days.

At Merzouga, you meet your camel guides, and at sunset you ride a camel into the dunes to your desert camp. You can walk up the dunes, try sandboarding or just enjoy the silence of the Sahara.

In the evening, dinner is served at the camp, followed by Berber drums, music and a campfire under a sky full of stars.

Driving distance: about 320 km
Driving time: about 6.5 hours with stops
Overnight: desert camp in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast

Day 3: Sunrise in the Sahara → Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Cedar Forest → Ifrane → Fes

Wake up early on the last day of the shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast at the camp, you ride your camel back to Merzouga, freshen up and meet your driver.

Now the Marrakech to Fes desert tour turns north. You drive through the palm groves of the Ziz Valley and the Ziz Gorge, and then cross the Middle Atlas to Midelt, a good place for a lunch stop (not included).

In the afternoon you pass through the Cedar Forest near Azrou, where you may see Barbary macaques, and then through Ifrane, the “Little Switzerland of Morocco”, with its alpine-style houses. The last part of the road leads down to Fes, one of the oldest UNESCO-listed medinas in the world.

You arrive in Fes in the evening, and your driver drops you at your hotel or a central point, depending on access. This is the end of your 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes. If you want to stay longer, see our 2 days desert tour from Fes.

Driving distance: about 455 km
Driving time: about 8 to 9 hours with stops
Overnight: not included (arrival in Fes)

Gallery

Inclusive and Exclusive of the shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days

Inclusive:

Pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes, subject to access
Shared transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
English-speaking driver (the group is shared with other travellers)
Two nights with breakfast and dinner: one night in a hotel in the Dades Valley and one night in a desert camp in Merzouga
Camel trekking experience at sunset into the desert camp
Berber music and a campfire at the desert camp
Stops for photos and refreshments along the route

Exclusive:

Map of the shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days

Shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days price:

The cost of a perfect shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days is completely customized. Instead of fixed rates, personalized pricing adjusts to the specific party size, travel dates, and choice of standard or luxury lodging. Send an inquiry with the details today, and a custom price quote will be provided within 24 hours to match the budget and travel goals perfectly.

Contact us with your dates and the number of travellers.
Choose a standard or a luxury desert camp for your 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.

Booking

Why travel with Morocco Discover Excursions

At Morocco Discover Excursions, we are a local team that knows every road, kasbah and dune on the Marrakech to Fes desert tour. Our drivers are experienced, friendly and speak English.

We keep our groups small, our minibuses clean and our camps comfortable, so your shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days is relaxed and safe.

We reply fast and plan with care. Send us your dates and we will help you with the best 3 day desert tour Marrakech to Fes for your trip.

Good to Know Before You Go: Shared Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour

This shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour runs for 3 days with a group of mixed nationalities in a comfortable minibus.
Pickup is usually between 7:00 and 8:00 am from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Narrow medina streets may require a meeting point nearby.
You arrive in Fes in the evening. Please do not book a train or a flight on the same night.
Pack a small bag for the desert night, and keep your main luggage in the minibus.
Bring a scarf, sunglasses, sun cream, a light jacket for the cold desert evening, and comfortable shoes.
Lunches and drinks are not included, so please take some cash in Moroccan dirhams.
Showers and toilets are available in the standard desert camps; luxury camps have private bathrooms.
Tell us about food allergies or special diets before the tour starts.
The best seasons for the Marrakech to Fes desert tour are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer is very hot and winter nights are cold.
Learn more about Ait Ben Haddou on the UNESCO website and about Morocco’s heritage on the UNESCO Morocco page.
Want a different route? See our 2 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes or the shared Fes to Marrakech desert tour 3 days.
Please contact us for any questions about your 3 day desert tour Marrakech to Fes.

Extra activities for your shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour

During the tour

Quad bike ATV
Buggy rental ATV
Sandboarding on the dunes
A professional photographer

After the tour

Guided tour of Fes
Day trip to Volubilis
Day trip to Chefchaouen
Hammam and spa in Fes

Reviews

What our guests say

★★★★★

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

Flawless Group Connection from Marrakech to Fes!

★★★★★

Mateusz Wójcik

Joining this shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days, booked through Morocco Discover Excursions, made traveling between the two imperial cities an absolute highlight of our vacation. Crossing the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka and exploring the ancient mud-brick fortress of Ait Benhaddou felt straight out of a movie. Moving through the dramatic cliffs of Todra Gorge into the golden Merzouga dunes was breathtaking. Riding camels at sunset and gathering around the fire for traditional drumming in the Sahara camp created unforgettable memories with our international group before we were dropped off in Fes!

Unbeatable Value, Great Pacing, and Wonderful Hospitality

★★★★★

Sylwia & Dariusz

If you are planning your route from Marrakech to Fes, this shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days with Morocco Discover Excursions is the smartest choice. The shared minibus was incredibly clean, cool, and comfortable for navigating the mountain roads and desert stretches. Sunset camel trekking in Erg Chebbi, trying sandboarding down the high dunes, and feeding the Barbary macaques in the Azrou Cedar Forest were amazing highlights. Our driver was safe, attentive, and kept everything organized from start to finish. Highly recommended!

Unforgettable Sahara Highlights on a Shared Excursion

★★★★★

Paulina Jarosz

We couldn’t have asked for a smoother trip than this shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days organized by Morocco Discover Excursions. Traveling as a small group made the entire journey fun and engaging while keeping costs low. The scenery constantly changed, from the red earth of Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley to the immense sand dunes of Merzouga and the alpine charm of Ifrane. The desert camp offered delicious hot tagines and cozy sleeping arrangements. A completely stress-free, 5-star road trip experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the shared Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days?

The tour includes pickup in Marrakech, drop-off in Fes, a comfortable minibus, an English-speaking driver, two nights with dinner and breakfast, and a camel ride into the Merzouga desert camp.

How long is the drive on the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes?

The total distance is about 1,100 km. Day 1 is about 8 hours, day 2 about 6.5 hours and day 3 about 8 to 9 hours, including stops for photos and meals.

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

On the first night you sleep in a hotel in the Dades Valley. On the second night you sleep in a desert camp in Merzouga, near the Erg Chebbi dunes.

What time do we arrive in Fes?

You usually arrive in Fes in the evening of day 3. Traffic and weather can change the time, so please keep your evening free after the Marrakech to Fes desert tour.

Is the Marrakech to Fes desert tour safe for solo travellers?

Yes. The shared group, experienced drivers and organised camps make this tour a safe and friendly choice for solo travellers, couples and families.

Can I change the route or add extra activities?

Yes. You can add quad biking, sandboarding or a luxury camp, or take a guided tour of Fes after the trip. Contact us and we will adjust your Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Have a different Morocco 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, choose a different desert camp, or add special activities. Please contact us and let’s make your trip truly special!