3 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate

The desert tour starts early in the morning at Marrakech. After breakfast, around 8:00 am, we will pick you up from your riad or hotel and set off in a comfortable air-conditioned car. The first road trip will head to the ancient village of Ait Benhaddou before arriving at Ouarzazate, where our first day will end. The road drive from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou takes you to the breathtaking views of the High Atlas Mountains. There are several stops along the way to take pictures of these magnificent peaks as well as the scenic landscape along the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Our first destination is Ait Benhaddou, which is the most popular Kasbah in Morocco. The fortified, red-earthen village provides a glimpse of ancient Morocco. The village is more than 1200 years old, and most of the original structures are still intact. Due to its classical earthen clay architecture, roaming the passageways in this Kasbah feels like walking in the ancient world. Note that Ait Benhaddou Kasbah is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical features. Before taking a scenic road trip to the city of Ouarzazate, we will have lunch at Ait Benhaddou at a restaurant serving local cuisine. Approaching Ouarzazate, the climate becomes more desert- like, paving the way for a spectacular desert landscape. Just like Ait Benhaddou, it is a city that blends both classical and modern worlds. The city’s astounding ancient features are the reason why it has been featured in popular movies such as Black Hawk Down, Arabia, Sahara, and Gladiator, among others. We will make a short stop at Atlas Studios for a photo session before proceeding downtown for a panoramic view of the Kasbah of Taourirt. We will also visit the Kasbah of Tifoultoute before going to the hotel or riad for the night.

Day 2: Todra Gorge – Merzouga

After breakfast at the hotel, we will take a road drive towards Todra Gorge. It is another scenic road trip with a panoramic view of the Dadès Valley, past Imeder and Tanghir, where we will be stopping along the way for photo sessions. At Todra Gorge, you will be wowed by massive canyons, which are around 400 meters deep. You will also have fun hiking the Todra River Gorge on foot. Take as many pictures as you like against the backdrop of the Todra Gorge as this is one exciting spot on this tour. After enjoying the Todra Gorge, we will take a road trip towards Merzouga. As we enjoy the beautiful landscape en route Merzouga, the climate will become more desert-like. Upon arriving at Merzouga, you will be in for one of the best desert camel rides in Morocco. You will be climbing giant sand dunes, enjoying a beautiful sunset over the dunes, and experiencing the unique silence of the desert at night. You will then spend the night at a traditional Berber nomad camp, enjoying classical Berber music with dancing around the campfire before going to sleep. For those inclined to watching the stars, the Sahara desert offers an incredible experience.

Day 3: Merzouga – Midelt – Azrou – Ifran – Fes

We will wake early in the morning to experience the magical sunrise on top of the dunes in the Sahara desert. Our tour guide will wake you up early to ensure that you don’t miss the desert sunrise. Be sure to bring a camera with you to capture this moment as well as the early morning sight of the Sahara desert. After this, we will take a camel ride back to the hotel where your driver will be waiting for you to resume the journey to Midelt. We will take our last trip from Merzouga to Fes. It is a road drive of about 470 km that passes all the major tourist spots en route to Fes. From Merzouga, we will pass through Erfoud, Errachidia, Aoufous, and the Ziz Valley, which are popular tourist places that offer breathtaking panoramic landscapes. We will also come across more Berber villages on the way. We will be stopping for a number of photo sessions and admire amazing mountain vistas as we go along. At lunchtime we should be in Midelt, where we will eat at a local restaurant serving local food. After lunch, we will take another scenic drive, this time towards the town of Azrou, where you will get to explore a cedar forest. This forest is popularly known for its amiable monkey troops. You will enjoy playing with the monkeys and feeding them before we head on another thrilling road drive to Ifran. This small town is commonly known as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco” due to its skiing opportunities. The road trip from Ifran to Fes will be our last. We will drop you at your riad or hotel in the evening, marking the end of a fantastic three-day Sahara desert tour Marrakech to Fes.