3-Day Fes to Marrakech Sahara Desert Tour

Tour Details

Day 1: Fes – Middle Atlas Highlands – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Dunes

Your Saharan odyssey commences in Fes, striking south into the embrace of the Middle Atlas range. Your journey pauses first in Ifrane, a mountain retreat distinguished by its Swiss-like ambiance and reputation as one of Africa’s most immaculate cities. The town’s name derives from ancient Berber language, translating to “caverns.”

The route continues into sprawling cedar forests, where troops of Barbary macaques roam freely among centuries-old trees. Next comes Midelt, an agricultural crossroads nestled in the mountains, celebrated for its apple orchards, refreshing climate, and historical significance in Morocco’s mining heritage. A midday meal provides the perfect opportunity to sample local flavors before pressing onward.

The afternoon passage winds through the breathtaking Ziz Valley, where verdant date palm groves cascade through narrow gorges. Strategic overlooks invite you to capture the grandeur of this oasis landscape. As twilight approaches, you arrive at the edge of the Merzouga dunes. Your camel caravan awaits to escort you across the rippling sands to your desert sanctuary. Following a mesmerizing desert sunset, you’ll gather for a feast of traditional cuisine, rhythmic music around the crackling fire, and a night sleeping beneath the cosmos.

Day 2: Merzouga – Erfoud – Tinghir – Boumalne Dades

Rise before dawn to witness the transformative moment when sunlight spills across the Sahara, igniting the dunes in shades of amber and rose. After your camel ride back, reconnect with your driver and journey to Erfoud, an international center for fossil artisanship and marble craftsmanship, where ancient marine life preserved in stone tells stories millions of years old.

Your path continues through Tinghir, an oasis settlement cradled by date palms with the High Atlas mountains rising behind. The crown jewel here is the Todra Gorge, where rust-colored cliffs rise dramatically hundreds of feet, creating a narrow canyon that’s become a paradise for hikers and photographers alike.

The afternoon brings you to Boumalne Dades, gateway to a region of spectacular gorges and weathered peaks. The Dades Valley captivates with its twisting roadways carved between bizarre rock formations that have been shaped by millennia of wind and water. This area ranks among Morocco’s most photographed landscapes. Evening brings dinner and rest in Boumalne Dades.

Day 3: Boumalne Dades – Valley of Roses – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

Following breakfast, your expedition continues through the Valley of Roses, where every spring the air becomes perfumed with damask rose blossoms, celebrated during the region’s beloved annual festival. The road meanders past traditional Berber settlements before reaching Ouarzazate, Morocco’s legendary “Desert Gateway.” This cinematic city, home to major film studios and ancient kasbahs, has provided the dramatic backdrop for numerous international productions.

The crown jewel of today’s journey is the fortified settlement of Ait Ben Haddou. This UNESCO-recognized masterpiece represents the pinnacle of southern Morocco’s earthen construction traditions and has graced the silver screen in epic films including Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. Time spent wandering its ancient passageways feels like stepping back through centuries.

Following your exploration, the journey ascends into the High Atlas Mountains, negotiating the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka pass with its hairpin curves and sweeping panoramas. As late afternoon approaches, you descend into Marrakech, where your remarkable three-day odyssey reaches its conclusion.