If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience to have in Morocco, you need to book a Marrakech to Fes desert tour. This breathtaking adventure immerses you into the heart of Morocco as you visit ancient cities that dot the route in between Marrakech and Fes.
I personally took a private 3-day desert tour with Morocco Exotic Adventures and had an incredible time!
Before jumping into the day to day activities and tour highlights, I just wanted to be upfront and let you know I received a discounted tour in exchange for writing this blog post. However, I receive no further financial compensation if you choose to book a tour with Morocco Exotic Adventures. Also, it goes without saying all thoughts and opinions are my own.
So without further ado, here’s what you can expect on a 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour.
Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour Review
What’s Included in a 3 Day Private Tour with Morocco Exotic Adventures
- 4×4 (SUV) with AC & Fuel
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Accommodations for 2 nights
- 2 breakfasts and dinners
- Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou visit
- Camel trek to desert camp with guide
- Water for the camel trip
- Visit to Todra Canyon
- Experienced English speaking driver
Things not included
- Water and drinks
- Lunches
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
- Travel Insurance
- Scarf/Turban for camel trek
BUY YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE
Private vs Group Tours
While researching desert tour operators and their options, I went back and forth between taking a private desert tour versus a group tour. Group tours offer the opportunity to meet other travelers and are typically more affordable, however, private tours are more personalized. I was traveling with my friend Brooke, and together we decided a private tour was the better option for our travel style/needs.
Here’s some things to consider when choosing between a private desert tour and group tour:
Shared Tour
- Cheaper cost per person
- Social environment, good opportunity to make friends
- Fixed itinerary and schedule
- Share transportation, accommodation and activities
- Great for solo travelers or small groups
- Not a great option for families
Private tour
- Higher cost per person
- Private accommodation
- Itinerary is flexible, spend more or less time in a location based on your preferences
- Perfect option for couples and families
Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour Highlights
- Walking around the historic Ait Ben Haddou
- Riding camels through the desert
- Enjoying traditional music and dancing around a campfire
Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour – Day 1
After checking out of Riad NaaNaa, we loaded our suitcases onto a luggage cart and made our way to Jemaa El Fna, Marrakech’s main square. Our driver, Mohammad, met us there at 9:00 am in front of Cafe de France.
He kindly loaded our luggage into the back of his SUV and then we were off.
We spent about 1.5 hours in the car before making our first stop on the journey which was a traditional berber village. We were exhausted from the night before, so we just viewed the village from the car rather than getting out. In fact, we spent majority of our time in the car sleeping between stops. Once we left the village we went to a shop/cafe so we could stretch our legs and grab some coffee. The cafe had a patio out back with a pretty view of the mountains where we spent a little time chatting before hopping back in the car.
Ait Ben Haddou
2.5 hours after leaving the cafe we made it to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. “Ait” means family and “Ben Haddou” was a past leader of the village.
Ait Ben Haddou is a popular filming location and has been featured in several movies and television shows. Gladiator, Prince of Persia, and Game of Thrones are just a few productions to have filmed in this historic ksar. There was actually filming going on when we were in the village but we didn’t catch what it was.
We first stopped about 10 minutes from the village to snap some photos from a distance, and then we drove closer to walk into the village. To get into the village, you cross a large bridge that goes over a small river where you can see Berber women doing laundry.
In the village there are a few artisan shops where you can buy head scarves, art, and even get your name written in Arabic
You can choose to hike up to the top of the village for panoramic views of Ait Ben Haddou and the surrounding area.
Lunch in Ouarzazate
After visiting Ait Ben Haddou, we made our way to Ouarzazate to grab some lunch.
Ouarzazate is a city that sits in the High Atlas Mountains between Draa, Dades, and Ziz valley. The city is a popular filming location and has been nicknamed the “Hollywood of Morocco.” As you drive around the city you’ll see what appears to be small living communities which are actually movie sets. There’s also a large storage complex where you can see different props and set pieces.
We stopped for lunch at a small bistro called La Terrasse, which served traditional Moroccan foods and beverages. The food was decent but not anything to write home about.
Once we were done eating, we jumped back in the car to make our way to our final site of the day.
Dades Gorges
Dades Gorges are a collection of dramatic canyons carved out by the Dades River over centuries. They are known for their narrow winding roads, unique rock formations, and steep, rocky cliffs. Our driver pointed out a formation known as “Monkey Fingers”, which indeed looked as described.
The area is super picturesque, and with the sun beginning to set the cliffs took on a really pretty golden tone. We were able to get out of the car and take some photos of the area which definitely gave Arizona vibes.
Overnight at Hotel
After a full day of exploring, it was time to check into our hotel for the night.
Morocco Exotic Adventures arranged for us to stay at the Hotel Panoramic. Like most hotels in Morocco, the staff greeted us with some mint tea and snacks before escorting us to our room.
The room was basic with two twin beds and a small bathroom. The highlight was definitely the balcony that overlooked the Dades Valley. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset with the rock formations and small abodes in the distance being painted rich and warm tones as the sun falls behind the valley walls
Dinner and breakfast were included with our stay and featured your typical Moroccan fare. Also, the downstairs dining room and common space is the only area in the hotel with wifi access. Keep that in mind if you like to scroll your social feeds before bed. I recommend downloading a couple of movies or shows beforehand to keep yourself entertained while in your room.
Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour – Day 2
We headed out on day 2 bright and early to start another long day of driving. Day 2 is light on sites but probably the highlight of a Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
Todra Gorge
The first stop of the day was Todra Gorge. Todra is a dramatic canyon with limestone cliffs reaching up to 1,312 feet (400 meters) and one of Morocco’s most stunning natural wonders. When we visited in February, it was extra windy in the canyon. So, keep that in mind if you’re visiting in the winter. Definitely bring a jacket or windbreaker to keep you warm if you get cold easily.
Our driver dropped off at one end of the gorge and we walked about 15 minutes through the canyon to the other side. There’s a sense of wonder as you go through the gorge with the towering walls on each side of you and the sounds of the Todra River flowing nearby. It’s a beautiful start to an amazing day in the desert.
After leaving the gorge, we made a couple of pit stops here and there for photos and to check out some different things. Along the way we spotted wild camels, collected fossils, and saw a bunch of derby cars competing in some sort of race across the country.
We also stopped in Rissani to check out a traditional market and to get keffiyeh scarves before heading to Merzouga for the most epic part of our journey.
Camel Ride into the desert
Geared up in our keffiyeh and kaftans, we arrived in the Erg Chebbi dunes for our camel ride through the Sahara Desert.
Getting on the camel for the first time I was a little nervous, but Brooke did some research beforehand and gave me some pointers. You definitely want to brace yourself and push against the handles and lean back as the camel is getting up to keep yourself from falling over its head.
Being on a camel is definitely one of those pinch me moments. As I was on my camel trekking through the desert, I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, what is life?”
About an hour into our journey we stopped in the dunes to snap photos and watch the sunset.
Desert Camp
Hopping back on the camels we made our way to our accommodations for the night, Ideal Desert Camp.
The atmosphere of this place was incredible. There were flame lit lanterns lining carpeted paths leading to spacious white glamping tents. The tent was surprisingly spacious with two beds (a large double bed and a twin bed), a seating area, and a full bathroom with running hot water.
We were definitely blown away by the set up and weren’t expecting such a beautiful space.
After settling in, we made our way to the main tent where we were served different Moroccan dishes. Later that night we gathered around a fire to dance while our hosts played traditional music.
Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour – Day 3
On the final day of the tour, we woke up early to watch the sunrise over the desert and eat breakfast.
Instead of taking camels out of the desert, we loaded into a 4×4 suv and took on the dunes. This was definitely an exhilarating way to get through the desert.
What was a 1.5 hour camel journey only took about 15 minutes by car. Once out of the dunes, we met back up with our tour driver. The staff from the desert camp are in charge of the camel ride and overnight stay portions of Morocco Exotic Adventures’ desert tour, so your tour driver stays behind in Merzouga.
Back with Mohammad, we made our way to our last few stops before arriving in Fes.
Aoufous / Ziz Valley
Aoufous is a small town located in the Ziz Valley nestled between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountain ranges. We stopped to take in the panoramic view of the oasis of Aoufous which features thousands of palm trees juxtaposed against the area’s otherwise arid landscape. We stopped by the oasis for photos and a quick break. There’s a little shop nearby that sells snacks, drinks and souvenirs so we popped in there to grab some bits for the drive.
Midelt
Next stop on our Marrakech to Fes desert tour was the city of Midelt. Midelt is referred to as the “Apple Capital” of Morocco and you’ll actually pass by some giant apple sculptures as you drive through the city in honor of this. We didn’t stop in town but rather a little outside of it at a hotel for lunch.
Cedar Forest and Ifrane
The last stops on our tour before we made the final stretch into Fes were the Cedar Forest and Ifrane. In the Cedar Forest, you’ll come across some men offering you nuts and dried fruit to feed the Barbary apes. They expect a tip, so just keep that in mind if you decide to feed the monkeys.
After spending about 10/15 minutes with the monkey, we got back in the car to head to Ifrane. The first thing you’ll notice about Ifrane is that it looks like a small European town dropped in the middle of Morocco. The architecture and city design are a far departure from what you’ll see in other parts of the country.
We stopped in the city to stretch our legs and grab some coffee at a cute coffee shop and then made our way to Fes.
Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour – Final Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 Day Marrakech to Fes desert tour with Morocco Exotic Adventures. The entire journey was super smooth, and I liked the fact that we could choose how much time we were spending at each place. Some areas we were good with just looking at through the car windows, and whereas at others we got out and explored the area a little more.
If your budget allows it, I definitely recommend taking a private tour. However, if you’re a solo traveler a group tour may be the better option for you. Either way don’t miss out on a desert adventure while in Morocco!
If you’re interested in booking a tour with Morocco Exotic Adventures, you can contact Youseff, the owner of Morocco Exotic Adventures, via email or text him on Whatsapp.
FAQS
Can you do a day trip to the desert from Marrakech?
You can take a day trip to the desert from Marrakech! There are plenty of tour operators that will take you to the nearby Agafay Desert for camel treks, 4×4 activities, and more.
How far is the Sahara Desert from Marrakech?
The Sahara Desert via Merzouga is 350 miles from Marrakech.
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